Russia to cut back on combat operations at Kyiv and Chernihiv, Russian ministry of defense says

The Russian Defense Ministry has decided to «drastically cut back» on combat activity in Kiev and Chernihiv operation theaters, the ministry said.

«We are taking two steps to de-escalate the conflict,» Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation in talks with Ukraine, said after the meeting in Istanbul.

Earlier, Ukraine's Armed Forces General Staff said Russia was partially withdrawing troops from these regions:

«The enemy failed to achieve the goal of the offensive operation. There is a withdrawal going on of certain units of the Russian armed forces from the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions. At the same time, there remains a huge threat of Russian invaders striking military and civilian infrastructure facilities.»