In response to Ukraine's unexpected offensive in the south, Russia has reportedly withdrawn some of its troops from the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine and relocated them back into Russian territory. According to Dmytro Lykhoviy, a spokesman for the Ukrainian army, this redeployment is part of Moscow's efforts to counteract the recent gains made by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk and Belgorod regions of southern Russia.

The Kremlin initially launched attacks on the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine at the beginning of President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion in early 2022. However, Ukrainian forces have managed to seize control of numerous settlements and substantial areas of territory within these regions, prompting Putin's expressed anger. While the exact number of Russian troops withdrawn remains unconfirmed, Lykhoviy described the redeployment as involving "relatively small" units.

Despite the retreat from the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, Russian forces have continued their offensive operations in Pokrovsk and other areas within the Donetsk region of Ukraine. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Army reported that Russian troops have been actively engaged in these areas, which have become one of the most intense frontlines in the conflict. Lykhoviy further revealed that Russian personnel have been relocated not only within Ukraine but also to the Kursk region within Russian territory itself.

Additionally, Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas reported the movement of Russian troops leaving Kaliningrad, as shared in a video posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Facebook page.

During a tense meeting with local authorities in Russia on Monday, Putin expressed frustration over the unexpected Ukrainian assault that began last week. The offensive resulted in the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people from the affected areas. Initially, Russian military commanders downplayed the severity of the situation, assuring that the military had the situation under control. However, as the conflict progressed, Ukraine gained control over at least 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory.

In response to the successful incursion, Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian forces are continuing their advancement in the Kursk region. As of now, 74 communities are under Ukrainian control, with inspections and stabilization measures being implemented. The president also mentioned that efforts are underway to develop humanitarian solutions for these territories.

This unexpected advancement by Ukrainian forces has significantly boosted morale within the country, which has been grappling with the impacts of Putin's full-scale invasion for over two years. The successful operation also provides encouragement for Western allies who seek to support Ukraine in shifting the balance of power on the battlefield in their favor.

In Moscow, Putin's ally criticized the Russian military for their lack of preparedness against the Ukrainian offensive. The ally also highlighted that Russian border troops were the last to receive information about the ongoing operation, leaving them with limited time to respond effectively.

However, while some Russian units have been withdrawn from the Zaporizhzhia region for redeployment purposes, the military remains active across the war front in Ukraine. Lykhoviy confirmed that Russian forces have amassed significant personnel in the Zaporizhzhia region and are redeploying units, albeit in smaller numbers. He also mentioned that Russian forces initiated several attacks on Kherson the night they withdrew some troops, leading to concerns that these actions may serve as a smokescreen for further operations.

This article has been updated with the latest information provided by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.