OSCE SMM observes DPR mortar fire in Shyrokyne area

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (OSCE SMM) has observed mortar fire of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) militants at the Ukrainian army positions in Shyrokyne near Mariupol.

"On 12 April, from an observation point located in the eastern outskirts of Berdianske (government-controlled, 19km east of Mariupol, 1.5km west of Shyrokyne) between 17:45 and 18:00hrs, the SMM heard 25 incoming mortar rounds it assessed were fired from "DPR" positions in the east, impacting one kilometer north of the SMM's position, on Ukrainian Armed Forces positions in western Shyrokyne," the mission said in a spot report posted early on Monday morning.

"Between 18:00 and 18:25hrs, the SMM heard another 24 incoming mortar rounds impacting two kilometers from its position, near the E58 road. From 18:05 to 18:25hrs, the SMM observed 30 mortar rounds fired from a Ukrainian Armed Forces position along the Sea of Azov coast in southern Berdianske, 400m south-east of the SMM's position," the report continued.

"Following a lull until 18:50hrs, "DPR" artillery from the north-north-east targeted these Ukrainian Armed Forces positions with salvos, probably 122mm howitzers," the mission said.

"The SMM observed splashes in the Sea of Azov. The SMM departed at 19:00hrs but continued to hear artillery fire. The artillery fire was heard and shook buildings across Mariupol; it ended at 20:25hrs," it noted.

On 12 April, the SMM was repeatedly denied access to the village of Shyrokyne.