and attack Slowly but surely, Russian forces are withdrawing from northern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a telegram late Friday. At the same time, satellite images show that withdrawal from areas outside Kyiv has also been implemented.
Early Russian conquest abandoned
The two satellite images below show Antonov Airport in Hostomel 28 km from Kyiv. The airport was one of the first major Russian victories at the start of the war on 24 February. In the photo taken earlier this week, you can see artillery and military vehicles around trenches and well-fortified positions. But in the satellite image from Thursday, the artillery and the Russian war vehicles are absent. Maxar has taken the pictures, and CNN has mentioned the missing Russian forces.
– First picture: from March 21, where Russian forces are seen in position at the captured Antonov airport in Hostomel, Ukraine, not far from Kyiv. Photo: Maxar technologies / Satellite image / AP / NTB
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– Second photo taken on March 31, ie ten days later. Here, almost all the Russian equipment has been removed. This is a withdrawal. Photo: Maxar technologies / AP / NTB
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There is no doubt that they have withdrawn.
Cloudy friday hidden movements
But where have the Russian troops gone? According to CNN, a thick cloud layer prevented Maxar’s satellites from tracking the relocation of the Russian troops. According to Russian military leadership, they are not retreating to Belarus either. On the other hand, several sources have said that Russia should focus on the Donbas and the areas in the east.
Zelensky also expresses concern about these areas in his speech on Friday night. Russia is preparing several Russian attacks in the Donbas region, and on the country’s second largest city Kharkiv, Zelensky said.
Too early to celebrate Russian retreat
– Even in areas where we have returned after the matches, you have to wait. Waiting until our country is safe. Waiting for you can be sure that you will not be bombed again, Zelenskyj says in the speech.
Former Ukrainian journalist Kovalenko has translated a speech by Ukrainian Security and Defense Council Secretary Olexiy Danylov.
– Putin has not given up the idea of destroying Ukraine. Now he is rebuilding his forces to continue the attack, he says in the video.
He is clear in his speech when he says that the time has not come for a victory parade.
The mayor of Kyiv also says that it is life-threatening to return to Kyiv. In the speech, Zelensky also emphasizes that the areas where the Russians are retreating can be mined, and that there is no guarantee that they will not be shot again.
– On Friday 1 April, hundreds of refugees from the city of Mariupol came to Zaporizhzhia Photo: Felipe Dana / AP / NTB
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Hot area around Mariupol
Zelenskyj believes the Russians are gathering and directing force against the Donbas and Kharkiv.
This week, the fighting has continued to rage around Mariupol, and only yesterday many civilians were evacuated from the shattered city. 42 buses from the city will now be safe, according to a video that Iryna Vereshchuk published on Telegram on Friday. AFP’s reporter counted about 30 buses arriving.
New recruitment campaign in Russia
The annual recruitment campaign for the Russian military began this week, the AP news agency reported. Zelensky asks Russian families to keep their sons at home.
All Russians between the ages of 18 and 27 must serve one year of military service, but many avoid conscription due to health or studies. Especially young men from the big cities avoid conscription. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says the new recruits should not serve at front lines or “hot spots”, writes The Guardianbut after similar promises were broken during the war in Chechnya, many Russians are skeptical.
Where do Russian troops go
The slow withdrawal around Kyiv seems to be a fact – the Russians have claimed that it should be implemented and now it is confirmed by Ukraine and by satellite images. But the recruitment continues, and so do apparently the attacks in the east and south. Last night, the Kyiv Independent reported on attacks on the city of Kryvyi Rih.
On Saturday, regional authorities at Odesa reported rocket attacks on the important port city in the south of Telegram. The Kyiv Independent also reported attacks on
It remains to be seen what the plan really is. Maybe the satellite images will give a clue when the cloud layer lightens.
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