![[Img #74664]](https://thelatestnews.world/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/James-Watson-The-controversial-genius-behind-the-double-helix-150x150.jpg)
First modification:
Moscow announced on October 19 that it is preparing an offensive in the Kherson region, in southern Ukraine. Russia said between 50,000 and 60,000 people would be “evacuated” and banned civilians from entering the area. In addition, President Vladimir Putin has declared martial law in four regions that he claims as his own. The announcements come amid mounting pressure for a Ukrainian counteroffensive to recapture territories occupied by invading forces.
Kherson, in southern Ukraine, could be the scene of an intensifying battle between local forces and invading troops “in the very near future.”
The authorities installed by Moscow in the region – recently annexed by the Kremlin through referendums described by the West as “illegal” – warned that they will soon launch a renewed offensive, at a time when they seek to stop the advance of the Ukrainian Army and retain control of the area. .
Shortly after this announcement, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that he declared martial law in the four regions of Ukraine that your Government claims as its own after the questioned consultations: Donetsk and Luganskin the east of the invaded country, and Kherson and ZaporizhiaIn the south.
This is a rule that imposes harsh restrictions. It limits the freedom of movement and expression, assembly and demonstration or the right to privacy in conversations, among other measures. In addition, it implies that the military state is imposed throughout the territory and the civil functions of the country remain in the hands of its Army.
“We are working to solve very complex and large-scale tasks to ensure a reliable future for Russia, the future of our people,” Putin said, justifying his decision in televised remarks to members of his Security Council.
Eight months after being invaded, Ukraine continues with major counteroffensives in the east and south of the country in an attempt to recapture as much territory as possible before the onset of winter.
Kherson is the most populated area occupied by the military sent by Vladimir Putin as part of what he calls a “special military operation”, which he has ordered against the neighboring country since February 24.
The homonymous city sits in a territory that Putin says is now officially part of Russia, after the unauthorized plebiscites were held and on which kyiv and the West denounced coercion towards the population.
Russia Urges “Evacuations” Of Kherson Inhabitants; kyiv maintains that they are forced departures
As a prelude to the battle, Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the local administration, urged residents to evacuate in a video, just as Moscow soldiers in the area have been forced to retreat between 20 and 30 kilometers in the last weeks.
Stremousov noted that the outskirts of the city of Kherson could be shelled by Ukrainian forces, adding that residents leaving would be “welcome back” to Russia.
“I ask you to take my words seriously and interpret them as a call to evacuate as quickly as possible (…) We have no intention of handing over the city, we will resist until the last moment,” said the Kremlin-imposed official.
Despite the fact that Moscow speaks of “evacuations” of civilians, kyiv has repeatedly denounced the forced departure of citizens to the invading country, including children.
While some people in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine have fled to the neighboring nation, as Ukrainian forces advance in a bid to retake their territories, others have reported being forced out by Russian authorities. Thousands more have left for western Ukraine and other parts of their country still controlled by local authorities.
This Wednesday, the Russian-appointed governor in Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, said that between 50,000 and 60,000 people would be “evacuated” to Russian territory.
The new commander of the Russian Army in Ukraine, Sergei Surovikin, said on Tuesday, October 18, that people were being “resettled” and described the military situation as “tense”.
“The enemy continually tries to attack the positions of the Russian troops,” Surovikin said in his first televised interview since he was appointed earlier this month.
Pro-Russian leaders said some 10,000 residents will leave each day as some Russian regions prepare for their arrival. More than 5,000 people have already left Kherson in the last two days.
The massive transfers, which began last Friday, October 14, are expected to last around six more days, according to Saldo, quoted by the Russian state news agency, Tass.
Moscow prohibits entry of civilians to Kherson
This is another of the measures taken by the Russians, with a view to launching the new battle for the region.
The governor appointed by the Putin Administration assured in the last hours that the entry of civilians will not be allowed for seven days.
Vladimir Saldo said Russian leaders there have the resources to cling to control of the city of Kherson and that the move is necessary to “keep civilians safe.”
Meanwhile, the Russian military continues to launch drone strikes that kyiv and the West say are supplied by Iran, destroying crucial civilian infrastructure.
As a result, thousands of inhabitants throughout the nation have been left without drinking water or electricity, at a time when temperatures drop and winter approaches.
With Reuters and AP
