Ukraine starts rocket launchers withdrawal from frontline

The Ukrainian army on Friday began the withdrawal of multiple rocket-launching systems, its heaviest weapons, from the frontline in eastern regions, a government military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said.

"Today, our forces started the pullout of Uragan rocket launchers," Lysenko told reporters during a media briefing.

Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are observing the process, Lysenko said.

The withdrawal of multiple rocket launchers marked the third phase of weapon pullback by Ukrainian forces in eastern regions.

During the first two stages of removal process, Kiev has withdrawn heavy guns and artillery from the line of contact with pro-independence rebels.

The withdrawal of heavy weapons and creation of a buffer zone between the two warring sides are a part of a ceasefire deal signed on Feb.12 in Minsk, the Belarusian capital, to end the conflict, which has killed more than 6,000 people since April 2014.

The rebel forces said they have already withdrawn their heavy weapons from the frontline. Endite