Ukrainian government forces are leaving Debaltseve in an organized manner, with their weapons and military hardware, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.

"We have stated and proven: Debaltseve was under our control, and there was no encirclement. Our units and forces have left it in a planned and organized manner. They've left it with their military equipment, with tanks, with armored personnel carriers, with self-propelled guns, tow tractors, and automobiles," Poroshenko said at an airport before leaving for Donbas at about noon on Wednesday.