Retreating Russian troops in north-eastern Ukraine – Ukraine

MOSCOW/KYIV – Faced with the rapid advance of Ukrainian troops in northeastern Ukraine, Russia is giving up its main base on this front. The Defense Ministry in Moscow announced on Saturday the withdrawal of its forces from the city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region. Russian forces would also be withdrawn from Balaklija between Izyum and the regional capital Kharkiv, the Tass news agency quoted a ministry spokesman as saying.