Ukraine starts pull-back of tanks, light artillery in east: military
Ukraine has started withdrawing tanks and light artillery from the frontline in the eastern region of Luhansk in line with an agreement with Russian-backed separatists, Kiev's military said.
Ukraine and separatist leaders agreed last week to extend a pull-back of weapons in eastern Ukraine, which rebels said could mean an "end to the war" with the Ukrainian government.
Ukraine has 360 tanks in the conflict zone and 1,400 armored personnel carriers, according to military data published at the end of August.
Military spokesman Ruslan Tkachuk said the withdrawal had been agreed with representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and should be completed within the next 14 days.
"This is an opportunity to do even more to stabilize and normalize the situation ... It's an opportunity both sides need to recognize and build upon," Alexander Hug, deputy chief monitor of the OSCE monitoring mission to Ukraine told Reuters.
A ceasefire is holding in eastern territories, with both sides reporting few or no violations.