The OSCE recorded the transfer of military and weapons from Russia to the Donbas
The OSCE special monitoring mission (SMM) in Ukraine has recorded the transfer of military and weapons from Russia to the occupied territory of the Donbas. “Despite the denial from combined separatists forces, the SMM continues to document evidence that Russia is sending its forces and weapons to Ukraine,” according to the statement of the United States Ambassador for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Daniel Baer.
According to him, taking advantage of the fact that the border is not controlled at night, Russia transfers weapons and ammunitions to the separatist-controlled Donbas.
"Russia has the ability to easily transfer weapons, fuel and ammunition through the border under cover of darkness and the absence of OSCE observers," the U.S. representative stated.
According to Baer, on the 17th of October, OSCE representatives noticed a minibus with a military license number transporting people wearing camouflage from Russia to the area of the Donbas that is not under the control of Ukrainian authorities.
According to him, last week the SMM OSCE observers recorded a bus taking about 20 people in camouflage back to Russia.
"Together with the strengthening of the access ban on the OSCE, this demonstrates Russia’s active support of separatist forces in Ukraine,” the U.S. representative to the OSCE stressed.
He also noted that Russia continues to conceal its activities in the Donbas from the international community.
"Just last week, Russia again declined offers to expand SMM operations to cover all nine border crossings from Russia into areas of Ukraine controlled by separatists," Baer stressed.
The "DPR" and "LPR" opposed the deployment of an armed police OSCE mission to the Donbas, though Russia consented to such a mission.