OSCE observers fix no traffic of armoured vehicles across Russian-Ukrainian border

The OSCE mission representatives have recorded no cases when any military vehicles were crossing the border between Russia and Ukraine. The OSCE observers have repeatedly recorded appearance of men in military clothes at checkpoints, who are travelling in both directions individually and in groups; however, they had never seen weapons in their hands, said Paul Picard, the head of the OSCE mission in the Rostov Region.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 15, Ukrainian law enforcers confirmed the British press reports on the Russian military convoy crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border on August 14. The Border Guard Service of the Russian FSB has denied the above reports and stated that the areas bordering with Ukraine are being patrolled by mobile groups, but only in the territory of the Russian Federation.

The OSCE observers have repeatedly seen military helicopters near the border checkpoints "Gukovo" and "Donetsk"; however, according to Paul Picard, "Russian helicopters never crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border."

The OSCE is considering using unmanned aerial vehicles for monitor the border checkpoints; however, the OSCE observers will not use them at the border checkpoints "Donetsk-Izvarino" and "Gukovo-Chervonopartizansky" at the Russian-Ukrainian border, since it is not stipulated in the agreement, Paul Picard emphasizes.