OSCE notices increase in use of artillery in eastern Ukraine
The Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE SMM) announced several instances of the use of multiple launch rocket systems and also an increase in the presence of other kinds of weapons in the security zone.
"We observed a decrease in the number and use of artillery and mortars. But – and this provokes concern – we noticed an increase in the use of multiple launch rocket systems," the Ukrainian News quoted the head of OSCE SMM, Alexander Hug, as saying.
According to him, observers heard 40 shots from a volley fire system on March 2nd, in the area of Debaltsevo (Donetsk region). And on February 28th monitors saw eight Grads near the Ukrainian government controlled town of Ivanivka (Donetsk region), which is a violation of the agreement to withdrawal heavy weapons from the boundary line. Observers also noted an increase in the presence of other kinds of weapons in the security zone, in particular 11 tanks in a residential area of Donetsk.
On March 3rd, a meeting of foreign ministers in the Normandy format was held in Paris. According to the Foreign Minister of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, progress has been made especially on the issue of mine clearing in the "twelve priority areas," but the least progress was made on the issue of local elections in the territories controlled by the separatists.