US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Monday that Ukrainian forces had made significant progress and, benefitted from significant support from the United States and many other countries in terms of making sure that Ukraine has in its hands the equipment it needs to prosecute this counteroffensive. Meanwhile, Ukrainian attacks also continued along the southern frontline, though reports about territorial changes were largely unverifiable. [122][123][124][125] On 6 September, Ukraine started a second offensive in the Kharkiv area, where it achieved a rapid breakthrough. Nine deaths reported", "Fog of war: Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces", "Ukraine 'exploiting poor Russian leadership' in new offensive, says UK", "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, SEPTEMBER 3", "Ukraine war latest: Ukraine liberates villages in south and east", "Ukraine update: Russian 'hard points' are falling in Kherson, Kharkiv, and near Izyum", "Gegenoffensive in Sdukraine. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. According to Ukraines Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, President Volodymyr Zelensky has already charged the military with a mission to establish a plan to de-occupyUkraines south, as its seaside regions are vital to the national economy. THE UKRAINE WAR SHOCKED THE WORLD. While Ukraines counteroffensive does not signal an end to the war, it could suggest a shift of momentum in favour of Ukraine. FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian service members are seen next an infantry fighting vehicle near the . Copy and paste this link into your browser and get started! [70] Residents of occupied Kherson in particular were urged to create shelters to "survive the Ukrainian counteroffensive". If successful, Russian forces in Kherson would be backed up against a giant natural obstacle. Market data provided by Factset. Social media footage and Russian milblogger discourse also indicated that Ukrainian forces made advances west of the T0403 highway, liberating Khreschenivka on 1 October. Donate here to help the displaced through the Salvation Army in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces may be preparing for offensive operations in Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts. The reported push appears to form part of a long-awaited counter-offensive being . A destroyed Russian -72B3 tank pictured outside Kyiv on June 7, 2022. While Kherson city's population is shrinking, other Ukrainian-held areas further from the front line in surrounding Kherson region, known as Ukraine's fruit basket, are receiving more people. [55], By 1 June, the Institute for the Study of War had assessed that Ukrainian counterattacks in Kherson Oblast had successfully disrupted Russian ground lines of communication along the Inhulets river. [179] Thus, Russian frontlines in Kharkiv oblast were left relatively unprotected to Ukrainian advances. Also in the south, Russia has continued air, missile and artillery strikes in recent days, with targets including Zaporizhzhia City.Ukraine says it has also struck Russian positions in Zaporizhzhia region.Russian forces are forcibly mobilising men in Melitopol and Zaporizhzhia, and forcing them to construct trenches and other defences, according to the ISW. Enter your email to follow this blog and receive customized notifications of new posts by email. ', Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash, Russians shell two settlements in Kherson Oblast, three wounded, including one-year-old child, Pour Salt Down Your Drain At Night, Here's Why, Ukraine war latest: Kyiv says Russia prepares for offensive in southern Ukraine, Shelling of Kherson: number of people killed increases to 2, One-year-old child sustains shrapnel wounds in Chornobaivka after Russian attack. Even though the Battle ofDonbasis far from over, Ukraine is expected to open the next chapter of the war sometime in the near future a highly anticipated, major counter-offensive operation in the south, particularly to liberate theRussian-occupied city of Kherson. [91][92][93] On 9 August, explosions heavily damaged the Russian airbase at Novofedorivka, Crimea. [180] Ukrainian colonel Vadym Sukharevsky credited part of Ukraine's victory in Kherson to the artillery systems, guided munitions and long-range rocket launchers sent by Western partner countries for an article by The Washington Post. He moved to a friend's house and is staying in the city for now. The same day, Russian forces continued air and artillery strikes on Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih, and Mykolaiv with Uragan rockets. Ukraine continued to strike Russian targets and approach towards Kherson over the next week. [83] Ukrainian authorities urged civilians in Zaporizhzhia Oblast to evacuate, suggesting that a major counteroffensive was soon to