While Ukrainians can rejoice over a significant victory in the crucial city of Kherson, a defence expert claims that Russian forces are bracing themselves for a protracted battle.
The Russian withdrawal from Kherson was a “humiliating defeat” for the invaders, according to Rouben Azizian, professor at Massey University and director of the Centre for Defence and Security Studies.
He claimed that many of the withdrawn troops would, instead, be redeployed to other parts of the nation, making it more challenging for Ukraine to retake those areas.
“Definitely this is not the end of the story, but it is very encouraging to see the Ukrainians are starting to regain more of the territory, and that sends a very strong message to Moscow.
Azizian emphasised that maintaining a land bridge with the Crimean peninsula that Russia has annexed, as well as the Donetsk and Donbas regions, are top priorities for Russia.
He said the withdrawal represented another defeat for Russia’s President Putin, and too many more losses might make Putin’s position untenable. “There are rounds of speculations on whether Putin will survive another humiliation and defeat or not, whether he will be removed or resign or whatever.
Losing a regional capital, according to Azizian, “is a big thing,” as Kherson was the only regional capital so far to be seized by Russia in the 2022 invasion.
He claimed that Putin has not yet been the target of any direct criticism because the defeat is being “camouflaged” in the Russian media.
Azizian said the defeat is instead being spun as either the fault of the military, or a “goodwill” gesture to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground..
The victory is celebrated in Kherson, but the Russians are digging in.
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