They leave behind thousands of unexploded bombs, Zelensky said
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was cautious about the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Ukrainian city of Kherson during an official visit to Rome.
“We have recorded the Russian announcement of withdrawal from Kherson,” Mr Stoltenberg said on Thursday. “We will have to see how the situation develops on the ground in the coming days,” he added, flanked by Giorgia Meloni, the head of Italy’s new far-right coalition government.
The head of NATO stressed that Russia continues to struggle in the war in Ukraine, which began on February 24. “What is clear is that Russia is under great pressure and if (its forces) leave Kherson, it will be another victory for Ukraine,” assured the Secretary General.
Zelensky: Russians leave behind thousands of unexploded bombs
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said late Thursday that Ukrainian troops had recaptured 40 locations around Kherson as Russia’s army withdrew, a day after Moscow announced that its units deployed in Kherson would leave the key city.
“The number of Ukrainian flags returned to where they were supposed to be as part of the ongoing defense operation has already reached dozens,” the Ukrainian president said during his evening speech.
He warned that Russian forces had left behind “thousands of unexploded bombs and ammunition”.
In about 170,000 square kilometers across the country the Russians have planted mines, Mr. Zelensky added.
The governor of Mykolayiv province, Vitaly Kim, said the community of Chornobayivka was now in the hands of the Ukrainian army, but declined to elaborate.
“We will continue to remain silent, these are all military matters,” he explained.
Kadyrov: Right but difficult decision to retreat
The leader of the Russian federal republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, called the retreat from Kherson a “correct but difficult decision.”
The new commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, Sergei Surovykin, has spared thousands of soldiers from de facto encirclement, Mr Kadyrov said via Telegram.
According to Ukrainian media, Russian troops wreaked havoc in Kherson while withdrawing. In addition to a television center, radio antennas and heating systems were also destroyed, among other things, Ukrainian Pravda reported. Electricity is down, as is internet access, while several bridges on the Dnieper River have already been blown up, according to reports.
Ukrainian forces are making slow but steady progress in Kherson province, where they launched a counteroffensive in early October. Their advance was helped by the fact that the Russian troops retreated in some areas.
The Minister of Defense of Russia, Sergei Shoigu, decided the day before Wednesday that the Russian units should withdraw from the right bank of the Dnieper, explaining that it was impossible to resupply them as many bridges were destroyed by missiles launched by the Ukrainians.
New aid from the US
Meanwhile, the US has announced that it is offering Ukraine a new $400 million military aid package. In total, according to US Defense Department figures, the cost of Washington’s support to Kyiv has reached $19.3 billion since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.
The new package includes four Avenger air defense systems, Stinger man-portable anti-aircraft missiles and missiles for the Hawk air defense system, according to a Pentagon spokeswoman.
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