Ukraine claims to have retaken 29 towns and villages in the south of the nation in the previous week, when its forces pushed through Russian lines and swept aside some of Moscow’s best troops in another fast offensive.
The counteroffensive in Kherson, which follows a series of stunning breakthroughs 200 kilometers along the frontline in the country’s north-east, is a fresh embarrassment for Vladimir Putin and his faltering invasion.
In a rare public rebuke of the Kremlin’s top brass, a Russian-installed official in the region insulted Moscow’s generals and suggested that defence minister Sergei Shoigu, one of Putin’s closest supporters, should shoot himself.
Kirill Stremousov, a thuggish anti-vaccination blogger who was chosen deputy head of the annexed region, lambasted the’ministers, generals, crooked looters, and other assorted vermin’ at the defense ministry for failing their ‘heroes’ on the frontline.
He praised firmness Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya, is a pro-war cheerleader who has criticized military failures and requested “more severe measures” such as “the use of low-yield nuclear weapons.” Putin has elevated Colonel-General Kadyrov.
If accurate, the assertion by a Ukrainian official that Chechen units have been ordered to fire on withdrawing Russian forces echoes the infamous Soviet tactics employed by Joseph Stalin during World War II.
Yesterday, social media videos depicted the surrender of a Russian tank crew in Kherson and Ukrainians proudly dragging captured military vehicles. In their disorderly retreat from the east last month, Moscow forces abandoned many pieces of armor.
Yesterday, social media videos depicted a Russian tank crew surrendering in Kherson and Ukrainians gleefully dragging captured military vehicles.
Three Russians are seen exiting a BMP-2 tank with their hands raised in what appears to be a surrender agreement.
Ukrainian forces have advanced at least 20 kilometers along the western bank of the Dnieper River, destroying vital bridges to cut off supplies and prevent enemy escape, and are attempting to trap enemy forces with a daring pincer maneuver.
Natalia Humeniuk, a military spokesperson, stated that Ukrainian forces had liberated more than 400 square kilometers and were “advancing” in multiple directions.
She noted that they were already facing conscripts rounded up during Putin’s recent panicky mobilization, which has caused as many as one million men to escape Russia. She stated, “They are not particularly well prepared and are primarily employed as cannon fodder.”
The counterattack on the Russian troops, who have been trapped for weeks under severe shelling and have struggled to resupply food, fuel, and ammunition, is based on plans refined with American and British advisors in the summer.
However, after battling for weeks to advance, there are rumors that the Russian soldiers may be retreating to entrench themselves around the city of Kherson.
Due to the strategic importance of Kherson, which supplies water to Crimea and serves as the entry to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, Putin reportedly instructed generals to dispatch their best remaining soldiers to protect the territory.
Kirill Stremousov, a Russian-installed official, has spoken out against the’ministers, generals, crooked looters, and other assorted vermin’ in the defense ministry who betrayed their ‘heroes’ on the battlefield. Pictured: Russian forces surrendering in Kherson to Ukrainians
Analysts say Ukraine is advancing on two fronts towards Beryslav, a city on the banks of the Dnieper around 50 kilometers south of recently retaken villages. It is envisaged that this will divide the Russian forces in half and trap thousands of soldiers.
“If Ukraine approaches Berislav from two sides, they can encircle the Russian forces,” warned Polish defense analyst Konrad Muzyka. They want the Russians to go without fighting, thus they are attempting to create the conditions for their withdrawal so they can safeguard cities from the devastation witnessed in Mariupol.
After declaring Russia’s unlawful annexation of Kherson and three other occupied territories during last month’s bogus referendums, only to see his sputtering military machine driven into retreat, pressure is mounting on Putin.
According to Ukrainian data, Moscow has lost 61,330 soldiers, 2,449 tanks, and 266 aircraft. The slaughter in battles against inadequately trained and ill-equipped conscripts dispatched to the frontline sickens Ukrainian soldiers.
One combatant remarked, “I have never seen so many dead, soon-to-be-dead, and wounded people in my life.”
Yesterday, three individuals were murdered by missile attacks in Zaporizhzhia, the only remaining capital of the occupied territories. There is concern that the attack portends a Russian assault on the city.
Additional reporting: Kate Baklitskaya