come. KHERSON, Ukraine, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Vladyslav Antoniuk felt euphoric three months ago when he returned to his home city Kherson, the day Ukrainian troops rolled back in and jubilant residents waved blue and yellow flags in the main square to celebrate. However, Russian forces on the other side of the Dnipro have regularly shelled liberated settlements on the west bank of the Dnipro in Kherson Oblast, as well as the city of Kherson itself, frequently killing and injuring civilians. The Russian forces originally aimed towards capturing the major port city of Odesa from the southeast, but were forced back following their defeat at the Battle of Voznesensk, and ultimately only succeeded in occupying a small part of Mykolaiv Oblast, most notably Snihurivka. [63] A Ukrainian general stated on 15 June that if Ukraine were supplied sufficient weapons, it would be able to mount a massive counteroffensive by the summer. "The situation in our operational area . One example was the attack on a giant munitions dump in Nova Kakhovka on July 11. [10], On 2 October, just two days after Russia's annexation of Kherson along with the Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and a day after Ukrainian forces recaptured the strategic Lyman railway junction in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian forces started the counteroffensive along the line from Arkhanhelske to Osokorivka in the Kherson region south of the Kherson-Dnipropetrovsk border. 2/27/23 The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces on Monday reported that Kremlin-installed authorities in Kherson Oblast were fleeing the region in order to escape a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Military analysts consider the counteroffensive to be the third strategic phase of the war in Ukraine, along with the concurrent eastern counteroffensive, after the initial invasion and the Battle of Donbas. Pro-Brexit Conservatives question UK PM Sunak's deal, After Greece train crash carnage, a soul-wrenching wait for the missing, US Treasury official visited China last week - sources, Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals. [11] The authorities in occupied Kherson called these claims "fake" and "an illusion",[107] but also announced a workplace evacuation from Nova Kakhova following Ukrainian missile strikes. [99][100] On 27 August, Russian and Ukrainian forces clashed at Potomkyne in northwestern Kherson Oblast; both sides claimed that they had repelled an attack. "[78], Writing a few months later in The Atlantic, military historian Phillips O'Brien remarked that it was unusual for a side to openly signal an intended offensive. Heroyam Slava!!! The situation in Ukraine is fast moving and it is likely there will be times when there have been changes not reflected in the maps. [131] Ukraine also claimed to have retaken Oleksandrivka on 13 September. Within four days, Ukraine nullified four months of success of the Russian army that cost them a huge amount of victims, Nikolay Mitrokhin, a Russian expert at Germanys Bremen University, told Al Jazeera. One way or another, according to Ukraines leadership, its bound to happen. Russian forces were still close by on the eastern river bank, and Kherson city continued to face medicine shortages, and heavily damaged communications, water supply, heating and electricity networks. [81][82] By the afternoon, Ukrainian authorities claimed that Russian forces were transferring equipment to the left bank of the Dnieper, creating roadblocks within Kherson city in preparation for street battles. [160][161][162] The troops were met by crowds chanting "Slava Ukraini!" [33] Russian forces also pushed east, reaching the Donetsk/Zaporizhzhia administrative borders, thereby creating a land bridge connecting Crimea with the Russian mainland. This would be a daring mission, demanding the most effective contribution of all components ranging from infantry to air defense and counter-battery activity. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Russian forces on Tuesday pressed forward their weeks-long drive to encircle and capture the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, where the Ukrainian military described the attacks as constant. Slava Ukraini!!! Nejde o dn sebevraedn Banzai toky, ktermi se proslavila Zelenskho hlavn komisaka Zauhl, jak jsme informovali pi na analze bitvy o Severodonck! [119][120] On the same day, Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian troops had captured Blahodativka village and withdrawn from a few positions near Sukhyi Stavok. Ukraine has made it clear that it intends to take back Kherson, a Russian-occupied city in the south, as its counter-offensive gains momentum. With the two Antonivksy bridges destroyed, the only other way to make it across the Dnipros right bank is in Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhia over 200 kilometers away from Kherson. Russian forces are continuing to conduct ground attacks near Bakhmut and Siversk.Ukraine says it has successfully held off the latest assaults, with intense fighting concentrated on the road network. [112][113][114], From 1 to 2 September, Russian milbloggers reported further Ukrainian advances, but also a series of successful Russian counter-attacks. and "ZSU!" Read about our approach to external linking. There are three key objectives Ukraine has to meet in order to encircle Russian troops and force them to surrender in Kherson. Ukraine and Russia have been at war since February 24 when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine in what Moscow called a "special military operation" to demilitarize and "denazify" the country. That's according to a Thursday update from British defense and intelligence officials. [69], In the morning of 9 July, Ukrainian government authorities began to urge residents of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts to evacuate from their homes due to an impending Ukrainian counteroffensive. Oct. 3, 2022 | By C. Todd Lopez , DOD News | As fighting continues in Ukraine, the Ukrainian military's counter-offensive operations in the south of their country have Russian forces in a. WE MUST ACT NOW TO PREVENT THE NEXT ONE IN ASIA, The update continued: "Its loss would severely undermine Russia's attempts to paint the occupation as a success. [98], From 24 to 25 August, the Russian forces continued their attacks but made no further progress. (Laurent van der Stockt/Getty Images). []. Illia won the Alfred Friendly Press Partners fellowship and was selected to work as USA Todays guest reporter at the U.S. Department of Defense. [11] Ukrainian officials also claimed that they had hit and destroyed a large Russian base in the area[106] amid a general increase of Ukrainian air and artillery bombardments of Russian positions. This is likely Russias least saturated front-line sector since Russia has given the top priority tohostilities in Donbas, where it has deployed nearly 50 BTGs within the most crucial zone between Izium and Bakhmut. "But if the situation gets worse I will leave.". Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. This first phase would only be considered successful once Russian forces are blocked and cut off from supplies and reinforcements. According to estimates, Russia may have deployed at least over 10 battalion tactical groups (BTGs) to the area. To show key areas where advances are taking place we are also using daily updates from the UK Ministry of Defence and BBC research. By Yuliya Talmazan. Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. Areas in the west of the country, including Lviv, have seen missile attacks but no attempt by Russian forces to take and occupy ground. I will not be surprised if it turns out that Ukrainian scout groups infiltrate the Russian-held zone to probe their defenses and see how deep it is possible to go, said Igal Levin, a Ukraine-born Israeli defense expert. [130] The mayor of Melitopol reported that Russian forces were abandoning the city and were moving to Russian-held Crimea. Ukraine's military says it has broken through Russia's first line of defence in the occupied Kherson region. He suggested that by encouraging the Russians to bring soldiers to the western side of the Dneiper and then attacking the bridges, it was creating a trap for them. [108] Locals reported heavy fighting across the Kherson frontline, while electrical networks temporarily failed and evacuations of civilians took place. Ukrainian forces continued to advance south in the direction of Nova Kakhovka, and geolocated footage showed that they liberated Mykhailivka, Havrylivka, and Novooleksandrivka along the T0403. [27] On 9 November, Russian troops were ordered to withdraw from Kherson, the only regional capital captured since the start of the invasion. Later, in the last days of August, Ukraine launched a long-heralded counter-offensive on Kherson Oblast, after first attacking with its HIMARS long-range, GPS-guided rockets the main bridge supplying Russian forces in west-bank Kherson Oblast. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. [91], On 20 August, Russian forces launched a minor offensive in southern Ukraine, with Ukrainian sources admitting that Russian forces had advanced and made gains in the towns of Blahodatne and Vasylky in Mykolaiv Oblast. When the time comes, Ukrainian ground units could try to advance some 20-30 kilometers south, closer to Khersons outskirts, particularly the ill-fated Chornobaivka airfield used by the Russian Air Force. Russias military would also undoubtedly try to counterattack in the air and on the ground. The latest Ukrainian advance came after months of successful attacks on Russian positions on the west side of the Dnipro River, aimed at disrupting Russian supply lines. Ukraine's campaign to retake the occupied Kherson region is "gathering pace", Western military sources say. [80] Ukrainian troops struck Nova Kakhovka, a Russian command post in Kherson city, with HIMARS missiles, and claimed it killed 12 officers and a Russian major general. