Russia has not given up trying to capture Kyiv and Chernihiv - the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO - WEDNESDAY, 30 MARCH 2022, 17:27
OLEXANDR MOTUZIANYK, SCREENSHOT FROM VIDEO
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine believes that the Russians have not given up attempts to capture or at least surround Kyiv and Chernihiv, despite Russia's statements about a drastic reduction in hostilities in these areas.
Source: spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, Oleksandr Motuzianyk, at a briefing at the Ukrainian Media Centre
Quote: "As of now, according to our operational information, the enemy has not given up trying to capture or at least surround cities, including these two. We are talking about the capital and Chernihiv."
"The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has noted a certain partial relocation of individual units from the Kyiv and Chernihiv areas. At the same time, we are not observing a mass withdrawal of Russian troops from these areas."
Details: A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence expressed the opinion that the Russian army was withdrawing the units that had suffered the greatest losses in order to replenish them.
Background:
- Immediately after the round of talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on 29 March, [Russian negotiator Vladimir] Medinsky said that the Russian army would "dramatically reduce" the offensive in the Chernihiv and Kyiv areas.
- Medinsky then explained that the de-escalation of hostilities by Russian troops in Kyiv and Chernihiv did not mean a ceasefire.
- Russian occupation forces fired on Chernihiv and other cities in the region at night.