OSCE monitors to take only paved roads in Donbas following recent patrol car blast, - Hug

Teams of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine will only use paved roads after the acccident with the mission’s car that tripped an explosive device on April 23.

As reported by Censor.NET citing Interfax-Ukraine, Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE SMM Alexander Hug told a briefing.

Hug believes that the incident of April 23 was not an accident as the SMM patrol car tripped unexploded ordnance. According to him, it was likely a mortar shell which he called an indiscriminate weapon. The observer said that the OSCE was holding its own investigation conducted by the organization's secretariat, not SMM members.

Read more: OSCE car blast was not accidental, but planned, - Hug

According to him, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sebastian Kurz tasked the secretary to hold an external check.

Hug reported that the mission will continue fulfilling its mandate but with certain restrictions. These restrictions will stay in place until the parties take certain actions. He said the monitors would be using only paved roads for patrolling. Hug says additional measures are also considered while they will be taken if circumstances require.

Watch more: Radio Svoboda published footage of OSCE car tripping mine in Luhansk region. VIDEO

As reported, a United States national was killed in OSCE SUV blast April 23 near the village of Pryshyb in the militants-held territory of Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region. Two more monitors, nationals of Germany and the Czech Republic, were injured. The U.S. State Department said the tragedy "was inexcusable" and promised to punish the guilty.