OSCE records more ceasefire violations in Donbas

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission last week recorded 63% more ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine than the week before. 

OSCE SMM Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said this at a weekly briefing on Thursday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Last week, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission registered a 63% increase in the number of ceasefire violations. In all, over 6,500 ceasefire violations were recorded by the OSCE SMM," he said.

According to Hug, the mission recorded a fourfold increase in the number of SMM-recorded instances in which weapons that should have been withdrawn were used.

"Among them were 86 instances in which multiple-launch rocket systems were used. And not surprisingly, the SMM recorded more of these weapons in violations of agreed withdrawal lines. In total, last week the OSCE SMM observed 84 weapons in violation, 74 in areas not controlled by the government, and ten in areas controlled by the government," he added.

Hug noted that the level of violence "is now approaching levels seen before the recommitment to the ceasefire."

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