The conflict in Ukraine continues to present a complex and multifaceted challenge, with daily reports from the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) offering a granular view of the situation on the ground.
These observations encompass everything from civilian infrastructure damage caused by hostilities to the intricate dynamics of disengagement efforts and the subtle shifts in local community sentiment. This detailed report synthesizes recent findings, beginning with the immediate impact of small-arms fire on civilian residences in frontline areas and extending to the socio-political undercurrents in the western region of Zakarpattia, particularly in Berehove, far from the direct battlegrounds but deeply affected by the nation's wartime reality.
SMM's daily observations in eastern Ukraine: impact and monitoring efforts
Civilian impact and damage assessment
The human cost of the ongoing conflict is often starkly illustrated by damage to civilian property.
The SMM documented instances where residential buildings bore the marks of recent hostilities. In a five-storey building located at 86 Lenina Street, for example, observers noted three distinct holes that had penetrated two south-facing windows of a second-story apartment. An assessment of the damage indicated that these holes were consistent with small-arms fire originating from a south-westerly direction.
The apartment's resident, a woman in her seventies, recounted hearing the distinctive sound of breaking glass on approximately 1 July, at which point she discovered the fresh damage to her window.
Similarly, at 87 Tsentralna Street, within another five-story structure, a fifth-floor apartment exhibited a clear hole through the glass of a window facing west-north-west.
The elderly owner of this residence, a woman in her eighties, reported a similar experience, stating that she had heard glass shatter around 1 July, leading her to discover the new damage to her property. These incidents underscore the persistent threat faced by civilians in areas adjacent to the frontlines, even from seemingly minor engagements, and highlight the importance of the SMM's diligent observation efforts.
Monitoring disengagement and compliance
A crucial aspect of the SMM's mandate involves monitoring the disengagement process, a vital step towards de-escalation and the reduction of hostilities.
The mission actively pursued full and unhindered access to the designated disengagement areas. These critical zones include the vicinity of Stanytsia Luhanska, a government-controlled area situated 16km north-east of Luhansk; Zolote, also government-controlled and located 60km west of Luhansk; and Petrivske, a non-government-controlled area 41km south of Donetsk.
These areas are central to the Framework Decision on disengagement of forces and hardware, an agreement reached by the Trilateral Contact Group on 21 September, aimed at creating buffer zones.
Despite these extensive efforts, challenges and violations persist, hindering comprehensive de-escalation.
On 2 July, while positioned within the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, SMM personnel recorded the sound of small-arms fire. Specifically, they noted two shots approximately 2km west and another five shots about 2km west-south-west. All these instances were assessed as occurring outside the established boundaries of the disengagement area, indicating continued breaches of the agreed-upon protocols and maintaining a level of instability.
In contrast, observations from the Zolote disengagement area on the same day indicated a relatively calm situation, suggesting that adherence to the disengagement agreement can vary significantly across different locations.
These mixed reports underscore the fragility of the ceasefire and the constant need for vigilant monitoring by international observers to ensure that agreements are respected and to prevent further escalation.
Weaponry and military movements in the security zone
Beyond direct troop disengagement, the SMM's surveillance extends to monitoring the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, a key component of both the Memorandum and the Package of Measures, along with its Addendum.
Violations of the established withdrawal lines were consistently documented, revealing the continued presence of prohibited military hardware in the security zone, contrary to peace agreements. For instance, on 30 June, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) identified a T-64 tank near Lobacheve, a government-controlled locality 17km north-west of Luhansk, indicating a breach in government-controlled areas.
In non-government-controlled territories, similar violations were observed, confirming widespread non-compliance.
An SMM mini-UAV on 30 June detected an 82mm mortar near Donetskyi, a non-government-controlled settlement 49km west of Luhansk.
The following day, another mini-UAV from the SMM spotted what was identified as a probable 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, a 122mm artillery piece, near Bohdanivka, 44km west of Luhansk. These sightings are crucial indicators of non-compliance with agreements designed to reduce military escalation and the threat of large-scale conflict.
Further observations by the SMM documented various armoured combat vehicles, anti-aircraft weapons, and other signs of military presence within the designated security zone.
These findings provided a snapshot of military deployments:
- In government-controlled areas:
- On 30 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted four infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), specifically BMP variants, near Lopaskyne, 23km north-west of Luhansk.
