Explainer: Why Russia's withdrawal in Kherson marks a major setback for Putin

Vladimir Putin has suffered a major setback in his war on Ukraine. Picture: Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu today ordered his troops to withdraw from the west bank of the Dnipro River in the face of Ukrainian attacks near the southern city of Kherson, in a potential turning point in the war.

Moscow has occupied the city at the start of its invasion of Ukraine in February and losing control of the region would mark a significant setback for President Vladimir Putin.