In southern Ukraine's strategically important city of Kherson, Russia has issued an order for its troops to leave. 

Kherson was the sole regional capital under Russian control and the first significant city to fall after the Russian invasion.

 The action is viewed as a significant defeat for Moscow, and some analysts believe it may mark a turning point in the conflict.

In a military briefing broadcast on state television, 

Russia's commander in Ukraine declared a retreat, claiming that it is no longer viable to continue feeding the city.

"Although it is a very difficult choice, we will be saving the lives of our service members and preserving our forces' combat readiness, which is essential to remain on the right bank in a constrained region", he said. 

Russia's defence minister announced the withdrawal from Kherson

Beginning with the invasion of Crimea, Russian forces surged across southern Ukraine, capturing Kherson in early March. 

The city has been under attack by Ukrainian forces in recent weeks, and tens of thousands of its citizens have been relocated by Russia. Kherson's neighbourhood is now essentially deserted.

Vladimir Putin would suffer a serious setback if the Ukrainians took control of the city. 

In a large ceremony held in Moscow just a few weeks ago, he declared what he dubbed the "eternal annexation" of the Kherson region together with three other regions. 

The city of Kherson now wears a deserted look

Some people in Kyiv's streets had second thoughts about a Russian retreat. "The enemy does not show us kindness or generosity by giving us presents. We battle for everything. To liberate all of our lands and reduce our losses, we shall advance extremely deliberately, without sentiment, and without taking excessive risks"

Ukrainian officials were quoted as talking to media outlets.

But the tide is definitely turning against the Russians

At the nation-state level, you wouldn't make the announcement on television. 

In fact, we have observed the evacuation of Russian forces during the past month or two. 

To aid in their retreat, they have begun blowing up a few small bridges and have fortified the area across the river. They have built up some massive defensive lines. 

The tide has been turning against the Russians for the past six months. In reality, the peak point occurred around the start of April. You'll recall that Russia had control over land north of Kyiv, up in the northeast. 

In other words, if we use the amount of territory controlled by Ukraine as a yardstick for success, it has increased steadily while that of Russia has decreased steadily.

But why announce this on broadcast television? Why not just retreat and keep it quiet if you're going to do that?

 from the announcement strikes me as being rather interesting. I believe this because it was unavoidable for Russia to depart. This has been occurring over the past two to six weeks. 

Making it clear who is in charge of the retreat by having the military make the announcement is a good strategy. It's not him, and President Putin wants to make that point.

President Putin was absent at the time of the announcement of the withdrawal of troops

There might be one more play left before winter arrives. And once winter arrives, things will become slower. 

A place like Ukraine makes fighting considerably more difficult in the winter months.

The Dneiper(Dnipro) river cuts across the Kherson region

Is Russia's announcement of withdrawal unusual?

It's pretty unusual. This revelation was made on television. 

This is especially notable as compared to Russia's earlier-year withdrawals, which were initially rejected until it was too plain to be refuted by anyone.

 Then it was labelled as a show of goodwill or a strategic retreat to find better, easier-to-defend lines. 

There has been much discussion on the need to preserve the lives of Russian soldiers and safeguard their manpower and resources. 

That also doesn't really fit with what Russia has been doing elsewhere, where we've seen people, particularly those who have just been mobilised, being placed at the front lines with very little preparation gear.

In general, Russia will depart from the west bank of the Dnieper River. 

It's simply too exposed, and too challenging to defend.

 It's probable that the Ukrainian strategy of demolishing pontoon bridges and bridges, which makes it very hard for Russia to bring in enough food and munitions for their garrison, is working. 

However, I believe some surprises may be in store. 

Additionally, as the Ukrainian secret services have claimed, there may still be some Russian special soldiers who may incite the Ukrainian army to engage in street fights.

Kherson was the only regional capital that the Russians had managed to capture

What would a Russian pullout entail for those still present in that area?

There's a serious problem. Many locals are being forced to abandon their houses. Therefore, a significant concern is how these people will ever return home and how they will maintain relationships with their relatives and friends. 

Battle for Kherson: The turning point of the war? Or is Russia fooling Ukraine?

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