Russia Pulls Its Troops From Kherson, President Of Ukraine Zelensky: Musuh Will Not Give Us Awards

President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his troops continued to strengthen positions south of the country, but did not want to overdo it with reports of the withdrawal of Russian troops from Kherson.

In a speech late Wednesday, President Zelensky said his troops continued to strengthen his position in the southern region, step by step.

"There is a lot of joy in today's information room, and it's clear why. But, the enemy will not reward us," President Zelensky said, calling Kherson only once in his five-minute speech.

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered his troops to withdraw from the western bank of the Dnipro River, near the strategic city of southern Ukraine Kherson, in a significant setback for Moscow and a potential turning point in the war.

In televised comments, commander of Russian forces on the battlefield General Sergei Surovikin reported to Minister Shoigu it was no longer possible to supply the city of Kherson. He proposed taking a defensive line on the east bank of the Dnipro River.

"I agree with your conclusions and proposals. For us, the lives and health of Russian soldiers have always been a priority. We must also take into account threats to civilians," Shoigu told General Surovikin.

"Continue with the withdrawal of troops and take all measures to ensure the transfer of safe personnel, weapons and equipment across the Dnipro River," he ordered.

Meanwhile, Ukraine reacted carefully to Wednesday's announcement, saying some Russian troops were still in Kherson and additional Russian troops were being sent to the region.

"They moved out, but not as much as will happen if it was a full recall or grouping back," Oleksify Arestovych, adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said in a video posted online on Wednesday evening.

Separately, US President Joe Biden said Moscow's order to withdraw from Kherson was "a testament to the fact that they have some real problems with the Russian military."

It is known that if Ukrainian troops seized all of Dnipro's western edge, US-supplied long-range artillery and double-HIMars rocket launchers would be able to attack Russian bases and logistics positions on the east bank, according to military experts.