Russia orders retreat from Kherson, key city in southern Ukraine
NBCDec 23, 2022
Day 260 Roundup: Ukraine Skeptical of Russian Withdrawal from Kherson
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Image copyright: AP Photos [via AP News]
The Facts
Ukrainian officials have remained skeptical after Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu publicly ordered his troops to withdraw from the west bank of the Dnipro River on Wednesday. The order marks an evacuation of Russian troops from Kherson.
Among those expressing skepticism was Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said: "The enemy does not bring us gifts, does not make 'gestures of goodwill.' We fight our way up." He added: "Therefore, we move very carefully, without emotions, without unnecessary risk. In the interests of the liberation of our entire land and so that the losses are as small as possible. This is how we will secure the liberation of Kherson, Kakhovka, Donetsk, and our other cities."
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
There's no camouflaging Moscow's failure. After illegally annexing Kherson, distributing Russian passports, and suggesting the ruble would replace the Ukrainian hryvnia, Russia's withdrawal from the west bank of the Dnipro is both unsurprising and humiliating.
Pro-Russia narrative
After strikes on supply lines to the west bank of the Dnipro River, Russian leaders have made the difficult, but strategically sound decision to withdraw troops in order to preserve the lives of servicemen and deploy them more effectively elsewhere.
