Russia orders retreat from Kherson - Ukrainians celebrate liberated areas as occupiers 'pull back'

Russian troops were ordered to withdraw from the city of Kherson on Wednesday, in one of the most embarrassing setbacks the Kremlin has suffered since the invasion began.

"Begin to pull out troops," General Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defence minister, told Sergei Surovikin, Russia's commander in Ukraine, in a carefully choreographed televised meeting.

Gen Surovikin said he proposed the "difficult decision" to withdraw from Kherson - the only regional capital Moscow managed to capture - and set up defences on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River.

The widely expected withdrawal is among the most symbolic defeats Russia has suffered in the eight month-long war. In a bid to play down its significance, Gen Surovikin presented the retreat as a tactical necessity.

“I realise that’s not an easy decision but, more importantly, we will save the lives of our troops and preserve our combat readiness,” he said.

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