OSCE mission deems mortar attack on monitors in Vodiane intentional

18:41, 24.06.2016 1 min read

There are some reasons to say that Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission (OSCE SMM) monitors came under mortar fire in the populated area of Vodiane, Donetsk region on June 22 not by accident, OSCE SMM Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said.

The mission monitors came under mortar fire in Kyiv-controlled Vodiane, two kilometers away from the contact line, on Wednesday, he said at a news briefing in Kyiv on Friday. The mission's visit to this village was agreed upon with the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC), which is bound to provide access to monitors, Hug said. Those who opened mortar fire knew that the monitors were staying in the village, but used the mortars all the same, he said. The shells exploded 100 meters away from the monitors, Hug said.

He said that the security of monitors is a priority for him and that he will not allow any of them to be hurt.