Donbas invaders hinder OSCE observers’ access at two checkpoints – report

This is according to a report by the Joint Forces Operation HQ citing an OSCE report, seen by Ukrinform.

The Ukrainian side to the Joint Ceasefire Control and Coordination Center reports gross violations by Russian armed groups and its mercenaries, according to the OSCE SMM report of July 31.

Thus, an SMM-manned short-range UAV spotted weaponry located outside the designated storage sites at the Uspenka and Kruhlyk landfills in Luhansk region, temporarily beyond control of the Ukrainian government, namely six anti-tank guns, 20 howitzers, and 61 tanks.

The Kremlin mercenaries also placed four armored personnel carriers, eight MT-LB vehicles, an earthmoving vehicle (MDK-3) and an armored repair and evacuation vehicle (BTS-4A) in the security zone on the territory of the facility in Donetsk’s Budionivsk district, as per the statement.

In addition, the Russia-controlled armed groups continue to obstruct the work of the OSCE Mission in the temporarily occupied territory, creating obstacles and restrictions, and sometimes even resorting to outward threats.

In particular, the OSCE SMM Spot Report No.19/2021 told of the invaders’ threat to shoot down a UAV near Staromykhailivka if it was launched.

Also, the occupiers once again banned the Mission’s team from staying at the checkpoint near the village of Izvaryne and held SMM observers at checkpoints near the occupied settlements of Olenivka and Staromykhailivka.

"The systematic denial of SMM’s access to certain areas within the territories temporarily occupied by Kremlin mercenaries once again demonstrates the concealment of numerous violations of the Minsk agreements in order to further aggravate the situation in the area of ​​the Joint Forces Operation," the statement said.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on August 1, four cases of ceasefire violations by enemy forces were recorded in the JFO zone.

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