Reports: Ukraine Troops Leaving Key Town

Some Ukrainian troops are pulling out of the town of Debaltseve following fierce fighting with pro-Russian rebels, pro-government commanders have said.

The Ukrainian commander of a pro-Kiev paramilitary unit said troops were leaving the strategically important town, which links the two rebel-controlled regions in the east, in a "planned and organised" way.

Semen Semenchenko said on Facebook: "The enemy is trying to cut the roads and prevent the exit of the troops."

Another paramilitary leader, Mykola Kolesnyk, said in an interview on 112 television channel: "We have pulled out. We have saved people's lives."

But the head of the Krivbas battalion said not all troops were pulling out.

"We are talking only about units which are surrounded in populated areas in and around the town."

A pro-Russian rebel official cited by the separatist press service DAN said hundreds of government troops are surrendering to separatist forces in the town.

"In Debaltseve there is a massive surrender of weapons by (Ukrainian) forces. These people number in the hundreds," DAN quoted Maksim Leshchenko as saying.

Associated Press reporters on the road to the government-controlled town of Artemivsk reported seeing several dozen Ukrainian troops retreating from Debaltseve on Wednesday morning.

Fighting has continued there despite a ceasefire between Ukraine government forces and rebels coming into force on Sunday.

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Gallery: Debaltseve Has Become Centre Of Ukraine Conflict

Ukrainian armed forces take up positions near the eastern town of Debaltseve.

A ceasefire came into effect on Sunday, but fighting has continued in Debaltseve, where pro-Russian rebels claim to have surrounded thousands of Ukrainian fighters.

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