Russia says it will cut back operations near Ukraine capital

By NEBI QENA and YURAS KARMANAU Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia's deputy defense minister said that Moscow has decided to "fundamentally ... cut back" operations near the capital and another major city to "increase mutual trust" at talks aimed at ending the fighting.

Alexander Fomin said Russian forces would cut back "military activity in the direction of Kyiv and Chernihiv." Fomin's statement comes Tuesday after another round of talks Russia and Ukraine held in Istanbul and appears to be the first major concession the Russians made since the beginning of their invasion in Ukraine more than a month ago.

The Ukrainian general staff of the military said earlier it had noted withdrawals around Kyiv and Chernihiv.