- On 2 July, an armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) was observed near Heivka, 27km north-west of Luhansk.
- In non-government-controlled areas:
- On 30 June, an SMM long-range UAV observed an IFV (BMP-1) near Nadarivka, 64km west of Luhansk, and two IFVs (a BMP-1 and a BMP-2) near Znamianka, 36km north-west of Luhansk.
- On 1 July, an SMM mini-UAV identified an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23, 23mm) near Bohdanivka.
- Additionally, the UAV spotted ten IFVs (BMP variants), five armoured personnel carriers (two BTR-80s and three MT-LBs), and an armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) within a compound on the southern outskirts of Donetsk city.
Moreover, on 30 June, an SMM mini-UAV documented the physical impact of recent conflict near the western edge of Donetskyi.
This included two houses with damaged roofs, one of which was notably connected to trenches. The UAV also identified 15 craters, assessed to have been caused by 82mm and 120mm mortar rounds, and a single impact crater believed to be from an artillery round, all located near civilian houses.
Critically, none of this extensive damage was apparent in satellite imagery from 7 June, strongly indicating recent escalation and continued shelling in the area.
Facilitating essential services and peace
Beyond direct military monitoring, the SMM actively facilitated the operations of the Donetsk filtering station (DFS), a critical piece of civilian infrastructure responsible for water supply.
This facilitation included monitoring adherence to the ceasefire in its vicinity, essential for the safety of personnel and continuous operation. Despite explicit security guarantees provided for these operations, ceasefire violations were unfortunately recorded on 2 July in areas near the DFS, underscoring the ongoing risks to essential service provision and the challenges of maintaining a stable environment.
The SMM also played a vital role in facilitating and overseeing repairs to other crucial infrastructure across the region.
This included the Petrivske pumping station, located near Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk), pipelines in Novotoshkivske (government-controlled, 53km west of Luhansk) and Popasna, and repairs to a water channel and a vital fibre optic cable near Stanytsia Luhanska.
These efforts are indispensable for maintaining basic services and the quality of life for the affected populations, often operating under challenging and dangerous conditions.
Social monitoring and community events
Religious and cultural gatherings
The SMM's monitoring activities extend beyond military observations to include the social fabric of the regions, capturing instances of civil unrest or community expression.
In Donetsk city, the mission investigated media reports concerning a raid conducted by armed formations on a Muslim cultural center situated at 2 Berestovska Street in the Kalininskyi district. Such incidents, including a similar one at the same location reported on 19 May, raise concerns about freedom of assembly, religious expression, and the rule of law in non-government-controlled areas, indicating potential harassment of minority groups.
LGBTQ+ community monitoring in Kharkiv
In Kharkiv, the SMM observed a gathering involving approximately 20 members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) community.
This event was notable as it was cordoned off by police, indicating either potential security concerns or efforts at public order management for a sensitive gathering. During the event, scuffles reportedly broke out between members of the organized groups and other individuals, necessitating intervention by the police to restore order.
Fortunately, the gathering concluded without further significant incidents, but such events highlight the social tensions that can exist even away from the military frontlines and the need for protective measures for vulnerable communities.
Berehove and Zakarpattia: a region apart
Tragic events in Berehove: a Roma community death
Shifting focus to western Ukraine, specifically Berehove in the Zakarpattia region, the SMM followed up on reports concerning the killing of another member of the Roma community on 2 July, following a previous incident reported on 25 June.
This tragic event drew attention to the vulnerabilities faced by minority groups. Medical staff at a local hospital in Berehove informed the SMM that a 30-year-old woman had succumbed to severe neck wounds on 1 July. However, they declined to provide further details, citing an ongoing police investigation into the matter, which is standard procedure in such sensitive cases.
The local police department shed more light on the case, stating that the woman, found unconscious near a railroad yard in Berehove with severe neck injuries, had tragically died while being transported to the hospital.
The police confirmed that a criminal investigation had been initiated under Article 115 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to murder. This tragic incident underscores the importance of thorough and transparent investigations, especially concerning marginalized communities, to ensure justice and address underlying social issues.
