A group of five OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) members on March 17 were positioned to monitor adherence to the ceasefire between Avdiyivka and Yasynuvata (Donetsk region) and heard a shot of small-arms fire and the sound of a bullet flying above their heads, according to a report of the OSCE SMM.

No injuries to the SMM members or damage to SMM vehicles was sustained.

The group of monitors was to monitor adherence to the ceasefire for demining at and around the Donetsk filtration station as well as the restoration of water supply to both sides of the contact line.

Three Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) officers (two Ukrainian and one Russian), four representatives of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and four members of a "DPR" demining team were also present at the site.

"At 11:45, while four SMM members were 2-3m north and another was 5m south-east of the vehicles, they heard the hissing sound of a bullet flying above their heads, and at the same time heard a shot of small-arms fire 100-200m south of their position. All present immediately took cover on the northern side of the SMM vehicles. The SMM assessed the bullet as having been fired from a southerly to a north-north-easterly direction. The SMM also heard another shot of small-arms fire 100-200m south while boarding its vehicles," reads the report.

Subsequently all present including the SMM left the area. No injuries to the SMM members or damage to SMM vehicles was sustained. Ukrainian and Russian officers of the JCCC informed the SMM that none of their staff were injured.

This was the third incident in this area in the last four weeks involving small-arms fire at or near SMM members or assets.