Ukraine accuses Russians looting as they retreat north

Kyiv, Apr 1 (EFE).- Russian troops continue to organize their partial withdrawal from the outskirts of Kyiv towards the Belarus border but have stolen and looted everything in their path, Ukraine’s General Staff reported Friday on their Facebook page.

“Russian troops continue to partially withdraw from the north of the Kyiv region toward the state border with the Republic of Belarus,” the Ukrainian military body said in its message.

But, in their “convoys they also include civilian vehicles (trucks, buses, minibuses, cars), which were stolen by the Russian invaders during the temporary occupation of the territories,” it said.

“In addition, the enemy is destroying the looted goods,” the post read, adding that in some temporarily occupied areas, Russians are trying to force businessmen to change and pay for goods and services in Russian rubles.”

The General Staff said Ukrainian Defense Forces “continue to successfully carry out their tasks, pursue the retreating enemy, break through the defensive positions of the occupiers and gradually liberate the Ukrainian lands.”

The Russian Army has maintained its siege on the outskirts of Kyiv since the invasion of the country began on Feb. 24 and has even bombed some of the residential neighborhoods of the Ukrainian capital. EFE

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