“With the rapid withdrawal of the Russians from Kyiv and Chernihiv (…), it is quite clear that Russia chose another priority tactic: to withdraw to the east and south, to maintain control over the vast occupied territories, and to seize a strong foothold in the region,” Podolak wrote. on Telegram.

“Certainly we cannot avoid the use of heavy weapons if we want to liberate the east and Kherson (south) and push the Russians as far away as possible,” he said.

The governor of the Chernihiv region, Vyacheslav Chaus, said the town of the same name, which was devastated by fighting in recent weeks, was not subjected to new attacks in the early hours of Saturday.

Ukrainian photographer and documentary director Max Levin has been found dead near the capital after being missing for more than two weeks.

“He disappeared in the combat zone on March 13, in the Kyiv region. On April 1, his body was found near the town of Gota Mezygoerska,” said the presidential cabinet secretary, Andrei Yermak.