OSCE Mission opens forward patrol base in Shchastia, Ukraine
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has opened a new Forward Patrol Base in the government-controlled town of Shchastia in the Luhansk region. According to the OSCE press service, the base was opened on the 25th of May and will improve the Mission’s ability to monitor the security situations in all areas.
“The new Forward Patrol Base is located less than 500 meters from the contact line. Our observers can now be closer to the areas where the most violations take place. They will then be able to rapidly respond to any reported incidents,” Alexander Hug, the Principal Deputy Chief Monitor, said at the opening ceremony.
According to him, the permanent presence of the observers will motivate the parties to respect the ceasefire and the Minsk Agreements.
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine discussed the opening of the base with the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) and “attracted support from the Ukrainian and Russian sides of the JCCC,” a statement said.
According to information provided by OSCE, the base in Shchastia is the ninth patrol base in eastern Ukraine and the fourth in the Luhansk region. The Mission intends to open new bases on both sides of the contact line.