Story ID: 5ADP10-2014-4 Camcopters over Ukraine
OSCE Monitoring Ukraine Truce with Camcopters
By: Chris Pocock
Caption: international monitoring body says the UAVs will complement observers on the ground
Word Count: 208
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will begin using Schiebel Camcopter UAVs to monitor the uneasy truce in Ukraine between Kiev and pro-Russian separatists, starting on October 24. The aircraft are based near Mariupol and are being supplied and operated under contract by the Austrian manufacturer. The OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) has been present in Ukraine with a multinational team of observers throughout the conflict.

"The UAVs...will complement what our monitors observe on the ground, which will still be our primary source of information gathering,” said the OSCE chief monitor, Ambassador Ertugral Apakan. Initially, and until further notice, the Camcopters will operate over the area south of Donetsk down to the sea of Azov, eastwards as far as the Ukrainian-Russian border, and westwards toward the "line of contact." The data collected is for the sole use of the OSCE.

Many violations of the truce agreements, known as the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum, have been reported since they were signed last month. However, no further aerial incidents have been reported since the July 17 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 017. Earlier in the conflict, the separatists shot down Ukrainian air force An-26 and Il-76 airlifters and a number of helicopters.