Russian commanders have abandoned the city, captured in the first days of the invasion, leaving “discharged and leaderless” conscripts to face a Ukrainian advance. Analysts predict a Ukrainian victory by the end of the year. Kherson is the last Russian-held city on the west bank of the Dnipro, the river that bisects Ukraine. Officials said it would be “impossible” for Putin to maintain a military presence across the river if Kherson fell. The capture of the city was the first major Russian victory since the invasion in February, as troops swept in from Crimea in a rapid advance. With