Soldiers play some soccer amid ceasefire in Ukraine conflict

SI Staff | Feb 16, 2015

Soldiers play some soccer amid ceasefire in Ukraine conflict

Volodymyr Shuvayev/AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ordered troops to abide by the truce from midnight, in line with a deal reached in Minsk earlier this week with the leaders of Russia, Germany and France.

Volodymyr Shuvayev/AFP/Getty Images

According to multiple reports, the ceasefire was by and large observed across the front. An exception: reports of continued fighting in Debaltseve, near where these soldiers are pictured.

Volodymyr Shuvayev/AFP/Getty Images

Debaltseve, a town of just over 25,000 a short distance from these pictures, has become an epicenter of clashes between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels.

Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

Ukrainian soldiers play football on the road leading to the embattled town of Debaltseve on February 15, 2015 outside Artemivsk, Ukraine.

Volodymyr Shuvayev/AFP/Getty Images

The ceasefire between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces went into effect at midnight on Sunday, the day these photos were taken.

Volodymyr Shuvayev/AFP/Getty Images

Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

Ukrainian soldiers play football on the road leading to the embattled town of Debaltseve on February 15, 2015 outside Artemivsk, Ukraine

Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

Ukrainian soldiers play football on the road leading to the embattled town of Debaltseve on February 15, 2015 outside Artemivsk, Ukraine.