Russia orders troops out of key Ukrainian city

US general estimates 100,000 casualties on each side of warring parties

KYIV: Moscow ordered troops to withdraw from near the strategic southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in a major setback to its war efforts.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday announced Russian forces would retreat from the west bank of the Dnipro River near Kherson in what could be a turning point in the war.

Ukraine reacted with caution, noting some Russian forces remained in Kherson and reinforcements were being sent to the region.

“They are moving out but not as much as would be taking place if it was a full pullout or regrouping,” President Volodymyr Zelensky’s adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said in a video posted online on Wednesday night.

Russian forces were destroying bridges as they left and mining roads, he said.

“For the moment, we don’t know their intentions.

“Will they engage in fighting with us and will they try to hold the city of Kherson? “They are moving very slowly.”

Kherson city was the only regional capital Russia captured after the invasion and it has been the focus of a Ukrainian counter-offensive.

The city controls the only land route to the Crimea peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014 and the mouth of Dnipro River that bisects Ukraine.

Russian-installed officials have been evacuating tens of thousands of civilians from Kherson in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, America’s top general estimated that Russia’s military had suffered more than 100,000 of its soldiers killed or wounded, and added Kyiv’s armed forces “probably” suffered a similar level of casualties.

About 40,000 Ukrainian civilians were also probably killed, he said.

The estimates could not be independently confirmed by Reuters.

General Mark Milley, speaking to the Economic Club in New York, did not say how he calculated those estimates.

Milley said initial indicators suggested Russia was following through with its withdrawal from Kherson, while cautioning that it could take time to complete.

In televised comments, Russian General Sergei Surovikin, in overall command of the war, reported to Shoigu that it was no longer possible to supply Kherson.

The general said he proposed to take up defensive lines on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River.

Shoigu told Surovikin: “I agree with your conclusions and proposals. For us, the life and health of Russian servicemen is always a priority. We must also take into account the threats to the civilian population.

“Proceed with the withdrawal of troops and take all measures to ensure the safe transfer of personnel, weapons and equipment across Dnipro River.” – Reuters