Officials estimate just 50,000 people remain of a pre-war population of 279,000, and they are now advising the rest to leave, as long as the city remains within range of Russia's guns across the river. In an address to the Russian people, Mr Putin said his country had "various weapons of destruction", adding: "I'm not bluffing.". The latter; if they come at all, will be too late for the defenders timetable. Kyiv, Ukraine CNN As Ukraine ramps up its offensive to retake Russian-occupied territory in the country's south, its forces have regained four villages and broken through Russian defenses. Russia stated that babies born in Kherson Oblast would automatically receive Russian citizenship, implying that Kherson was a part of the Russian Federation. However, there were some signs of a shift in tone from Russian state media and pro-war reporters and bloggers regarding the pullback and Kremlin-ally and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov stated that if there were no changes to the Russian special military operation, then he would contact the Kremlin to explain the situation on the ground. In the past week, Ukrainian forces targeted Russian ground lines of communication, ammunition depots and military and transportation assets. "I am not thinking about leaving.". Ukrainian authorities are investigating hundreds of disappearances and cases of physical or sexual abuse of detainees by the former occupiers. Russian troops withdrew from the key towns of Izyum and Kupiansk, saying that the retreat would allow its troops to "regroup". [157] Ukrainian forces had also regained control of the village of Kyselivka, fifteen kilometers northwest of Kherson. He said his administration evacuates about 100 people from the city daily on trains and buses on a voluntary basis. [54] In late May, Ukraine launched minor attacks on the border between Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk Oblasts. [83] Ukrainian authorities urged civilians in Zaporizhzhia Oblast to evacuate, suggesting that a major counteroffensive was soon to come. Covers energy, agriculture and politics in Western Canada with the energy transition a key area of focus. These days, the central square is deserted. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces are defending in Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts but are trying to create conditions that will allow Russian forces to conduct offensives in some unspecified areas . A key bridge into the city of Kherson is now out of action after Ukrainian forces struck . [140] The same day, Russian officers were reported as withdrawing from Snihurivka while some troops remained. Ukraine said Wednesday that its military has killed more than 200 Russian soldiers so far amid a counter-offensive to recapture the southern Kherson region. Ukraines 81st Airborne Brigade trooper takes cover during a Russian rocket attack near the town of Siversk in Donetsk Oblast on July 5, 2022. If the highway is cut off by Ukraine, Russian forces would have no way of getting across the Dnipro. On 11 July, the Ukrainian army reported that it had recaptured the village of Ivanivka[uk] in Kherson Oblast. As part of a counter-offensive operation, Ukraine would likely seek to block the occupied city, cut the Russian garrison off from supplies and reinforcements, and hold the blockade until Russia surrenders. (Ukrinform/via REUTERS ). Russian sources also reported that Ukrainian forces liberated settlements on the Lyubomyrivka-Bilaivka-Novoolesandrivka line. An anonymous Western official stated that the explosions, possibly caused by a Ukrainian attack, had "put more than half of [the Russian] Black Sea fleet's naval aviation combat jets out of use. Russias logistical stretch in Kherson is the longest out any others in its war in Ukraine. [138][139] On 5 October, the pro-Russian deputy head of the Kherson region, Kirill Stremousov, stated that Russian forces were "regrouping" in order to "strike back" at Ukrainian troops; he added that the Ukrainian advance had been "halted" and therefore it was "not possible" for the AFU to break through to the city of Kherson. May 29, 2022. Two weeks ago, a Russian Grad rocket slammed into his apartment building roof. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. [131] Ukraine also claimed to have retaken Oleksandrivka on 13 September. Ukraine's military says it has broken through Russia's first line of defence in the occupied Kherson region. UK foreign minister raises BBC tax searches, India says laws are for all, Greece train crash kills at least 38 people, many of them likely students, Reporting by Rod Nickel in Kherson, Ukraine Russian military commanders had reportedly requested to retreat to more defensible positions, but President Putin had intervened and forbidden any retreat which would give up Kherson city. Liked Sir Foccus and Sir Scradges comments. Thank you! They cant have a wholesome line of trenches. However, a Russian milblogger reported that Ukrainians were making progress toward Vysokopillia further north, though the overall situation at the northern frontline remained unclear. [63] A Ukrainian general stated on 15 June that if Ukraine were supplied sufficient weapons, it would be able to mount a massive counteroffensive by the summer. But this scenario has the chance of inflicting the least amount of damage on Kherson, unlike what Russian forcesdid in their siege of Mariupol. Enter your email to follow this blog and receive customized notifications of new posts by email. [130] The mayor of Melitopol reported that Russian forces were abandoning the city and were moving to Russian-held Crimea. [176] Contradicting Khlan, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed on 15 December that Russia had begun forcibly deporting civilians from Ostriv Velykyi Potomkin, indicating that Russian forces controlled the island.