One OSCE SMM observer dead in mine blast in western Ukraine
PR dla Zagranicy
Victoria Bieniek
24.04.2017 08:30
A paramedic from the US has been killed after a mine exploded, damaging an Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) vehicle in Lugansk, western Ukraine.
Still from OBWE SMM promotional video. Photo: Twitter.com/OSCE SMM Ukraine.
An aide to Ukraine's foreign minister said that another person, a female German citizen, was injured, while the SMM on its Facebook page announced: “One SMM patrol member dead, two taken to hospital after vehicle hits possible mine”.
Ukraine's foreign ministry said the blast was an attempt to scare SMM observers.
“We consider the serious incident, which occurred inside territory controlled and supported by Russia and illegally armed groups, a confirmation of Moscow’s and its puppets’ attempts to intimidate the OSCE and nullify the efforts of Ukraine and the SMM to stabilize the situation on the contact line,” the Ukranian foreign ministry said in a statement.
“We call on Russia to fulfil its obligations under the Minsk agreements,” it added.
The OSCE SMM noted that ceasefire deals, known as the Minsk agreements, “prohibited the laying of mines and other explosive devices, and stipulated that all previously laid must be removed”.
It also highlighted that no mine hazard signs were displayed on the road, which SMM vehicles had travelled on before. (vb/pk)
Source: PAP