While Russia claims that forces have been instructed to withdraw from Kherson, Ukrainian officials are skeptical of Moscow’s intentions.
Following the Russian decision to evacuate soldiers from the vital southern city of Kherson, Volodymyr Zelenskyy encouraged Ukrainians to “exercise restraint” and be cautious.
In his nightly speech, the Ukrainian president cautioned that “the adversary does not offer us gifts” and claimed that Moscow’s withdrawal from the strategically significant city of Kherson could be a deception to entice Ukrainian forces to advance on the city.
The top Russian commander in Ukraine announced on Wednesday that soldiers had been instructed to withdraw from Kherson because it was no longer able to maintain supplies to the city.
Mr. Zelenskyy stated, “There is a great deal of happiness in the media today, and it is obvious why. But we must always keep our emotions in check during the conflict.
“However, you must realize that no one escapes if they do not feel the strength to do it. The enemy does not send us gifts and does not make ‘gestures of friendliness. We rise through struggle.”
If confirmed, the pullback from Kherson will be one of Moscow’s most major reverses. Russia captured the regional capital early in the conflict.
However, several Ukrainian authorities and Western allies have cast doubt on Moscow’s intentions and the implications of its announcement.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, stated that Kyiv does not see “any signs that Russia is entirely abandoning the city” and that these claims “may be disinformation.”
Because of its important river and ports, Kherson is a top priority for both Moscow and Kyiv; it is also a gateway to the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
The former leader of the British Army, Lord Dannatt, stated that Kherson should be monitored “extremely closely,” adding that the pullback may be a genuine effort to regroup or a ploy to encourage the Ukrainians to advance.
He noted that the Russians are “masters of deception and concealment.”
The NATO chief has also cautioned against underestimating Moscow. Jens Stoltenberg characterized the retreat as “encouraging,” but cautioned that it was premature to conclude.
The Russian military seems to have spent months preparing for a withdrawal from Kherson or an ambush.
Last month, Russian-installed authorities in the city urged the “urgent” evacuation of civilians in response to impending Ukrainian counteroffensive warnings.
According to Moscow-appointed officials, more than 70,000 residents were evacuated at the end of October. However, Ukrainian officials questioned the assertion.
Mr. Zelensky refers to efforts to induce residents to migrate farther into Russian-controlled areas as “theatre.”
