Advance forces against the Russians near Kyiv

Five weeks after the so-called “military operation” ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Which left some regions of Ukraine in ruinsRussia has announced in recent days that it will reduce attacks on Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv.

Adviser to the Ukrainian President, Mikhailo Podolak, confirmed today that a “rapid withdrawal” of Russia was observed in the regions.

“With the rapid withdrawal of the Russians from Kyiv and Chernihiv (…), it is quite clear that Russia chose another priority tactic: to withdraw to the east and south, to maintain control over the vast occupied territories, and to seize a strong foothold in the region,” Podolak wrote. On Telegram, echoing President Volodymyr Zelensky’s warning about the reorganization of Russian forces.

The governor of the Chernihiv region, Vyacheslav Chaus, said the town of the same name, which was devastated by fighting in recent weeks, was not subjected to new attacks in the early hours of Saturday.

Although he said that the “occupiers” were retreating in the north of the country “slowly but clearly”, Zelensky Warn residents of the dangers after the withdrawal of the army Russians.

“the situation disastrous There is great danger. You Russians They plant landmines all over Areaand homes hardware Even the corpses. There are many traps and other dangers. We are moving forward with very precise “.

However, the horrors of war do not stop at the capital. Ukrainian photographer and photographer Max Levin Found dead near KyivAfter being missing for more than two weeks.

Rockets hit cities in the center of the country

Today, the head of the Poltava region said that Russian missiles also hit two cities in central Ukraine, causing damage to infrastructure and residential buildings.

“Poltava. A missile hit an infrastructure facility during the night,” Dmitry Lunin wrote on a social network. “Kremenchug. Lots of attacks on the city in the morning.” There is no information on the victims.

Lunin later said that at least four missiles hit two infrastructure targets in Poltava while three enemy planes, according to preliminary information, attacked the Kremenchug industrial facility.

The city of Poltava is the capital of the Poltava region, east of Kyiv, and Kremenchug is one of the major cities of the region.

According to a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, Major-General Igor Konashenkov, the target in It was Kremenchuk A major Ukrainian oil refinery.

Konashenkov said the Russian military had destroyed the gasoline and diesel storage facilities that supplied Ukrainian forces in the eastern and central regions of the country.

In the Dnipro region of southwestern Ukraine, the missiles hit an infrastructure facility, injuring two people and causing significant damage, said Valentin Reznichenko, head of the district. He added that a gas station in the city of Kryvyi Rih was bombed, which led to the outbreak of a fire.

Civilian withdrawal

The government of Ukraine stated that Seven humanitarian corridors will be opened For a new attempt to withdraw civilians from the city of Mariupol, which is besieged by Russian forces.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk confirmed the information in a message on her account on Telegram, according to the newspaper “The Guardian”. According to her, the rescue corridor in Mariupol allows the evacuation of civilians by private transport and buses.

The Red Cross also said it was once again trying to evacuate dozens of civilians from the coastal city, the most offensive by Russian forces since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Mayor Bucha: 300 people buried in trenches

The mayor of Bucha, near Kyiv, reported today that there are at least 300 people buried in ‘mass graves’ in the city.

The statement came shortly after the Ukrainian authorities discovered 20 bodies of men in civilian clothes On one of the streets of the city recently liberated from Russian occupation.

The Pope says he plans to travel to Kyiv

After meeting with a group of Ukrainian refugees at the Vatican today, Pope Francis began his journey to Malta and He mentioned that he was considering a trip to Kyiv.

Asked by a journalist who was on the plane that took him from Rome to Malta whether he was considering the invitation by the Ukrainian authorities, the Pope replied: “Yes, it is on the table.” However, he did not provide further details.

The statement came after Jorge Bergoglio called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss “the difficult humanitarian situation and the blockade imposed by Russian forces on the rescue corridors.”

* With AFP, ANSA and Reuters