In a surprise announcement, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will withdraw the bulk of its forces from Syria. Putin made the announcement Monday, saying the Russian campaign in Syria had largely fulfilled its objective.

President Vladimir Putin: “I believe that the goal set out to the Ministry of Defense and the armed forces has in large part been fulfilled, and that’s why I ordered the Ministry of Defense, as of tomorrow, to start the pullout of the main part of our military grouping from the Syrian Arab Republic.”

Russian troops have reportedly already begun to depart Syria, with the first planes leaving earlier today. Russia’s involvement in the conflict helped bolster the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. U.N. peace envoy Staffan de Mistura said he hoped Russia’s withdrawal would have a “positive impact” on Syrian peace talks now entering their second day in Geneva.