Analysts told about new priorities of Russian troops in Kherson direction

This is according to analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kherson direction since August - a coordinated interdiction campaign aimed at forcing Russian troops to retreat across the Dnieper without the need for major ground offensives from Ukraine - is likely to have been successful

Analysts believe the Russian retreat is hardly a trap designed to lure Ukrainian troops into a costly battle near Kherson, as some Ukrainian and Western sources have suggested.

There are many signs in the actions of Russian forces that Russian troops, military and economic assets and occupying elements are steadily withdrawing from the western bank of the Dnieper River. Furthermore, the way Russian officials are preparing to withdraw is inconsistent with a campaign to deceive and entrap Ukrainian troops.

That said, it is clear that Russian forces will try to slow down the advance of Ukrainian forces to ensure an orderly withdrawal. Some forces may remain to delay Ukrainian forces in Kherson itself - but these battles will only be a means to withdraw as many Russian units as possible in good order