War in Ukraine: Russian troops withdraw from Kherson

Since the start of the Ukrainian counter-offensive and after heavy fighting, the Russian army seemed to be struggling. On Wednesday, November 9, a new stage was reached in the war since the Russian Minister of Defense announced on television the withdrawal of his troops from Kherson as well as the entire right bank of the Dnieper. Sergei Shoigu indeed said: “Carry out troop withdrawals and ensure the safe transfer of personnel, weapons and materiel across the Dnieper River“.

This withdrawal of Russian troops could have the consequence of moving the front line to the other side of the Dnieper River. The general Surovikin, appointed recently, assures that this is a complicated decision, but that he wishes above all to save the lives of his soldiers. For some weeks, civilians had been evacuated from the city of Kherson and Russian flags had been removed. This withdrawal could well sound like a difficult setback for the Russians. “They are giving up the territory which is officially Russian, it’s really a disaster from a propaganda point of view“, indicates Xavier Thytelman, defense consultant “Air and Cosmos”.