The Russian army announces an upcoming evacuation around Kherson
Archive photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Sergei Surovikin by his side, in the Kremlin, in Moscow, in 2017. AP - Alexei Druzhinin
Text by: Anissa El Jabri Follow
2 mins
The Russian army said on Tuesday (October 18th) that the situation on the ground was "tense" for its troops in the face of a Ukrainian counter-offensive, particularly in Kherson, whose population was to be evacuated soon, after several significant setbacks by Russian forces in the east and south.
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From our correspondent in Moscow,
Never in modern Russian history has a general at the head of an armed intervention been so exposed to the general public.
Sergei Surovikin has been officially directing what in Russia is still called the special military operation in Ukraine for a few days.
Already, it often appears on Russian screens.
This Tuesday evening, with a serious face, it is he who is sounding the alarm on television.
The situation is "
very difficult
" especially in Kherson, he said.
Ukrainian strikes target civilian infrastructure and disrupt the city's electricity, water and food supply.
It is therefore, he specifies, a “
direct threat to the lives of the inhabitants
”.
The army will therefore proceed to evacuate them.
For the pro-Russian governor of the region, this will also allow “
the military to do their job in a qualitative way and with fewer losses for the civilian population
”.
Governor of Kherson region Vladimir Saldo:
Ukraine has declared all-out war on Russia and is now accumulating huge forces in the Nikolaev and Krivorozhye directions.
The Russian army is also accumulating forces to counter a possible counter-offensive.
The situation threatens the inhabitants of the Kherson region.
Under these conditions, we have taken the only decision that can reduce the risks for civilians.
I announce the voluntary relocation of residents of Berislav, Belozersky, Aleksandrovsky and Snigirevsky districts.
Our army has very strong capabilities to repel any attack.
But for the military to work calmly and not think that the civilians are behind them, you have to leave the areas I have named.
Pessimism also about the situation for Russia in this area among military correspondents.
One of them said this Tuesday evening: “
What will become of Kherson?
The situation will tell us.
Territory can always be recovered, dead soldiers never.
»
This Wednesday is held again in Russia a security council.
Lawmakers were also told they were going to work late.
Russia expects new strong measures.
“
The very fact that Surovikin gives an interview is an event.
The army expresses itself, it has found a face and a certain incarnation
,” notes political scientist Tatiana Stanovaya.
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