Russia has lost full control over Kherson - Pentagon

Богдан Петришин

Russian troops no longer have full control over Kherson. It was the first major Ukrainian city to be captured by Putin's troops during its invasion of Ukraine, a senior Pentagon official said Friday.

The New York Times reported this.

Ukrainian forces are currently fighting fierce battles in Kherson and pushing the Russians away, turning the strategically important port city into a "disputed territory" again, the official told reporters during a briefing.

Any success by Ukraine in returning Kherson will be a huge blow to Putin's military efforts, making it difficult for Russia to implement any plans to seize control of Ukraine's Black Sea coast and the southern port of Odesa, defense officials said. The loss of Kherson will also threaten Russian troops fighting in neighboring Mykolaiv, a Pentagon spokesperson said.