Russian forces retreat to left bank of Dnieper River: military

Moscow [Russia], November 12: Russia has successfully transferred all its armed forces to the left (eastern) bank of the Dnieper River, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov announced on Friday.
"In the Kherson direction today at 5 a.m. Moscow time (0200 GMT), the transfer of units of Russian troops to the left bank of the Dnieper River was completed. Not a single piece of military equipment and weapons were left on the right bank," Konashenkov told a briefing.
There were no losses of personnel, weapons, military equipment and materials during the process, he said.
Konashenkov stressed that all Russian servicemen had crossed the river to the left bank and civilians who wanted to leave the right-bank part of the Kherson region had received assistance.
The Russian armed forces have established defensive lines in the left bank of the wide river, he said.
Ukraine has so far not made any official comment on the Russian military maneuver.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday ordered troops in Ukraine to leave the right (western) bank of the Dnieper River, where Kherson city is located, and strengthen the defense against Ukrainian offensives on the left bank.
While reporting to Shoigu, Sergei Surovikin, commander of Russia's joint group of forces in Ukraine, called it a difficult decision to withdraw but it would most importantly preserve the lives and combat capability of the Russian forces.
Source: Xinhua