Kiev and Chernihiv regions see departure of Russian soldiers

Russia is withdrawing some of its troops from the Ukrainian regions of Kiev and Chernihiv, the governors report. Russian authorities said Tuesday they would reduce the deployment of the army in those places. According to NATO, the soldiers are not withdrawing, but are regrouping.

The governor of Kiev says he is monitoring the movements of the Russian vehicles. Some of the troops are said to be on their way to the border with Belarus. He also says that Russian soldiers have left the village of Hostomel, next to a major airport, but are in neighboring Bucha.

According to the Chernihiv governor, some Russian soldiers in the region have left, while some have remained. “Air and missile strikes are still possible, no one is ruling it out.”

After Russia’s commitment to reduce military operations in Kiev and Chernihiv, attacks continued to take place. Russia has stated that the focus in Ukraine is now on the “liberation” of Donetsk and Luhansk. Those are the two regions in the east of the country where pro-Russian separatists are located.