The OSCE special monitoring mission (SMM) has reported that Grad multiple launch rocket systems and other heavy weapons, withdrawn from the line of contact in Donbas, have disappeared from holding sites controlled by the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR respectively).

"The SMM visited six heavy arms holding areas in DPR. At three out of the six sites, the SMM was able to confirm that all weapons previously recorded by the SMM, were in situ. At one site the number of heavy arms corresponded to the number and type recorded by the SMM on their previous visit, though the SMM was prevented from checking the serial numbers on the weaponry by DPR representatives. At two other sites none of the arms previously recorded at the locations by the SMM were present," reads a report issued by the SMM on April 19.

DPR representatives at one of the sites where the Grads were missing said that the weapons were taken away in preparation for a Victory Day parade on 9 May. At another site, both artillery pieces previously recorded were missing and there were no DPR representatives present.

The SMM re-visited a LPR arms site and saw that weapons which were previously observed were there in situ.

"At another location, the SMM was informed by an interlocutor that weapons were removed in the previous days. However, the SMM observed four heavy artillery pieces at the facility (2A65 MSTA-B towed artillery)."

"An LPR member at the location told the SMM that some weapons were moved for use in an upcoming Victory Day parade on 9 May and that others are undergoing maintenance. The SMM went to a location (that does not correspond with Minsk withdrawal lines) where the LPR told the SMM they have redeployed heavy weapons for an upcoming Victory Day parade on 9 May," reads the report.

At this site the SMM observed the following: four main battle tanks (MBTs - T-64 K), four infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-1s), and seven tracked crew transport vehicle (MTLB), four mounted with anti-aircraft STRELA-10 systems. Whilst at this site, the SMM observed the following heavy weapons enter the site: four MLRS (BM-2 Grad), four self-propelled howitzers (2SI Gvozdika 122mm), and four towed howitzers (2A65 “MSTA-B” 152mm), the SMM reports.

In a letter dated April 10 which was addressed to the signatories of the Minsk agreements, the head of the OSCE SMM, Ertugrul Apakan, expressed his concern about reports that heavy weapons may be redeployed to areas forbidden by the Minsk agreements for exercises or military parades.

"He [Apakan] reminded all sides that firing of any weapon, as well as deployment of any heavy weapon, in proscribed areas constitutes a violation of the Minsk agreements, and stated that the SMM will continue to report them as such," reads the report.