Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko says disengagement of forces and weapons in the Donbas settlement of Zolote is starting today. Oct 29.
The statement came as Prystaiko spoke with journalists ahead of the "RE: THINK. Invest in Ukraine" Investment Forum in Mariupol, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Before the Normandy Four summit convenes, disengagement will take place in the earlier agreed areas.
"In Zolote, disengagement is taking place right now. We're starting today... It has just begun. Yesterday, the OSCE SMM did preparation work and brought additional units. This is their task, how to ensure it. We want this process to be absolutely neutral, transparent. The last time Zolote was shelled was on October 17, that is, 10 days ago ... Next will be Petrivske," said Prystaiko.
UPDATE: The Joint Forces Operation Command has later confirmed that the disengagement of forces (on both sides) started at 12:00 Oct 29.
"Representatives of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission confirmed the beginning of disengagement," the JFO HQ press service reported on Facebook.
"The Ukrainian side will take all necessary measures, while the disengagement of forces and means will not weaken defense capabilities of the Ukrainian units in the designated area, and the authorities will in no case leave the local population without attention, since all measures are being carried out for a single purpose, which is safety at the specified sections of the disengagement area, preserving the lives and health of civilians and servicemen," the report reads, adding that a shelling near Zolote, of which was reported earlier, was recorded beyond the disengagement area.
