Russia evacuates people in southern Ukraine: comes counter-offensive?Russia evacuates people in southern Ukraine: comes counter-offensive?

Kherson

Russian forces have reportedly begun evacuating people from areas around the town of Kherson in southern Ukraine.

A Warning from the Ukrainian General Staff

The move would represent an anticipation by Putin’s country of a possible spring counter-offensive that Ukraine might be preparing.

Western Allies

The fact is that Ukraine’s Western allies are working to provide the country with the weapons it needs to confront Russia in the war that begins in February 2022.

Evacuating to Crimea

Ukraine’s General Staff noted that Russia plans to relocate the evacuees, specifically from Zaporizhizhia and Kherson, in Crimea.

Set for the end of April

“The invaders are spreading information that the forced evacuation of the civilian population will begin at the end of April,” the update on the war, provided by Ukraine’s government, said.

Veracity of the information

While it is difficult to verify the veracity of the statements from Ukrainian army sources, it appears this warning may be real, according to the New York Times.

Accumulation of forces

In early April, New York Times journalists Matthew Mopke Bigg and Yurii Shyvala wrote about the growing buildup of forces, on both sides, in southern Ukraine.

Counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia?

“In recent weeks, both Russia and Ukraine have concentrated their forces along the frontline in the Zaporizhzhia region, amid speculation of a possible Ukrainian counter-offensive there,” Bigg and Shyvala wrote.

Why an attack in the south makes sense

In theory, an attack in Zaporizhzhia could cut off Russian arms and supplies to Kherson.

Good for Ukraine

Thus, Ukrainian forces would achieve important victories.

Comments from the Head of the Kherson Regional Council

“I have information that the evacuation begins today with the excuse of protecting civilians from the consequences of the intense fighting in the area,” Oleksndr Samoylenko said on April 23, the New York Times reported.

Stealing What They Can

Samoylenko also reported that Russian troops are trying to “steal as much as they can” while evacuating.

Ukraine may have already crossed the Dnipro River

Samoylenko’s comments came just one day after unconfirmed reports from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) published a crucial piece of information.

Geolocation of Ukrainian troops on the eastern bank of the Dnipro

“Geolocation images published by a Russian military blogger on April 22 show that Ukrainian forces have established positions on the bank of the Dnipro River,” the report said.

Positions in Oleshky

The ISW analysts added that Ukrainian forces had taken up positions in Oleshky and also reportedly advanced sixteen kilometers from the town along the E97 highway.

Russia has evacuated people before

New York Times journalists Jeffrey Gettleman and Olha Kotiuzhanska assure us that Moscow has evacuated other civilian populations in a similar manner before previous major Ukrainian counterattacks.

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By admin