Pentagon says Russian army 'taking defensive positions' in Ukraine
Categories: FOREIGN COUNTRIES
The official further told that the Russian army started to establish defensive positions on several fronts in the country as it has retreated more than 30 kilometres east of Kyiv in the past 24 hours."The Ukrainians have managed to push the Russians back 55 kilometres east and northeast of Kyiv. That is a change from yesterday, the senior official, who requested anonymity, told reporters. Pentagon on Tuesday (March 22) had estimated that Russian forces were around 20 kilometres from the centre of the capital.As per the official, to the northwest, "they're [Russian forces] basically digging in and they are establishing defensive positions. So it's not that they're not advancing. They're actually not trying to advance right now." "We're starting to see them sort of dig in around Kyiv, but really trying to go more on the offence than they have been, more energy apply to that eastern part," the official said. "So that's a little bit of a change from what we've been talking about before," the official added.The claims were made a day after Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the Ukrainians are "in places and at times going on an offensive." He added they are "going after Russians and pushing them out of places."