Russia Withdraws from Kherson

Russia says it is withdrawing its military from Kherson – the only regional capital it has captured since the invasion began

The decision is a significant blow for Russia and means its forces will pull out entirely from the western bank of the Dnipro river

Moscow’s commander in Ukraine, General Sergei Surovikin, said it wasn’t possible to continue supplying the southern city

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says his country is moving “very carefully” in response to the announcement

Similarly, Ukrainian military commander-in-chief Valeriy Zaluzhny says he cannot confirm or deny the Russian pullout but he has said his forces have made big gains in the past 24 hours.

This morning they claimed a significant victory, announcing they had recaptured the key town of Snihurivka 50km to the north of Kherson city.  

US President, Joe Biden said the decision to withdraw from Kherson shows Russia’s military has “some real problems”

The US estimates that around 100,000 Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured since the war began

Meanwhile, Russian officials have said President Putin will not take up Indonesia’s invitation to attend next week’s gathering of G20 leaders

BBC/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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