The bodies of soldiers are lying in the streets of a key eastern Ukrainian town following their comrades’ retreat that marked the latest defeat for Moscow.
As Russia moved forward with annexing four Ukrainian regions, its troops pulled back from Lyman on Saturday to avoid being encircled by Ukrainian forces.
“I was standing in the hall, about 5 metres away, when it boomed,” An eye withness said. “
Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov said one person was killed, and at least two others – including a nine-year-old girl – were wounded.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to quickly endorse the annexation treaties.
Pavel Krasheninnikov said Zaporizhia will be absorbed with its “administrative borders”, meaning Moscow plans to incorporate parts of the region still under Kyiv’s control.