In Donbass, two white flares were launched today by both rebels and Ukrainian troops in the town of Zolotoe, bringing a small hope for a successful withdrawal of forces from the line of separation. At least the Ukrainian Army has confirmed their readiness for the first time. It was recorded by OSCE observers. And the process of the withdrawal of weaponry has actually started, but Ukrainian nationalists won't give up trying to disrupt it.
A report by Grigory Vdovin.
A white flare launched from LPR territory has finally gotten an answer from beyond the front line. The same flare was launched from Zolotoe. It suggests that the Ukrainian side is ready to start the withdrawal of troops. OSCE is checking weapons depots, serial numbers of rifles, and inspecting guardhouses. Soldiers with weaponry are leaving the territory and riding away on trucks.
Mikhail Filiponenko, LPR Colonel: "As the OSCE states, the Ukrainian side has begun the withdrawal process. Also, the Lugansk People's Republic, represented by the People's Militia, has also begun the withdrawal of weaponry and forces from the second disengagement area".
Everything occurred pretty unexpectedly, particularly for Ukrainian nationalists. They tried to disrupt the withdrawal, but when they arrived at the guardhouse in Zolotoe, soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces purposely sent them to an entirely different town.
- You've been lied to, guys. The withdrawal is in Petrovskoe today. Go there.
- Petrovskoye?
- Yes. Go there. Don't get screwed over.
Here's Petrovskoe. It was here where the footage that circled the globe was taken. An unending succession of white flares launched from the DPR's side, which didn't receive a single answer from the Ukrainian side. Here, nothing yet suggests a probable realization of at least some peaceful initiatives. Shooting from Ukraine's 128th Brigade, deployed at the cross-border region, happen daily.
Eduard Basurin, People's Militia, DPR: "They fired around ten 60mm shells, it's NATO standard, and around ten AGS grenades. It suggests that this brigade's command wants the escalation of conflict, not a peaceful solution".
All that happens under an extremely uneasy situation throughout the entire line of contact. Here's Zaitsevo, on the outskirts of Gorlovka — a town ripped in two by the war. Through mazy underground communication trenches, we get to probably the most long-suffering social object of the town, which ended up exactly on the front line. The school of Zaitsevo town is a bright example of what has been happening here in the past few years. After the active phase of hostilities in 2014-2015, it was practically intact — the windows were undamaged, the heating system; everything was working, school desks were there; it was even decided to bring the children back here for studying, but during the so-called ceasefire Ukrainian troops came as close as 100 meters to here, away from the external walls, therefore it is strongly recommended to stay away from the windows.
Ukrainian forces deployed here seem to be unaware of the ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops. You can constantly hear shooting. You can now hear what our ceasefire is like.
Meanwhile, life goes on. As close as 100 meters to the completely destroyed school, children play in the street, locals gather coal for winter. Everything happens under constant shooting from the Ukrainian side.
- Where do they shoot from? Show with your hand.
- I don't know, they shoot there, then there. Then there again.
- Are you afraid or not?
- I'm afraid.
Today's events show that an extremely fragile process of a peaceful settlement still has chances to begin. At least in Lugansk. However, nationalists have already stated they're not leaving Zolotoe.
"All the volunteers' weapons are legal. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, we have a right to be at any place in the country's territory and a right to protect the territorial integrity of Ukraine".
The sides have 72 hours to realize the declared agreements.
Grigory Vdovin, Anton Fedotov, Ruslan Abubekerov, Andrey Rudenko, and Oleg Bondarenko — VESTI from the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.
