Pentagon says Russian troop movement near Kiev is a reposition, not withdrawal

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said today that the number of Russian forces leaving Ukrainian capital “are not close to most of what they have accumulated against Kiev” and that Russia has continued air strikes against the city “even today”.

We believe this is a reposition, not a real attraction, and that we should all be prepared to look for a major offensive against other areas of Ukraine. This does not mean that the threat to Kiev has ended”, he said at a media conference.

Kirby said the reposition forces are moving “more north”, but that it's “too early to say” where their final destination is.

“We estimate that there is more likely a reposition that will be used elsewhere in Ukraine. Where exactly, we don't know”, he said.

“No one should deceive himself with the last claim of the Kremlin that it would suddenly simply reduce military attacks near Kiev or any report that would attract all its forces”, he added, broadcast CNN./Periscope.