After regaining control over Kherson, Ukraine is in a good position to continue advancing further east and south instead of freezing the front line until spring, writes Reuters.
Strategic and symbolic victory comes with fierce fights to move the front line further east and south. «Ukraine has the initiative and momentum and is dictating to the Russians where and when the next fight will be,» said Philip Ingram, a former senior British military intelligence officer. He added that one such place could be closer to Bakhmut in the east of Donbas. In his words, winter will slow the war but won’t stop it. Ukrainians will be ready to fight in freezing temperatures, while Russians will try to survive the cold.
Ingram added that whatever Ukrainians have planned, it will be thought through and exceptionally executed.
Trenches left behind after Russia retreated from Kherson speaks about uncivilized conditions Russians had to endure. Muddy, narrow, and fully exposed to weather; they are not even comparable with the conditions Ukraine’s army has. However, retired US General Ben Hodges said there would be no need for Ukraine to rush across the Dnipro while it secures Kherson on the west bank and pulls up artillery to bear down on Russian forces defending the approaches to annexed Crimea.
Ukraine’s army reached Kherson on the 11th of November. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced that the US will continue to support Ukraine and won’t give unsolicited advice. As he said, the decision on whether and with what conditions to speak with Russia is Ukraine’s decision. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Kherson that Ukraine was ready for peace, but only on its terms that would restore all occupied territory.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO should support Ukraine and leave everything else for Ukraine to decide.