Ukrainian People Celebrate The Retaking Of Kherson

On November 11, Ukrainian soldiers entered the center of Kherson and were welcomed by residents. The crowd cheered and chanted victory slogans. Ukrainian President Zelensky said in a televised speech that “Today is a historic day.” At present, Russia has withdrawn 30,000 soldiers to the other side of the Dnipro River. The withdrawal was Russia’s third large-scale retreat in the war and the first time it has abandoned the largest city occupied since the invasion of Ukraine. It was reported that on the 9th of this month, Russian Defense Minister Shoigu ordered the withdrawal of troops from Kherson after a meeting with General Surovikhin, who leads the Russian integrated forces in Ukraine. After withdrawing from the city, Russian troops established a defense line on the other side of the Dnipro River. Although the operation was described as a strategic and temporary retreat to take care of the lives and health of Russian servicemen in the city, it is widely believed that Russian troops may be in a state of “complete isolation”. In the past few weeks, the Ukrainian counterattack has hit Russian supply lines hard. If Kherson continues to be occupied, the long winter ahead will be a torment for Russian troops. Recently, Sullivan, the U.S. security advisor, has maintained dialogue with top Russians and asked Zelensky to make peace with Russia. Miles previously judged that because Putin’s health is deteriorating, he will eventually agree to the terms offered by Ukraine as he faces difficulties on all sides at home and abroad. Putin only wants to keep Crimea and the symbolic occupation of a small city in eastern Ukraine. Both Russia and Ukraine need steps to leave the stage with dignity.