Russia removes commander in Ukraine for misleading reports, war bloggers say

FILE PHOTO: A local resident walks along a damaged street, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Siversk, Donetsk region, Ukraine March 5, 2023. REUTERS/Alex Babenko/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has removed a senior general in Ukraine for giving misleading reports about the progress of the war as Defence Minister Andrei Belousov tries to clear out poor commanders, pro-Russian war bloggers and Russian media said.

Ahead of winter, Russian forces advanced at the fastest rate in Ukraine since the start of the 2022 invasion, though progress was much slower in some areas - particularly around Siversk in the eastern region of Donetsk.