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OSCE mission visits Debaltsevo for first time in 2.5 months

"For 1st time in 2.5 months, SMM patrol reaches Debaltsevo. Few people on streets, damage still evident," the OSCE said on its Twitter account

KIEV, October 25. /TASS/. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said on Sunday its Special Monitoring Commission (SMM) to Ukraine has visited for the first time in the past 2.5 months the city of Debaltsevo in eastern Ukraine that has been controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic since February 2015.

"For 1st time in 2.5 months, SMM patrol reaches Debaltsevo. Few people on streets, damage still evident," the OSCE said on its Twitter account.

OSCE SMM Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said earlier that the mission planned to open patrol bases in Debaltsevo along with the one in Donetsk. Their opening was planned for October 25.

Debaltsevo has been controlled by the DPR since February 18. The DPR defence ministry said while retreating from the city, Ukrainian troops had mined all key facilities in the city. A number of infrastructure facilities were blown up. OSCE monitors visited Debaltsevo in late February to see a difficult humanitarian situation there. The DPR authorities proclaimed it as their top priority task to revive the city.