The Gist This would be a real turning point in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to Western sources, Vladimir Putin and his generals are organizing the withdrawal of Russian troops from the city of Kherson.
A first admission of weakness in this war for Vladimir Putin? The Kremlin chief could order a withdrawal from Kherson, the largest city in Ukraine held by Russian forces, reports the Evening Standard. It would be another major setback in the Russian President-orchestrated invasion.
According to Western intelligence, the Russian generals decided that the city “was not worth fighting for”. Kremlin forces have already suffered heavy casualties, particularly affected by Ukrainian counter-offensives in the south of the country and north-east since September. The Anglo-Saxon media specify that in order not to lose face, Vladimir Putin should present this troop withdrawal east of the Dnieper as a simple evacuation.
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According to a Western official, Russian commanders in the Kherson region have already retreated across the river, where defenses were being built, “leaving demoralized and leaderless men to face the Ukrainian onslaught.” “We are optimistic about the prospect of a Russian withdrawal to Kherson,” he added. Russian flags have already been reportedly removed from city buildings and city checkpoints. “A large part of the civilian population has now moved east,” says the same source.