Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00 (Moscow time), 7 January 2015
This report is for media and the general public.
SUMMARY
Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both BCPs. Overall cross-border traffic flows decreased significantly at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The OM continued to observe a number of persons in military-style clothing crossing the border in both directions. Train movements at the Gukovo BCP have significantly decreased in frequency. Delay in issuing this report was due to the winter holiday period in the Russian Federation (RF).
DETAIL
OM’s staff composition
The OM is currently operating with 19 staff members, consisting of 13 permanent international observers (incl. the Chief Observer), five temporary international observers and one administrative assistant. Five international observers are currently on leave.
Cross-border movements common to both BCPs
The profile of the people crossing the border remains unchanged and can be categorised as follows:
- Families on foot or by car with a lot of luggage;
- Elderly people with few bags;
- Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
- People wearing military-style clothing with or without backpacks.
The average number of entries/exits decreased noticeably from 8,842 to 4,848 per day for both BCPs during the reporting period. More people entered Ukraine than the RF. The average net flow (i.e. the balance of entries and exits) was minus 779 (i.e. more exits from the RF) per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for 34.1 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border have number plates issued in the Luhansk region, including the long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk and cities in the RF.
Common observations at the BCPs
The situation at both BCPs remained calm. The OM continued to observe that the RF border guard and customs service conducted checks and controls.
Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between the Luhansk region and cities in the RF.
During the reporting period, the Observation Teams (OTs) observed 396 men and women in military-style dress crossing the border in both directions. These people have been crossing individually or in groups. Ninety three percent of border crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. The OTs continued to observe a number of Cossacks, who were identified by their traditional fur hats, as well as by Cossack insignias. Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe cars with “DPR/LPR” stickers on their licence plates replacing the Ukrainian flag.
Military movement
At the two BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from vehicles of the RF border guard service.
Observation at the Gukovo BCP
The traffic flows at the Gukovo BCP decreased compared to last week. A daily average of 1, 605 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for approximately eleven percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. Compared to last week once again more people exited the RF than entered. The net flow went from minus 188 to minus 162 (i.e. more exits from the RF) on average per day.
During the week, the OM observed a total of 26 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 7 of them left for Ukraine while 19 entered the RF.
Compared to previous weeks the OM observed very few dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the RF during the reporting week. This was probably due to the holiday season.
The armoured personnel carrier (APC), identified as BTR-80A, previously installed at the BCP as a routine BCP reinforcement during the holiday season, remained mostly inside the hangar (probably because of freezing temperatures which peaked at -28°C), with the exception of two days when it was temporarily removed from its position at the BCP back into the RF.
The OTs picked up on the sound of a train passing by the BCP on two occasions during the reporting week; on neither occasion was it possible to visually observe the trains. In both cases the OTs were able to estimate the direction of the trains as going to Ukraine.
On two occasions during the reporting week, the OTs heard several shots being fired most probably from a nearby shooting range located on the territory of Ukraine. This is the same shooting range that has been mentioned in previous OM reports.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period, the activity at the Donetsk BCP decreased. The daily average of 3,243 entries and exits accounted for approximately 23 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from minus 706 (i.e. exits from the RF) to minus 617 (i.e. exits from the RF) on average per day.
The OT observed 370 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups, 179 persons entered the RF while 191 left for Ukraine.
The OTs observed a car with the following inscription: “Battalion of the Mujahid” (original: “Батальон маджахеда”) on the windshield. The car, crossing at the Donetsk BCP from Ukraine into the RF, had its license plates registered in the Luhansk region with one driver and passenger dressed in military-style clothing bearing Novorossiya insignias. This vehicle has been previously observed crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP.