Ukraine begins withdrawing heavy weapons
Ukraine has started withdrawing heavy weapons from its eastern front lines to honour a truce, according to the defence ministry.
Foreign observers confirmed 100mm artillery was being pulled out of the area and that the situation will continue to be monitored.
The decision came shortly after Ukraine's military said its forces hadn’t suffered any fatalities in the past 48 hours, although several soldiers had been wounded.
Despite assurances, it remains unverified whether Pro-Russian rebels have also made withdrawals. The rebels already breached the ceasefire just days after its agreement on 15 February, when they seized the key town of Debaltseve.
The Ukrainian defence ministry warned that if the rebels made any attempts to attack, the withdrawal would be “corrected”.
The UN estimates almost 6000 people have died since the conflict began last April.