Statement of Denis Pushilin in connection with massive shellings of Republic’s territory on part of AFU

In recent days, we are forced to record the violation of all the agreements reached earlier regarding ceasefire, non-use and withdrawal of heavy artillery.

Unfortunately, our fears, which have caused the convening of an emergency video conference of the Contact group on January 26, where in addition to security threats Donetsk filtration plant, we discussed the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and pushing of their position deep into the “grey zone,” the construction of dugouts and fortified buildings in the immediate vicinity of our positions, were not in vain.

The situation along the line of contact is escalating, destruction of infrastructure and housing sector were recorded, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population. Donetsk filtration plant, the residential sector, schools and hospitals in the city of the Republic were fired. All this brings us to the most acute phases of military operations in 2015. By different kinds of provocations and shelling, Ukraine is doing everything possible for the resumption of full-scale hostilities.                                              

In this case, we consider the OSCE SMM’s actions insufficient. To relieve tension and for the further resolution of the conflict, clear indication of regime of silence’s violator, recording the caliber of shells and determination of guns used to carry out the shelling, are needed. Given the repeated publication of the OSCE SMM’s reports about impressive numbers of Ukrainian weapons missing in storage areas, and a lack of pressure from the mission at the Ukrainian side to fulfill its obligations, we now see how this weapon is used.

We call on the OSCE SMM and JCCC to do everything possible to the ceasefire had real manifestation, and not just empty statements. For our part, we do record each AFU’s fire and collect materials about the destructions and victims in order to raise this issue at the forthcoming meeting in Minsk.

Specific decisions and actions are needed. Statements and raising ‘concerns’ about the situation are not enough.

Denis Pushilin, plenipotentiary representative of the DPR at negotiations of Contact group in Minsk, the Chairman of the DPR People’s Council