Withdrawal from Kherson reinforces Russian weakness, Zelenskyy says

Kyiv has accepted the Kremlin has little alternative but to flee because its logistical routes and supply lines have been severely disrupted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Rishi Sunak discussed how Russia should be prevented from blocking vital supplies of Ukrainian grain and fertiliser amid fresh concerns over the deal to secure safe passage of shipments. Picture: Dmytro Laryn

Russia’s withdrawal from the only provincial Ukrainian capital it has captured would further demonstrate the weakness of Vladimir Putin’s military offensive, Rishi Sunak said.

In a call on Thursday morning with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the British prime minister expressed careful optimism over Moscow’s troops being forced to flee Kherson.