The SMM’s freedom of movement remains restricted. During the period from 1 to 14 May its access was restricted on 31 occasions: 22 in non-government controlled areas and nine in government-controlled areas. In addition, the Mission’s patrolling remains restricted to asphalt and concrete roads, following the death of one OSCE SMM member and the injury of two others when their vehicle hit what was probably a mine near Pryshyb on 23 April. The restrictions on the implementation of the SMM’s mandate are under regular review but are likely to remain in place until the sides take measures to remove mines or mark or fence them off.
The Chief Monitor of the SMM, Ertugrul Apakan, addressed the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on 12 May. He emphasized that the safety and security of the SMM’s unarmed civilian monitors – and of the wider civilian population in eastern Ukraine – must be prioritized by the sides to the conflict.
Ambassador Apakan has also condemned the sexual harassment of a female SMM patrol member by an armed man in the non-government controlled area of Donetsk region on 5 May.