Kherson is the only regional center captured by the Russians.

Its loss was a blow to Ukraine because of the city's geographical and industrial importance.

The Associated Press writes about the significance of the retreat from Kherson for Russia.

The urgent "evacuation" announced by Moscow from Kherson on the territory of the Russian Federation signals that the Russians are aware of the high chances of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to regain control over the regional center.

A retreat from Kherson would put an end to Russia's plans to capture Mykolaiv and Odesa, thus cutting off Ukraine's access to the Black Sea coast.

In addition, the loss of the city will cause another wave of criticism inside Russia and will be a signal of the weakening of the Kremlin to its allies, the article says.

We will remind:

  • A significant part of the population left temporarily occupied Kherson, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on October 22.

    In the summary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it is said that the Russian occupiers who remained in the city are changing into civilian clothes and moving into abandoned apartments.

    The Russian military is preparing Kherson for street battles, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

  • The day before, the General Staff reported that up to 2,000 Russian conscripts had arrived in the temporarily captured territory of the Kherson region to replenish losses and strengthen units on the front line.

  • The occupation authorities announced the "evacuation" of "state institutions" and the population from Kherson.

  • The head of the Kherson regional military administration, Yaroslav Yanushevich, called on residents of the occupied part of the region to "ignore everything the occupiers say or demand."

    The head of the region noted that the Russian military wants to take people hostage and use them as "human shields".

  • The British edition of the Financial Times reported that Western military experts and officials assume that Ukraine will be able to liberate Kherson from the Russian invaders in the second decade of October.

Read also:

  • The occupiers are forcing the residents of Kherson to leave the city immediately

  • Surovikin wants to deceive the Armed Forces: a military expert on the counterattack on Kherson

  • "Preparing the groundwork to smooth over the surrender of the city": Kyrylo Budanov on General Surovikin and the de-occupation of Kherson