The scenes of joy multiply on social networks. After months of Russian occupation, the Ukrainian flag was raised again in the eastern city of Kherson, signaling the city’s recapture from Moscow forces on Friday.
This victory was quickly greeted by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke of a “historic day”. “Our people. Ours. Kherson,” he also wrote on Telegram. But why is this success so important in the context of the Ukraine-Russia conflict?
• A “symbolic victory” for Ukraine
The capture of Kherson first marks a “symbolic victory” for the Ukrainians, analyzes Ulysse Gosset, a columnist on international politics for BFMTV.
In fact, such a capture is particularly important because the city had been occupied by the Russians since March 2, shortly after Moscow’s forces entered the Ukraine in late February.
“It seems that the Ukrainians have just won an extraordinary victory: the only regional capital that Russia seized from this war is now back under the Ukrainian flag, which is quite remarkable,” Washington also welcomed.
• The loss of an “annexed” region for Russia
The Russian defeat is all the more significant since the Russians were celebrating their victory in the region until recently. After seizing the city in March, Vladimir Putin had organized “referendums” in late September, the reliability of which many Western experts questioned, to set the fate of several Ukrainian regions, including Kherson.
The Russian victory proclaimed at all the ballot boxes, the Kherson region had officially become Russian territory for Vladimir Putin. But the success will be short-lived, as the city is once again under Ukrainian rule.
“It’s a big failure for Vladimir Putin,” sums up Sylvie Bermann, BFMTV diplomacy consultant and former French ambassador to Russia.
• A strategic grip
Located on the Dnieper River, the port city of Kherson is of particular military importance. Close to the Crimea region, annexed by Russia in 2014, it represented a new stage for the Russians in their desire to control the environment around the Azov Sea.
“From a military point of view, (this capture) was essential because from the moment when (the Russians) were on the right bank (of the Dnieper), they could foresee going towards Mikolaiv and towards Odessa. It’s over,” the general said. Jérôme Pellistrandi, defense consultant for BFMTV.
By retaking the city, the Ukrainians are regaining some measure of control of the south-east of the country and curbing Russian ambitions. This capture also allows the Ukrainian army to push the Russian army back to the other side of the Dnieper before the onset of winter, which military specialists say should freeze the front. Kyiv will thus be able to take advantage of the next few months to fortify the city and attack the left bank of the river or even the annexed Crimea.
• A “moral shock” for both parties
While the scenes of jubilation have multiplied on social networks, the joy of the Ukrainians “remembers the liberation of Paris and the Soviet cities” or even “the fall of the Wall (in Berlin), believes the editorialist, without hesitating to draw a parallel between these scenes considered as turning points in history and Ukraine’s victory on Friday.
“Something strong happened,” he says.
However, the psychological aspect is not minor in the conflict, while Kherson represents “the second great victory obtained (by the Ukrainians) since the beginning of September,” recalls Michel Goya, BFMTV defense consultant.
“It has a moral impact, (…) each victory shakes the Russian army and the Putin regime. We can estimate that 3-4 battles like this and the war can be won for the Ukrainians,” judges the colonel.
• A winning streak that continues
Therefore, Ukraine continues its positive momentum after more difficult times. “The Ukrainian offensive began at the end of August and we had the feeling that it was a bit laborious, that it was not making much progress. In a few days everything accelerated”, underlines General Jérôme Pellistrandi.
This victory “from strong to strong”, according to the military historian Cédric Mas, allows Ukraine to be “now on the upward slope of success”, he thinks.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister wanted to be cautious. “The war continues,” he reminded Ukrainians on Saturday.
Source: BFM TV
