Some 90% Ukrainian troops were withdrawn from Debaltseve in the past 24 hours, Anatoly Stelmakh, spokesman for the headquarters of the operation in Donbas, said.

"Some 90% of the personnel were withdrawn from Debaltseve in the past 24 hours. Routine redeployment proves that there was no encirclement," he told a briefing on Thursday.

Stelmakh said that "the operation is nearing completion."

"We are not disclosing all details. A special corridor has been created to withdraw the troops, which is protected by artillery," he said.