Russia has launched a massive shelling of the city of Kherson, recently recaptured from Ukrainian troops, and the surrounding area. In more than 50 attacks, residential buildings were also hit by shells, military governor Yaroslav Yanushevich reported on Sunday in the Telegram news channel. As a result, at least one person was killed and two injured. Many civilians fled the city, the situation is still precarious (see video above).
Under pressure from Ukrainian attacks, Russian troops evacuated Kherson in mid-November after more than eight months of occupation. The situation in the city, which once had a population of some 300,000, is also critical due to the destruction of power lines and infrastructure. Civilians poured out of the southern Ukrainian city on Saturday, fleeing shelling. On the outskirts of Kherson, a mile-long line of trucks, vans, and cars formed, some with trailers or carrying pets and other belongings.
Seven dead in 24 hours
A total of seven civilians have been killed by Russian attacks in 24 hours in different Ukrainian regions, according to the Presidential Office in Kiev. Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk reported on Sunday that three civilians were killed.
Meanwhile, the authorities in the capital Kiev report good news: the military administration announced that the supply of electricity, water, heat and the mobile network in the three-million metropolis has been almost completely restored. The capital was without power for four days due to Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had criticized Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko in an unusually candid manner. The former world boxing champion then warned of political disputes.
Heavy Russian losses in Donetsk
Meanwhile, according to British intelligence, Russia has claimed many casualties in the hard-fought Donetsk region. Heavy fighting was taking place around the towns of Pavliwka and Wuhledar in the south of the region, with heavy casualties for Russian marines, according to a report from the British Ministry of Defence. London also sees the fighting as a sign that Russia sees the region as a possible starting point for a northward offensive.
Despite losses, the Estonian government does not consider neighboring Russia to be significantly weakened. “We have to be honest and clear: the Russian Navy and Russian Air Force are more or less the same size as they were before the war,” Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said. Although the land forces had clearly lost their strength, before the start of the war on February 24, they would be the size or even larger ‘sooner rather than later’.
He also expects Russia to learn from the course of the war. “This means that in the coming years they will invest more in the skills they believe will be successful in Ukraine. We have no reason to believe that the threat from Russia has diminished, or that the threat to NATO has diminished.” Pevkur also warned of “war fatigue” in the West and called for more to be done for Ukraine. The defenders in particular would need anti-aircraft systems, heavy artillery and ammunition.
“Russia ready for a long war
Russia is in no hurry, Pevkur said. He assumes that Russia is “mentally ready for a long war”. However, given the heavy losses in the land forces – possibly now 50 percent – the leadership in Moscow wants “some kind of a break” to regain strength. Only in the spring of next year will it become clearer how long the war could last. Pevkur: “Will it take years? Hard to say.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
