RUSSIA'S withdrawal from a regional capital in the south of Ukraine brings “significant reputational damage”, defence experts have said.
British intelligence analysts believe Moscow’s exit from Kherson, a strategically key city, likely began as early as October 22 when Russian-installed figures urged civilians to leave.
It is anticipated that Ukraine has now retaken large areas of the Kherson region on the western bank of the Dnipro River, with its forces largely in control of city itself.
Russia said its troops finished withdrawing from the western bank at 5am local time on November 11, paving the way for Ukrainians to cautiously move towards reclaiming the territory.
Videos and pictures posted on social media later showed residents celebrating in the streets, with the Ukrainian flag flying over a central Kherson square.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Russia’s retreat from Kherson marked “another strategic failure” for Moscow, pledging continued support for Ukraine.
“The Russian army has suffered a huge loss of life as a result of their illegal invasion and have only achieved international isolationism and humiliation,” he said.
“Ukraine will press on.”
Meanwhile, an adviser to the Ukrainian defence minister has said there is “panic” in Russian ranks, but cautioned the war is “far from over”.
Yuriy Sak told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Ukraine is feeling “quietly optimistic”.
Kherson was one of the first Ukrainian cities to be captured in the war Moscow waged on its neighbour from February 24.
The retreat, which was ordered amid a Ukrainian counter-offensive, represents a huge blow to president Russian president Vladimir Putin – who has so far remained silent on the development.
Ukraine is yet to claim the city is back in Ukrainian hands, but the country’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “life is returning”.
Russian forces still control about 70% of the wider Kherson region in the wake of the withdrawal.
In an intelligence update posted on social media, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Moscow’s troops had “highly likely” destroyed road and rail bridges over the Dnipro River as part of their retreat.
The exit was formally announced on November 9, but the defence experts said it is likely it started as early as October 22.
“There is a realistic possibility that Russian military equipment and forces in civilian attire had been evacuating in conjunction with the 80,000 stated evacuated civilians in recent weeks,” they said.
The MoD said is it probable Moscow is still attempting to evacuate forces from other parts of the region across the river to defensible positions on the eastern bank.
“Kherson was the only regional capital city captured since February by Russian forces so the withdrawal brings significant reputational damage,” it said.
“The withdrawal is a public recognition of the difficulties faced by Russian forces on the west bank of the Dnipro River.
“It is likely that Ukraine has retaken large areas of Kherson oblast on the west bank of the Dnipro River, and that its forces are now largely in control of Kherson city itself.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel