The Russians confirmed that they had issued an order to effectively withdraw from not just Qasam city, but the entire area west of the Nipa river. The Ukrainians are not convinced it is a retreat just yet. They could be trying to tempt the Ukrainians into the city to trap them in urban combat. But if it is real, there's two things to remember: It will narrow the front lines and consolidate their forces along a less tenuous front line.