Putin did not allow Russian troops to retreat from Kherson

This is stated in the New York Times investigation, which refers to US intelligence data.

Sources of the American publication report that Russian generals will withdraw soldiers from Kherson. This would save their lives and equipment.

But Putin refused. This would be another humiliating admission of failures in the war and would bring a second big victory for Ukraine a month after the counter-offensive in the Kharkiv region.

This decision by Putin lowered the fighting and morale of the soldiers. Now they are cut off from the rest of the troops by the Dnieper.

Putin continues to make major strategic decisions. And personally gives orders to the generals. This causes tension in the military leadership.