US defense secretary Lloyd Austin said Ukrainian forces are capable of reclaiming the partially occupied region of Kherson from Russia. The comments come amidst advances by Ukraine in the occupied territories in its counter-attack.
In a news conference at the Pentagon Thursday, Austin said Ukraine is capable of reclaiming Kherson, a territory that Russia claims to have annexed and is currently partially under Russian control.
Austin’s comments also come as a Russian-installed official in Kherson said that Moscow appears likely to withdraw its troops from the west bank of the Dnipro river, which would be seen as a significant retreat if it was confirmed.
“On the issue of whether the Ukrainians can take the remaining territory on the West side of the Dnipro river and in Kherson, I certainly believe that they have the capability to do that,” said Austin. “Most importantly, the Ukrainians believe they have the capability to do that. We have seen them engage in a very methodical but effective effort to take back their sovereign territory.”
Ukraine has said it was still fighting in the region and that they are wary in case occupying Russian forces may be setting up a trap.
Kherson is the only major territory that Russia has captured since its invasion on February 24.
A Western official also appeared to echo the comments of the Russian-installed official in Kherson, saying that Russia was planning to retreat from the bridgehead on the west bank of the Dnipro river to the east to better reinforce its forces. The official added that some Russian military commanders have already transferred to the other side of the river.
On the same day, a senior United Nations official said that the UN was prioritizing the efforts to export the stranded Russian fertilizers from European ports in the hopes of making advances before a deadline to renew the Black Sea grain export deal later this month.
This follows Russia’s rejoining of Turkey and the UN-brokered grain deal to allow safe passage of ships transporting grain and fertilizer out of the Black Sea after suspending its involvement for four days.