Russia ‘withdraws officers from Kherson’ ahead of expected Ukrainian advance

A plume of smoke rises after Russian shelling in Bakhmut, in Donetsk region (LIBKOS/AP)

Russia’s military leadership has withdrawn its officers in the Russian-annexed city of Kherson across the Dnieper River in anticipation of an advance by Ukrainian troops, a think tank has said.

To delay the Ukrainian counter-offensive as the Russians complete their retreat, Moscow has left newly mobilised, inexperienced forces on the other side of the wide river, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) added.