Ukrainian servicemen will leave the positions they hold only in the event of a complete ceasefire and only simultaneously with a similar withdrawal by the rebels, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) has stated.

"The provision on a ceasefire is a key item [of the Minsk accords]. The first plank is not being fulfilled yet. We are not speaking of others so far," spokesman for the NSDC information and analysis center Andriy Lysenko said at a Sunday briefing.

Lysenko said that the withdrawal of Ukrainian units to a certain distance, if any, can be only synchronized.

The spokesman gave assurances that formations of Ukrainian armed forces and other militarized units continue observing the ceasefire mode that was effected on September 5.

However, in the past 24 hours "roadblocks and positions of the counter-terrorist forces came under fire in 22 communities; there was also a fire attack at Donetsk airport," he said.

Lysenko stressed that Ukrainian servicemen open fire solely in reply to attacks with the purpose of defense when there is a direct threat to their lives.