In a televised meeting with the Russian commander in Ukraine, the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu said, “begin to pull out troops,” AFP reported.

Shoigu thus ordered Russia’s troops to withdraw from the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. The Ukrainian forces are advancing near Kherson for weeks. He has recommended setting up defences on Dnieper River’s left bank.

General Sergei Surovikin, Russian commander in Ukraine, said that it is no longer possible to keep supplying the Russian troops in Kherson. The Ukrainian counter-offensive is a major setback for Moscow.

Before the withdrawal of the Russian troops from the city, Russia moved thousands of civilians out of the city with boats. Kyiv said this to be “forced deportation,” while Moscow said this to be “evacuation, necessary to protect the lives of the innocent civilians.”

With the Russian withdrawal from Kherson City, the future of the region remains uncertain.

This article is based on Hindustan Times’ “Ukraine war: Russia abandons Kherson city in major retreat” updated on Nov 09, 2022, 09:46 PM IST and BBC’s “Russia to withdraw troops from key city of Kherson” published on Nov 09, 2022, 15:19 GMT. The information, data and statements as such are taken from the respective website(s).