Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 23 June 2015
SUMMARY
Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both BCPs. The overall cross-border traffic increased at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs).
DETAIL
OM’s staff composition The OM is currently operating with 20 staff members, consisting of 19 permanent international observers (incl. the Chief Observer) and one first-responder1 , who is performing the duties of administrative assistant. Six 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 categorised as follows:
1. Families on foot, by car or by bus, with a lot of luggage, often accompanied by elderly people;
2. Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
3. People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks, crossing on foot or in vehicles.
As compared to last week, the average number of entries/exits increased overall from 8,988 to 9,795 per day for both BCPs; the average net flow went from minus 73 to plus 259 (i.e. more entries to 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 just over 33 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. The number of articulated trucks and long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation continues to be considerable.
Common observations at the BCPs
The situation at both BCPs remained calm. The OM continued to observe the Russian Federation Border Guard and Customs Services perform checks and controls.
Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between the 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 buses do not state their route or just have a sign on the windshield saying “Irregular”.
During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style dress, crossing the border in both directions, increased from 211 to 241 at both BCPs. Approximately eighty-five per cent of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. These people continued crossing the border individually or in groups and on foot or using different transportation means (passenger cars, minivans, busses, bikes and motorbikes). An increasing number of this category of people is using busses to cross making it more difficult for the OTs to observe their movement. The OTs also continued to observe physically fit young and middle-aged men dressed in civilian clothing. Often times, these men have short haircuts, carry camouflage-coloured backpacks and travel in groups.
Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe vehicles (passenger cars, minivans, cargo trucks) registered in Ukraine, 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. Cargo and dumper trucks transporting coal from Luhansk region to the Russian Federation crossed the border in both directions through the Gukovo BCP. While the majority of the trucks are registered in Luhansk region, the OTs also observed that trucks registered in the Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus crossed the border. The OTs have also noted that during the reporting week the number of trucks registered in Belarus has increased from fifty last week to sixty nine; these trucks were observed crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. In addition, the OTs also observed tanker trucks. These trucks for the most part had the word “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tankers in Russian.
Military movement
At both BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from usual vehicle movements of the Russian Federation Border Guard Service.
Observation at the Gukovo BCP
The traffic flow at the Gukovo BCP has increased compared to last week. A daily average of 2,724 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for just over nine per cent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow went from plus 102 to plus 90 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) on average per day.
During the reporting period, the OM observed a total of 29 persons in military-style clothing crossed the border at the Gukovo BCP, 12 of who left for Ukraine while 17 entered the Russian Federation.
As in previous weeks, the OM observed dumper trucks transported coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation.
During the reporting week the OTs observed sixty five tanker trucks with the word “Propane” and “Flammable” and orange articulated fuel trucks crossing into both directions at the Gukovo BCP. 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 four occasions; the OTs estimated that all four trains were going to Ukraine. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees in between the train tracks and the BCP.
Observation at the Donetsk BCP
During the reporting period, the activity at the Donetsk BCP has increased compared to last week. The daily average of 7,071 entries and exits accounted for just over twenty four percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from minus 175 to plus 169 on average per day (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation). During the reporting week, the OT observed 212 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually or in groups; 114 persons entered the Russian Federation while 98 left for Ukraine.
During the reporting week, the OTs observed three ambulances at the Donetsk BCP. On two occasions the OT observed that the ambulance staff assisted two women. In each case, the ambulances returned to the Russian Federation.
In addition, during the reporting week the OTs observed the movement of busses with children crossing the border in both directions.
On 18 June, the OT observed several vehicles and workers from the Russian Federation Ministry of Emergency Situation (MES) arriving outside the BCP entrance gate on the Russian Federation side. All vehicles bore the inscription “Search and Rescue Service” written on their side in Russian. It was observed that the team set up a camp consisting of two large bright orange colored tents and related equipment. On several occasions during the week, the OTs observed busses with children coming from Ukraine towards the settled tents. On one occasion, on 23 June, the OT observed approximately 20 busses with children crossing the BCP from Ukraine and stopping at the MES camp. All children got out of the busses and went inside the tents. After some time, the children got into other busses and continued their journey towards the Russian Federation. On 23 June in the afternoon, MES staff removed the tents and left towards the Russian Federation.
CONVOY
On 18 June 2015 at 07:05hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk BCP (see the OM Spot Report of 18 June). A total of 50 vehicles: 43 cargo trucks and 7 support vehicles were checked by the Russian Federation Border Guard and Customs Services; three Russian service dogs were used to check most of the cargo trucks. Ukrainian officials were not present during the check, neither when the convoy crossed into Ukraine nor when it returned to the Russian Federation. All the vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 15:05hrs.