[177]. Russian forces are continuing to conduct ground attacks near Bakhmut and Siversk.Ukraine says it has successfully held off the latest assaults, with intense fighting concentrated on the road network. This first phase would only be considered successful once Russian forces are blocked and cut off from supplies and reinforcements. That's according to a Thursday update from British defense and intelligence officials. [168] During Zelenskyy's speech in Kherson on 14 November, the NOS described the situation on the ground as "a sort of unspoken ceasefire", and that "both belligerents had taken a kind of break and were not extensively shooting at each other." "But if the situation gets worse I will leave.". Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Just as important to Russia's southern strategy is its. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine continued to conduct air strikes in the area, with Ukraine's Southern Operational Command claiming successful hits on three river crossings (Antonivka and Darivka bridges, and the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant) and two Russian battalion tactical groups. If the West get the weapons to Ukraine, including planes, there is no reason why they cant evict the orcs from Kherson. [52] The Ukrainian military took advantage[53] with attacks in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, forcing Russian troops out or several fortified positions south of the Inhulets river. Ukrainian forces continued to advance south in the direction of Nova Kakhovka, and geolocated footage showed that they liberated Mykhailivka, Havrylivka, and Novooleksandrivka along the T0403. On 10 August, an unnamed Ukrainian military official told Politico that the counteroffensive had begun in earnest on 9 August. This is likely Russias least saturated front-line sector since Russia has given the top priority tohostilities in Donbas, where it has deployed nearly 50 BTGs within the most crucial zone between Izium and Bakhmut. The latest Ukrainian advance came after months of successful attacks on Russian positions on the west side of the Dnipro River, aimed at disrupting Russian supply lines. On 9 December, some Ukrainian officials, such as presidential advisor Oleksii Arestovych and Lieutenant Colonel Konstiantyn Mashovets, as well as some unofficial Russian sources, claimed that Russian forces, specifically the 80th Arctic Motor Rifle Brigade, 25th Spetsnaz Regiment, and 4th BARS Special Combat Army Reserve, had re-occupied the island following a successful amphibious operation. Multiple precision strikes using Himars made Russian positions on the west side of the river impossible to resupply. Rod Nickel. Should Russian S-300s, S-400s, Tor-Ms, and Buk-Ms air defense systems be largely suppressed particularly by the HIMARS which have already proved capable of destroying S-400s in occupied Luhansk on July 13 Ukrainian Bayraktar TB2 drones would have a green light to strike. [112][113][114], From 1 to 2 September, Russian milbloggers reported further Ukrainian advances, but also a series of successful Russian counter-attacks. Due to the lack of roads in the oblast and few bridges across the Dnipro River, Russian logistics are slower in Kherson. [65] On 7 July, Ukraine retook Snake Island,[66] affording Ukraine access to valuable sea channels and grain export lanes. [152] In late October, Ukrainian Chief of Intelligence Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov said that at least 40,000 Russian forces were present on Kherson including Naval Infantry, Special forces and VDV Airborne troops. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. This is one of the favoring factors behind a potential Ukrainian counter-offensive. On the same day, Russian forces took control of Blahodatne (referred to by the Russian Ministry of Defense as Komsomolsky) about 45km east of the town of Mykolaiv and a 12 square kilometer zone of control. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ", "Kherson region to integrate into Russia's system of education regional authorities", "How Russia Took Over Ukraine's Internet in Occupied Territories", "Russia hands out passports in occupied Ukraine cities", "The Russian Occupation of Ukraine's Southern Regions", "Ukraine latest updates: 600 Ukrainians held captive in Kherson", "ACLED Regional Overview Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia (4 10 June 2022) Ukraine | ReliefWeb", "A creeping annexation. Russian forces operating in the East are believed to include regular Russian troops, mobilised servicemen, Wagner private contractors, Chechen units and personnel from the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. On July 12, social media users and local media in occupied Melitopol posted videos showing an endless Russian military column moving towards Kherson. May the rashists reinforcements and supplies be cut off and destroyed. The Dnipro River is nearly 350 meters wide near the city. Glory be to God!!! He moved to a friend's house and is staying in the city for now. To show key areas where advances are taking place we are also using daily updates from the UK Ministry of Defence and BBC research. Kherson, a gateway to Crimea, is the only