Heavy weapons must be removed from Ukraine's eastern front - OSCE chief

Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Secretary General Lamberto Zannier speaks during a news conference in Tbilisi, March 9, 2015. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

VIENNA (Reuters) - The head of the OSCE said on Friday it was imperative that Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists withdraw heavy weapons from the eastern front line, as the Ukrainian military warned of a fresh escalation of the conflict.

Heavy weapons are still being used in eastern Ukraine, said Lamberto Zannier, the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which monitors the conflict.