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Moscow slams Kiev for reported weapon deployment in E. Ukraine

Xinhua, March 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Russia on Saturday slammed the Ukrainian government for reported deployment of heavy weapons in eastern Ukraine.

"The claims of Ukrainian authorities that all of its heavy weapons have been withdrawn are once again proved to be bluff," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in an online statement after a Reuters video footage was released showing heavy weaponry being used by the Ukrainian army at the contact line in the southeast of Ukraine.

"The ministry has to emphasize that we are speaking of another serious violation of Minsk agreements, which stipulate the heavy weapon withdrawal from the contact line," the statement added.

Judging by the footage, the ministry said the so-called Azov battalion was using 122 millimeter caliber howitzers D-30 with a firing range of 22 kilometers.

The ministry also claimed that the footage had been taken near Shyrokyne Village in Donetsk region, "a place must be monitored most closely by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) special mission."

Russia urged the Ukrainian side "not to mislead the international public opinion and faithfully fulfill its obligations under the Minsk accords."

Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged France and Germany to persuade the Ukrainian authorities to observe the Minsk agreements.

Recent amendments made by Kiev government on "special status" law and the initiative of international peacekeeping mission have sparked off another round "war of words" as well as conflict upsurge in eastern Ukraine. Endi