The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed few ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, and none in Luhansk.

In accordance with its mandate to “Facilitate dialogue on the ground in order to reduce tensions and promote normalization of the situation” the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine is pleased to announce the launch of the SMM ‘Youth Contact Groups' Project in Ukraine.

The head of the foreign affairs committee of the lower house of Russia's parliament claims that Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s statement that the country will not default was far from reality.

The Donetsk People's Republic invited OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to observe local elections on October 18.

The Ukrainian president stresses there will be no federalization or "special statuses" in the country

Earlier Ukraine launched the project of the new patrol police, the first police officers appeared in the streets of Kiev, Odessa and Lviv

Decentralization is one of the key provisions of the Minsk agreements. The deal was signed back in February by representatives of Kiev and Donbass self-proclaimed republics and stipulates several measures on Ukrainian reconciliation.

Kiev denounced an agreement with Moscow on the scientific-technical cooperation within the defense industry.

Airborne forces from Russia, Belarus and Serbia will work on preventing scenarios similar to the riots at Kiev's Maidan square during their joint drills, Commander of Russia's Airborne Forces Col. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov said Monday.