OSCE vehicle blown up near Luhansk in eastern Ukraine
Interfax news agency reports, with reference to a source in Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), that an OSCE vehicle was blown up near Lunahsk.
“According to preliminary data, the vehicle with the OSCE monitors hit a roadside bomb near the town of Prishyb in Lunahsk. The bomb was placed by unknown persons. There are casualties", the source said.
The Interfax‘s source accused the Ukrainian side of placing that bomb, stating that the bomb could have been installed "intentionally for the purpose of provocation".
"There was preliminary information showing the activity of the Ukrainian subversive-intelligence group in that area.They were preparing a provocation against the representatives of international organizations", noted the source.
Later, the command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that there was a fatality among the OSCE SMM team.
According to the OSCE chairman, Sebastian Kurtz, one OSCE staff member was killed and another injured.
He said that the incident required a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a United States citizen was killed in the explosion. A German national was also injured.
The President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, responded to the explosion of the OSCE SMM vehicle, which took place in the separatist-held territory.
"I express our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased representative of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission." And I wish the wounded a speedy recovery. I have issued an order for the Ukrainian doctors to be ready to provide the necessary assistance if necessary "," wrote the president on his Facebook page.