According to sources like the New Atlas and the Military Summary channel, Russia is NOT trying to take territory in this war. Russia’s aim is the destruction of the Ukrainian military. They are prepared to cede territory if it means more attrition on the Ukrainian side and less on theirs. This Western area of Kherson region was a massive liability in military terms, because had they kept it, Russia would have committed vast amounts of resources where they cannot easily be reinforced or withdrawn. The UAF knew that, which is why every one of their offensives was directed at pushing inside this area, and every one of its artillery maneuvers attempted the destruction of the dams and bridges connecting it to the mainland. Now that Russia has pulled out, it can shuffle its forces around much more easily, prevent unnecessary deaths on their side, and form bigger attacks on strategically advantageous positions in Donbas.
That’s why they evacuated civilians. The position would be incredibly costly to hold, they are winning the losses game, and sacrificing to hold Kherson would reverse their progress (which is to exhaust UA). They’ll look to retake it in December.
According to sources like the New Atlas and the Military Summary channel, Russia is NOT trying to take territory in this war. Russia’s aim is the destruction of the Ukrainian military. They are prepared to cede territory if it means more attrition on the Ukrainian side and less on theirs. This Western area of Kherson region was a massive liability in military terms, because had they kept it, Russia would have committed vast amounts of resources where they cannot easily be reinforced or withdrawn. The UAF knew that, which is why every one of their offensives was directed at pushing inside this area, and every one of its artillery maneuvers attempted the destruction of the dams and bridges connecting it to the mainland. Now that Russia has pulled out, it can shuffle its forces around much more easily, prevent unnecessary deaths on their side, and form bigger attacks on strategically advantageous positions in Donbas.
But Russia annexed Kherson Oblast along with Zaporizhia and Donbas
That’s why they evacuated civilians. The position would be incredibly costly to hold, they are winning the losses game, and sacrificing to hold Kherson would reverse their progress (which is to exhaust UA). They’ll look to retake it in December.