Ukrainian Forces Advance Into Kherson City as Russians Retreat; What Does This Mean For Vladimir Putin's War Against Ukraine?

Ukrainian soldiers penetrated the southern city of Kherson while Russian troops fled to the east, delivering President Vladimir Putin one of his worst military defeats in the eight-month invasion of the European country.

Social media images show the Ukrainian military encircled by locals in the city's Shumenskyi area after Russia retreated from Kherson west of the Dnipro River, according to CNN.

Russian Troops' Retreat Completed

Other photographs show citizens occupying the city's central plaza, where they can be seen waving and hoisting Ukrainian flags. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February, Kherson has been the only regional capital that Russian soldiers have occupied in the Russia Ukraine war.

Large tracts of territory that Russia had held since the beginning of the war and that Putin had publicly recognized as Russian territory just five weeks ago are now lost as a result of this week's withdrawal across the Dnipro. Despite warnings from Kyiv that departing Russian forces may have left behind a path of explosives and debris, Ukrainian forces have pressed ahead in their wake.

In a statement released earlier on Friday, Russia's Defense Ministry said that the country's armed troops had finished their partial withdrawal from the Kherson area, which had been ordered by Moscow on Wednesday. On its official Telegram account, the ministry said, "In the Kherson direction, the relocation of Russian military forces "to the left bank of the Dnieper River was completed at 0500 [Moscow time] this morning."

The statement said that the western side of the river had been cleared of all military equipment and weapons. Everyone serving in the Russian armed forces has relocated to the opposite side of the Dnieper river.

Residents told Ukraine's official TV on Friday that the Antonivskiy bridge, the only adjacent road crossing from the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson to the Russian-controlled eastern bank of the Dnipro River, had fallen, as reported by Reuters.

The Suspilne broadcaster showed a picture of the bridge with missing pieces. More than 70 kilometers ( 43 miles) separate Kherson city from the next road crossing of the Dnieper. The reason for the bridge's collapse was initially unknown. On Wednesday, Russian officials said the country will withdraw from the western side of the Dnieper River.

Putin Leadership in Trouble

The recent shame for Russia and rumors of a power struggle in the Kremlin may damage Vladimir Putin's standing. According to Sky News, Carl Bildt, co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, predicts that he will be overthrown after a string of humiliating military setbacks.

He tweeted: "Kherson right now - a picture Vladimir Putin said would never happen. It's his third major defeat in this war - Kyiv, Kharkiv, and now Kherson. In the end, he will lose the Kremlin as well."

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg praised the departure from Kherson but said he is awaiting the outcome of the events on the ground in the Russian Ukraine war. US President Joe Biden told reporters Moscow's declaration demonstrates the Russian military has "some real" challenges.

"It will lead to time for everyone to recalibrate their positions over the winter period," Pres. Biden noted, adding that whether or not Ukraine is willing to compromise with Russia is still up in the air, as per NPR. Russian soldiers were quickly forced out of the Kharkiv area two months before the scheduled pullout from Kherson. If Russia were to lose Kherson, it would have gained some small territory since invading on February 24.

The military campaign's initial strategic goal of installing a pro-Moscow regime in Kyiv was unsuccessful. Russia's capture of Mariupol was contingent on its destruction. According to US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, the United States estimates that over 100,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured in the Russian Ukraine war. He said Ukrainian casualties are likely comparable. Russia and Ukraine have not released their fatality statistics.

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Russia, Ukraine, NATO, Joe Biden, Vladimir putin, United States