Invaders continue to restrict SMM’s freedom of movement in Donbas

The SMM’s freedom of movement in eastern Ukraine continues to be restricted, including due to the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance, according to an OSCE report of March 18.

“At a checkpoint north of Zaichenko (non-government-controlled, 93km south of Donetsk), two armed members of the armed formations again denied the SMM passage through it, citing a “high-level visit in the area”,” reads the report.

At a checkpoint north of Shevchenko (non-government-controlled, 82km south of Donetsk), an armed member of the armed formations denied the SMM passage to Porokhnia (non-government-controlled, 85km south of Donetsk), citing “orders from superiors.”

About 1km north of Korsun (non-government-controlled, 31km north-east of Donetsk) on road M-04, the SMM was stopped by two members of the armed formations (one armed) who redirected it to another road citing “training activities” and the “security of civilians.” The SMM saw that other vehicles were being redirected to the same road.

At a border crossing point near Dovzhanske (non-government-controlled, 84km south-east of Luhansk), a member of the armed formations told the SMM to leave the area.

In addition, on March 17, at a checkpoint south-east of Marinka (government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM saw for the first time unexploded ordnance (UXO), assessed as the tailfin of a round from an anti-tank guided missile system (9P148 Konkurs, 135mm), lying on the southern side of troad N-15, unmarked, which is regularly used by civilians.

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