IT'S NOT REALLY OVER: Russian-backed rebels use ceasefire to rearm for grand offensive

Despite a five party ceasefire agreement signed in February, there is no peace in Ukraine, and further bloodshed appears to be on the horizon.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Russian-backed rebels are using the ceasefire to regroup, rearm and train for another bout of fighting against Ukraine forces, most likely around the Black Sea port city of Mariupol.

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Despite claims from the self-proclaimed peoples republics in eastern Ukraine, rebels have been observed practice firing assault rifles, grenade launchers, anti-tank missiles and other heavy weapons.

Previously the rebels have not held to the ceasefire agreement. During the first day after its February 12 signing, rebel forces captured the critical road and rail transport hub of Debaltseve, hitting the town with heavy ordinance that left it in total ruin.

They continued firing artillery and rockets into Ukraine positions, only withdrawing heavy weapons after nearly five days of flaunting the agreements.

A Ukrainian military spokesman, Andriy Lysenko, said that: "There are signs the enemy is preparing for further offensives. Everywhere the militants show that they are withdrawing heavy weaponry, it is either simply to relocate [these weapon systems] where they are planning attacks or remove them only to put them back in place the next night."

While the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has said it has observed and confirmed Ukraine's withdrawal of heavy weapons outside the buffer zone, the group has constantly been stopped by rebels from ensuring the ceasefire agreement is put in place.

Rebel forces either do not tell the OSCE observers where the weapons are being taken, or don't even let them follow the withdrawal or look at the marked locations.

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Ukraine's military is in the process of a revitalization program. Western trainers and equipment, primarily from the UK and U.S., are being sent in to oversee the modernization.

Other Baltic states, wary of Russia and Putin's growing presence and anti-West rhetoric are also taking steps to increase their military readiness and effectiveness.

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