The OSCE SMM personnel continue observing ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions / Photo from UNIAN
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine has reported that militants from the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) terrorist organization have accused one of the OSCE monitors of gathering intelligence information near the occupied village of Kominternove near the Ukrainian-held strategic port city of Mariupol in Donetsk region.
"'DPR' members at a checkpoint in Kominternove (23km north-east of Mariupol) denied the SMM passage towards Vodiane (19km north-east of Mariupol) accusing one monitor of being involved in intelligence gathering," the OSCE SMM said in its daily update on Friday, January 22, based on information received as of 19:30 local time January 21, 2016.
"'DPR' members told the SMM that they could proceed without the monitor or if he handed over personal equipment that was of no operational use. The SMM refused and turned back. 'DPR' members added that if that monitor were part of future patrols to Kominternove, the SMM would not be allowed to enter the village," the update said.