The situation there for Russia was not defendable and they did not want their troops to be encircled - so they have chosen to move to the other side of the river. They have spent several weeks evacuating civilians for the same reasons. The Ukrainians have been bombing the dam upriver and a breach was not a possibility the Russians wanted to deal with. If the bridges were washed out, civilians and personnel would have been stranded.

One thing about Russian tactics. They have no problem withdrawing in order to save personnel and equipment. They do not view these things as defeat - but as tactical moves in the overall operation. They live to fight another day and do not need the optics. The Ukrainians however, have no hesitation at expending lives and equipment for a photo op and headlines. The Ukrainians will spend the currency of precious lives in order to keep the grift from the West flowing. The main objectives for Russia as part of the military operation in Ukraine was to secure the Russian citizens of the Eastern areas and to demilitarize the Ukrainians. These objectives continue to be met. The withdrawal from Kherson in no way detracts from those overall objectives. They most likely will be back - after weakening the Ukrainians even more.

The situation there for Russia was not defendable and they did not want their troops to be encircled - so they have chosen to move to the other side of the river. They have spent several weeks evacuating civilians for the same reasons. The Ukrainians have been bombing the dam upriver and a breach was not a possibility the Russians wanted to deal with. If the bridges were washed out, civilians and personnel would have been stranded.

One thing about Russian tactics. They have no problem withdrawing in order to save personnel and equipment. They do not view these things as defeat - but as tactical moves in the overall operation. They live to fight another day and do not need the optics. The Ukrainians however, have no hesitation at expending lives and equipment for a photo op and headlines. The Ukrainians will spend the currency of precious lives in order to keep the grift from the West flowing. The main objectives for Russia of the military operation in Ukraine was to secure the Russian citizens of the Eastern areas and to demilitarize the Ukrainians. These objectives continue to be met. The withdrawal from Kherson in no way detracts from those overall objectives. They most likely will be back - after weakening the Ukrainians even more.

The situation there for Russia was not defendable and they did not want their troops to be encircled - so they have chosen to move to the other side of the river. They have spent several weeks evacuating civilians for the same reasons. The Ukrainians have been bombing the dam upriver and a breach was not a possibility the Russians wanted to deal with. If the bridges were washed out, civilians and personnel would have been stranded.

One thing about Russian tactics. They have no problem withdrawing in order to save personnel and equipment. They do not view these things as defeat - but as tactical moves in the overall operation. They live to fight another day and do not need the optics. The Ukrainians however, have no hesitation at expending lives and equipment for a photo op and headlines. The Ukrainians will spend the currency of precious lives in order to keep the grift from the West flowing. The main objectives for Russia of the military operation in Ukraine was to secure the Russian citizens of the Eastern areas and to demilitarize the Ukrainians. These objectives continue to be met. The withdrawal from Kherson in no way detracts from those overall objectives. They most likely will be back. after weakening the Ukrainians even more.