OSCE SMM monitoring teams awaiting withdrawal from Donbas through Russia

MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax) - Staff of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine are awaiting withdrawal from the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics through Russia, the OSCE said in the early hours of Monday.

"The SMM monitoring teams in Kharkiv and Kherson remain sheltered in place, owing to ongoing fighting, and its monitoring teams in Luhansk and Donetsk Patrol Hubs await withdrawal through the Russian Federation," it said.

"The chief monitor along with the Kyiv Head Office senior management remain in place in Ukraine to oversee remaining mission withdrawal," it said, adding that the mission completed the evacuation of "most International mission members following the 25 February decision."