Ukraine at OSCE: Russian armed formations in Donbas continue to violate TCG agreement

"During the week of September 21-27, the armed formations of the Russian Federation resorted to armed provocations and committed other violations of the TCG's decision on additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire reached on July 22. In particular, they violated the ceasefire 16 times, firing grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms on positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to International Organizations in Vienna Ihor Lossovsky said at a meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation in Vienna on September 30, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In addition, on September 23, Russian armed formations twice used UAVs in the Sea of Azov region to cross the demarcation line. Ukrainian forces had to use electronic warfare to stop this prohibited activity.

Also, as confirmed by the OSCE SMM reports, Russian occupation forces continue to build up their military presence in the conflict zone, by accumulating weapons and military equipment in the area of the contact line and mining territories. In particular, the Ukrainian diplomat pointed to the 21 Grad 122mm multiple rocket launchers detected by the Mission near the temporarily occupied settlement of Khrustalny.

"Such actions jeopardize the ceasefire agreement and pose a serious threat to the lives of civilians. The capabilities of these systems, especially if used simultaneously, are alarming. Their coverage area can reach 31.5 square kilometers," Lossovsky said.

The Ukrainian diplomat drew special attention to the revealed facts of the use of mines by Russian armed groups in Donbas, including banned anti-personnel mines, which "also clearly shows Russia's disregard for international agreements."

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