OSCE Observation Mission in Ukraine: What Happened?

• 08.10.2015, 19:27
•  Europe,  World

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced the other day about the capture of some very important heights near the village of Starognatovka. The Ministry reported that the armed clashes were provoked by the troops of the "National Republic of Donetsk". However, Donetsk authorities deny this information, in turn, accusing Kiev for violating Minsk agreements.

"Kiev condemns us for provoking the attack, while announces itself about taking a strategic height," - Edward Basurin, a representative of "National Republic of Donetsk" said, adding that Ukrainian troops have been firing both Gorlovka and Belokamenka for a very long time.

The increased tensions in Eastern Ukraine are also evidenced by the ignition of war-machinery of the OSCE observation mission on August 9 in Donetsk.

Donetsk authorities declared that the incident was organized by Ukrainian special forces to destabilize the situation in Minsk in order to accuse Donetsk of failing to fulfill Minsk agreements.

Kiev notes in its turn that the incident was organized by the Donbass authorities reflecting the desire of Russia to get rid of the international observers from the region. This hypothesis proves to be more likely as on the eve of the incident the population of Donetsk organized a protest action near the residence of the OSCE observation mission group.

But some analysts do not rule out the possibility that the arson was carried out by the OSCE observation mission group itself in order to present themselves as a victim, as it is obvious that it fails to stabilize the situation in the East of Ukraine and contribute to the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Despite the accusations, one thing is clear, the tension grows. Along with rising tension the possibility of renewed armed clashes also rises. For example, only on August 9 the ceasefire was violated for 127 times. All this proves once again that the international organizations and interested countries in conflict should try to find more effective mechanisms for Ukraine to overcome the conflict.