Ukraine starts heavy weapons withdrawal

A convoy of Ukrainian armed forces including armoured personnel carriers, military vehicles and cannons prepare to move as they pull back from the Debaltseve region, in Paraskoviyvka, eastern Ukraine, February 26, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

However, Lysenko said that there were several attempts by the rebels to seize Ukrainian positions near Donetsk and Mariupol cities in the past day, in which four Ukrainian soldiers were wounded, but no one died.

On Wednesday, the rebels called on the Ukrainian military to start the pullback of their heavy weapons from the frontline, saying that the insurgent forces had already withdrawn about 400 units in recent days.

The complete pullout of heavy weapons out of striking distance by both warring sides is one of the key points of the agreement reached in the Belarusian capital, which is aimed at ending the conflict that has killed over 5,700 people.

Under the agreement, a comprehensive ceasefire is the main precondition for the withdrawal.