Ukrainian side completes dismantling of fortifications in Stanytsia Luhanska

The Ukrainian side has completed the dismantling of fortifications near the destroyed bridge over the Siverskyi Donets River in Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk Regional State Administration has said.
"The complete dismantling of fortifications ended today," the administration reported on its Facebook page on September 3.

The report notes that four pyrotechnic units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine inspected and cleaned of explosives a dirt road that is to be used for the entrance of construction machinery to the bottom of the bridge. Almost all of the road was also inspected, but approximately 200 meters away from the place the bridge broke, the work was stopped because security guarantees were not received through the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission from the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic."

According to the administration, at 09:30 on September 3, a meeting was held between an officer of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) and representatives of the OSCE SMM near the destroyed part of the bridge. Representatives of the OSCE SMM had a plan of work to clean up the area under the bridge, with a list of planned types of work and equipment (gas welding equipment for cutting metal structures) due to be used. The talks lasted until about 12:00.

The report notes that the "LPR" side put forward more unclear requirements for detailing the work planned by the Ukrainian side and constantly insisted that they should be given a bridge construction project.

"The JCCC representative once again informed the OSCE SMM that our side is ready to undertake work to clean up the area under the bridge for the further reconstruction of the destroyed part of the facility. Not having received security guarantees from the so-called 'LPR' from OSCE representatives, our side did not conduct any work under the bridge today," the regional state administration added.

On August 24, experts of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine began dismantling fortifications near the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska. However, on August 25, the Ukrainian side suspended dismantling until the opposite side could begin synchronous work. Subsequently, the OSCE SMM reported that the dismantling of former advanced positions within the contact line had resumed on both sides of the bridge.

On August 27, the schedule of reconstruction work on the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska was approved.

On August 30, the Luhansk regional military-civil administration reported that a bypass bridge would be erected during the restoration works.

On August 31, the occupation administration denied Ukrtransmist representatives access to the destroyed part of the bridge, the JCCC said.

On September 1, through the OSCE SMM, the "LPR" side was informed about the readiness of the Ukrainian side to carry out the work, but the occupiers refused to ensure the work and provide security guarantees, saying there was no detailed plan of restoration works.

On September 2, the Ukrainian side began to dismantle the last fortification facility in the area of the Stanytsia Luhanska entry and exit checkpoint.