Lugansk People’s Republic to complete withdrawal of heavy weapons by March 2-3

Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) self-defense forces have pulled back 80% of heavy weapons from the Line of Contact. They planned to complete the withdrawal by March 2-3, the Lugansk information center reported today, on February 28.

“As of noon of February 28, the Lugansk People’s Militia has pulled back 80% of heavy weapons from the Line of Contact. The withdrawal process is to be completed by March 2-3, unless there are emergency situations,” the center reports.

Earlier, Defense Ministry of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) said a new phase of weapons withdrawal is launching in DPR. An OSCE Mission is observing the process.

Today, Anatoly Stelmakh, Kiev's military operation representative said Ukraine is pulling back the 100mm caliber anti-tank guns from the dividing line and it is only the first phase of the artillery withdrawal. Stelmakh said he hopes the Donbass self-defense forces “will observe the peace agreements and the second, third and fourth phases of the heavy artillery withdrawal will be launched.” According to Stelmakh, Ukraine registered neither shelling in the area of Mariupol nor drones overnight.