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Russia’s army has started retreating from a pivotal Ukrainian city, a move that signals a major defeat for Russia but that has Ukraine reacting with suspicion.
Russia’s defense minister ordered his troops to start withdrawing from Kherson and cross to the other side of the Dnipro River on Wednesday, in a new humiliation for its military.
But Ukraine is warning of Russia’s tactics as it does so.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on Thursday that Russia «wants to turn Kherson into a ‘city of death.'»
He said Russia «mines everything they can: apartments, sewers.»
The UK Ministry of Defence also said on Thursday that Russian troops likely laid mines as they moved back.
Podolyak’s tone matched other Ukrainian officials reacting to events in Kherson.
It has been on of caution and skepticism as they warned Russia’s could be a feint meant to draw Ukraine into urban warfare.
Zelenskyy referenced Ukraine’s attempts to regain territory all across the east in his Wednesday night address, and signaled doubt over Russia’s intentions as he said Ukraine must move carefully.
