U.S. authorities have said that Russian troops are still present in eastern Ukraine.

Getting and verifying information is very hard as Russians deliberately use the disguise tactics in eastern Ukraine, Marie Harf, Acting Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State said at a briefing.

According to her, these are regular troops that disguise themselves not to look like soldiers.

We know that a considerable number of Russian troops can be observed there, she added.

"Combined Russian-separatist forces maintain a sizable number of artillery pieces and multiple rocket launchers within areas prohibited under the Minsk accords," reads the statement by Harf posted on the website of U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.

According to the statement, Russia has continued to ship heavy weapons into eastern Ukraine since the Minsk 2 ceasefire took effect on 15 February.