Mr. Chairperson,

On behalf of the delegation of Ukraine let me deliver a statement on the subject of “Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine and illegal occupation of Crimea”.

The security situation in the conflict area in Donbas remains tense. The Armed Forces of Ukraine positions are being shelled with alarming frequency leading to casualties among Ukrainian military personnel impeding the peaceful settlement of the conflict. Since the last FSC meeting, another two servicemen have been wounded.

From entry into force of TCG agreement on additional measures to strengthen ceasefire on 27 July 2020 until 25 April 2021, the Russian armed formations violated the ceasefire 1289 times, including 210 times with the Minsk-proscribed weapons, namely:

122mm artillery systems were used 8 times (69 projectiles were fired) near Vodiane, Krasnohorivka, Novomykhailivka and Pivdenne settlements;

120mm mortars were used 87 times (905 shells were launched) near 18 settlements (Avdiivka, Vodiane, Hnutove, Zaitseve, Katerynivka, Krasnogororivka, Luhanske, Nevelske, Novhorodske, Novooleksandrivka, Opytne, Pavlopil, Pivdenne, Pisky, Pyschevyk, Talakivka, Shyrokyne, Shumy); 

82mm mortars were used 115 times (712 shells were launched) near 23 settlements (Avdiivka, Bohdanivka, Vodiane, Hnutove, Zaitseve, Zolote-4, Kamianka, Katerynivka, Krasnohorivka, Lebedynske, Luhanske, Mariinka, Myronivskyi, Nevelske, Novhorodske, Novozvanivka, Novomykhailivka, Opytne, Pivdenne, Pisky, Pyschevyk, Shyrokyne, Shumy);

The Russian occupation forces also resorted to armed provocations with the use of diverse grenade launchers, small arms, including sniper fire, heavy machine guns near more than 60 residential areas. They regularly undertake actions aimed at mining the Ukrainian positions delivering mines both remotely and by subversive groups. Among them are landmines POM-2, MON-50, PFM-1, and PMN, the use of which is prohibited by respective international instruments.

We reiterate our strong condemnation and indignation over the use by Russia and its armed formations of landmines in Donbas region of Ukraine. We strongly urge the Russian side to immediately cease the supply and further contamination of the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine with landmines, other types of mines and explosive devices, and proceed with demining. 

For the abovementioned period, the Russian occupation forces committed other violations of the Minsk agreements, including the use of UAVs – 65 times, development of new positions and reinforcement of existing ones – 29 cases, remotely delivered mines – 33 cases, shelling of civilian sites – 14 times.

Ukrainian side considers such actions of the Russian armed formations as a blatant violation of the Minsk agreements and disregard of the TCG agreement on additional measures to strengthen ceasefire of 22 July 2020, as well as deliberate steps to destabilize the situation in the temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and adjacent territories, and further escalation of the conflict.

The Russian Federation has been supplying its forces in Donbas with weaponry, ammunition, fuel, lubricants, and has been transferring manpower through the section of the Russian-Ukrainian state border, uncontrolled by the Government of Ukraine.

Within one month alone, from 12 March till 11 April, 107 tank wagons with total loading capacity of approximately 6420 tons of fuel and lubricants entered Ukraine from Russia through Gukove checkpoint heading towards Rovenky, Chervona Mohyla and Luhansk railway stations.

During the same period of time, an URAL military truck loaded with repair parts and components to radio electronic warfare systems (12-13 March); 5 KAMAZ trucks loaded with antitank mines TM-62 and landmines POM-2 (14-15 March); 3 vehicles loaded with artillery systems 2C9 “Nona” and 4 vehicles with infantry anti-tank guided missiles (2-3 April) were observed entering Ukraine from Russia through Diakove checkpoint. 4 covered wagons and 5 open wagons with ammunition entered Ukraine from Russia through the railway station Uspenka (on 29 March).

Meanwhile, 150-200 infantry fighting vehicles, multi-purpose light-armoured towing vehicle, armoured personnel vehicle, KAMAZ and URAL military trucks were observed entering Ukraine from Russia through Gukove checkpoint heading to the temporarily occupied Dovzhansk (23-24 March).

On 5-6 April, 5 officers of the operational department of the Russian Armed Forces arrived from Russia to the temporarily occupied territory in Luhansk region.

Currently, military logistics and combat support units, military advisors, instructors, specialists and servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation amounting to 2800 people, and 40 pieces of weapons and military equipment of the regular units of the Russian Armed Forces, in particular armoured combat vehicles, are deployed in the temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

The SMM continues to observe weapons and equipment systems in the conflict zone of exclusively Russian origin. Among the most recent cases, let me draw your attention to 15 new Russian-made UAZ Esaul armoured utility vehicles, which the SMM spotted on 14 April for the first time near the temporarily occupied residential area of Oleksandrivske, Donetsk region (21 km from the contact line). According to the open sources, UAZ Esaul armoured vehicles have been supplied to the Russian army since 2018. A machine gun or a grenade launcher (AGS-17 or AGS-30) can be mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

Let me also remind you that in December 2020, the modified Russian 2B26 Grad MLRS based on the KamAZ-5350 chassis, which is in service with the Russian Armed Forces, was observed by the SMM (daily report of 14 December 2020). In February 2021, the SMM (daily report of 17 February 2021) also observed Russian 51U6 Kasta-2E1 radar station near the temporarily occupied residential area of Buhaevka, Luhansk region.

These facts speak for themselves and undoubtedly testify to the ongoing violation by Russia of the OSCE fundamental principles, enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, as to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders as well as its commitments under OSCE politico-military instruments.

Amid these destructive activities of the Russian Federation, the trend of severe impediment and denial of access of the SMM patrols and interference with its assets by the Russian armed formations in Donbas remains unchanged. These actions are clearly intended to hide illegal activities on the ground and must be stopped to ensure full and unhindered implementation of the Mission’s mandate. 

Mr. Chairperson,

We cannot accept the attempts of the Russian side to portray its military activity along the border with Ukraine and in the temporarily occupied Crimea as being routine and insignificant. The intention behind this activity remains unclear and continues to be of our concern.

While the statement of the Russian Ministry of Defence on the withdrawal of forces to the places of their permanent deployment may seem encouraging, Russia retains dangerous military presence in the areas in question affecting security of Ukraine and the whole region.

In this connection, we urge the Russian side to take heed of the recommendations expressed by the delegations at the 81^st PC-FSC meeting on 14 April and fulfil its obligations under Chapter 3 of the Vienna Document 2011. Until today, we have not heard any credible explanation with regard to its military activity that could be sufficient to allay concerns of Ukraine and other participating States.

In conclusion, we urge the Russian Federation to stop its aggression against Ukraine, reverse its illegal occupation of Crimea, de-occupy parts of Donbas, and restore freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, through the Kerch Strait and in the Sea of Azov. Russia must fully implement its commitments under the Minsk agreements, including the withdrawal of its armed forces, mercenaries, armed formations, and weapons from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.