General Sergei Surovikin, who was made Russia’s commander in Ukraine just weeks ago, announced the planned withdrawal of his troops from Kherson on TV.
Alongside other military top brass, he confirmed Russian troops would pull back entirely from the western bank of the River Dnipro.
It is a significant blow to Russia‘s military ambitions as it faces a Ukrainian counter-offensive.
Surovikin said: “I understand that this is a very uneasy decision. At the same time, we will save the lives of our servicemen and the combat capability of our troops.”
He added: “The manoeuvre of the troops will be carried out in the near future, formations and units will occupy prepared defensive lines and positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River.”
Source: BBC