What’s behind Russia’s ignominious retreat from the only provincial Ukrainian capital it captured?

AN IGNOMINIOUS RETREAT: The announcement came in one of those carefully staged meetings broadcast on Russian state TV. Gen. Sergey Surovikin, the overall commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, was providing a grim “sitrep” to his boss, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

“Comrade minister of defense, after a comprehensive assessment of the current situation, we suggest taking defense along the left shore of the Dnieper River. Understand this is not a simple decision, but at the same time, we will most importantly preserve the lives of our servicemen and in general the combat readiness of the group of forces,” said Surovikin, pointing to a map of the Kherson region that Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed as Russian territory in an elaborate ceremony just over a month ago.

Upon hearing that it was becoming impossible to resupply troops in Kherson and that its defense would be “futile,” a stone-faced Shoigu ordered the withdrawal. “Go ahead with the pullout of troops and take all measures to ensure safe transfer of troops, weapons, and equipment to the other bank of the Dnieper River.”

‘THE ENEMY DOES NOT BRING US GIFTS’: Ukraine’s immediate reaction was suspicion, questioning whether Russian forces were truly retreating or simply abandoning the farmland around the city of Kherson while hoping to lure Ukrainian forces into deadly urban combat.

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