KIEV, February 27. /TASS/. Ukraine's army is withdrawing heavy weapons from the eastern Donbas region line of contact, overseen by monitors from the Organization for Security and Coooperation in Europe, forces spokesman Anatoly Stelmah said on Friday.

He spoke following Thursday's announcement by interior ministry deputy head Ilia Kiva that the Ukrainian army had started pulling back heavy weapons from the Debaltsevo city rail hub and Donetsk airport and would continue to withdraw provided militia forces respected agreements.

Alexander Zakharchenko, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, said on Thursday that his forces had withdrawn 90% of their heavy arsenal.

"In line with the February 12 Minsk accords, DPR forces have withdrawn heavy weapons including artillery and mortar launchers to the agreed distance. We are 90% done," he said.