Russian army 'destroys bridges and lays mines' after withdrawing from Kherson

The UK Ministry of Defense said: "As the retreating Russian forces destroyed several bridges and likely laid mines to slow and delay the advance Ukrainian forces"

Consequences of the fighting in the liberated villages of the front line of Kherson (

Image: Celestino Arce/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)

Russian troops 'destroyed several bridges and possibly laid mines' to delay the advance of Ukrainian forces as they withdrew from occupied Kherson, the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) said today.

In a television announcement, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered his troops to withdraw from the west bank of the Dnipro to Kherson.

War Commander General Sergei Surovikin called the move a "very difficult decision", but the Defense Ministry said Russia claimed the withdrawal was due to "problems with resupply".

He added: "Russia's ability to maintain its forces on the west bank of the Dnipro has been strained by Ukrainian strikes on Russia's supply routes.

The military mobility of the Ukrainian Armed Forces continues towards the Kherson front (

Picture:

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

"As they retreated, Russian forces destroyed several bridges and probably laid mines to slow down and delay the advance of Ukrainian forces.

"The withdrawal is likely to take place over several days with defensive positions and artillery fire covering the withdrawing forces."

A senior Ukrainian official also warned that Russia was setting up the city of Kherson, accusing them of trying to turn...