After weeks of fierce and relentless fighting, Ukraine has pulled most of its troops out of Debaltseve marking a strategic victory for pro-Russian forces. CCTV’s Kate Parkinson reported from eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko described the retreat as “planned and organized”-saying Ukrainian troops had accomplished their mission.

He denied rebel reports of large numbers of Ukrainian casualties with hundreds of Kiev’s troops captured. But in the nearby town of Artemivsk officials say the hospitals, and the morgue, are full.

The decision to pull Kiev’s forces out of the besieged town may have saved the lives of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, but the military defeat during a supposed cease-fire, is still humiliating for the Ukrainian President who is under increasing pressure to take tougher action again the pro-Russian separatists.

CCTV’s Kate Parkinson compiled information for this report from eastern Ukraine.