The Russian army withdrew from the Kiev and partially Chernihiv region. However, he is concentrating his forces before the offensive in the Donbass, where he is trying to capture the settlements controlled by the Ukrainian military. The Russians are still shelling civilian targets there.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as Western intelligence services and experts, believe that after a partial withdrawal from the north of Ukraine, the Russians are regrouping their forces to intensify the offensive in the east – in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including from the Kharkiv direction. According to experts, the goal of the Russians is to at least occupy all these areas.
As the head of the regional state administration of the Lugansk region Sergei Gaidai explains, it is expected that in the near future the Russians will launch a large-scale offensive in the city of Donbass, including in the Lugansk region. He points out that the Russians are currently concentrating troops, and if they decide that they already have enough forces to launch an offensive, they will launch an offensive.
Russia is still unsuccessfully trying to get Rubizhne. The Ukrainian army is also holding the line at other points, while the Russians are shelling the entire perimeter, most intensively near Rubizhne, Severodonetsk, Lysichansk and Popasna.
Call for evacuation from Donbass
Ukrainian local authorities in Donbas are urging residents to evacuate due to the threat of a Russian invasion. Russia can use part of the troops withdrawn from the Chernihiv and Kiev regions to attack the Donetsk and Lugansk regions. After the Russians withdrew to Kyiv, traces of crimes against civilians were discovered.
According to the American Institute for the Study of War, “Ukrainian troops have won the battle for Kyiv, the Russians are leaving the Ukrainian capital.” He adds that a significant, but not decisive victory, the war is still far from over and its outcome may still be favorable for Russia.
At the same time, the university notes that there are no more concerns about the continued existence of Ukraine as an independent state with its capital in Kyiv.