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Clashes over Ukraine rail hub test pledges to begin weapons withdrawal Clashes over Ukraine rail hub test pledges to begin weapons withdrawal
(about 1 hour later)
ARTEMIVSK, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces and pro-Moscow rebels traded fire near a strategic railway hub Tuesday after a deadline to begin withdrawing heavy weapons under a cease-fire that has quieted some areas but still faces major hurdles. ARTEMIVSK, Ukraine — Shelling between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels intensified around a strategic town Tuesday with separatists claiming control of a prized rail hub but government troops saying they are holding their ground.
A critical element of the plan — reached last week after crisis talks between European and Russian leaders — is now being put to the test under provisions to begin pulling back artillery and other weapons from front-line positions. The various claims over Debaltseve could not be independently verified. But the fighting poses a critical test for a cease-fire reached last week in attempts to quell the most serious conflict in Europe since the Balkan wars of the 1990s.
Failure to roll back the forces would mark a significant blow to efforts to quell the 10-month-old conflict between separatists favoring close ties with Russia and Ukraine’s Western-allied government. Under the timetable, forces from both sides should have begun withdrawing heavy weapons, such as artillery, from front-line positions. The clashes suggest neither side was willing to make the first move and open up potential land grabs for their rivals.
The United Nations estimates at least 5,600 people have been killed in the most serious conflict in Europe since the Balkan wars of the 1990s. If Ukrainian troops and rebels fail to withdraw their heavy weapons on time, it will be the latest blow to efforts to end the 10-month-old conflict between separatists favoring close ties with Russia and Ukraine’s Western-allied government. More than 5,600 people have been killed, according to U.N. estimates.
The main flash point remains the government-held town of Debaltseve, a railway center for eastern Ukraine and an important prize for both sides. But since the cease-fire went into effect Sunday at midnight, it has been largely ignored in the area around Debaltseve even though other areas have quieted.
Rebels have made apparent gains in their bid to surround and take over the city, which has been defended by about 5,000 Ukrainian troops.
Separatist leaders claimed Tuesday that they had taken control of the eastern part of Debaltseve and the rail station, whose lines connect several points in Donetsk and Luhansk — which separatists have tried to declare as breakaway regions.
Rebel officials also reported Tuesday that at least 20 Ukrainian troops in Debaltseve had already surrendered.
Russian state television reported that 125 had surrendered, while Russian news service Interfax cited unnamed separatist officials claiming 300 pro-Kiev soldiers had given up.
“The Debaltseve ‘boiling pot’ is closed,” Luhansk rebel leader Igor Plotnitsky said. “It is Ukraine who cannot, and does not want to, recognize this.”
Ukrainian National Security and Defense spokesman, Col. Andriy Lysenko, denied Tuesday that any Ukrainians had or would surrender to the rebel forces. He insisted that government soldiers are holding their territory in the city.
Artillery rounds and shelling were heard around Debaltseve on Tuesday — hours the cease-fire timetable called for both sides to begin pulling back from the front lines.Artillery rounds and shelling were heard around Debaltseve on Tuesday — hours the cease-fire timetable called for both sides to begin pulling back from the front lines.
The full withdrawal — at least 30 miles from the former advanced positions — does not need to be completed until two weeks. But the clashes around Debalseve suggest neither side was willing to make the first move and open up potential land grabs for their rivals. The full withdrawal — at least 30 miles from the former advanced positions — does not need to be completed until two weeks. But neither side appeared willing — or able — to give up ground.
Ukrainian military spokesman Anatoliy Stelmakh blamed the rebels pressing attacks around Debaltseve.Ukrainian military spokesman Anatoliy Stelmakh blamed the rebels pressing attacks around Debaltseve.
“As soon as the militants cease fire, the Ukrainian side will begin to withdraw heavy weaponry from the front line,” he said.“As soon as the militants cease fire, the Ukrainian side will begin to withdraw heavy weaponry from the front line,” he said.
But a rebel leader, Igor Plotnitsky, claimed the pro-Moscow forces were withdrawing tanks and artillery and “expects the same from Ukraine,” the Russian news agency Tass reported.But a rebel leader, Igor Plotnitsky, claimed the pro-Moscow forces were withdrawing tanks and artillery and “expects the same from Ukraine,” the Russian news agency Tass reported.
In a separate report, however, the rebel-linked Donetsk News Agency quoted a separatist official as saying that their forces pushed government troops from Debaltseve and that rebels fighters now controlled a large part of the town. The claim could not be verified independently.
Ukraine and its Western allies have accused Russia of sending troops and weapons to bolster the separatists. Russia strongly denies the claims.Ukraine and its Western allies have accused Russia of sending troops and weapons to bolster the separatists. Russia strongly denies the claims.
Further measures from the West hinge on the success of the cease-fire. The White House has said it was considering sending military aid to Ukraine if the present attempt to halt the fighting unravels.Further measures from the West hinge on the success of the cease-fire. The White House has said it was considering sending military aid to Ukraine if the present attempt to halt the fighting unravels.
In the hours leading up to the cease-fire, pro-Russian rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko told Interfax that the separatists would not be holding their fire around Debaltseve. That is because of rebel claims that the peace agreement made no specific mention of the city.
The Ukraine government does not accept this interpretation of the agreement, reached in the Belarus capital, Minsk.
But Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that Russia had a particular interest in Debaltseve during the marathon peace negotiations, and that separatists always intended to seize the city.
Rebel leaders maintain that Debaltseve is their land, and not subject to the cease-fire terms.
“We have the right to decide what and how to conduct things there,” Plotnitsky said.
Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.