OSCE drone arrives in Ukraine

(BRUSSELS2) La monitoring mission OSCE Special in Ukraine (SMM) did, this Thursday (October 23), the first flight test of an unarmed drone, of Austrian manufacture, Camcopter S-100 nearly Mariupol en Eastern Ukraine. Vfridayand weather permitting, will take place flights operational routine. At the beginning, and until further notice, the drone will fly on the area South of Donetsk towards the sea from Azov, east to the border Russian-Ukrainian and west towards the contact line. This is the OSCE , here contracted directly with Schiebel the manufacturer of the drone, to supply, transport and maintain it.

The interest of the drone is obvious in this observation mission. To be able to go, without risk, where the observers cannot go and, as the OSCE specifies, " collect information Additional on the follow-up the situation general safety in Ukraine ». The drone can also be used to follow Implementation agreements of Minsk of 5 and September 19, such as the withdrawal of troops and heavy weapons. But there is no question of replacing the observers on land. « The drones will complete what our instructors observe on the ground, who will always be our main source of information gathering " Explain the ambassador head of observers, Ertugrul Apakan.

(NGV)