OSCE convoy targeted in eastern Ukraine

• November 21, 2014 10:26

(Baonghean.vn) - Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) - who are monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in eastern Ukraine, have become the target of attack by men in military uniforms.

Các quan sát viên OSCE đang thực hiện sứ mệnh giám sát việc thực hiên thỏa thuận ngừng bắn ký hôm 5/9 tại miền đông Ukraina. Ảnh: Mstyslav Chernov
OSCE observers are on a mission to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement signed on September 5 in eastern Ukraine. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov

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In a report published on November 20, the OSCE said this was the first time this incident had occurred. The attack occurred on Wednesday, November 19, in an area controlled by the Ukrainian army, about 15 kilometers from Donetsk. Fortunately, there were no casualties. According to the OSCE, around noon, two of the organization's vehicles were traveling toward Donetsk to approach a suspicious truck "carrying a large blue wooden box." However, when they were about 80 meters from the vehicle, they were targeted by two men in military uniforms. It is known that vehicles carrying out the OSCE Special Observation Mission (also known as SMM) in Ukraine are often easily recognizable by the black lettering of the OSCE name on the white body of the vehicle. The convoy immediately left the area for safety reasons.

The OSCE is now being questioned for its bias. On Friday, Russia and separatists in eastern Ukraine accused OSCE observers of using their reports to support the Kiev government. They said the OSCE only monitored the actions of the separatists and did not report ceasefire violations by the Ukrainian army. The OSCE has also been accused of revealing the locations of Ukrainian troops. Earlier this year, OSCE observers were held for several weeks by separatists but were later released.

Despite a ceasefire agreement between Kiev and the separatists on September 5, clashes continue daily in eastern Ukraine. The United Nations says more than 4,100 people have been killed since the fighting began in April. And a new UN report released recently said nearly 1,000 people have died since the ceasefire was agreed on September 5. That means an average of 13 people are killed every day in eastern Ukraine.

Chu Thanh

According to LeMonde November 20