Russian President Vladimir Putin is increasingly interfering with military strategy for the war in Ukraine. US government officials told The New York Times. Putin is said to have recently rejected requests to withdraw troops from the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson.
Read all about the war in Ukraine in our file.
The Ukrainian army is on a counter-offensive to retake the largely Russian-occupied city and region of Kherson. According to The New York Times, withdrawing over the Dnieper River could save the Russian army manpower and equipment, but Putin doesn’t want to hear about that.
Loss of face
Kherson is the only major city captured by Russian forces west of the Dnieper. A withdrawal would potentially mean a loss of face for Putin and a major success for Ukraine.
According to US intelligence, Putin has told his commanders that he is finalizing the battle plan in Ukraine. Washington officials say Putin’s increased meddling is causing tensions between him and Russia’s military leaders. In addition, the morale of the troops in Kherson would have been damaged because they are not allowed to retreat under any circumstances.
Putin announced a partial mobilization on Wednesday, the first since World War II. The Defense Ministry wants to call in some 300,000 reservists with military experience for what Russia calls the “special military operation” in Ukraine. Putin hopes to regain the initiative.
Recently, the Ukrainian army has recaptured a large area in the northeast. Referendums are also being organized in occupied territories on a possible affiliation with Russia. Western observers speak of “sham referendums”, the outcome of which has already been determined.
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