"On 22 July, the SMM saw multiple military-type vehicles traveling across a "DPR"-controlled checkpoint on road E-58 north of Novoazovsk (40km east of Mariupol) while it was positioned there for about three hours due to a denial of access," the OSCE SMM said in an update based on information as of 19:30 local time as of July 23, 2017.
Read alsoNormandy Four leaders agree on ceasefire implementation"The SMM saw, in sequence: one APC (BTR-80) traveling in the direction of Novoazovsk; a convoy of four police-type cars, two black sport utility vehicles with flashing lights, nine vans and five military-type trucks (many of which had the inscription "ТБГ" and appeared to be transporting men in military-style attire) traveling in the direction of the Russian Federation border; one empty military-type truck traveling in the direction of Novoazovsk; two black sport utility vehicles with flashing lights travelling in the direction of the border with the Russian Federation; five previously observed empty military-type trucks traveling in the direction of Novoazovsk; two empty military-type trucks traveling in the direction of the border with the Russian Federation; and two empty military-type trucks traveling in the direction of Novoazovsk," the report says.
Read also"DPR" militants test new mini-Grad systems near Ukraine's KrasnohorivkaIt is also reported that "on 22 July the SMM was again prevented from crossing a"DPR"-controlled checkpoint on road E-58 north of Novoazovsk – an area close to the border with the Russian Federation. Access was denied by two armed "DPR" members who cited instructions from their superiors, and another armed "DPR" member in military attire with badges in Russian language reading "Regiment of the Special Forces" and "Novorossiya". The Russian Federation chief of staff of the JCCC arrived at the checkpoint and the SMM waited for a total of three hours, during which time other civilian and military-type vehicles passed through the checkpoint, though the SMM was still denied access."
