The Ukrainian army has targeted Kherson. After the success of the counter-offensive in Kharkov, this region in the south of the country, which was occupied by Russian troops, comes next under Kiev’s control.
Last week, Selenski’s forces said they were able to recapture more than 400 square kilometers of territory in the region. The battle continues this week.
Russia’s defense ministry confirmed on Thursday that Ukrainians attempted to breach Russian positions in Kherson. According to spokesman Igor Konashenkov (56) these were divested. Specifically, the Ukrainian army is said to have attacked in Novaya Kamenka and Chervony Yar on the right bank of the Dnipro.
“They want to surround us”
The town of Beryslav is about 40 kilometers from Chervony Yar. There the Ukrainian counterattack apparently causes great concern among the Russian soldiers. At least a sound file from the Ukrainian secret service should prove that. The authenticity of the recording cannot be verified. It is also not clear when exactly it should have been made.
According to the Secret Service, it was a tapped telephone conversation. In it, the soldier has to tell a woman what it is like at the front. “There is an exchange of gunshots. It seems like they want to ‘take us in a cauldron’ to surround us. The news came that they want to go to Beryslav. If they take Beryslav, it’s over: either we wipe them away or we just swim across the Dnipro to survive.”
The soldier says he does not understand why his colleagues cannot stop the Ukrainians. “If our troops can’t hold them there, on the right flank, we’ll be surrounded.” The woman then laughs. Why is unclear.
“I hope they can’t catch us in a month and then I can go home from here. I’m sure I won’t be surrounded by anyone there,” the soldier continues.
residents evacuated
The Ukrainian counterattack in Kherson has been a big topic for several days. The administration of Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin (70) is therefore evacuating citizens from the region.
As BBC Russia writes, residents received a text on Wednesday asking them to evacuate urgently “due to the threat of shelling from the Ukrainian armed forces”. You can take a maximum of 50 kg of luggage with you.
According to the head of the administration Vladimir Saldo (66), 7,000 people have already been taken to the left bank of the Dnipro in small steamers. “We estimate that we want to resettle 50,000 to 60,000 people on the left bank and, if you want, in other regions of the Russian Federation,” Balance said on Wednesday.
“Difficult decisions”
Putin’s new general, Sergei Surovikin (56), spoke for the first time on Tuesday. “Our further plans and actions regarding the city of Kherson will depend on the evolving military and tactical situation. It’s very difficult today.”
It cannot be ruled out that “difficult decisions” will have to be made, according to Surovikin. It is unclear whether he means a retreat from Kherson or is planning a brutal attack. Surovikin gave no further details about his plan. (Man)