Ukraine 'starts heavy weapons withdrawal', Ukraine's army is starting the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line in the east as part of a truce, the defence ministry says.
It says the pullout of 100mm calibre artillery "is the first step" and will be monitored by OSCE observers.
Pro-Russian rebels earlier said they had started withdrawing their weapons. This has not been verified by monitors.
The ceasefire came into effect on 15 February, but the rebels seized the key town of Debaltseve just days later.
Fighting began in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions last April, a month after Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula.
Almost 5,800 people have died since then, the UN has estimated, although it believes the real figure could be considerably higher.
The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels with heavy weapons and soldiers.
Independent experts echo that accusation while Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers".Read More
It says the pullout of 100mm calibre artillery "is the first step" and will be monitored by OSCE observers.
Pro-Russian rebels earlier said they had started withdrawing their weapons. This has not been verified by monitors.
The ceasefire came into effect on 15 February, but the rebels seized the key town of Debaltseve just days later.
Fighting began in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions last April, a month after Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula.
Almost 5,800 people have died since then, the UN has estimated, although it believes the real figure could be considerably higher.
The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels with heavy weapons and soldiers.
Independent experts echo that accusation while Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers".Read More
