While the parties are maintaining current military positions and didn't disengage heavy weapons, there are still risks for the operation of the Donetsk filtration station, OSCE SMM Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug has said.

If we are talking about the situation in the area of the Donetsk filtration station, while the positions will remain in the places where there are now, until all the units of heavy weapons are not withdrawn, the risks for the station personnel, for our observers, for the civilian population, for supply of the drinking water, which depends on the functioning of this facility, remain, Hug said at a briefing in Kramatorsk on Tuesday.

He added that, despite the political position, it is necessary to work on ensuring that there are no casualties among civilians.

In order to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the station, so that there will be no more casualties among the civilian population, it is very important to withdraw heavy weapons, forces and equipment," Hug said.

Deputy Head of the SMM said that the change of the ATO format into the Operation of the Joint Forces does not affect the work of the OSCE SMM.

Our mandate remains the same, it has no influence on our mandate. It won't also have obligations under the Minsk agreements, Hug added.