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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Kiev pulls back just 80% of heavy weapons — LPR leader

Another 20% of weapons remain on the previous positions and it seems that Ukraine forces are not planning to pull them back, the leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic says

© EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

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Kiev may be deliberately disrupting weapons withdrawal plan — LPR negotiator

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Kiev has pulled back around 80% of its heavy weapons from the contact line under the Minsk accords, but it seems that it is not planning to withdraw other weaponry, the leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic said on Thursday.

"Yes, they have withdrawn some 80%. But another 20% [of weapons] remain on the previous positions and it seems that they are not planning to pull them back. We know this and inform the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) about this," Igor Plotnisky was quoted by the LuhanskInformCenter as saying.

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Plotnitsky said the Ukrainian side has moved the best artillery at its disposal to the front line. "They have withdrawn only the equipment, which needs repair, the oldest and the most noticeable pieces, while the rest stays there," he stressed.

The February 12 set of measures agreed in Minsk envisages the pull-out of all heavy weapons by both sides to equal distance with the aim of creating a security zone on at least 50 kilometers apart for artillery systems of 100 mm caliber or more, a security zone of 70 kilometers for multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) and 140 kilometers for MLRS Tornado-S, Uragan and Smerch, and the tactical missile systems Tochka-U.

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Eastern Ukraine

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