CRI听力:Ukrainian Army Withdraws Heavy Weapons

Ukrainian government troops and separatist forces drew back some heavy weapons from the front line in the east on Friday in compliance with a cease-fire deal, although officials in Kiev accused rebels of falling short of requirements.

Ukrainian troops were seen pulling back anti-tank guns from the front line near the town of Artemivsk.

The required withdrawal distance for weapons varies depending on their power and range.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said at a military cadet graduation ceremony on Friday that the country's army would swiftly rebuff any hostilities if unrest resumes.

"Fulfilling the Minsk accords, yesterday we started the withdrawal of several kinds of heavy weapons from the division line in Donbas. But it was just the first, testing step, the very beginning of the Minsk plan implementation, the plan that cost us so much effort to achieve in Minsk, the plan that is still being violated by our opponent. And that's why at any time and any moment, our servicemen are ready to pull the weapons back in to the front-line and fight the enemy back in the shortest period of time."

The pullback of heavy weapons was supposed to have started over a week ago under a deal agreed by the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to end fighting in Ukraine that has killed nearly 5,800 people since April.

Fighters of Ukrainian volunteer Azov battalion take part in military exercises not far from southeastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, on February 27, 2015. [Photo: CFP]