- Dec 29, 2008
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A Ukrainian military spokesperson is claiming that Russians are beginning to depart a territory they previously occupied.
Ukraine's Southern Command spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk told Ukrainian Channel 24 that Moscow-installed proxies on Kherson's east bank are beginning to evacuate, "taking away documentation and looted things" as they leave.
Russian forces retreated Kherson in November due to Ukrainian pushback, though last month began shelling again along the Dnieper River in southern Ukraine to "degrade civilian morale," as described by the British Ministry of Defense.
Kherson oblast was one of four territories annexed by Russia last September via what the West has referred to as a sham referendum, with the others including Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia.
"This is a sign that another 'gesture of goodwill' is being prepared," Humeniuk said, parroting a phrase that has become routine in the Kremlin lexicon to mask previous retreats from Kyiv and Snake Island.
She also claimed that the Russian military is using the civilian population on the Black Sea coast in Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts as "human shields."
"They are placing their firing positions, including MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems), right in the backyards of local residents," she said. "This makes it difficult for us to respond, but it's not completely impossible."
Ukrainian forces continue to monitor Russian maneuvers and intentions, she added, expressing optimism for "good results" soon.
Clearly, there is a stench of desperation about the Russians.
Ukraine's Southern Command spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk told Ukrainian Channel 24 that Moscow-installed proxies on Kherson's east bank are beginning to evacuate, "taking away documentation and looted things" as they leave.
Russian forces retreated Kherson in November due to Ukrainian pushback, though last month began shelling again along the Dnieper River in southern Ukraine to "degrade civilian morale," as described by the British Ministry of Defense.
Kherson oblast was one of four territories annexed by Russia last September via what the West has referred to as a sham referendum, with the others including Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia.
"This is a sign that another 'gesture of goodwill' is being prepared," Humeniuk said, parroting a phrase that has become routine in the Kremlin lexicon to mask previous retreats from Kyiv and Snake Island.
She also claimed that the Russian military is using the civilian population on the Black Sea coast in Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts as "human shields."
"They are placing their firing positions, including MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems), right in the backyards of local residents," she said. "This makes it difficult for us to respond, but it's not completely impossible."
Ukrainian forces continue to monitor Russian maneuvers and intentions, she added, expressing optimism for "good results" soon.
Clearly, there is a stench of desperation about the Russians.
