“Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday ordered his troops to withdraw from the occupied Ukrainian city of Kherson and take up defensive lines on the opposite bank of the River Dnipro…
In televised comments, General Sergei Surovikin, in overall command of the war, reported to Shoigu that it was no longer possible to keep Kherson city supplied.”
Analyst Comment: The war is a mess. Most of Ukraine’s “gains” are a product of Russian withdrawals. Meanwhile Russia continues to make tactical errors. Neither side in the fight appears especially competent, but Russia has a clear advantage in terms of soldiers.
Both sides continue to target each other’s infrastructure. This was likely another factor in the withdrawal. If Ukraine blows up the Kherson dam Russian troops in Kherson would be stranded. Ukraine launched one missile strike on the dam already but it did not cause critical damage.