Ukraine War News Updates -- February 18, 2015

The Independent: Ukraine crisis: Hollow posturing as Kiev's troops make bitter retreat from besieged Debaltseve



Some of the soldiers were agitated, others euphoric. Shouts of “Glory to Ukraine” went up, and victory salutes were brandished. Yet their posturing seemed hollow, given the operation they were engaged in: Ukraine’s withdrawal from Debaltseve, after days of fighting against Russian-backed rebels in the strategic town.


The vehicles came thick and fast. Tanks, armoured cars, trucks, school buses, ambulances — a lot of ambulances; the evacuation used whatever transport the military could get its hands on. Some of the soldiers made the last few miles on foot.

Ukraine War News Updates -- February 18, 2015

Debaltsevo completely under militia control — DPR Defense Ministry -- ITAR-TASS

Ukraine president confirms pull out of troops from rebel-held city -- Euronews

Ukraine troops pull back from a key town as truce falters -- CNN

Amid Retreat, Ukrainian Soldiers Recount Blood and Chaos -- WSJ

A Bloody Retreat From Debaltseve as Ukrainian Forces Suddenly Withdraw -- New York Times

Debaltseve under rebel control, Ukraine troops retreat -- Deutsche Welle

Ukrainian soldiers share horrors of Debaltseve battle after stinging defeat -- The Guardian

‘It’s Capture or Death’: Ukraine Soldiers Recount Painful Retreat -- WSJ

Poroshenko Says Nearly 2,500 Ukrainian Soldiers Left Debaltseve -- Sputnik

22 soldiers killed, over 150 injured in fighting in Debaltseve - Ukrainian General Staff -- Kyiv Post

Ukraine’s Security and Defence Council decides to set up military cabinet of defence -- ITAR-TASS

OSCE confirms pullback of heavy weaponry from contact line by LPR -- ITAR-TASS

US Faults Rebels, Russia for Ukraine Truce Breach -- VOA

Cameron: sanctions against Russia could last years -- UPI

Scenes From Eastern Ukraine Show Cease-Fire in Shreds -- Time

After separatists' victory in Debaltseve, will Putin stick or twist? -- Simon Tisdall, The Guardian

Europe Chickens Out Over Putin’s Ceasefire Violations - Rob Garver, The Fiscal Times

Debaltseve Was Fatal Flaw in Minsk Agreement on Ukraine -- Ivan Nechepurenko, Moscow Times

Debaltseve: Pundits fear political crisis after retreat -- BBC