Ukraine is apparently preparing a major operation around Cherson in the south of the country. According to Russian sources, Kyiv has massed tens of thousands of soldiers in the region. According to their own statements, the occupiers are preparing to withdraw - but call it something else.
The Ukrainian army has gathered tens of thousands of soldiers to liberate the occupied Cherson region in the south of the country, according to Russian sources. So far, the situation is "stable" and a possible offensive has not yet begun, said the deputy head of the occupation administration, Kirill Stremoussow, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. But an attack is expected. So far, there has been no information from Ukraine.
According to Russian information, the attempt by the Ukrainian armed forces to recapture the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has failed for the time being. "The fight lasted several hours, at least three to three and a half hours," the state news agency RIA quoted Russian official Vladimir Rogov as saying. The Russian troops repulsed the attack.
In March - i.e. shortly after the start of the Russian war of aggression against the neighboring country - Cherson fell into Russian hands as the only Ukrainian regional capital. President Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of the region to Russia in October. Internationally, the illegal annexation is not recognized. The Russian soldiers on the right bank of the Dnipro are largely cut off.
The head of the Russian occupation administration of Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, announced the evacuation of civilians from the right bank of the Dnipro. Saldo spoke of "about 50,000 to 60,000" people who were to be taken to the left bank or to Russia. This will take about six days. Boats are already waiting, said Saldo. According to the agency TASS, the residents of the area have already been informed of the plans by SMS. Before the war almost 300,000 people lived in the city.
The new commander-in-chief of Russian troops in Ukraine, Sergei Surovikin, had described the situation in the front section as difficult the previous evening. Ukraine is shelling houses and infrastructure in Kherson. Artillery hits made the crossings over the Dnipro River impassable. That complicates the supply. "We will act carefully and in good time, and we will not rule out difficult decisions," said Surovikin. This was taken as an indication of a possible withdrawal.
