The liberation of Kherson was a significant achievement for Ukraine, but the Russians, it seems, are not going to leave the rest of the occupied territories and they are in for a tough fight.
This was stated by a senior Pentagon official at a briefing.
"Although we continue to monitor, according to our estimates, Russian troops have moved to the eastern bank of the river and established their defensive lines, thereby ceding a large part of the territory to the Ukrainians, including your city of Kherson," he said.
According to the official, Ukrainian forces continue to consolidate the successes achieved and are now busy clearing obstacles and mines left by the Russians. Ukrainians also assess the damage caused by the Russian occupiers before their departure; according to the official, there are reasons to believe that the Russians caused significant damage to Kherson's civil infrastructure, including water supply and other communal systems.
"The Russians, it seems, are not going to leave the rest of occupied Ukraine, and there is no doubt that there are still heavy battles ahead. But the liberation of the city of Kherson is a significant achievement and a testament to the resilience, determination and tenacity of the Ukrainian people and their armed forces in the fight to defend their country." , - he said.
The Pentagon believes that with the approach of winter, it is possible that hostilities in Ukraine may slow down. However, according to the official, the rate of growth of support from the US is not predicted to slow down, as this support does not depend on the weather, but on what Ukrainians say they need.