Russia retreats, Ukriane warns of mines in the ‘City of Death.

• Russia declared a withdrawal from Kherson and abandoned its largest prize in the war.
• It could be a trap. According to one official, Russia has laid mines in order to create a “city that is death.”
• The UK Ministry of Defence stated that Russia had likely laid mines while it was withdrawing.

Russia’s army began retreating from a key Ukrainian city. This is a sign of a major Russian defeat, but Ukraine reacts with suspicion. 

Russia’s defense minister His troops were ordered to withdrawIn a humiliating new humiliation for the military, Kherson will be crossed to the other side Dnipro River.

However, Ukraine warns Russia about its tactics.

Mykhailo Poolyak is a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zilenskyy Russia said Thursday that it “wants to transform Kherson into a city of death.”

He claimed that Russia “mines every resource they have: water, land, and sewers.”

The UK Ministry of Defence is also available On Thursday, it was likely that Russian troops laid mines while they were moving back.

Podolyak’s tone was similar to other Ukrainian officials who reacted to the events in Kherson.

They were cautious and skeptical as they warned Russia that their move could be a ploy to get Ukraine into urban warfare.

Zelenskyy made reference to Ukraine’s attempts at retaking territory in the east in his Wednesday night address, and signaled doubts over Russia’s intentions by saying that Ukraine must be cautious.  

“The enemy does no bring us gifts or offer ‘gestures to goodwill’,” he stated. “We fight for our freedom.”

Zelenskyy claimed that Ukraine would retake cities like Kherson if it moved “very carefully, with no emotions, and without unnecessary risk.” We want to liberate all of our land so that losses are minimal.”

Podolyak is also available ReutersOn Wednesday, Russia seemed to be planning to fight while it withdrew. He said, “Until the Ukrainian flag is flying above Kherson it doesn’t make sense to talk about Russian withdrawal.”

He tweeted later: “We do not see any indications that Russia is abandoning Kherson with no fight.”

Oleksiy Arestovych (another Zelenskyy aide) stated on Telegram, that Russia was leaving Kherson only because it had been “knocked-out” by Ukraine.

He warned Russia that its intentions to retreat were not clear in a video.

According to a Reuters translation, he stated that “they are moving out but less than would be happening if it were a complete pullout or regrouping”.

Russia was destroying cities and roads in Russia, he said. “And for the moment,” he said, “we don’t know their intentions — will they engage in fighting with us and will they try to hold the city of Kherson? They are moving slowly.”

He stated that there are signs Russia was “preparing for urban battles at Kherson.”

This strategically vital city was the first Russia took during its invasion. It was also its largest after the Ukrainian counteroffensive in September.

Since weeks, the threat of a clash over Kherson was growing as Ukrainian forces moved closer. Russian officials made rare public indications of worry.

The New York Times reported September by The New York TimesPutin turned down a request by his military to withdraw from the city because he wanted it to remain.

Zelenskyy indicated Wednesday that he would not divulge the plans of Ukraine.

“I will not feed the enemy all of the details of our operations in the south or east. Once we have our result, all will be able to see it. For sure.”