Russian Forces In Kherson ‘Virtually Cut Off’ As Ukraine Counter-Attacks To Take Key City, U.K. Says

Topline

Russian troops occupying the city of Kherson have been “virtually cut off” from the main invading force, the U.K. defense ministry said on Thursday in its daily intelligence update, as Ukraine’s military continues to mount a counter offensive in the country’s south to retake the key city.

Key Facts

In its daily update, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said Ukraine’s counter attack in the region is “gathering momentum” and it has managed to damage at least three key bridges the Russian military was using to resupply its troops to the west of Dnipro river.

The update adds that Russia’s 49th Army, which is deployed along the western bank of the Dnipro, “now looks highly vulnerable.”

The city of Kherson is both politically and symbolically important for both sides as it is the most significant Ukrainian city under Russian occupation outside the eastern-half of Ukraine which has been the primary focus of Moscow’s offensive.

According to the BBC, Ukrainian forces have successfully deployed batteries of long range rocket artillery—including the U.S.-made HIMARS system—to gain the upper hand in the counter offensive.

The Ukrainian military now expects Russia to send more reinforcements to defend Kherson.

Crucial Quote

Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security Council, said on Wednesday evening: “The enemy is moving the maximum number [of forces]… a very powerful movement of their troops has begun on the Kherson front, and they are moving in additional forces…I want to say that in any case the victory will be ours.”

Big Number

290,000. That’s the total population of Kherson prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. This makes Kherson one of the most populous cities captured by Russian forces.

Key Background

Kherson was one of the first major Ukrainian cities to be captured in the early days of the invasion. Russia has managed to capture other larger cities like Mariupol and Luhansk, but unlike those cities, Kherson did not witness protracted fighting, high numbers of civilian casualties or a near complete destruction of infrastructure. Instead, the Kremlin has used Kherson as a propaganda tool by carrying what Ukrainian officials say are “sham referendums” and “fake social polls.” Administrators installed by Moscow in Kherson have also mandated that all newborns in the city will be granted Russian citizenship. Kherson’s Russian-installed officials are now trying to push through a referendum to formally accede to Russia.

Further Reading

Kherson: Ukraine stepping up counter offensive to retake city (BBC News)

Kherson: How is Russia imposing its rule in occupied Ukraine? (BBC News)

Moscow says babies born in occupied Kherson will automatically get Russian citizenship. (New York Times)