Ukraine says Russian forces leave southern town; Russia denies it

Russian forces have left the town of Nova Kakhovka in southern Kherson region, the Ukrainian military's General Staff said on Thursday, but a Russian-installed official in the region denied the troops had left. "As of 22nd March 2023, all units of the occupying army that had been deployed in the town of Nova Kakhovka in Kherson region, have left the city," the General Staff said in its evening report outlining conditions on the front lines.

Russian forces have left the town of Nova Kakhovka in southern Kherson region, the Ukrainian military's General Staff said on Thursday, but a Russian-installed official in the region denied the troops had left.

"As of 22nd March 2023, all units of the occupying army that had been deployed in the town of Nova Kakhovka in Kherson region, have left the city," the General Staff said in its evening report outlining conditions on the front lines. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of Kherson region, denied the report.

"All Russian military personnel in Nova Kakhovka, as well as in other locations on the left (eastern) bank of the Dnipro remain in their place," Saldo said on Telegram. Russian forces redeployed to the east bank of the Dnipro River last November after abandoning positions on the west bank in the face of a counter-offensive by Ukrainian troops.

The General Staff report said Russian troops had stolen appliances, valuables, clothing and mobile telephones from nearby houses as they departed. Ukraine's military issues daily reports of what is described as routine shelling Ukrainian-held towns on the west bank, including the region's main town, Kherson.

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