Ukraine threatens to halt weapon withdrawal over alleged provocations

Kiev may halt the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontline in eastern Ukraine should "provocations" against government troops in the region continue, a senior defense official said on Wednesday.

"If rebels would not cease their provocations, the withdrawal of the armaments at the east will be stopped," Oleksandr Turchynov, head of the country's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), was quoted by the NSDC press service as saying.

Accusing the pro-independence fighters of violating ceasefire nine times in the past day, Turchynov said that the government forces stand ready to bring back their weapons to the frontline if the attacks not halted.

"In case of further provocative actions that threaten the lives and security of the Ukrainian military and civilians, weapons and military equipment will be returned immediately to the places of their previous location," Turchynov said.

On Oct. 3, the conflicting sides in eastern Ukraine started the withdrawal of weapons, which envisages their tanks, mortars and artillery of less-than-100-millimeter caliber pulling back to a distance of at least 15 km from the contact line.

The pullout is carried out under the framework of the ceasefire agreement, designed to put an end to the conflict in Lugansk and Donetsk. Fightings broke out in April 2014 and has claimed lives of about 8,000 people.

On Sept. 1, the ceasefire regime was established in the restive areas, bringing a fragile peace to the conflict-torn regions, although the warring sides accused each other of sporadic violations. Endit