DPR Withdraws Heavy Arms Including Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems

As part of its strict compliance with its obligations under the Minsk agreements, the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic started the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the line of contact.

DONETSK (Sputnik) – The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) continues to withdraw heavy weaponry from the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, the DPR deputy military commander said Thursday.

“As part of its strict compliance with its obligations under the Minsk agreements, the Donetsk People’s Republic started the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the line of contact,” Eduard Basurin said.

“At present, a total of eight 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled guns, six D-30 Howitzers and six Grad multiple-launch rocket systems have been withdrawn,” he said.

Last week, Kiev-led troops and independence fighters in east Ukraine were given 14 days to pull out heavy weapons and form a 50-140 kilometer (31-85 miles) security zone.

Other conditions of the 13-point roadmap signed in the Belarusian capital Minsk included an all-for-all prisoner exchange and a complete ceasefire supervised by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Four days after the ceasefire came into effect, the OSCE reported overall adherence "despite some incidents" in Donetsk, Luhansk and other neighboring towns.

The large-scale military campaign between government forces and independence fighters in southeast Ukraine has claimed nearly 5,600 civilians, according to the United Nations, since it was launched in mid-April 2014.