The Russian Defense Ministry said it was withdrawing its forces from Kherson, according to the Moscow Times and confirmed by RIA Novosti on Telegram. The retreat was announced on state television by General Sergei Surovikin, the commander of Russia’s forces in Ukraine, and approved by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
"The decision to defend on the left (eastern) bank of the Dnipro is not easy," said Surovikin, "but at the same time we will save the lives of our military personnel and the combat capability of our forces...Kherson and adjacent settlements cannot be fully supplied or kept functioning. People's lives are constantly in danger."
However, an advisor to Ukrainian President Zelensky urged caution, saying on Twitter, "Actions speak louder than words. We see no signs that Russia is leaving Kherson without a fight. A part of the ru-group is preserved in the city, and additional reserves are charged to the region. 🇺🇦 is liberating territories based on intelligence data, not staged TV statements."
References
- Russia Orders Retreat from Occupied City of Khersonthemoscowtimes.com
- @wartranslatedtwitter.com
Video clip of Sergei Surovikin
- @rian_rut.me
RIA Novosti
- @Podolyak_Mtwitter.com
Zelensky advisor