First deputy chairman of the OSCE SMM in Ukraine, Oleksandr Hug, during his visit to Donbas said it is necessary to open a fully-functioning checkpoint for people and cars across the contact line in Luhansk region, the press center of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) headquarters reported.

"To date, there is only one functioning pedestrian crossing point between Luhansk region and separate areas of Luhansk region [not controlled by the government] – on the bridge over the Siversky Donets River. [OSCE SMM Principal Deputy Chief Monitor] Alexander Hug personally crossed it with luggage in 35-degree heat and saw that it needs repairs, while the crossing itself is quite difficult due to adverse climate conditions," the report said.

To solve this problem, they offered to open the Zolote check-point which will improve the humanitarian situation in the region.

The Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Monitoring and Coordination has repeatedly approached the Russian counterpart with such a proposal, but so far there has been no response.