Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 15 September 2015
Please note that this report is for media and the general public.
SUMMARY
Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic increased at both BCPs.
DETAIL
OM’s staff composition
The OM is currently operating with 18 permanent international staff members (including the Chief Observer). One of the permanent observers is performing the duties of an Acting Chief Observer and one the administrative duties. Four staff members are currently on leave.
Cross-border movements common to both BCPs
The profile of the people crossing the border remains unchanged and can be categorized as follows:
- Families on foot or travelling by car and busses, with a lot of luggage, often accompanied by elderly people;
- Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
- People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks, crossing on foot or in vehicles.
Compared to last week, the average number of entries/exits increased overall from 9,585 to 11,300 per day for both BCPs; the average net flow went from plus 189 (i.e. more entries into the Russian Federation) to minus 140 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation). The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for forty-three per cent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border have number plates issued in Ukraine (Luhansk region), including a number of articulated trucks and long-distance coaches commuting between Ukraine (Luhansk region) and cities in the Russian Federation.
Common observations at the BCPs
The situation at both BCPs remained calm. The OM continued to observe that the Russian Federation Border Guard and Customs Service conducted checks and controls.
Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (Luhansk region) and cities in the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the Observer Teams (OTs) continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the busses do not state their route; instead they just have a sign on the windshield saying “Irregular”. Among the irregular lines observed by the OTs the following destinations were noted: five busses bound for Kharkiv, one was on the route Stakhanov-Kharkiv and one bus to Sverdlovsk-Gelendzhik.
During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style dress, crossing the border in both directions, decreased from 204 to 142 at both BCPs. These people continued crossing the border individually or in groups and on foot or using different types of transport (in addition to vehicles, some used busses, but also bikes and motorbikes). Approximately ninety four per cent of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. The OTs continued to observe that from time to time persons in military-style dress have travelled across the border by bus, which makes it more difficult for the OTs to observe their movement across the border. The OTs also continued to observe physically fit young and middle-aged men in civilian clothing, with short haircuts, many of whom carry camouflage-coloured backpacks.
Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe vehicles with Ukrainian license plates, including articulated trucks, with “Donetsk People’s Republic / Lugansk People’s Republic” (“DPR/LPR”) stickers on their license plates replacing the Ukrainian flag.
During the reporting week, the OM continued to observe a high number of trucks, crossing the border in both directions, including intense cargo truck traffic at both BCPs and dumper trucks transporting coal from Ukraine (Luhansk region) to the Russian Federation through the Gukovo BCP. While the majority of the trucks are registered in Ukraine (Luhansk region) the OTs also observed trucks registered in the Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus that crossed the border. During the reporting week, the OTs have observed that the number of trucks registered in the Republic of Belarus has increased from 48 to 52; these trucks were observed crossing the border almost only at Donetsk BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs have recorded just one such crossing at the Gukovo BCP. Separately, the OTs also observed tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The number of tanker trucks decreased from 46 last week to 45 this week. 41of these trucks crossed at the Donetsk BCP, while the remaining four crossed at the Gukovo BCP. These trucks for the most part had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in the Russian language.
During the reporting period, people crossing the border in particular at the Donetsk BCP continued to approach the OTs on several occasions to share their experiences and observations from the Ukrainian side of the border. People crossing the border shared with the OTs their impression that the situation in the Luhansk region is improving.
Military movement
At the two BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from the movement of Russian Federation Border Guard Service vehicles transporting BCP personnel and supplies.
Observation at the Gukovo BCP
The traffic flow at the Gukovo BCP has increased compared to last week. A daily average of 3,926 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for just under 14 per cent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow went from plus 179 to plus 233 (i.e. more entries into the Russian Federation) on average per day.
During the reporting period, the OM observed a total of 9 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 4 of whom left for Ukraine while 5 entered the Russian Federation. This is the lowest number of persons in military-style clothing who have crossed the border at the Gukovo BCP since the inception of the OM.
As in previous weeks, the OM observed dumper trucks transporting coal from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. As reported previously, the OTs saw Russian Federation Border Guard and Customs Service personnel checking that the trucks were empty while leaving the Russian Federation.
The OTs continued to pick up on the sound of trains running on the train tracks located approximately 150 meters south-west of the BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 25 occasions; the OTs estimated that 14 trains were going to the Russian Federation and 11 trains were bound for Ukraine. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees in between the train tracks and the BCP.
On 12 September at 22:26hrs the OT heard fifteen rounds of firings from an automatic weapon coming from south-westerly direction. From 22:34 to 23:00hrs, the OT once again heard the sound of three single shots coming from the same direction.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP slightly increased compared to last week. The daily average of 7,374 entries and exits accounted for twenty-six percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from plus 10 to minus 373 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation) on average per day.
During the reporting week, the OT observed 133 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups; 70 persons entered the Russian Federation while 63 left for Ukraine.
On 08 September at 11:00hrs the OT saw a van which arrived at the BCP from the Russian Federation and crossed to Ukraine. There was an inscription on the windshield “Funeral Services” in Russian language.