Ukraine: Russia to quickly withdraw from areas around Kiev

Russian troops are making a “quick retreat” from areas around the capital Kiev and northern Ukraine. That is what Mikhailo Podoljak, the adviser to Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, said.

“With the rapid withdrawal of the Russians from the regions in and around Kiev, it is perfectly clear that Russia is prioritizing another tactic: falling back to the east and south,” Podoljak wrote on social media.

Russia last week said its troops in Ukraine will focus on the “liberation” of the Donbas. Russia, which launched the invasion on February 24, has captured areas to the east and south and is carrying out ongoing attacks on the southern port city of Mariupol.