Moscow: The United States has said that the decision by the Russian authorities to reduce the number of troops around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and some other cities points towards a major shift in Russia’s strategy in the war and hints at the latter’s aim to “drastically reduce hostilities, CNN reported on Tuesday.
Russia is beginning to withdraw some forces from around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, including the Russian Battalion Tactical Groups (BTGs) which some experts believe might be an attempt to pull back from some areas in the north to concentrate on the gains made by the Russian forces in the south and east.
US officials believe that Russian force will cover their retreat with air and artillery bombardment of Kyiv while cautioning that Russia could also possibly reverse again if the situation on the ground allows it to do so.
The Russian move follows peace talks between the delegations from the two countries in Istanbul on Tuesday.
However, US officials are confident that the Russian move has been forced after it had to come to terms with its failure to make further advances in the north.
Ukraine’s military intelligence head has already claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin could carve Ukraine in two – like North and South Korea.Â
