OSCE: 18 civilians killed in Donbas since beginning of 2019

Since the beginning of 2019, the SMM has confirmed 145 civilian casualties (18 killed and 127 injured) in Donbas, according to an OSCE report.

"Between 25 November and 8 December, the SMM recorded about 8,900 ceasefire violations, including about 1,600 explosions that were mostly concentrated in four hotspots in Donetsk region. This compares with 12,900 ceasefire violations, including about 3,300 explosions, in the previous two-week period," the report says.

The Mission confirmed one civilian casualty: a woman with a gunshot wound to her chest and an open fracture in her left arm, injuries she received when walking with her 20-month-old son on a bridge in Marinka on 25 November. "The incident occurred about 1km from the contact line. Since the beginning of 2019, the SMM has confirmed 145 civilian casualties (18 killed, 127 injured)," the report notes.

The SMM recorded 13 weapons in violation of their respective withdrawal lines, compared to 35 in the previous two-week period.

In addition, the Mission continued to observe military and military-type presence, including in and near residential areas.

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