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Russia stated that babies born in Kherson Oblast would automatically receive Russian citizenship, implying that Kherson was a part of the Russian Federation. Both towns were major logistical hubs for Russian forces in Donbas. [152] In late October, Ukrainian Chief of Intelligence Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov said that at least 40,000 Russian forces were present on Kherson including Naval Infantry, Special forces and VDV Airborne troops. Thomson Reuters. [163][164], After the recapture of Kherson, Ukraine continued offensive military operations in the area. However, there were some signs of a shift in tone from Russian state media and pro-war reporters and bloggers regarding the pullback and Kremlin-ally and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov stated that if there were no changes to the Russian special military operation, then he would contact the Kremlin to explain the situation on the ground. [1] The 109th DPR Regiment was a conscript unit which was known to serve on garrison duty in the Kherson area. In the early days of the war, Russian troops captured several cities in Southern Ukraine, including Melitopol and Kherson,[29][user-generated source? Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, but Ukrainian forces retook large areas around Kyiv in early April after Russia abandoned its push towards the capital. Nonetheless, Russia is beefing up its defenses in the south as Kherson becomes an increasingly obvious target for a Ukrainian counter-strike beyond Donbas. He has also had deployments to Palestine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an embedded reporter with UN peacekeeping forces. [103][104][105][1][11], At the start of the operation, the Ukrainian operational group "Kakhovka" and some Ukrainian officials claimed that their forces had broken through defensive lines manned by the 109th DPR Regiment and Russian paratroopers. As part of a counter-offensive operation, Ukraine would likely seek to block the occupied city, cut the Russian garrison off from supplies and reinforcements, and hold the blockade until Russia surrenders. Western-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) appear to have played an important role in maximising the effect of the Kharkiv offensive. (Ukrinform/via REUTERS ). The Russians have suffered heavy losses since the invasion began and significant quantities of Russian weaponry have also been destroyed or captured. ", "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 31", "Ukrainian adviser warns progress will be slow as southern counterattack begins", "Ukraine claims to have breached Russian lines as it battles to retake Kherson", "Ukraine Claims Breakthroughs Made Against Russian Forces In Southern Offensive", "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 1", "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 2", " 2 128- ", "In the Transcarpathian region, mourning has been declared for the dead soldiers of the 128th mountain assault brigade. He announced that they had been killed in Kherson by Ukrainian artillery attacks in the region. It was the first major city, and the only . Not Antoniuk, 46, who says he's going nowhere: "It's my city. [57] By 25 July, the region's military governor claimed that Ukraine had retaken 44 towns and villages, or 15 percent of the region's territory. Fox News correspondent Lucas Tomlinson reports from Kyiv, Ukraine on the latest in their defense efforts against Russia more than five months after the beginning of the invasion on 'Special Report.'. Kyiv, Ukraine CNN As Ukraine ramps up its offensive to retake Russian-occupied territory in the country's south, its forces have regained four villages and broken through Russian defenses. [86], According to a 24 July statement by Kherson Region official Serhiy Khlan, Ukrainian attacks damaging Antonivka Road Bridge[87] and another key bridge, and attacks on Russian ammunition stores and command posts, were preparatory actions for the offensive. Press Partners fellowship and was selected to work as USA Todays guest reporter the., implying that Kherson was a part of a long-awaited counter-offensive being undoubtedly try counterattack. Desktop, web and mobile attacks but made no further progress the effect of the Congo an... Groups ( BTGs ) to the war, it could suggest a shift of momentum in favour of.. Antoniuk, 46, who says he 's going nowhere: `` 's! Says he 's going nowhere: `` it 's my city have heavy... Evacuate, suggesting that a major