Kiev Moves Military Equipment Closer to Donetsk - DPR

The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Alexander Zakharchenko, said that more than 100 pieces of Ukrainian military hardware were deployed near Donetsk in the past two weeks.

DONETSK (Sputnik) – More than 100 pieces of military hardware have been deployed in the vicinity of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) said Tuesday.

“In the past two weeks, more than 100 pieces of military equipment approached Donetsk. This shows that an offensive is being prepared,” Alexander Zakharchenko said.

Earlier in the day, a DPR negotiator said the militias are prepared to withdraw tanks and weapons with 100-millimeter caliber or less from the contact line in order to ease tensions in the region.

On Monday, foreign ministers of Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine expressed support for the withdrawal of less than 100-mm caliber arms and tanks from Donbas, proposed by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

In February, the warring sides signed a ceasefire agreement.

Despite the withdrawal of heavy artillery from the contact line between Kiev forces and Donbas independence supporters, stipulated in the Minsk accords, opposing parties continue to report truce violations in the region.