KHERSON, Ukraine—In this recently retaken southern Ukrainian capital, the celebratory dancing to music on the main square has been replaced by a more humdrum physical activity: jostling for bread and water.
When Russia pulled its forces from Kherson earlier this month, they left it with no electricity, water, heat or cellphone service. Ukrainian officials have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis and urged those who left during the occupation not to return. Similar challenges are emerging elsewhere in the country, too, as the impact in Russia’s shift in strategy toward pummeling civilian infrastructure becomes clearer as winter sets in.