Russian forces tell civilians to leave as they prepare new defensive positions on the east bank of Kherson
People walk to board a ferry during the evacuation of Jerson, Ukraine, on 31 October. (Photo: Alexander Ermochenko/Archyde.com)
Russian forces are preparing new defensive positions on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River in Kherson and are informing local civilians to move away from the area.
Kirill Stremousov, the Russian-appointed deputy head of Kherson’s military administration, confirmed Wednesday that the evacuation of civilians has been extended to the eastern bank of the river, a move Ukrainian officials describe as “evictions.”
Stremousov said in a Telegram video that Ukrainian forces had made no progress in breaking through the defense line. But a 15-kilometre (about 9-mile) zone on the eastern shore would be evacuated. “There is a certain list of settlements where the line of defense will be,” Stremousov said.
“No one is talking about a forced evacuation,” Stremousov insisted. “But we recommend that they listen to the military, because I myself see how the line of defense is being built directly on the plots of some people in the villages. … If hostilities break out, the soldiers will be forced to evacuate them, since This can be dangerous.”
Stremousov also made a rare acknowledgment of reports of looting and drunkenness among Russian troops.
“As for the situation that may occur in the villages: we are talking about looting and drunkenness that some ignorant people who represent the Russian army can do now. You can contact me directly… I need you to inform me of all the facts: drunkenness , looting, humiliation or attempted violence,” he said.
On the Ukrainian side, the regional military administration in Jerson said active hostilities continue. “The enemy has bombarded the recently liberated villages of the district of Beryslav.” [en la orilla occidental]. Numerous damages and destruction of civil infrastructure were recorded,” he said.
The Ukrainian Army General Staff claimed that the administration of the Russian occupation of Kherson had been transferred to the city of Skadovsk, much closer to Crimea and close to the Black Sea.
Ukrainian officials said Russian troops are “preparing the territory of the Nova Kakhovka community for defensive battles.” In this regard, trenches are being dug along the “eastern shore line” for a distance of about 20 kilometers (about 12 miles).
The regional military administration also stated that the occupation forces “continue to abduct residents of the Kherson region”, especially in Nova Kakhovka.
The displaced mayor of an eastern shore community — Eugene Ryshchuk, mayor of Oleshky — said he was becoming a “bridgehead for hostilities.”
“We were led to choose: a difficult life in the evacuation or death in our homes,” he said.
He urged the population to do everything possible to survive and assured that “if you are taken to Russia by force, remember that the State of Ukraine will not abandon its people.”
Ukrainian authorities have frequently accused Russian forces of widespread and organized looting throughout Kherson, recently claiming that much of the stolen goods were taken to the city of Skadovsk.
This Wednesday, Yaroslav Yanushevych, head of the administration of the Jershon region, said Russian forces were looting the “largest light industry company,” a company that manufactures uniforms.
Yanushevych said that “occupants are taking out sewing machines, cutting tables, embroidery machines, office and computer equipment and other equipment with trucks.”
CNN has not been able to verify this claim.