Monitors of the Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE SMM) came under fire not far from the Maryinka locality in Donetsk region on January 16; no one was hurt, OSCE First Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said.

They were staying not far from Maryinka near Donetsk in order to conduct monitoring and assist in the restoration of important infrastructure for civilians, who live on both sides of the dividing line; despite this someone fired upon them, Hug told a press briefing in Kyiv on Thursday. Whilst monitors fell under fire, luckily no one was injured, he said.

He recalled that a similar incident took place in Horlivka a week ago. OSCE SMM monitors were taken out of their cars and were forced to lie down on the snow, he said, noting that all this was happening at the barrel of assault rifles and that their lives were in danger.