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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Pro-Russian rebels say agree to withdraw weapons in east Ukraine |
| 2015-02-23 |
| [Hurriyet Daily News] A senior pro-Russian rebel commander said separatist forces were due to begin withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line in east Ukraine on Feb. 22, a sign rebels may be prepared to halt their advance as part of an internationally brokered peace deal. Fighting has eased in many areas since a ceasefire came into effect a week ago, but the truce was shaken by the rebel capture on Wednesday of the town of Debaltseve, forcing a retreat by thousands of Ukrainian troops. But moves towards pulling back heavy weapons, together with the exchange of dozens of prisoners with Ukrainian government forces on Saturday, could indicate the rebels intend to observe the truce more fully, having achieved a key military objective by seizing Debaltseve. "The plan was signed last night ... Starting from today there are two weeks to withdraw heavy weapons," Interfax news agency quoted rebel commander Eduard Basurin as saying. Russian news agency TASS quoted him as saying the pull-back was still being organised and that the actual withdrawal of weapons would take place from Tuesday. Ukrainian military front man Andriy Lysenko said by telephone there was no confirmation yet as to whether the rebels had started pulling back their weapons. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Pro-Russian rebels say agree to withdraw weapons in east Ukraine Hoping to kill as many as possible on the way out. |
| Posted by: gorb 2015-02-23 12:55 |
| #1 Time to resupply and maintenance, eh? |
| Posted by: ed in texas 2015-02-23 07:42 |