regional capital that Russia has managed to capture since the war began on February 24th. They will have to make do with the Slovakian MiGs. [17] According to Pantelis Boubouras, Greece's honorary consul in Kherson, the Ukrainians had relatively easily broken the Russian first line of defense near Kherson city, but had encountered much stiffer resistance at the Russian second line of defense in the area. Russian forces began an occupation of Kherson Oblast on 2 March,[34] and the occupation authorities immediately began to consolidate their control over these territories. May God and His Holy Angels fight for Ukraine and this just cause. [127], On 13 September, that Russian forces had withdrawn from Kyselivka, a settlement 15km from Kherson. The situation in Ukraine is fast moving and it is likely there will be times when there have been changes not reflected in the maps. Legal Statement. [151], In late October 2022, Ramzan Kadyrov acknowledged the deaths of 23 Kadyrovites and the injury of 58 others in a rare announcement acknowledging casualties. Aug. 29, 2022, 8:37 AM PDT. Ale hlavn Ponomarenkv pln odhaluje, asi nechtn, souasnou ruskou strategii, a ukazuje, jak moc byl dosud ukrajinsk generln tb hloup, kdy pijal zpsob boje, kter si Rusov vysloven pej! He has reported about the war in eastern Ukraine since the conflicts earliest days. "We will stand here," said Ihor Vlasenko, 60, who works for a heating company. [142] Ukrainian forces reached the village of Novopetrivka. Ukraine's army is waging its first major offensive against the Russians. Not Antoniuk, 46, who says he's going nowhere: "It's my city. Meanwhile, Russian forces have launched major missile strikes on the Kyiv and the Chernihiv regions. Ukrainian forces have slowly been regaining ground on the southern front, and are reportedly poised for a major counter-offensive towards the city of Kherson. [1] The 109th DPR Regiment was a conscript unit which was known to serve on garrison duty in the Kherson area. The Russian forces originally aimed towards capturing the major port city of Odesa from the southeast, but were forced back following their defeat at the Battle of Voznesensk, and ultimately only succeeded in occupying a small part of Mykolaiv Oblast, most notably Snihurivka. [38] There were also widespread allegations of Russian authorities abducting hundreds of Ukrainian civilians across occupied territories. [179] Thus, Russian frontlines in Kharkiv oblast were left relatively unprotected to Ukrainian advances. [26] On 9 October, Ukraine said it recaptured 1,170 square kilometers of land. [147] On 18 October, General Sergei Surovikin, the new commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, said in Russian TV that the defence of Kherson was "not easy" and that The enemy continually attempts to attack the positions of Russian troops.[148] Michael Clarke projected that the Ukrainians were engaged in a Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) operation over Kherson Oblast. Market data provided by Factset. Britain's Defence Ministry said Ukrainian forces have probably established a bridgehead south of the Ingulets River, and had used new, long-range artillery to damage at least three of the bridges crossing the Dnipro. [182], Preparation phase and initial offensive announcements, Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 20:01, Russian militarycivilian administration in Mykolaiv Oblast, Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, annexing Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts, United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/4, Ukrainian resistance during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, automatically receive Russian citizenship, Minister of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, Antonivka Road Bridge 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, "Ukrainian Counteroffensive Underway in Kherson Region", "Ukrainian troops took back 4 villages in the south from Russian occupation, military source tells CNN", "Zelenskyy Hails Kherson Victory, Cautions Vigilance", "Ukraine war: Celebrations as Kyiv takes back key city Kherson", "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, NOVEMBER 13", "The Ukraine war in maps | Kherson retreat largest withdrawal of Russian troops since Kyiv", "Ukraine troops enter centre of Kherson as Russians retreat in chaos", "The Commander of the Southern Front Lives to Fight Another Day", "A more strategic Russian retreat signals long fight ahead in Kherson", "As Russian Losses Mount in Ukraine, Putin Gets More Involved in War Strategy", "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 29", "UAF Gain Ground in Kherson and Donbas Sectors, Dozens of RF Armored Vehicles Claimed Destroyed", "Rivers At Their Backs And Ukrainian Brigades Closing In, A Lot Of Russian Troops Might Need To Learn To Swim", "Ukraine regains Kherson villages from Russians", "Ukraine retakes more territory in southern Kherson region", " - | Big Kyiv", "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 30", "Ichkerian Battalion Fighters Liberate Village Of Arkhangelske In Kherson Region", "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, OCTOBER 3", "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 4", "Ukraine starts a push to recapture Kherson, a crucial Russian-occupied city", "Ukraine Situation Report: Another Week, Another Fired Russian General", "Shoigu orders withdrawal of troops across Dnieper River", "Day 224, October 5. 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