Ukraine, separatists agree troop withdrawals in three hot spots

A woman takes a selfie with military cadets as they attend a Peace March to mark the International Day of Peace in Kiev, Ukraine, September 21, 2016. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

MINSK (Reuters) - Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists agreed on Wednesday to withdraw troops from three small towns on the front line in eastern Ukraine, a pilot de-escalation project that is part of the latest push to get a much-violated ceasefire to stick.

Under the terms of the agreement, armed forces from both sides are banned from entering the three areas, which are four square kilometres each in size. The withdrawal must start within a month and be completed within three days.