Several reports are circulating on the situation in the southern port city of Kherson. The battle for the Ukrainian city has been in the air for weeks. Russian troops allegedly ransacked the empty houses and “deported” the inhabitants from the city. They would be preparing for major street fights, Ukrainian media reported Monday.
Kherson’s population of nearly 300,000 would have been forced to leave by force. Moscow says residents are being turned away for security reasons. Many thousands would have already left.
Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaks of “violent deportation” and expects a fierce battle in the region. However, Ukrainian troops say “not only will they be kicked out of their homes and will do everything possible to recapture the area”. According to the army, the Russians disguise themselves in civilian clothes and take sides for bitter street fighting. Russia denies the allegations.
Residents of the Kherson region were left in the cold and dark due to Russian rocket attacks on Sunday and Monday. They were cut off from electricity and water for 48 hours. Both sides accuse each other of sabotaging the energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, part of the region has the power again.
The battle for Kherson has been lurking for weeks
Of the recently mobilized Russian soldiers, 50,000 are now said to actively participate in the war against Ukraine. The others are still in Russian training camps, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Interfax news agency on Monday.
Some of these troops are said to be present in Kherson. Ukrainian media reports on 20,000 Russian soldiers surrounding the city. At the same time, Ukrainian troops had long been preparing a counter-offensive to recapture the city. The battle for the city has been lurking for weeks, but after the so-called deportations it seems to be getting a little closer.
Due to its strategic location on the Dnipro River, Kherson is advantageous to own for both parties. From there it is easier to take or recapture other areas of Ukraine.
