Russian troops abandoning Kherson, Moscow’s puppet official says
Occupants want to flee Kherson before the Ukrainian Armed Forces enter it (Photo:REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)
Pressured by gradually advancing Ukrainian troops, Russian forces in Kherson Oblast are “most likely” withdrawing to the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, Moscow-appointed Kherson “official” Kyrylo Stremousov said in a video, widely circulated by pro-Russian social media accounts on Nov. 3.
Stremousov made the comment in a short interview with a Russian propaganda channel.
“Most likely, our troops will withdraw to eastern-bank-side of Kherson Oblast,” he said.
“Those who are still in Kherson City, should leave the city and move across the river, posthaste.”
Earlier on Nov. 3, numerous eyewitnesses said that Russian troops have abandoned their checkpoints in several towns across the region. Similarly, the Russian flag is evidently gone from Kherson Regional Administration building, which Moscow used as the headquarters for its occupation administration in Kherson Oblast.
The Ukrainian military, however, said the apparent withdrawal could be a ruse.
“This could be a provocation of some kind, hoping to create the impression that towns are abandoned and are free (for our troops) to enter,” Ukraine’s Operational Command South spokesperson Nataliya Humeniuk said.
“Given that the Russians were preparing for urban fighting, given how they were deploying their units – we are aware of their tactical plan.”
Head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, previously said the liberation of Kherson City could take most of November.
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