15:38 28.07.2015

Kyiv announces intention to remove heavy weapons from Mariupol as part of Donbas demilitarization

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Kyiv announces intention to remove heavy weapons from Mariupol as part of Donbas demilitarization

Heavy weapons will be removed from Mariupol, Donetsk region, as part of the demilitarization process, and promptly re-deployed, if need be, Dmytro Hutsuliak, a spokesman for the Ukrainian special operation in Donbas, said on Tuesday.

"The creation of a demilitarized zone does not mean leaving Mariupol, we are only removing our weaponry. It will be returned, if need be … I reiterate: heavy artillery is being removed to an agreed distance, and can be promptly redeployed to the frontline in the event of an enemy offensive," he said at a briefing in Kyiv.

The creation of the demilitarized zone involves the removal of heavy weapons, armed vehicles, tanks, mortar launchers and cannons from these areas, Hutsuliak said.

"At the same the Ukrainian military presence will remain within the 30-kilometer zone, our fighters will be there in full ammunition, with weapons, automatic rifles and machine-guns, and will further occupy the reinforced frontiers," the spokesman said.

As for the village of Shyrokyne east of Mariupol, a permanent observation post will be set up there for the Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE SMM) and the Joint Center for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), Hutsuliak said.

Ukrainian marines are due to arrive in Shyrokyne shortly, he added.

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