Russia has suffered another self-inflicted blow to morale this week after it announced Wednesday that it will withdraw its troops from a significant part of the southern Kherson region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed restraint as he reflected on the announcement in his nightly address last night, saying it was important to remain impassive about Russia's withdrawal, while other Ukrainian officials questioned whether Russia's announced withdrawal was a feint, designed to lure Ukrainian forces into a trap.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine moves "very carefully, without emotions, without unnecessary risk," both in the interests of liberating the entire country and minimizing loss of life on and off the battlefield.
That also means remaining silent on details of upcoming operations, he noted, with defense operations ongoing and "those that we are still planning."
The Kherson withdrawal marks further humiliation for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who kept a low profile yesterday as Russia announced it was withdrawing its troops.
In late September, Putin had hailed the annexation of Kherson, following a fake referendum in the region, saying residents there were "becoming our citizens forever." Six weeks later, those words ring hollow.