In a blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Kremlin officials announced Russia has ordered a retreat from Kherson, a key city in southern Ukraine. It’s the latest in a series of military setbacks, and a potential turning point in the war, now nearing the end of its ninth month.
The news followed weeks of Ukrainian advances toward Kherson and a race by Russia to relocate more than 100,000 residents.
Putin has fought for months to hang onto Kherson. It’s the only major Ukrainian city that Russian forces have captured intact since the invasion began Feb. 24.
Ukrainian officials said Russia has been deliberately blowing up bridges around the city. The Ukrainian military has targeted the main river crossings for months, making it difficult for Russia to supply forces on the river’s west bank. Since bursting through the Russian front line at the start of October, the Ukrainians have advanced down the river.
On the same day the retreat was announced, Russia’s number two official in Kherson, Kirill Stremousov, was killed in a car crash in Kherson.
