Government troops and pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine have declared immediate efforts to withdraw heavy weaponry from the frontlines following a successful prisoner exchange bid.
The deputy commander of defense ministry corps of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) announced on Sunday that the Ukrainian military and pro-Russia forces have agreed to pull out heavy weapons from the battle zone, PressTV reported.
"Today, we’ve done preparatory work. Tomorrow is a holiday, and starting from [February] 24 the process of heavy weapons pullout will begin," said Eduard Basurin, as cited in a report by the Donetsk news agency.
Ukrainian General Aleksandr Rozmaznin was also quoted in press reports as confirming that documents have been signed by the warring parties "to begin withdrawing heavy weapons all along the frontline."