Kyiv mayor says Ukrainian forces have pushed Russians from a fraught suburb.
The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said on Wednesday that Ukrainian forces had succeeded in pushing back Russian troops from part of a northwestern suburb but warned that the battle for his country could take weeks more, even months.
“Almost the whole of Irpin is in Ukrainian hands,” the mayor said, naming the suburb where Ukrainian and Russian troops have been engaged in street fighting for weeks. Russian troops were close to the eastern suburb of Brovary, he added, and a “big battle” was taking place behind the northern district of Lutezh.
The mayor gave an outdoor briefing for the news media beside St. Michael’s Cathedral, along with his brother Wladimir, who often accompanies the mayor as an adviser and bodyguard.
Both men are former world champion heavyweight boxers and sent a message of thanks to the world for standing by Ukraine, and appreciation to the international media for continuing to bear witness, despite the dangers. Three journalists have died while reporting on the war.
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