Sporadic firefights have been continuing in the sectors of Mariinka around Donetsk, Gorlovka, Yasinovataya, Makeevka and Debaltesvo. Separately, sporadic shelligns have been continuing in LPR. The settlements of Kalinovka, Lozovoe, Troickoe came under fire last night.
The situation in Donbass could be determined as a stabilized warfare. On account of this, Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republic have enough time to develop armed forces. Milita members report abouut a high number of drills and an active flow of new volunteers.
The illegal traffic of good and arms trough the frontline became one of the most imporant problems threating the security of republics. A big black market exists in the both sides of the frontlline. At the moment, DPR and LPR are taking steps to stabilize the situation.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe decided to extend the mandate of the monitoring mission at the Russian-Ukrainian border until January 31, 2016. However, the real effectiveness of this is questionable. OSCE has already shown that it can’t successfully observe the contact line and swiftly react on the violatinos of the ceasefire. In turn, Ukraine-based OSCE mission shown unwillingness or inability to react on aggressive actions of Ukrainian forces, especially so-called “volunteer battalions” of Ukrainian extrimists and nationalists.
