MINSK, 10 February (BelTA) – A minibus tripped a mine in the war zone in Ukraine, several civilians died, BelTA learned from Martin Sajdik, the OSCE's special representative in the trilateral contact group on Ukraine, on 10 February.
Martin Sajdik said: “Today I've heard a sad piece of news. A microbus was blown up by an antitank mine, leaving several civilians dead. I would like to offer sincere condolence to friends and families of the victims. The OSCE's special monitoring mission will soon report circumstances of the tragedy. The mission underlines the importance of mine clearance in the conflict zone.”
The OSCE representative also noted that the overall security situation in the conflict zone in Ukraine continues deteriorating. The matter was in the center of attention of the 10 February session of the subgroup on security. The subgroup's coordinator Ertugrul Apakan reminded the sides about their commitment to fully observe the ceasefire regime and to withdraw heavy weapons, tanks and mortars. “The growing number of violations of the ceasefire regime can be related to exactly these kinds of weapons,” pointed out the OSCE special representative. Martin Sajdik said he believes that the sides should give an answer about the matter to the OSCE's special monitoring mission.
Martin Sajdik pointed out that the failure to honor these commitments also poses problems for the special monitoring mission, which is now expanding its land action capabilities. The mission's observers continue having problems with travels in the conflict zone.
Sessions of the subgroups on political affairs, security, and humanitarian affairs of the trilateral contact group on Ukraine took place in Minsk on 10 February. “There was no session of the trilateral contact group on Ukraine. Its meeting was postponed due to reasons of coordination and planning,” explained Martin Sajdik.
During the session of the subgroup on economic affairs it was noted that there are still problems with repairing and operating the restored infrastructure facilities. The problems were attributed to ceasefire regime violations.
There are also problems with mobile banking services. But progress in resolving the water supply situation was noted.
