The Ukrainian Armed Forces told us to what extent the Russians' statement about the retreat from Kherson could be true

Nataliya Humenyuk, spokesperson of the joint press centre of the South Ukrainian Defence Forces, has said:

The defence forces do not rule out provocations from the Russian occupiers and creating a false impression of their true intentions. What is being stated now is an attempt to create a certain impression that the lives of soldiers will be saved, that civilians will be saved - and another demonization of the Ukrainian armed forces

She also recalled that the ongoing military operation in the south needs a regime of informational silence.

Humenyuk reported:

The occupiers are trying to fill the information space with their messages in order to prepare an excuse in case of a rapid failure and to disorient the local population and the Ukrainian Defence Forces.

At the same time, Gumenyuk notes, the defence line near Kherson has been established, and regular Russian troops are on the ground and ready to hold the defence.