Russia’s military has been ordered to withdraw from the Ukrainian city of Kherson, the only regional capital it captured after invading on 24 February this year.
Russia’s commander in Ukraine, Gen Sergei Surovikin, who previously was commander of Russia’s recent operations in Syria, said it was no longer possible to keep supplying Kherson.
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, reported BBC.
Russia’s military top brass was seen making the decision on Russian state TV. Gen Surovikin told the meeting:
In these circumstances, the most sensible option is to organise the defence along a barrier line along the river Dnipro.
Russia’s supply lines across the Dnipro River had become increasingly difficult after the few bridges across were destroyed by Ukrainian missiles.
Before Russia announced the withdrawal, it moved thousands of civilians out of the city by boat, in what Ukraine condemned as forced deportation.
The retreat was announced shortly after Russian media said the deputy leader of Kherson, Kirill Stremousov, had been killed in a car crash.
Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, announced Russia’s annexation of Kherson, and three other occupied regions, at the end of September.