Ukraine flags flies in Kherson, Russia claims withdrawal complete
Moscow, Nov 11 (EFE).- Russia on Friday claimed it had completed its military withdrawal from the northern part of Ukraine’s Kherson, including around the regional capital of the same name.
Igor Konashenkov, spokesman for the Russian defense ministry, said the withdrawal to the left bank of the Dnieper river had been completed by 2am GMT.
“Not a single piece of military equipment was left on the right bank,” he claimed.
The Russian army came under heavy criticism during its chaotic September retreat from the Kharkiv region, where it left behind large quantities of military gear for the advancing Ukrainian army.
Russia’s military said it would establish defensive lines on the left bank of the Dnieper, which flows through the Kherson region and out into the Black Sea.
Konashenkov claimed the Russian army had not suffered any casualties during its pullback, although accused Ukraine of attacking positions using high precision HIMARS missiles.
Ukraine news agency Ukrinform said the Ukrainian flag was being flown again in the center of Kherson city following Russia’s withdrawal.
Ukrainian authorities, including president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have received news of Russia’s pullback with skepticism.
Kherson is the only regional capital Russia managed to capture since it launched its invasion of Ukraine in February.
Kherson was one of four regions along with Zaporizhizhia, Donetsk and Luhansk that Russian president Vladimir Putin unilaterally annexed in September.EFE
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