According to the Ukrainian military, a portion of the Russian troops retreated northwest of Kyiv and Chernigiv regions after Russian negotiators claimed they would slow down the activities in that area. Numerous Russian vehicles were seen moving towards Belarus. While the Russians claim they are doing it to increase “mutual trust”, in reality it may well be an acknowledgment that Russian troops near the capital have been trapped and decimated by the Ukrainian resistance. The possibility exists that these Russian troops could soon return to Donbas and Kharkiv.
Vladyslav Atroshenko, Chernigiv Mayor, warned against believing Russian claims. For weeks, his city was partially blockaded by Russian troops. Most of its remaining 130,000 citizens are without electricity, running or drinking water. Many tragedies took place, such as the line bombings of shops and pharmacies. Many people died as a result of their inability to run for safety so that they don’t miss any food or medicine. The mayor said: “Russians often say one thing, but in reality something different happens. Only time will show if there is truth in those words.”
In its latest midday military report, the General Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that “the Russian enemy is carryingout the withdrawal of individual units out the territories of the kyiv-chernigov regions.”
This withdrawal took place hours before Russian negotiators in Istanbul made the announcement that they had decided to “reduce military activities” in the two regions to help contribute to the signing a peace accord with Kyiv.
The kyiv Region State Administration, a territory that was severely affected by the fighting over the past several weeks, also allowed the regrouping and transfer of Russian forces to Belarus.
In his Telegram account, he stated that the Russian invaders entered the kyiv region from Belarus.
The Ukrainian soldiers don’t lower their guard and warn of the “high-risk” that the Russians might attack their civil and military infrastructures during their retreat.
“The Ukrainian military is available for any scenario, and we consider any defense options,” says the military administration.
Moscow also announced that it will loosen the siege of Chernigov, compared to Mariúpol (Sea of Azov) due to the cruelty of the enemy bombing. It is currently without electricity, heat, or water and only partially supplies gas.
The City Council reported that 350 people have died in the City since February 24, according to today’s report. This does not include the hundreds of people who are admitted every day to the Hospital.
He charged the Russian troops with using the same strategy that he used in Mariupol. “When they don’t win on a battlefield, then they (turn) to terror against civilians,” he said.