“Proceed with the withdrawal of troops“: Shoigu orders Russian retreat from Kherson

During the broadcast, General Sergey Surovikin, the recently-appointed commander of the group of Russian forces in Ukraine, suggested to Shoigu that he organize defences near Kherson on the left bank of the Dnipro river, which would require a full withdrawal troops from the right bank.

“I agree with your conclusions and proposals. <...> Proceed with the withdrawal of troops,” Shoigu replied.

Shoigu added that the main task of the Russian command was to “save the lives of soldiers,” along with the “need to take care of the civilian population.”