Mine event in Ukraine on Fri 21st July 2017

The SMM observed the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). On 21 July, in non-government-controlled areas, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted the presence of 64 anti-tank mines (TM-62) 20m north-north-west of an LPR checkpoint, 16 of which were laid across road M03 between Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk) and Svitlodarsk and 48 of which were piled nearby in the grass at two locations on one side of the road. On the ground, on 24 July the SMM saw two rows of 15 anti-tank mines (TM-62) and concrete barriers at the same location. The SMM had previously facilitated and monitored mine and UXO clearance in this area. The clearance had allowed the Mission to travel the road from Svitlodarsk to Debaltseve for the first time since early 2015; the removed mines, however, had been placed back immediately after the SMM's passage. (See SMM Daily Report 20 July 2017 - http://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/330981)