Russia on Wednesday ordered its troops to withdraw from the Ukrainian city of Kherson.

In an online interview with NHK, Ukrainian military expert Oleg Zhdanov said the decision is "catastrophic" for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But Zhdanov told NHK that he has yet to see a large-scale withdrawal of Russian forces from the front.

He added that they "are preparing for street fights," saying Russian forces are getting ready to change into civilian clothing and launch attacks from evacuated residential areas.

A port city located on the Black Sea, Kherson is strategically important for Russia after invading Ukraine.