Ukraine’s president has said the retreating Russian forces are creating “an absolute disaster”, leaving mines around homes and even corpses.
Volodymyr Zelensky Amid reports of Russia withdrawing its forces from around Kyiv and building up its forces in the eastern regions, it issued a warning to its people.
Officials said Ukrainian fighters have reclaimed several areas near the capital as a result of the Russian retreat after more than five weeks of war, which has left more than four million refugees fleeing.
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Mr Zelensky said he expected the empty cities to continue airstrikes and bombardments and that fighting in the east would intensify.
He said: “They are mining all over the region.
“They are mining houses, mining equipment, even the bodies of those killed.
“There are too many trip wires, too many other hazards.”
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Calling on Ukrainians to wait for everything to become clear, Mr Zelensky said: “It is still not possible to return to normal life as it used to be, even in those regions Which we are taking back after the fight.
“We need to wait until our land is mined, then wait until we can assure you that there will be no new shelling.”
Russia said earlier this week that it would reduce military activity around Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv, claiming it would boost confidence between the two sides in peace talks.
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But Mr Zelensky said Russia would regroup for a fresh attack on the mostly Russian-speaking Donbass region before moving east of Ukraine.
Britain’s Defense Ministry has said that Ukrainian forces are moving against the withdrawal of Russian forces around Kyiv.
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On the outskirts of the city, signs of fierce fighting were visible, with destroyed armored vehicles of both armies left in streets and fields and military gear scattered on the ground.
Mayor Ihor Spozhko said in a televised address that Ukrainian forces had recaptured the town of Brovry, 12 miles (20 km) east of the capital.
Elsewhere, at least three Russian ballistic missiles were fired late on Friday in the Odessa region of the Black Sea, but missed their target, according to Ukraine’s military.
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Massive fire at Russian oil depot
Moscow has also accused Ukraine of carrying out a helicopter attack on a fuel depot on Russian soil.
Kyiv has denied responsibility for the explosion at a civilian oil storage facility on the outskirts of the city of Belgorod near the Ukrainian border.
If Moscow’s claim is confirmed, it would be the first known attack of the war in which Ukrainian planes entered Russian airspace.
The Kremlin said it did not create “comfortable conditions” for talks.
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The MoD said fuel lost from ruined oil tanks could worsen supply problems, disrupting Russian forces with troops near Kharkiv – about 40 miles from Belgorod – could be “particularly affected”. .
