Ukrainian command reports decrease in ceasefire violations

Kiev, Feb 25 (IANS/EFE) The Ukrainian military command Wednesday reported a significant decline in ceasefire violations in the eastern region of the country but said the truce was not being entirely honoured by the pro-Russian separatist militias.

Ukrainian forces spokesman Anatoly Stelmakh said that for the second consecutive day there was a "significant decrease" in the number of militia attacks against troop positions and in the cities.

At the same time, he reported that in the 24 hours ending at 5 a.m. GMT Wednesday, the pro-Russians fired artillery and mortars on 15 occasions, and in four others it used light arms and hand grenades.

Stelmakh said that the Ukrainian troops Tuesday repulsed an attack by the separatists on Shirokino, a town in the south of the breakaway Donetsk region.

He stressed that despite the provocations, the Ukrainians maintained their positions and respected the ceasefire along the entire separation of forces line.

The separatists announced Tuesday the start of the withdrawal of their heavy weapons from the front line in compliance with the second of the 13 points of the peace accord signed in Belarus's capital Minsk.

Kiev authorities dismissed the announcement, claiming the movement of heavy weapons was actually a regrouping of the separatist forces.

--IANS/EFE

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