Russia has begun moving some troops from Ukraine to deal with a Ukrainian incursion, the U.S. and Ukraine say. But Moscow appears reluctant to withdraw troops from hot spots in eastern Ukraine.

Since its surprise incursion into Russia more than a week ago, Ukraine has steadily gained ground, saying it advanced even deeper into Russian territory on Wednesday. It says it has captured hundreds of soldiers, as Russia has evacuated more than 130,000 people from nearby communities and declared a new state of emergency in one region.

And now Moscow has begun withdrawing some troops from Ukraine in an effort to repel Kyiv’s offensive into western Russia, according to U.S. and Ukrainian officials, an indication that the surprise attack is forcing Moscow to change its battle plans in Ukraine.

Taken collectively, Ukraine has deftly put Russia on the defensive, creating a new, if small, frontline in a war where Moscow has long had the upper hand. If Russia brings reinforcements in large numbers from other parts of the front, it could provide some relief to Ukrainian troops who are struggling to push back relentless Russian attacks, particularly in eastern Ukraine.

It is an edge that Ukraine appears intent on keeping, as its eyes, for now, holding the Russian territory it controls.

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  • @Cornelius_WangenheimEnglish
    24•29 days ago

    There’s several benefits:

    1. They draw Russian troops from the front lines in Ukraine to counter the attack.
    2. Russia now has to dedicate manpower and equipment to defending their entire border with Ukraine to avoid another attack like this.
    3. If Ukraine maintains the territory, it’s a huge bargaining chip at the peace negotiating table. Before this, the only way they were going to get their territory back was by taking it back forcefully. Now they can negotiate a trade.
    4. Best case, this is like the Tet offensive and sours support for Putin and the war within Russia, likely because Putin will need another wave of conscription to meet the manpower needs of 1 & 2.