British intelligence says the Russian army has still held all positions around Kyiv, and only a few soldiers have left. However, the British expect heavy fighting to occur around the Ukrainian capital in the coming days.
Russia had announced earlier this week that it would withdraw troops from around Kyiv after negotiations with Ukraine. According to the British, that has happened, but it concerns a small number of soldiers. The British intelligence services come daily with news about the war in Ukraine.
Fighting continues in Chernihiv and Mariupol, the British say. In Chernihiv, it mainly concerns artillery shelling by the Russians. In Mariupol, heavy ground fighting is raging, but the city is said to be still in the hands of the Ukrainian army. On Thursday, the Russians have declared a ceasefire around Mariupol so that civilians could get themselves to safety.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky expects fighting in eastern Ukraine to intensify. Russia has sent more troops there after soldiers withdrew from the area around Kyiv and Chernihiv.
