Both sides pull back heavy weapons in eastern Ukraine but mistrust remains
- 9 years ago
In a sign that the ceasefire agreed for eastern Ukraine could be starting to take meaningful effect columns of pro-Russian separatists could be seen moving heavy weapons back from the frontline on Friday near the city of Donetsk, a rebel-held stronghold.
The process was being closely observed by European monitors.
Ukrainian troops were also on the move on Friday, again under the gaze of OSCE observers. Kyiv says that three government soldiers have been killed in the past 24 hours, so the truce is far from perfect. Nevertheless the UN Security Council is satisfied that progress is being made on the Minsk agreement.
“Combat operations have been significantly reduced across the conflict zone,” said ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, the chief monitor of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
“Although some firing has occurred around Donetsk aiport as well as close to the town of Mariupol. We have also seen significant indications that both sides are now taking steps
The process was being closely observed by European monitors.
Ukrainian troops were also on the move on Friday, again under the gaze of OSCE observers. Kyiv says that three government soldiers have been killed in the past 24 hours, so the truce is far from perfect. Nevertheless the UN Security Council is satisfied that progress is being made on the Minsk agreement.
“Combat operations have been significantly reduced across the conflict zone,” said ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, the chief monitor of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
“Although some firing has occurred around Donetsk aiport as well as close to the town of Mariupol. We have also seen significant indications that both sides are now taking steps