The Ukrainian National Guard has denied information that its troops have left the city of Debaltseve, Donetsk region, where fighting has been going on for several days now.

A statement by Ukrainian parliamentarian Taras Pastukh (Samopomich faction) stating that the Ukrainian National Guard had left Debaltseve was posted on the Internet on February 2. The command of the Ukrainian National Guard officially denies this information, "the guard continues holding its positions," the National Guard said in a statement released on Monday.

In the meantime, Alexander Zakharchenko, the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, claimed earlier on Monday that the Ukrainian troops were attempting to retreat from Debaltseve.