Zakarpattia's unique wartime experience
Zakarpattia, a region characterized by its Soviet-era Ladas, decaying apartment blocks, and the remnants of former industrial complexes, stands in stark contrast to the direct conflict zones.
While the occasional soldier on the street serves as a stark reminder of the nation's wartime status, the active conflict can feel remarkably distant here. Notably, Zakarpattia holds the unique distinction of being the only Ukrainian region that has not experienced Russian missile strikes since the war began.
Berehove, for instance, is geographically closer to major European cities such as Vienna, Venice, and Berlin than it is to the eastern Ukrainian frontlines. This geographical isolation has, in some ways, shielded the region from the immediate horrors of war, creating a distinct and often quieter experience for its inhabitants.
Interestingly, residents in several predominantly Hungarian villages within Zakarpattia reported that none of their community members had been mobilized to fight in the war, a fact that further contributes to the region's unique wartime narrative.
This situation might be attributed to local recruitment policies, demographic factors, or political considerations unique to the region's ethnic composition.
The Hungarian community: demographic shifts and military service
The ongoing conflict has only exacerbated an existing trend of Hungarian emigration from Zakarpattia, a process that was already accelerating prior to the war.
The Hungarian population in the region has significantly decreased from approximately 151,500 people recorded in the 2001 census to an estimated 80,000 currently. This demographic shift is profoundly visible in local institutions. Hanna Hál, the deputy headteacher of a Hungarian-language school in the village of Borzhava, vividly recalled a time three decades ago when each year group had 30 children.
Today, the first grade has only nine students, while the second and third grades each have a mere three pupils, reflecting a stark and concerning decline in the younger Hungarian population and hinting at a long-term impact on cultural continuity.
Despite a prevailing stereotype suggesting that Hungarians are reluctant to participate in the conflict, László Zubánics, a history professor and the head of the Hungarian Democratic Federation in Ukraine, revealed a different reality.
He stated that approximately 400 ethnic Hungarians are currently serving on the frontlines.
Tragically, around 30 of these Hungarian soldiers have lost their lives in the conflict, demonstrating their commitment and sacrifice for Ukraine, despite the complex political backdrop.
Vynohradiv offers an example of a mixed town, where Ukrainians constitute the majority, but a significant Hungarian minority thrives.
Once a district capital during the Austro-Hungarian empire, Vynohradiv notably hosted the renowned Hungarian composer Béla Bartók for several years in the early 20th century, a testament to its rich cultural heritage and historical intertwining of diverse influences.
Navigating dual loyalties and local tensions
The intricate relationship between the Hungarian community in Ukraine and the government in Budapest often creates an environment of complex loyalties, particularly during times of national crisis.
Borys Vashkeba, a 50-year-old lawyer and the leader of a Hungarian community organization based in Vynohradiv, emphasized that it would be inaccurate to generalize all local Hungarians as unwavering supporters of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. He asserted that a majority of local Hungarians actually support Ukraine's accession to the European Union, signaling a clear alignment with Ukrainian national aspirations and a desire for European integration.
Nevertheless, underlying tensions persist, indicating the fragility of inter-ethnic relations during wartime.
A 20-year-old waiter in Berehove, who comes from a mixed Ukrainian-Hungarian family, described heated arguments he had with other young Hungarians during the initial weeks of the war. These personal experiences underscore the societal rifts that emerge when national identities and allegiances become strained, reflecting the broader political divisions at play.
Even prominent figures like Zubánics, who is generally regarded as pro-Ukrainian within the spectrum of Hungarian political figures and even visited the eastern Ukrainian frontline in the summer, navigate a delicate balance.
His office conspicuously displays a photograph of Orbán, and he was noticeably evasive when questioned about possessing a Hungarian passport. Zubánics explained that many in Budapest perceive him as having betrayed the Hungarian people, while conversely, many within Ukraine harbor suspicion towards all Hungarians regarding their loyalties.
This illustrates the profound challenge for individuals caught between competing national narratives and political pressures.
For the local community in Berehove, a Ukrainian town of 25,000 residents with a Hungarian majority, the task of reconciling the often-conflicting demands and expectations of Kyiv and Budapest is a constant and demanding reality.
This delicate balancing act forms a significant part of their daily lives, shaping their identity and interactions amidst a nation at war, underscoring the enduring complexities of ethnic minorities living within conflict-affected states.