PRESS RELEASE Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 23 November 2014 This report is for media and the general public. The SMM continued to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum and the activities of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). On 22 November events commemorating the famine in Ukraine in 1932-1933 (“Holodomor”) were held across the country. On 21 November an explosion occurred at Osnova railway station (8 km south of Kharkiv), causing no injuries or material damage. The local police confirmed to the SMM that the case was classified as an act of terrorism and was under investigation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). On 22 November the Chief Monitor met the governor of Luhansk, Gennady Moskal, and discussed the situation in the region and the role of the SMM in monitoring the implementation of the provisions of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum. The SMM helped facilitate a ceasefire in government-controlled Trokhizbenka (40 km north-west of Luhansk) which took place on 23 November from 08:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs. The purpose of the ceasefire was to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid by Governor Moskal and to restore electricity and gas lines for the 1,500 residents. The SMM visited the regional psycho-neurological hospital on the outskirts of Slovyanoserbsk (30 km north-west of Luhansk), under the control of the “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”). The SMM was informed that only six of the 180 staff remained, none of whom had a medical degree or training in nursing. The SMM observed the critical conditions in which the 350 patients live, including the lack of heating, electricity, gas, food and medication. Some 120 patients are bed-ridden and the hospital has an acute mental illness unit. The SMM was shown hospital records according to which 49 people had died since August. On 23 November the SMM monitored the “LPR”-controlled area of Slovyanoserbsk (30 km north-west of Luhansk). At 12:00 hrs exchange of artillery fire from the “LPR” and the Ukrainian sides forced the SMM to leave.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 18:03:06 +0000
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