Russia to withdraw from Ukrainian port city of Kherson | USA TODAY

Russian troops will withdraw from the crucial port city of Kherson, according to the commander of Russian forces in Ukraine.

The commander of Russian forces in Ukraine said Wednesday that his troops will withdraw from the crucial port city of Kherson in the south, a major setback reflecting the Kremlin's increasing struggles to turn back a counteroffensive that has returned hundreds of square miles of seized land to Ukrainian control.

The announcement was met with skepticism by Ukrainian officials, who have been wary their troops may be lured into a trap by Russian forces girding for urban warfare in the industrial city on the west bank of the Dnipro River.

General Sergey Surovikin, speaking on Russian state TV, said retreat from the only regional capital seized since the war began in February was "a hard decision." But he told Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu the move would spare the lives of troops and allow for establishment of a better defensive position. Ukrainian attacks have cut off supply lines and crossing points, leaving Russian troops vulnerable to encirclement.

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#Ukraine #Russia #Kherson

[joewoodchuck]

They're leaving now that there's nothing left.

[bulkierwriter]

First the red splash now this! Lol this day can’t get better.

[johnstark]

Believe it when I see it. It appears though they are only giving up the east side of the river, not the entire area.

[TargaWheels]

Last time Russia pulled out of Ukraine land, rockets and drones came in. Don't celebrate yet...

[johannjohann]

I'm pretty sure that is "all" who Putin employs. But luckily that mentality has shown the weaknesses in Russia's chain of command during this terrible war with Ukraine. And Ukraine is exploiting that fact to their advantage on the battlefront winning back their country. Slava Ukraine!

[mariespi]

Or they got ran out by Ukrainian military but instead of accepting defeat, they’re like…We were leaving anyway.

[terryfraatz]

Great news, thank you USA Today for sharing!!!

[farfurii]

why is Ukraine celebrating living Russia from Kerson? as a win ??

[StormSongs]

I don’t believe them at all. They offered clear & safe passages for Ukrainian citizens, then either unalived them or captured them. I think they did that a few times in different places.

I follow Mercado Media Productions. Independent journalist.

[mesoloco]

So now there concerned about civilians!🤦🏻‍♂️The fact is that the best fighters in the former Soviet Union came from Ukraine, not Russia. Pick a fight with the best die with the rest. Slava, Ukraine.

[davidarmola]

1Thessalonians 5:1-3. Let them cry "Peace and Security."

[yellowdeer]

Like Trump you can't believe anything they say.

[davem.]

There has been to much devastation and life loss on both sides, time to end it..

[MrPolinchhay]

They should compensate for what they ruined.

[keithunderwood]

Very poor acting by the ruzzians for the camera. Who wrote that bs script?

[toddrussell]

Don't worry the evil that is in this world Will pay and pay dearly when Jesus returns the bad thing is good has to pay for what evil does to us l believe in god that is why iam not afraid of whats happening in the world or the united states at least I can say is when I die I know where Iam going thank you jesus amen

[j.e.]

Does it not seem odd that Russia would publicly announce a military strategy?!?! 🙄
"...Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”
- Art of war

[DumbCarGuy]

Why stay when it's demolished. 🤔

[dmitri]

I saw Chicago suburbs looking like that

[bfmvnor]

How does Puting trrain his army? He tells them to go on.