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