Russia’s withdrawal from the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson is a major blow to President Vladimir Putin, both strategically and symbolically..
**Strategic setback**.
Kherson was the only regional capital that Russia had captured since it launched its invasion of Ukraine in February. Its loss is a significant setback for the Kremlin, which had hoped to use the city as a springboard for further advances in southern Ukraine..
The withdrawal also represents a major logistical challenge for the Russian military. Kherson was a key crossing point on the Dnieper River, and its loss will make it more difficult for Russia to supply its troops in the southern Kherson region..
**Symbolic defeat**.
The loss of Kherson is also a major symbolic defeat for Putin. The city was one of the first to fall to Russian forces, and its capture was hailed by the Kremlin as a major victory..
The withdrawal from Kherson is a sign that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not going according to plan. Putin had hoped to quickly achieve a decisive victory, but the Ukrainian military has put up a fierce resistance..
The loss of Kherson is a major embarrassment for Putin and will likely lead to increased criticism of his handling of the war..
**What’s next?**.
It is unclear what Russia’s next move will be. The Kremlin has said that it will continue to fight in Ukraine, but it is unclear what its goals are..
One possibility is that Russia will focus on consolidating its gains in the eastern Donbas region. Another possibility is that Russia will launch new offensives in southern Ukraine..
However, the loss of Kherson is a major setback for Russia, and it is unclear how the Kremlin will recover from this defeat..
**Implications for the war**.
The loss of Kherson is likely to have a significant impact on the course of the war in Ukraine. It will make it more difficult for Russia to achieve its goals, and it will likely lead to increased pressure on Putin to end the war..
The loss of Kherson is also a major victory for Ukraine. It shows that the Ukrainian military is capable of defeating the Russian military, and it will likely boost morale among the Ukrainian people..
The war in Ukraine is likely to continue for some time, but the loss of Kherson is a major setback for Russia and a major victory for Ukraine..
