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Russia to withdraw troops from key city of Kherson Kherson: Russia to withdraw troops from key Ukrainian city
(36 minutes later)
Gen Surovikin (L) said the withdrawal, ordered by the defence minister (R) was a difficult decisionGen Surovikin (L) said the withdrawal, ordered by the defence minister (R) was a difficult decision
Russia's military has been ordered to pull out of the Ukrainian city of Kherson, the only regional capital it captured since the invasion began in February. Russia's military has been ordered to pull out of the Ukrainian city of Kherson, the only regional capital it captured after invading in February.
Russia's commander in Ukraine, Gen Sergei Surovikin, said it was no longer possible to keep supplying the city.Russia's commander in Ukraine, Gen Sergei Surovikin, said it was no longer possible to keep supplying the city.
The withdrawal means Russian forces will pull out entirely from the western bank of the River Dnipro.The withdrawal means Russian forces will pull out entirely from the western bank of the River Dnipro.
It is a significant blow as Russia faces a Ukrainian counter-offensive.It is a significant blow as Russia faces a Ukrainian counter-offensive.
"In these circumstances, the most sensible option is to organise the defence along a barrier line along the river Dnipro," Gen Surovikin told a meeting of senior military leaders. For the Kremlin, it is also an embarrassment, says BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg.
The announcement came shortly after Russian media said the deputy leader of Kherson, Kirill Stremousov, had been killed in a car crash. Seen as one of the main cheerleaders of the occupation of Kherson, he had warned only six days ago that it was "most likely" that Russian forces would have to cross to the eastern bank. The military's top brass were seen making the decision on Russian state TV, with Gen Surovikin reporting on the situation on the ground in Kherson.
Although the Ukrainian advance had slowed in recent weeks, Russia's supply lines across the Dnipro had become increasingly difficult after the few bridges across the Dnipro river were destroyed by Ukrainian missiles. President Vladimir Putin did not take part in the staged event. The architect of Russia's failing war in Ukraine appeared to have left the announcement to his generals.
Ahead of the withdrawal, Russia moved thousands of civilians out of the city by boat, in what Ukraine condemned as a forced deportation. It was Mr Putin who announced Russia's annexation of Kherson, and three other occupied regions, at the end of September.
"In these circumstances, the most sensible option is to organise the defence along a barrier line along the river Dnipro," Gen Surovikin told the meeting.
Vladimir Putin celebrated his annexation of occupied regions but his forces were already on the back foot in Kherson
The retreat was announced shortly after Russian media said the deputy leader of Kherson, Kirill Stremousov, had been killed in a car crash.
Seen as one of the main cheerleaders of the occupation of Kherson, he had warned only six days ago that it was "most likely" that Russian forces would have to cross to the eastern bank.
Although the Ukrainian advance had slowed in recent weeks, Russia's supply lines across the Dnipro had become increasingly difficult after the few bridges across were destroyed by Ukrainian missiles.
Before the withdrawal, Russia moved thousands of civilians out of the city by boat, in what Ukraine condemned as a forced deportation.
Gen Surovikin - previously a notorious commander of Russia's recent operations in Syria - was appointed to take over the running of Russia's invasion a month ago.