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Photo: © OSCE/SMM
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OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine patrol member killed

A paramedic who was part of a patrol of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) died and two SMM monitors were taken to hospital on April 23 after their vehicle was heavily damaged by an explosion near Pryshyb in the non-government controlled Luhansk region.

"SMM is doing an outstanding job, day by day, to stabilize the crisis in and around Ukraine. But the mission is too often hampered by threats, by access restrictions, by disinformation or the destruction of its technical means. This is simply unacceptable. All circumstances of this tragic incident must be clarified without hindrance. I urge all actors that have an influence on the situation on the ground to live up to their responsibility in guaranteeing safety and security to the SMM," said Austrian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sebastian Kurz.

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic death. This is the first time a member of an SMM patrol has been killed while on duty. This appalling incident underlines the increasingly dangerous security environment the SMM monitors are working in every day. All sides are responsible for the safety and security of the OSCE monitors. The OSCE has launched an investigation into the incident and expects maximum co-operation from all concerned."

Czech MFA issued a statement on the incident of the OSCE patrol vehicle in Donbas.