Russia announces retreat from Kherson, but Ukraine remains skeptical; Sean Penn 'lends' Zelenskyy his Oscar: Live updates

The commander of Russian forces in Ukraine said Wednesday that his troops will withdraw from the crucial port city of Kherson in the south, a major setback reflecting the Kremlin's increasing struggles to turn back a counteroffensive that has returned hundreds of square miles of seized land to Ukrainian control.

The announcement was met with skepticism by Ukrainian officials, who have been wary their troops may be lured into a trap by Russian forces girding for urban warfare in the industrial city on the west bank of the Dnipro River.

General Sergey Surovikin, speaking on Russian state TV,  said retreat from the only regional capital seized since the war began in February was "a hard decision." But he told Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu the move would spare the lives of troops and allow for establishment of a better defensive position. Ukrainian attacks have cut off supply lines and crossing points, leaving Russian troops vulnerable to encirclement.

"Having assessed the situation, I propose to take up the defense along the left bank of the Dnipro River," Surovikin said. Shoigu agreed and ordered him to begin the retreat.

Ukraine presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak warned on Twitter against trusting "staged TV statements'' and said, "We see no signs that Russia is leaving Kherson without a fight.''

Conceding Kherson, the largest city in a province of the same name – one of four regions illegally annexed by the Kremlin – would represent another big embarrassment for the Russians after they were repelled in their early attempt to claim Kyiv and later driven out of Kharkiv in the northeast.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Joe Biden noted that Russia had waited until after the midterm election to announce the pullback, saying the move provides "evidence of the fact that they have some real problems, the Russian military.”

Other developments:

►Russian President Vladimir Putin will skip next week's Group of 20 summit because of concern about the hostile reaction he might get from other world leaders for invading Ukraine, Bloomberg reported.

►Almost 70% of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is incapacitated and "can't carry out any offensive actions," Yigal Levin, a military expert and former officer of the Israel Defense Forces, told Ukraine Radio NV.

►The U.N. General Assembly scheduled a vote for Monday on a resolution that would call for Russia to be held accountable for violating international law by invading Ukraine, including by paying reparations, the Associated Press reported.

►Britain will provide Ukraine's armed forces with 25,000 sets of extreme cold weather clothing by mid-December, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. The U.K. will also send a further 12,000 extreme cold weather sleeping kits and 150 heated tents, "ensuring troops are able to operate and survive the plunging temperatures."

►All Ukraine regions will be subjected to emergency outages, in addition to the scheduled rolling blackouts, grid operator Ukrenergo said. Russian attacks have destroyed or damaged 40% of the country's energy infrastructure.

THIS WEEK: Russian fighters mock 'great generals' after heavy losses 

THE NEWS COMES TO YOU: Get the latest updates on the situation in Ukraine

Sean Penn leaves Oscar with Zelenskyy, to be returned 'when you win'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Sean Penn exchanged awards in Kyiv, but the actor wants to get his back -- once Ukraine has won the war.

Penn, who's working on a documentary about the Russian invasion and has been an anti-war activist for years, presented Zelenskyy with one of the two Oscars he has won for best actor, saying: “When you win, bring it back to Malibu. Because I feel much better knowing there is a piece of me here.”

The exchange was captured in a video released Wednesday by Zelenskyy's office, which did not specify when it took place. In a tweet, the president called Penn's gesture “a symbol of faith in the victory of our country.''

Zelenskyy also had an award for Penn, the Ukrainian Order of Merit, given to citizens for outstanding achievements in economics, science, culture, or military or political activity.

Sudden death of pro-Kremlin official in Kherson stuns, raises questions

No initial evidence of foul play has been reported in the sudden death of Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of Russia's occupation government in Kherson province, but its backdrop lends itself to suspicions.

Stremousov, who posted public updates about the war almost daily, was killed in a car crash Wednesday, according to Russian and Ukrainian media. His death was confirmed by his boss, Kremlin-appointed Kherson regional head Vladimir Saldo.

The Kyiv Independent, an outlet created by former journalists from the shuttered Kyiv Post, said Stremousov "headed local pro-Kremlin groups'' before the invasion and "welcomed the Russian occupation of Kherson and became a key pro-Russian voice in the region.''

Underground Ukrainian resistance fighters in Kherson have sabotaged and assassinated Kremlin-appointed officials, but it's not known whether Stremousov, 45, was the target of those actions.

'Wrongful detentions': Brittney Griner moved to unknown prison

The Biden administration said Wednesday it is pressing Russia to improve the living conditions for WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was being transferred from a holding cell to a longer-term penal colony, according to her lawyers.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued a statement reiterating that the administration has made a "significant" offer to the Russians to resolve the "unacceptable and wrongful detentions" of Griner and fellow American Paul Whelan.

At a news conference later in the day, President Joe Biden said efforts to negotiate a deal for Griner's freedom with Russian President Vladimir Putin have not relented.

"My hope is that now that the election is over, Mr. Putin will be able to discuss with us and be willing to talk more seriously about a prisoner exchange,'' Biden said. "That is my intention. ... I am determined to get her home and get her home safely, along with others.''

Griner, 32, was transferred last week to a detention center north of Moscow and is now on her way to an unknown penal colony, her legal team said Wednesday. She was convicted on drug charges Aug. 4, six months after she was taken into custody at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage; Griner said she had accidentally packed them. She is serving a nine-year sentence; Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence in Russia on charges of espionage. Read more here. 

Crimean Bridge repairs won't be finished until September

The Russian-built Crimean Bridge that was severely damaged last month is unlikely to be fully operational until next September, British officials reported.

Russian efforts to repair the bridge continue, but it is unlikely to be fully operational until next autumn, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry. Repair works would cause disruption to road traffic until March 2023, and replacement of the damaged rail bridge has been contracted for completion by September 2023, it wrote.

Russia claims midterm elections reflect fading US support for Ukraine

Early returns from Tuesday's midterm elections show U.S. support for Ukraine and its fiery president is declining, a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of the Russian Security Council, claimed on Telegram that support for "grandfather Biden is flying away, support for the U.S. course in the world is decreasing, and the bet on the stubborn hetman was a big mistake." The term "hetman" references military leaders, in this case Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Biden administration and Congress have shown overwhelming financial support for Ukraine's military. A shift in control of the U.S. House, however, could land Rep. Kevin McCarthy in the speaker's office. McCarthy has warned that Congress will provide no "blank check" for Ukraine.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Live updates: Russia announces Kherson withdrawal; Ukraine skeptical