VELYKE ARTAKOVE, Ukraine—Russian forces in the occupied southern Ukrainian city of Kherson appear to be laying the groundwork for a withdrawal, but Ukrainian officials warn that their enemy could be seeking to suck precious armored units into debilitating urban combat. As Ukraine’s forces press toward Kherson, one of the biggest prizes Russia seized after invading in February, Moscow’s military wants to sap their strength while avoiding the kind of chaotic withdrawal it recently carried out in the northeast.

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