Russia unlikely to leave Kherson without a fight, Ukraine says
Mykhailo Podolyak (Photo:Office of the President)
There are no signs that all Russian troops are retreating from Kherson and leaving the occupied city undefended, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said in a Twitter post on Nov. 9.
“Actions speak louder than words,” said Podolyak.
“Ukraine sees no sign that Russia is leaving Kherson without a fight. A significant portion of Russian troops remains in the city, additional reserves are being drawn to the region.”
Podolyak noted that Ukraine is liberating territories based on intelligence data, and not on “staged televised announcements.”
On Nov. 9, commander of Russian forces in Ukraine Sergei Surovikin reported to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, advising that Russian troops should “take up defense” along the left bank of the Dnipro River. Shoigu then ordered the troops to prepare for a retreat from Kherson.
Russian state media reported that Moscow-appointed Kherson “official” and collaborator Kirill Stremousov died in an alleged car accident.
Earlier, Kherson regional councilman Serhiy Khlan said that Russians have blown up all the bridges in the western part of Kherson Oblast, and in Kherson City itself. Occupation “authorities” have also begun to remove Russian flags from buildings across the city.
There was also evidence of intense battles for Snihurivka, Mykolaiv Oblast, adjacent to Kherson Oblast. Liberating Snihurivka would open the way for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the city of Kherson.
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