Russia’s announcement of the completion of its withdrawal from the key city of Kherson and surrounding areas is one of the most important moments in the war launched by Vladimir Putin in Ukraine on February 24, CNN writes. Kherson was the only regional capital of Ukraine captured by Russian forces after the February invasion, a major prize for the Kremlin leader.

• VIDEO Boundless joy: the Ukrainian army entered the city of Kherson after more than six months of occupation

The withdrawal of Russian troops to the east, across the Dnipro River, means the ceding of large swathes of land that Russia has occupied since the start of the war and which President Vladimir Putin officially declared Russian territory just five weeks ago.

While Russian troops retreated, Ukrainian troops advanced cautiously amid warnings from Kyiv that the Russians had left traps. Ukraine’s military said Friday that Russia is destroying critical infrastructure as it retreats by shelling territory recently cleared of new defensive positions on the east bank of the Dnipro River, CNN reported.

On Friday, the main bridge over the Dnipro River, connecting the city of Kherson with the eastern part of the region, collapsed, preventing any attempts by Ukrainians to pursue Russians fleeing across the river.

Although the Kremlin tried to present Kherson’s departure in the best possible light, it is undoubtedly a humiliating setback for President Vladimir Putin. And although the Kremlin spokesman insisted on Friday that the Kherson region remains part of Russia, the facts on the ground say otherwise, reports CNN.