OSCE SMM monitors have come under fire near the town of Schastia in Luhansk region / Photo from facebook.com/ato.news
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine has announced a decision to review its monitoring operations in the Donbas conflict zone due to an incident that took place near the town of Schastia in Luhansk region, according to the OSCE SMM's official Twitter page.
"In response to security incidents over past days – including near Schastia – the SMM is reviewing its monitoring operations in certain locations," a tweet said.
In addition, the SMM stressed the need to ensure the safety of its observers.
"The SMM reiterates its absolute need for safe and secure access in order to fulfill its mandate," the tweet said.
OSCE SMM Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug's media briefing on recent security incidents is scheduled at the SMM's Head Office (26 Turhenivska Street) at 11:00 Kyiv time.
As UNIAN reported earlier, on July 26, the SMM confirmed that its observers had come under fire near the town of Schastia in Luhansk region. According to the organization, the SMM is an unarmed civilian mission and it requires safe and unrestricted access in order to fulfill its mandate.