Invaders restricted SMM’s freedom of movement in Donbas 21 times over past week

"A third of the refusals and delays in access to non-government-controlled territories was recorded at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Verkhnoshyrokivske in southern Donetsk region," the statement reads.

In a daily report dated February 10, 2020, the OSCE informed that the Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including on three occasions at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Verkhnoshyrokivske. "On February 8, at a checkpoint west of Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, nongovernment-controlled, 85km south of Donetsk), an armed member of the armed formations again denied the SMM passage towards Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove, non-government-controlled, 92km south of Donetsk), citing “an ongoing operation”. While present, the SMM saw civilian traffic proceeding in both directions,” reads the report.

On two occasions on February 9, at a checkpoint west of Verkhnoshyrokivske, an armed member of the armed formations again denied the SMM passage towards Pikuzy, Sakhanka (non-government-controlled, 97km south of Donetsk), and the border area, citing a lack of permission granted by superiors. While present, the SMM saw civilian traffic proceeding in both directions.

On February 8, an SMM mid-range UAV experienced signal interference, assessed as caused by probable jamming, while flying over areas near Verkhnoshyrokivske.

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