Seeking to avoid another major failure, Putin has become more hands-on with his commanders, refusing their requests to retreat from the last Ukrainian city under Russian control

Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved to further integrate himself into the war's strategic planning efforts as he loses his grasp on the conflict.

According to The New York Times, Putin decided to stay in Kherson, the last city in Russian control, despite pleas from commanders to leave.

According to the Times report, withdrawing from Kherson would save lives and equipment, but would also be a blow to Putin's plan. The Russian president has been studying the strategic planning of the war in order to counter some of the wishes of Russian forces on the ground.

Michael Kofman, director of Russia studies at a defense research institute, told The Times that there has been a mismatch between Putin's political objectives and the military means to achieve them. Putin has delayed recognizing the reality until the options became worse.

According to the US and UK, Putin's recent actions show that his war efforts are not succeeding.

Russian troops were forced to flee or attempt to disguise themselves as locals after Ukrainian forces regained control of most of the city. As the number of Russian troops dwindles, the move marked a major victory for the Ukrainians. As protests erupted in Russia this week, a portion of the public disapproved of the war.

In an interview with The Times, Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the situation in Ukraine is very fluid. The strategic initiative has shifted to the Ukrainians, but it's too early for a full assessment.

Milley said that there is still a long road ahead.