After spending eight months under Russian occupation, the people of Kherson on Friday spilled out to the streets to celebrate the liberation of their city. Citizens celebrated the Russian pullback of troops in a euphoric mood, despite no infrastructure and facilities like power and water.
While the victorious mood may cheer up the defending nation, Ukrainian leaders have urged people to be cautious, as Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba warned, "Winning battles on the ground. But the war continues."
Seventy per cent of the Kherson region still remains under Russian control as Kremlin's troops are fortifying their battle lines on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River. According to Russian state-backed media, Henichesk, a city on the Azov Sea some 200 kilometers southeast of Kherson city, would serve as the region’s 'temporary capital' after the withdrawal.
Despite the celebratory mood and popular perception that the withdrawal was a big blow to Russia, fact remains that many miliary experts view it as prudent military move by Kremlin to save its resources and allow them to be deployed to other fronts.
The gateway to Crimea
The port city of Kherson was the first to come under Russian occupation in February. Its strategic importance lies in the fact that it is gateway to Crimea, which Russian annexed in 2014. For the same reason, Ukraine retaking much of Kherson would deprive Moscow of that land corridor. It will also help Vlodomyr Zelenskyy's troops bring their long-range artillery closer to Crimea and to Russia's Black Sea Fleet, thereby challenging Moscow, reported Reuters.
Besides, Ukraine gaining control of the coastline along the Black Sea will also help it keep its food exports to foreign markets going.
Dnipro and water supply
Defense and geopolitical experts believe Ukraine retaking Kherson will help them get control of the Dnipro river, an important waterbody that runs right into the centre of Ukraine.
Ukraine could also cut fresh water supply to Crimea if it retakes Kherson region. This is significant as Russia had recently unblocked the canal, which Kyiv blocked in 2014 after Crimea annexation. Depriving Crimea of water will be a setback for Russia as it needs the supply for the irrigation of Crimean arid land and its numerous military facilities.
Besides, taking over the city also is morale boost to the Ukrainian troops. They can also prove to their allies the need for aid in the form of weapon and other resources.
Attack on Russian supplylines
Russian losing its foothold on the west side of the significant Dnipro river means that Ukraine can efficiently cut the enemy supplylines, thereby challenge Moscow's control other other parts of the South, such as Zaporizhzhia region.
"The right (west) bank is important for both sides — for (Russia) in order to ensure the steadiness of the defense of the Zaporizhzhia direction, and for (Ukraine) to free this direction and cut off these three important arteries: the land corridor to Crimea, the water to Crimea and to return control of the (nuclear plant)," military analyst Oleh Zhdanov told Reuters.
Above all, the place has a lot of economic importance for Ukrainians. Before the war, its rich flatlands made it an agricultural powerhouse and a source of income for the country. Despite all the devastations, the place is still a gold mine for the country.