The Russian military has been ordered to withdraw from the Ukrainian city of Kherson, the only regional capital it has occupied since the invasion began in February.
Given the fact that Russia had announced the annexation of Kherson along with three other regions only at the end of September, the admission that it was withdrawing troops was among the most notable moments of this conflict.
As previously reported, it was the Russian commander in Ukraine, General Sergei Surovikin, who said it was no longer possible to continue supplying the city.
According to the earlier announcement, the withdrawal means that Russian forces will be completely withdrawn from the western bank of the Dnipro River.
This is a significant blow as Russia faces a Ukrainian counter-offensive.
“Under these circumstances, the most reasonable option is to organize defense along a barrier line along the Dnipro River,” General Surovikin was quoted as saying at a meeting of senior military leaders.
Meanwhile, footage has been released of Sergei Surovikin delivering news that represents a major setback for Moscow and a major humiliation for Vladimir Putin.
Even as suggested by Sky News’ Diana Magnay, the development is unlikely to go down well with the president – who is believed by US officials to have rejected calls for a withdrawal from Kherson less than six weeks ago.
Any apparent tension in this exchange of statements between Sergei Surovikin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is more than understandable in this context.