A day after the ceasefire agreement signed between pro-Russian rebels and Ukraine, there were reports of heavy and intense fighting in eastern Ukraine.
According to media reports, there has been intense fighting for the control of the town of Debaltseve, which is believed to be placed strategically between rebel-held areas. The group that will monitor and ensure the ceasefire, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), indicated "serious live fire" in several areas.
The BBC reported Luhansk under bombardment overnight, with Russian media indicating some of the most fiercest fighting there in months. Nonetheless, Ukrainian sources said some of the most intense fighting centered around Debaltseve, a railway junction, where pro-Russian rebels seem to have besieged government troops in an effort to take control of the town.
The current upsurge in fighting in several areas of eastern Ukraine, including in rebel-held Donetsk and government-held Debaltseve, has inflicted a high cost on the civilian population. Thousands of civilians are trapped in these towns, under constant shelling by pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces attempting to take control.
The ceasefire deal was clinched after marathon peace talks in neighboring Belarus that began Wednesday, involving leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, and concluded on Thursday. European leaders have warned that the onus is on Russia to ensure the ceasefire deal is honored and will likely face additional sanctions in case of default.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was explicit, stressing that Russia could be slapped with further sanctions if the ceasefire agreement is not respected.
The new Minsk Agreement, stipulate all foreign armed groups, military equipment and mercenaries leave Ukraine under the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) control. The deal also calls for disarming all illegal groups in Ukraine.
Among the conditions for Kiev to regain control over the border with Russia is constitutional reform in Ukraine and the introduction of a "special status" for the rebel-held areas in the industrial east.
The ceasefire agreement signed in Belarusian capital of Minsk, will come into effect at 12 a.m. local time Sunday. The deal also involves withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line, which, according to Russian President Putin, is "extremely important."
French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said although a deal has been reached, much work remains to be done, for its implementation. Hollande described the deal a "comprehensive political solution" and said it provides "serious hope, even if all is not done."
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