Ukraine begins artillery withdrawal, recognising truce is holding

Members of the Ukrainian armed forces ride armoured personnel carriers as they pull back from Debaltseve region, near Artemivsk February 26, 2015. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

PARASKOVIYVKA/DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukrainian troops towed artillery away from the front line in the east on Thursday, a move that amounted to recognising that a ceasefire meant to take effect on Feb. 15 was holding at last.

The military showed reporters seven or eight guns being towed away from the front at the village of Paraskoviyvka north of the government stronghold of Artemivsk. Earlier, Reuters journalists saw a larger convoy of 30-40 vehicles also towing guns away from the front on a highway.