US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced that Russian soldiers were being forced to withdraw from key parts of Ukraine.

+++ Ukraine: "Putin will march to Berlin" +++

The reason is the Ukrainian counter-offensive in Cherson, for which Russia needs soldiers. Kirby told CNN, "Regardless of the size, scale and scope of this counter-offensive that has been talked about today, it has already had an impact on Russian military capabilities because the Russians have had to pull resources from the East simply based on reports that the Ukrainians could go more on the offensive in the south.”

Russia is currently said to be withdrawing troops from the Donbass in particular.