Topline
Russia will “fundamentally cut back military activity” in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv in an effort to “increase mutual trust” to help achieve a peace deal, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said in televised remarks Tuesday after Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Turkey for a round of peace talks.
Key Facts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said overnight that Irpin, a city on the northwestern edge of Kyiv, had been “liberated” after Ukrainian forces regained control over it, though he warned it was too early to be certain.
The Associated Press reported Ukraine’s military noted Russian troops scaling back around Kyiv and Chernihiv, which was not corroborated by the Pentagon.
An explosion could be heard during Chernihiv Mayor Vladyslav Atroshenko’s interview with CNN Tuesday morning.
The city of Chernihiv estimates that around 400 people have died since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, BBC reported.
Key Background
Ukrainian Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said after Russia-Ukraine talks in Turkey that the two sides discussed a humanitarian ceasefire and Ukraine adopting neutral status in exchange for international security guarantees. Zelensky noted in an address to the Danish Parliament Tuesday that the besieged city of Mariupol has nearly been destroyed.
Further Reading
Russia says it will drastically cut military activity near Kyiv, Chernihiv (Reuters)
Seven Dead After Russian Missiles Target Government Building In Mykolaiv, Zelensky Says (Forbes)
