By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/fighting-continues-eastern-ukraine-despite-truce Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine despite truce World Feb 17, 2015 10:17 AM EDT A ceasefire imposed Saturday night on Ukrainian and Russian-backed separatists was largely holding Tuesday, except in the strategic railway town of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine. Rebels and Ukrainian soldiers exchanged fire around the train station on Monday and into Tuesday, several news agencies reported. Both the rebels and government forces say they have control of the area. International monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have said they could not enter the town. Under the Feb. 12 agreement, both sides had two days after the ceasefire to start withdrawing from a buffer zone. But both forces say Debaltseve is on their side of the buffer. A rebel military spokesman, Eduard Basurin, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying they would begin withdrawing heavy weaponry from the frontlines, but that did not appear to include Debaltseve. The leaders of Germany, France and the United States expressed concern that the fighting has continued and that five Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire began. In all, more than 5,600 people have died in the conflict, which has been going on for more than a year. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
A ceasefire imposed Saturday night on Ukrainian and Russian-backed separatists was largely holding Tuesday, except in the strategic railway town of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine. Rebels and Ukrainian soldiers exchanged fire around the train station on Monday and into Tuesday, several news agencies reported. Both the rebels and government forces say they have control of the area. International monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have said they could not enter the town. Under the Feb. 12 agreement, both sides had two days after the ceasefire to start withdrawing from a buffer zone. But both forces say Debaltseve is on their side of the buffer. A rebel military spokesman, Eduard Basurin, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying they would begin withdrawing heavy weaponry from the frontlines, but that did not appear to include Debaltseve. The leaders of Germany, France and the United States expressed concern that the fighting has continued and that five Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire began. In all, more than 5,600 people have died in the conflict, which has been going on for more than a year. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now