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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Ukraine says it cannot start heavy weapons withdrawal | Ukraine says it cannot start heavy weapons withdrawal |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| The Ukrainian military has said it cannot start withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line in the east until the rebels stop shelling its positions. | The Ukrainian military has said it cannot start withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line in the east until the rebels stop shelling its positions. |
| Military spokesman Lt Col Anatoliy Stelmakh told reporters the separatist rebels had not stopped firing. | Military spokesman Lt Col Anatoliy Stelmakh told reporters the separatist rebels had not stopped firing. |
| Both sides agreed at the weekend to begin withdrawing heavy weapons shortly, under this month's ceasefire. | Both sides agreed at the weekend to begin withdrawing heavy weapons shortly, under this month's ceasefire. |
| Germany has said it is concerned that there is still no "comprehensive ceasefire" in place. | Germany has said it is concerned that there is still no "comprehensive ceasefire" in place. |
| Government spokesman Steffen Seibert called on Russia to "again urgently bring to bear its influence on the separatists". | Government spokesman Steffen Seibert called on Russia to "again urgently bring to bear its influence on the separatists". |
| British Prime Minister David Cameron described Russia's actions as "illegal" and accused the Kremlin of providing separatist rebels with both "fighters and equipment". | British Prime Minister David Cameron described Russia's actions as "illegal" and accused the Kremlin of providing separatist rebels with both "fighters and equipment". |
| Speaking in the UK parliament he went on to warn that any attempt by the separatists to expand their territory would be met with "further significant EU and US sanctions" against Russia. | Speaking in the UK parliament he went on to warn that any attempt by the separatists to expand their territory would be met with "further significant EU and US sanctions" against Russia. |
| The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels with heavy weapons and soldiers. | The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels with heavy weapons and soldiers. |
| Independent experts echo that accusation while Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers". | Independent experts echo that accusation while Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers". |
| Agreement in danger | Agreement in danger |
| Two Ukrainian soldiers died on Sunday, the military said, while the rebels reported one death on their side. | Two Ukrainian soldiers died on Sunday, the military said, while the rebels reported one death on their side. |
| The rebels are not expected to begin their pullback until after a public holiday they are observing on Monday. | The rebels are not expected to begin their pullback until after a public holiday they are observing on Monday. |
| Both sides have two weeks under the terms of the Minsk deal to pull artillery and tanks out of striking distance. | Both sides have two weeks under the terms of the Minsk deal to pull artillery and tanks out of striking distance. |
| Last week, the 12 February ceasefire signed in the Belarusian capital, and brokered by Germany and France, looked in danger of collapsing when the rebels captured the strategically important rail hub of Debaltseve. | Last week, the 12 February ceasefire signed in the Belarusian capital, and brokered by Germany and France, looked in danger of collapsing when the rebels captured the strategically important rail hub of Debaltseve. |
| In other developments | In other developments |
| Minsk agreement: Key points | Minsk agreement: Key points |
| Exchange of fire | Exchange of fire |
| New shelling was reported in the Donetsk region on Sunday after overnight exchanges of fire. | New shelling was reported in the Donetsk region on Sunday after overnight exchanges of fire. |
| Lt Stelmakh accused the rebels of trying to storm the front-line village of Shyrokyne near the government-held port city of Mariupol. | Lt Stelmakh accused the rebels of trying to storm the front-line village of Shyrokyne near the government-held port city of Mariupol. |
| Rebel spokesman Eduard Basurin confirmed that rebels and government forces had exchanged fire at Shyrokyne. | Rebel spokesman Eduard Basurin confirmed that rebels and government forces had exchanged fire at Shyrokyne. |
| But he said rival pro-government groups had first fired on each other after a heated exchange by radio, adding that later in the night the rebel positions came under intense fire. | But he said rival pro-government groups had first fired on each other after a heated exchange by radio, adding that later in the night the rebel positions came under intense fire. |
| Mariupol is viewed as a key objective for the rebels should they try to push further west against government forces. | Mariupol is viewed as a key objective for the rebels should they try to push further west against government forces. |
| The rebels themselves celebrated a Soviet-era public holiday on Monday, Defenders of the Fatherland Day, which is not an official holiday in Ukraine but is in Russia. | The rebels themselves celebrated a Soviet-era public holiday on Monday, Defenders of the Fatherland Day, which is not an official holiday in Ukraine but is in Russia. |
| A festive rally was held on a square in the city of Donetsk, with patriotic songs and tributes to rebels killed in the fighting. | A festive rally was held on a square in the city of Donetsk, with patriotic songs and tributes to rebels killed in the fighting. |
| 'Hundred prisoners' | 'Hundred prisoners' |
| Mr Basurin said rebel forces were still holding more than 100 Ukrainian soldiers after a weekend prisoner exchange. | Mr Basurin said rebel forces were still holding more than 100 Ukrainian soldiers after a weekend prisoner exchange. |
| Most of the remaining prisoners, he told Russia's Interfax news agency, were taken during the rebel offensive against the strategic town of Debaltseve, which ended last week with the retreat of government forces. | Most of the remaining prisoners, he told Russia's Interfax news agency, were taken during the rebel offensive against the strategic town of Debaltseve, which ended last week with the retreat of government forces. |
| Nearly 5,700 people have died and at least 1.25 million have fled their homes since the conflict began early last year. | Nearly 5,700 people have died and at least 1.25 million have fled their homes since the conflict began early last year. |