A regular meeting of the working group on security issues was held via videoconferencing on September 1.
Representatives of the Republics focused on violations of the first three clauses of the Additional Measures for the Enhancement and Control of the Ceasefire Regime by the armed forces of Ukraine concerning the ban on offensive operations, the use of UAVs, the ban on any fire and deployment of heavy weapons in populated localities. In addition, the members continued to discuss further steps for the withdrawal of forces and weapons, as well as agreeing on the draft decision on demining and the supplement to it.
The representative of the Republic Alexey Nikonorov noted that the Additional Measures for the Enhancement and Control of the Ceasefire Regime, which came into force, made it possible to significantly reduce the number of attacks on the DPR territory.
“Since the last meeting, which took place on August 18, the AFU violated the ceasefire regime six times, no heavy weapons were used, no civilian casualties or damage to housing and infrastructure facilities were registered.
However, gross violations of the Additional Measures by the AFU, in particular clause 1, which prescribes the ban on offensive, reconnaissance and sabotage operations, including position hardening, attempts to change the initial deployment of troops, as well as the ban on the use of any aircraft of the parties, raise particular concern,” the representative of the Republic stated.
Alexey Nikonorov emphasized that according to the information from the DPR Representative Office to the JCCC, Ukrainian armed forces carry out engineer works and UAV flights along the line of contact every day.
Since August 18, 14 cases of engineering work have been registered at AFU positions, including the use of trench explosives. During this period, 107 UAV flights, of which 35 crossed the line of contact, have been registered.
“DPR People’s Militia units three times intercepted AFU aircraft: at 13:10 on July 28 near Kominternovo, at 09:20 on August 15 near Naberezhnoye and on August 19 near Sakhanka. These UAVs were used for reconnaissance purposes and were fit out with video surveillance devices. The video recorders captured the route of movement, UAV operators, deployment site, sleeve chevrons of the AFU, as well as the process of personnel training,” Alexey Nikonorov said. He noted that all photo and video evidence would be sent to the OSCE SMM.
The representative of the Republic also drew attention to the situation in the area of Shumy, where the armed forces of Ukraine continue to build new positions and fortifications instead of eliminating positional violations.
In addition, Alexey Nikonorov said that between August 18 and 31, the OSCE SMM reported the presence of AFU equipment in the security zone, including near residential buildings in violation of the third clause of the Additional Measures.
“Our stance on the negotiations is known — it is important not only to sign but also to implement all the documents. Today’s reality is that not everything is implemented. In particular, the Ukrainian side is ignoring the implementation of the Framework Decision at the areas previously withdrawn: the Mission continues to report AFU troops and new shelters in the middle of the area near Petrovskoye. This is not conducive to progress on further withdrawal of forces and weapons in new areas,” Alexey Nikonorov said.
With regard to the coordination of the Supplement to the Framework Decision, the parties considered compromise wordings that would take into account all the necessary conditions for the withdrawal of forces and weapons. At the moment, a number of clauses have been agreed upon, but in general, the members need to work through a consolidated draft within 2-3 days, taking into account all the options proposed by the parties.
As for coordinates of four new areas, the parties managed to reach a certain agreement on them: schematic maps of these areas will be drawn up in the near future and submitted for signing to the members of the Contact Group.
Regarding the issue of demining operations, the parties have to agree on coordinates for one of the mine clearance locations proposed by the Lugansk People’s Republic.
