Zelensky and US officials express skepticism over Russia’s decision on Kherson.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and US officials have expressed skepticism at Russia’s decision to order troops to retreat from the strategically important city of Kherson and said they would monitor movements in the coming days.

“There is a lot of joy in the media space today, and it is clear why,” Mr. Zelensky said in his overnight address late Wednesday. “But our emotions must be restrained,” he added. “The enemy does not bring us gifts.”

A retreat from the city of Kherson would be a major victory for Ukraine, which has long sought to recapture it and push Russian troops from the western bank of the Dnipro River. It is the only regional capital to fall to Russian forces since they invaded in February, and the withdrawal would be a humiliating rout for President Vladimir Putin. Read more

@nytimes