The Ukrainian army and separatist conducted yesterday in a massive prisoner exchange in eastern Ukraine. This is one of the few realizations in the application of the Minsk II agreement. 139 Ukrainian soldiers and 52 rebel fighters held by the opposing camp were exchanged at Jolobok, a village on the front line in the Lugansk region.
While the cease-fire was regularly violated since it came into force on Sunday, US Secretary of State John Kerry has accused Russia of behavior "extremely loose" in Ukraine.
"So far, Russia and the separatists do not respect the cease-fire in the areas they have selected. Not Debaltseve, not outside or in Mariupol and other key strategic areas. This is simply unacceptable, said Kerry. If this continues, we no mistake, there will be new consequences, including consequences that will put additional pressure on the Russian economy already in trouble. "
For its part, the OSCE, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said to have reached Debaltseve, fell to the rebels Wednesday despite the cease-fire.
The Ukrainian army, she said yesterday that she was preparing for the possibility of an attack by pro-Russian separatists against the port city of Mariupol.
