Russian Forces Successfully Retreat from Kherson in November 2022
In November 2022, under pressure from Ukraine, around 30,000 Russian soldiers crossed the Dnieper River with their equipment in less than 48 hours, almost without any losses. This tactical and logistical success was achieved despite the political defeat of abandoning Kherson.
The maneuver involved a hybrid logistics system using military bridges transformed into motorized floating ferries and requisitioned civilian barges, making it difficult for Ukrainian HIMARS missiles to target the structures.
A large maskirovka operation – involving media disinformation, fake radio communications, radar reflectors – paralyzed Ukrainian decision-making for 48 to 72 hours, allowing for a complete retreat before the enemy realized the extent of the movement.
By Lieutenant Luisa Tdu, 31st Engineer Regiment
In February 2022, Russian Armed Forces initiated an offensive operation in Ukraine, capturing Kherson and facing challenges in November 2022 that led to the decision to retreat from the west bank of the city. General Sourovikine recommended the evacuation, which was officially announced on November 9th. By November 11th, most Russian troops had safely withdrawn to the east bank of Kherson.
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Deception Maneuver Consequences: Successful Tactical Retreat for Strategic Gains
This retreat, though politically humiliating for the Kremlin, enabled the reorganization of Russian forces for winter 2023. Furthermore, it preserved the combat potential of experienced units, preventing a potential breakdown in the front lines if these troops had been captured or destroyed in Kherson.
The successful orderly retreat from Kherson allowed Russian forces to enhance their positions. From November 2022 to spring 2023, Russia capitalized on the front line’s stabilization to build the “Sourovikine Line” southwards, contributing significantly to halting the Ukrainian counteroffensive in early 2023.
The loss of control over Kherson in November 2022 was a planned tactical defeat to avoid a strategic disaster, enabling Russia to shift from a war of movement to a war of attrition. However, it also closed the corridor to Odessa for Russian forces and eliminated the opportunity to control the entire Black Sea coastline.
