Pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine say they have started pulling back heavy artillery from the frontline. The step aims to establish a buffer zone agreed under a new truce deal, reports GHN based on DW.
The separatists said Tuesday they had started the withdrawal process after government forces alsobegan moving big weapons and armored vehicles from the conflict zone.
"We have withdrawn artillery but only in those areas where the Ukrainian regular units have done the same. Where Ukraine hasn't withdrawn artillery, we haven't done so," Donetsk-based rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko told the Interfax news agency.
Only "artillery with calibre greater than 100 mm" was being removed, he added.
Ukraine announced on Monday that it had been able to begin withdrawing equipment after a decrease in separatist artillery attacks and firing from Russian territory.
The move by both sides to roll back heavy weapons from the frontline fulfills a key requirement of anew peace agreement struck during talks between separatists and Kyiv in the Belarusian capital Minsk on Saturday. It aims to create a demilitarized zone of around 30 kilometers (20 miles) to give a ceasefire deal reached on September 5 a better chance of success.
The agreement came after the rebels made significant gains across southeastern Ukraine, with Kyiv alleging that they were aided by Russian resources in doing so.
Both Kyiv and several Western countries have repeatedly blamed Moscow for supporting the insurgency with weapons and personnel, but Russia has adamantly denied involvement.