Russia's Ministry Of Defense: Withdrawing The Army Done At 5 Am, No Equipment And Disadvantaged Armed Armed Forces

JAKARTA - The Russian military said on Friday it had completed its withdrawal from Kherson, tens of thousands of troops quickly withdrew across the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday ordered troops to leave Kherson, in a recall that allowed Ukrainian troops to move closer to Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Russia's Defense Ministry said all Russian troops and equipment had been moved to the east bank of Dnipro. It said the withdrawal was completed at 5 a.m. Moscow time on Friday.

"The transfer of Russian troop units to the left side of the Dnipro River has been completed," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"Not a single piece of military equipment or weapons is left on the right (west) side. All the Russian soldiers crossed to the left side," he added.

The ministry also said Russia did not experience any loss of personnel or equipment during the withdrawal process.

Reuters could not immediately verify the status of the retreat. If correct, the speed of movement involving up to 30,000 people would be much faster than the United States or Ukraine had thought.

The top US general said on Wednesday he expected Russia to have 20,000-30,000. troops to move across the river, with the withdrawal could take "days and maybe even weeks".

Meanwhile, Ukraine's defense minister told Reuters in an interview on Thursday he expected the withdrawal would take at least a week.

Excluding the occupied Ukrainian city founded by the great Queen Catherine of the 18th century was an embarrassing defeat to Russia, after years of touting post-Soviet military influence.

Separately, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday Russia remains committed to achieving the goals of what Moscow calls a special military operation in Ukraine, and said Moscow still views the Kherson region as "part of Russia."

Peskov said the decision to step down was taken by the Ministry of Defense. Asked by reporters whether it was a shame for President Vladimir Putin, Peskov said: "No."