BERLIN

Germany is considering deploying unarmed drones in eastern Ukraine to support international efforts to monitor a ceasefire between government and pro-Russian separatists, defense ministry sources said Tuesday.

A spokesman for the ministry told the Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity that a team of 14 German soldiers is headed for the conflict-wracked eastern city of Luhansk for preliminary talks with officials on the possible deployment of Luna drones.

The spokesman - who did not wish to be named for reasons of confidentiality - said that the visit was at the request of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).  

He added that the team will study technical and logistical aspects and security issues during the five-day trip and then a final decision on the deployment will be made.

“On the basis of the results of this study visit it will be clear whether we can support the OSCE’s monitoring mission with our drones or not,” he said.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Saturday authorized the use of OSCE Special Monitoring Mission drones to monitor the ceasefire.

The drones Germany is currently considering deploying are capable of providing real-time imagery and target data, the defense ministry source said.

The government has carried out extensive diplomatic efforts in the past few months to defuse tensions in the region and tried to coax both parties towards a ceasefire.

The Ukraine government and pro-Russian separatist leaders signed a ceasefire September 5 after negotiations in Belarus, with hopes of ending the five-month conflict.

However, minor clashes took place near Donetsk airport Monday, prompting concerns that the fragile truce could break down.

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