OSCE patrol comes under fire near Zolote – report

“On the morning of 26 February, an SMM patrol consisting of six members and two armoured vehicles was positioned on the western edge of Zolote-5. Three patrol members were standing next to the vehicles and the others were inside them. Despite security guarantees having been provided, at 12:18, the SMM patrol members who were standing next to their vehicles heard about five shots of small-arms fire approximately 200m west-north-west, followed by the sound of bullets flying about 10m over their heads;” the report says.

It is noted that the SMM patrol was monitoring the security situation in the area to enable repair works to water pipes in Zolote-5/Mykhailivka. Six employees of the Luhansk Water Company were conducting the repair works about 100m west-north-west of the SMM’s position.

“The three SMM patrol members took cover on the ground and then inside their vehicles and saw the Luhansk Water Company employees taking cover behind a tractor,” the report says.

The SMM patrol and the Luhansk Water Company employees departed the area at 12:20. No injuries or damage to property were reported.

iy