Russia leaves Kherson retreating without a fight
2022.11.09 11:15
Russia leaves Kherson retreating without a fight
By Tiffany Smith
Budrigannews.com – On Wednesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu gave orders to his troops to leave the occupied Ukrainian city of Kherson and establish defensive lines on the other side of the Dnipro River.
As the war nears the end of its ninth month, the announcement marked one of Russia’s most significant retreats and a potential turning point.
Shoigu was informed by General Sergei Surovikin, who was in charge of the war overall, that it was no longer possible to supply Kherson City.
Standing at a lectern and indicating troop positions on a map whose details were grayed out for the television audience, Surovikin said, “Having comprehensively assessed the current situation, it is proposed to take up defense along the left (eastern) bank of the Dnipro River.”
“I understand that this is a very difficult decision, but we will preserve the most important thing – the lives of our servicemen and, in general, the group of troops’ combat effectiveness, which it is futile to keep on the right bank in a limited area,” the statement reads.
The news came after weeks of Ukrainian advances on the city and Russia’s race to ferry over 100,000 people to the other side of the river to move them.
One of the four Ukrainian regions that President Vladimir Putin declared in September he was incorporating into Russia “forever” and that the Kremlin stated had now been placed under Moscow’s nuclear umbrella, Kherson is the region’s main city.
Surovikin was told by Shoigu: I concur with your recommendations and conclusions. The lives and health of Russian soldiers are always our top priorities. The dangers to the general public must also be taken into consideration.
“Continue with the troop withdrawal and take all necessary precautions to ensure the secure transfer of personnel, weapons, and equipment across the Dnipro River.”
Influential war bloggers in Russia had anticipated the announcement, which they characterized as a devastating blow.
The War Gonzo blog, which has more than 1.3 million Telegram subscribers, stated, “Apparently we will leave the city, no matter how painful it is to write about it now.”
It stated, “Kherson simply cannot be held with bare hands.” Yes, this is a dark chapter in the Russian army’s history. of Russia’s government. A bleak page.”
Kirill Stremousov, Moscow’s second-in-command in Kherson, was killed in a car accident on Wednesday, adding to the sense of disarray in Russia.
Stremousov was one of Russia’s most well-known occupiers. He was viewed as a coward and a traitor by Ukraine.
Stremousov condemned Ukrainian “Nazis” in a video statement just hours before his death and stated that the Russian military was in “full control” of the situation in the south.
