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Ukraine’s army has accused Russia of the large-scale destruction of civilian vessels moored on the banks of the Dnieper River, in the occupied southern region of Kherson that Kyiv’s forces are trying to capture.
Ukrainian forces have been piling pressure on Russian troops on the western bank of the Dnieper, fuelling speculation that Moscow’s troops are preparing to retreat to the other side.
A spokesperson for Ukraine’s general staff said in a statement that the fuel from the destroyed vessels had leaked into the river’s delta and also accused Moscow’s forces of appropriating the vessels’ engines and other equipment, Reuters reported.
The Ukrainian general staff gave no explanation for Moscow’s actions. Destroying civilian vessels would prevent Ukrainian forces from using them should they decide to cross to the eastern side in the event of any Russian withdrawal.
Updated
