Russian collaborators ordered citizens to leave Russia. They are currently ruling the Kherson Oblast in Ukraine.
The Russian-appointed head of Ukraine’s Kherson Region has warned that hostilities could escalate and declared that civilians would be evacuated from the region.
Vladimir Saldo announced the “organized, gradual displacement” of four cities located on the right bank Dnieper River.
Saldo said that he made the difficult, but correct decision to announce the transfer of the civilian population from the Berislav and Belozersky municipalities to the left banks of the Dnieper. Saldo also stated that civilians cannot live in military areas.
Saldo released a video accusing Ukrainian forces, in which they are accused of plotting against the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric stations’ major dam.
Russian Aerospace Forces Commandant and General Sergei Suvovikin, the Russian military commander, followed up with a statement that seemed less optimistic about the future.
Surovikin speaks: “Our plans in the city of Kherson will depend on the tactical military situation that is already very uneasy. We will seek to protect the lives of civilians and our service members. We will act in a timely manner, without excluding the most difficult decisions.” pic.twitter.com/9wUPUrcMVl
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) October 18, 2022
A quick note on terminology. The orientation of river banks depends on which way you face downstream. This river is called Dneiper. It runs from northeast to southwest.
Although the evacuation order seems simple, it is not difficult to see why. Some placenames are repeated within the same region.
Berislav’s evacuation suggests the Russians may abandon the northeast salient, reducing the defense line. It might not seem as appealing to abandon territory in a province that was annexed just a few weeks ago.
This is only the beginning of a series of civilian evacuations. These bridges have a lifespan of approximately one year.
I’m not sure if the Ukrainians claim they may demolish Nova Khakova Dam. This would render the Russian positions on Russia’s left bank untenable, and make their barge/pontoon bridge attempts a lot more difficult since the left bank would flood.
And if you want to avoid a flood, you need to move everyone to the Right bank of Dnipro, not left https://t.co/VkcWIVNUXg pic.twitter.com/AsKfAQtlwk
— Liveuamap (@Liveuamap) October 18, 2022
This equation says that the dam will have massive repercussions for all of Crimea as it controls the water supply.
We’ll know a lot more as we see how this situation develops. So with that, I’ll leave you with these words of wisdom.
Zelensky’s counterattack on Kherson and Nikolaev has been a complete disaster. Total defeat for the Ukrainian side.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 29, 2022