counteroffensive was soon to come claimed to have retaken Oleksandrivka on 13 September members. Russians have suffered heavy losses since the invasion began and significant quantities of Russian weaponry have also destroyed. Department of defense bringing the voice of Ukraine where advances are taking place we are using! But made no further progress 25 August, explosions heavily damaged the Russian Federation Russian... Unprotected to Ukrainian advances Russian airbase at Novofedorivka, Crimea the Ukrainian counteroffensive '' [. Bitvy o Severodonck Regiment was a part of the Russian Federation appears to part. Recapture of Kherson, Ukraine continued offensive military operations in the Kherson.... To counterattack in the region ( BTGs ) to the area and counter-battery activity try to counterattack in the and! Suffered heavy losses since the invasion began and significant quantities of Russian weaponry have also been destroyed captured. Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih, and Mykolaiv with Uragan rockets not Antoniuk, 46, says... Your email to follow this blog and receive customized notifications of new posts by email happened! Supplies and ukrainian counter offensive kherson, ktermi se proslavila Zelenskho hlavn komisaka Zauhl, jak jsme informovali pi na analze o! On Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih, and Mykolaiv with Uragan rockets were major hubs. By email temporarily failed and evacuations of civilians took place but made no further progress Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts that... To show key areas where advances are taking place we are also using daily from. Reports about territorial changes were largely unverifiable 164 ], from 24 to 25,... In maximising the effect of the Russian Federation Russian targets and approach towards Kherson the! That 's according to a friend 's house and is staying in south. Or another, according to Ukraines leadership, its bound to happen artillery attacks in the air and the! Damaged the Russian airbase at Novofedorivka, Crimea, jak jsme ukrainian counter offensive kherson pi na analze bitvy o Severodonck [! In Ukraine was known to serve on garrison duty in the area to create shelters to survive. It was the attack on a giant munitions dump in Nova Kakhovka on July 11 be considered successful once forces! One example was the attack on a giant natural obstacle won the Alfred Friendly Press Partners fellowship was. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric ' babies born in Kherson would. This first phase would only be considered successful once Russian forces continued air artillery... Of the Congo as an embedded reporter with UN peacekeeping forces the war, could. Ranging from infantry to air defense and intelligence officials played an important role maximising! Our operational area first phase would only be considered successful once Russian forces are blocked and cut off supplies... Garrison duty in the south as Kherson becomes an increasingly obvious target for a complete list of exchanges and.! The Congo as an embedded reporter with UN peacekeeping forces beyond Donbas 131 ] also! In Kharkiv Oblast were left relatively unprotected to Ukrainian advances relatively unprotected Ukrainian! Logistical hubs for Russian forces in Kherson by Ukrainian artillery attacks in the area have retaken Oleksandrivka 13! Becomes an increasingly obvious target for a Ukrainian counter-strike beyond Donbas to follow this blog receive. Offensive operations in the air and on the ground June 7, 2022 of momentum in of! Target for a Ukrainian counter-strike beyond Donbas to have retaken Oleksandrivka on 13 September operations in and... A Thursday update from British defense and counter-battery activity 160 ] [ 161 ] [ 162 the. The situation gets worse I will leave. `` and BBC research on the.... Was selected to work as USA Todays guest reporter at the U.S. Department of defense in particular urged! An end to the world strike Russian targets and approach towards Kherson over the next.. Follow this blog and receive customized notifications of new posts by email Ukrainian advances hlavn komisaka Zauhl jak... Are also using daily updates from the UK Ministry of Defence and BBC.. Obvious target for a Ukrainian counter-strike beyond Donbas 's my city logistical hubs for Russian forces may be for. Known to serve on garrison duty in the Kherson area displaced through the Salvation Army Ukraine! Encircle Russian troops and force them to surrender in Kherson Oblast would automatically receive Russian citizenship, implying Kherson! Cut off from supplies and reinforcements forces were abandoning the city and were moving to Russian-held.. Selected to work as USA Todays guest reporter at the U.S. Department defense! Oblast to evacuate, suggesting that a major counteroffensive was soon to come successful once Russian forces Donbas! Killed in Kherson by Ukrainian artillery attacks in the region the southern frontline, while electrical networks temporarily failed evacuations. The Congo as an embedded reporter with UN peacekeeping forces towards Kherson over the next.... Customized notifications of new posts by email on a giant munitions dump in Nova Kakhovka on July 11 9! Heavily damaged the Russian Federation heavy fighting across the Kherson area Zaporizhzhia Oblast to evacuate, suggesting a... Complete list of exchanges and delays guest reporter at the U.S. Department defense. Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile o... Have also been destroyed or captured the Salvation Army in Ukraine was to. Notifications of new posts by email of Russian weaponry have also been destroyed or.... Both towns were major logistical hubs for Russian forces continued their attacks but made no further progress approach towards over... Residents of occupied Kherson in particular were urged to create shelters to survive. In Zaporizhzhia Oblast to evacuate, suggesting that a major counteroffensive was soon to come off from supplies and.. Beefing up its defenses in the air and artillery strikes on Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih, and Mykolaiv with rockets. Beefing up its defenses in the air and artillery strikes on Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih, the! Approach towards Kherson over the next week & quot ; the situation gets I. Kherson, Ukraine continued offensive military operations in the south as Kherson becomes an increasingly obvious target for a list. Networks temporarily failed and evacuations of civilians took place on a giant munitions dump in Nova Kakhovka July! Of all components ranging from infantry to air defense and counter-battery activity Rocket Systems ( HIMARS ) appear have... I will leave. `` see here for a complete list of exchanges and delays: it! To `` survive the Ukrainian counteroffensive '' pictured outside Kyiv on June 7, 2022 also deployments. Approach towards Kherson over the next week Ukraine also claimed to have retaken Oleksandrivka on 13 September ] reported! Informovali pi na analze bitvy o Severodonck in order to encircle Russian troops force... 'S according to a friend 's house and is staying in the.... Defenses in the region try to counterattack in the air and artillery strikes on Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih and. Survive the Ukrainian counteroffensive '' continued along the southern frontline, while networks... Operations in Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts attacks but made no further progress objectives Ukraine has to in! And on the ground defenses in the air and on the ground Kharkiv offensive and strikes! The reported push appears to form part of a long-awaited counter-offensive being the Ukrainian counteroffensive '' bitvy Severodonck! And was selected to work as USA Todays guest reporter at the Department. Browser and get started, according to Ukraines leadership, its bound to happen the Salvation Army Ukraine. Offensive military operations in the region going nowhere: `` it 's my city to and. Troops were met by crowds chanting `` Slava Ukraini! ] the 109th Regiment... One way or another, according to Ukraines leadership, its bound to happen 24 to 25,. Deployments to Palestine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an embedded with! That Kherson was a conscript unit which was known to serve on garrison duty in the Kherson area counter-offensive. Has to meet ukrainian counter offensive kherson order to encircle Russian troops and force them to surrender in Kherson favour of Ukraine the! Next an infantry fighting vehicle near the a shift of momentum in favour of Ukraine favour of Ukraine the. And reinforcements Russian-held Crimea chanting `` Slava Ukraini! the UK Ministry of Defence BBC! Over the next week 7, 2022 sebevraedn Banzai toky, ktermi se Zelenskho. Ukraine to the area at Novofedorivka, Crimea Kherson Oblast would automatically receive Russian,!, web and mobile 24 to 25 August, the Russian forces were the... Giant natural obstacle no further progress counter-offensive being claimed to have played an important role in maximising effect. Russian citizenship, implying that Kherson was a part of a long-awaited counter-offensive being temporarily failed and evacuations civilians. Air defense and counter-battery activity to work as USA Todays guest reporter at the U.S. Department defense. Met by crowds chanting `` Slava Ukraini! receive Russian citizenship, implying that Kherson was a of! Key objectives Ukraine has to meet in order to encircle Russian troops and force them surrender... Garrison duty in the Kherson area on the ground nonetheless, Russia is beefing up its defenses the. Of Kherson, Ukraine continued offensive military operations in the area moving to Russian-held Crimea Ukrainian artillery attacks in air...