General Sergei Sorovikin, commander of the Russian forces in Ukraine, with the Russian Defense Minister during the announcement of the withdrawal
US President Joe Biden said Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Ukrainian city of Kherson showed that its military has “real problems”.
Biden confirmed that he expected this move “at some point” and that it would allow both sides to “restore their positions” over the winter.
Kherson is the only major Ukrainian city that has fallen to Russian forces.
But earlier Wednesday, General Sergei Sorovikin, commander of the Russian forces in Ukraine, said it was no longer possible to supply troops in the city.
Sorovikin, who took over just a few weeks ago, announced the decision, accompanied by senior military officers, on Russian state television. He stressed that the Russian forces would have completely withdrawn from the western bank of the Dnipro River.
The withdrawal is a severe blow to Russia’s military ambitions as it faces a Ukrainian counterattack.
Biden’s comment on the Russian withdrawal came as he spoke from the White House following the midterm elections, indicating that his Democratic Party is losing control of the House of Representatives to the opposition Republican Party.
Biden’s opponents previously pledged to review Washington’s military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and Biden noted that it is “interesting” that Moscow “waited until after the election” to announce the withdrawal.
But he expressed the hope that “the bipartisan (republican and democratic) approach to the Russian aggression in Ukraine will continue”.
photo released, Getty Images
Ukrainian forces approach Kherson and destroy bridges that made it difficult for Russian forces to resupply
On the Ukrainian side, Kiev has been cautious about Russia’s decision to withdraw across the Dnipro River.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kiev was “extremely cautious” after the announcement.
He assured the Ukrainian people in his nocturnal speech: “The enemy does not give us gifts, nor does he give us ‘signs of good will’. We win everything”.
After the announcement of the Russian withdrawal, civilians inside Kherson claimed that the Chechen forces of the Russian army were in the city, in cafes and moving on the streets.
In a Ukrainian position near the city, Ukrainian soldiers said that “the enemy might try to drag them into a trap” and proceeded with caution.
photo released, IZVESTIA
Russia has moved thousands of civilians out of Kherson
Russian President Vladimir Putin did not participate in the announcement of the withdrawal.
But two of its main allies, who had previously been critical of the performance of Russian forces, welcomed the move.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the mercenary group Wagner, said that although the decision “was not a step to victory”, it is important “not to suffer, not to become paranoid, but it is necessary to draw conclusions and work to correct mistakes”.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said that General Sorovkin behaved “like a real military general, without fear of criticism”.
Although Ukrainian progress has slowed in recent weeks, Russian supply lines across the Dnipro River have become increasingly difficult after Ukrainian missiles destroyed the few bridges across the river.
Prior to the withdrawal, Russia moved thousands of civilians out of town by boat, in what Ukraine described as a deportation.
