Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is deeply concerned about the lack of phone connection with some members of the OSCE special monitoring mission in Ukraine, working in eastern Donetsk region. The circumstances of their disappearance are pointing to the possibility of their capture by pro-Russian groups engaged in illegal activities in the area with the support of the Russian Federation.

We consider unacceptable such actions against the OSCE monitors, whose tasks are to objectively inform the international community about the events in our country, as well as to promote de-escalation of the situation.

In this regard, we urge the Russian Federation, which supported the decision to deploy OSCE special monitoring mission in Ukraine, to force its pro-Russian collaborators, who are under effective control and are supported by the Russian side, immediately release the members of the OSCE special monitoring mission.