Херсон

Ukraine‘s SBU Uncovers Traitor Aiding Russian Artillery Strikes on Kherson

Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) personnel in Kherson have detained a local resident suspected of collaborating with occupying forces to direct artillery fire onto the city. The incident was revealed by the SBU’s Telegram channel.

The 34-year-old man, identified as the culprit, had been secretly working with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) via a specialized chatbot. His main tasks involved relaying information on Ukrainian military positions and the aftermath of attacks.

Investigation so far suggests the man volunteeringly contacted Russian military forces, offering his services in exchange for payment. After each strike, he would venture to the impact sites, document the damage, and transmit the coordinates, scale of devastation, and casualty reports to the enemy.

Additionally, the malefactor gathered data on the location of checkpoints, military bases, and troop numbers near Kherson’s coastline, which he then passed on to the Russian side to help refine targeting for further strikes.

SBU officers apprehended the traitor near his home, seizing a mobile phone containing evidence of his illegal activities during a search.

Under Articles 111, part 2, of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, he faces charges of high treason committed during a state of emergency. If convicted, he could receive a life sentence with property confiscation.

The operation was conducted by SBU’s Kherson region branch in conjunction with the regional prosecutor’s office.

Russians Launch Guided Air Bombs in Kherson, Injuring Civilians and Starting Fires

Authorities have confirmed that Russians released three guided air bombs (КАБ) in Kherson, resulting in civilian injuries and igniting fires. One of the bombs struck a private residence, causing it to collapse.

Emergency services managed to extract a man and a woman from the rubble, both of whom were rushed to the hospital. An 85-year-old woman suffered from concussion, along with blast and closed head injuries. Another woman showed signs of acute stress reaction. The incident also affected an enterprise and a kindergarten, leading to the outbreak of fires.

Later Updates

A few hours later, Mrochko reported two additional casualties – men aged 52 and 62 who were outdoors when the KAB hit. The 52-year-old was hospitalized with facial injuries, concussion, and closed head injuries.

As of 12:20 pm, the number of injured civilians has risen to six.

Title: Russian Drone Strike Hits Civilian Bus in Kherson, Killing One and Injuring Six

In a horrifying attack, Russian forces targeted a passenger bus in the Kорабельний район (Kорабельный район) of Kherson on Monday, January 6, using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The strike resulted in one fatality and six injuries, as confirmed by Roman Mrochko, the head of Kherson’s military administration, via his social media channels.

The incident occurred on a bus traveling along route number 3. Among the injured is a 66-year-old driver from the Kорабельний район council, and a 21-year-old passenger who suffered severe blast and fragment wounds. The deceased has been identified as Vladimir Ivanovych Shum, a 50-year-old specialist in the ecology department of the Kherson city council’s housing and utilities management. Shum was the last remaining environmental specialist physically working in the Kherson community.

"Russian terrorists have killed the only environmental specialist currently working in the Kherson community," Mrochko stated, condemning the attack.

The strike has drawn widespread condemnation, with many viewing it as another tragic consequence of Russia’s ongoing hostilities in the region. The use of drones to target civilians is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

Image 1: Scene of the incident (Photo: Kherson OVA)
Image 2: Emergency services attending to the injured (Photo: Kherson OVA)

Russian Occupying Forces Strike Ukrainian Town, Injuring Eight, Including Children

In a recent development, Russian occupying forces launched artillery strikes on the Ukrainian town of Belozeryk, resulting in injuries to eight civilians, including two children. The incident was reported by the Kherson Regional Military Administration (OVA).

Initial reports indicated that a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl sustained shrapnel and head injuries, along with concussions. The boy also suffered a shrapnel wound to his forehead. They were rushed to the hospital by an emergency medical team. A 21-year-old man was also hospitalized after sustaining a shrapnel wound to his neck.

Subsequently, it emerged that three more women were injured while in a house during the strike. Two women, aged 43 and 62, suffered shrapnel and head injuries, along with concussions. Another local resident, a woman, sustained a shrapnel wound to her forearms and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

As of 14:40, the number of injured rose to eight. Two men aged 51 and 52 were hospitalized with shrapnel and head injuries, as well as concussions.

These recent attacks follow a pattern of increased Russian shelling in the Kherson region and its right bank. Russian forces are reportedly preparing for an offensive in the area, planning to deploy up to 4,000 troops. They have been actively attacking the islands in the Dnipro estuary and around Kherson. Belozeryk, too, has been a frequent target for Russian forces, with a massive strike on the town in November last year resulting in civilian casualties.

Stay informed about the ongoing war in Ukraine with our Telegram channel, providing urgent and important updates.

Russians Deserting in Droves: Putin‘s Troops Face Widespread Dissent in Kherson Region

Dozens of Russian soldiers have been fleeing the occupied territories in Ukraine‘s Kherson region, with cases of desertion and self-harm escalating. Faced with this growing issue, the Russian command has deployed additional forces from the National Guard (Rosgvardia) to act as blocking units to prevent further desertions.

The sudden surge in desertions is being attributed primarily to the soldiers’ unwillingness to lay down their lives for what they view as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reckless ambitions. Sources indicate that these troops, who have since vanished, have been replaced by fresh arrivals from Russia, further straining the occupiers’ resources.

Meanwhile, in an effort to house their troops, the Russian command has resorted to seize empty dwellings and accommodations previously occupied by the Ukrainian locals. The occupying administration has reportedly compiled lists of suitable premises along the Dnieper River, where soldiers are being redirected to fulfill this task.

The situation in Kherson appears to be increasingly dire for the Russian forces, with morale dwindling and discontent amongst their ranks threatening to undermine their control over the region. As the Ukrainian resistance persists, so too does the internal struggle tearing at the fabric of the Russian army in occupied Kherson.

Ukrainian Forces Foil Enemy Landing Attempt on Dnieper Island; Russian Attacks in Kherson Escalate

In recent developments, the enemy has continued its assault and shelling efforts along the Dnieper River frontline. A statement from the Ukrainian military spokesman revealed, "Over the past day, the enemy persisted in its attempts to land on Snake Island. However, these attempts failed, with the enemy incurring losses in equipment and personnel."

The spokesman, Volo Shin, also mentioned that among the enemy’s losses were boats, rivercraft, and personnel. Notably, these disputed islands at the mouth of the Dnieper River serve as a flashpoint between Ukrainian and Russian forces, with control over them potentially securing Russian forces on the right bank of the Kherson region.

This latest foiled landing attempt follows a wave of Russian attacks in the Kherson region. The region’s capital, Kherson, remains under Russian occupation, with the enemy perpetrating daily shelling on Ukrainian-controlled territories. Recent reports suggest an escalation in both artillery strikes and the activity of sabotage groups attempting to infiltrate the right bank of the Kherson region.

For the latest updates on the war in Ukraine, follow RBC Ukraine on Telegram.

Ukraine and Russia at War News | Top Headlines on the conflict …”>Ukraine Fends Off Russian Forces in Kherson Region; Moscow Spreads Disinformation

In the Kherson region of Ukraine, Russian forces are attempting to mount amphibious operations on nearby islands. However, Ukrainian forces have been reportedly repulsing these attacks, inflicting losses on the Russian side, according to a Ukrainian military spokesperson.

"We’re seeing Russian attempts to land on specific island locations via inflatable boats," said the spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous. "Our forces are effectively countering these moves, causing Russia significant losses in this process."

Interestingly, the spokesperson also shed light on Russian disinformation efforts, saying, "Moscow’s propagandists are spreading panic about an impending assault on the city of Kherson, but this isn’t accurate. There’s no intention of that at the moment."

He further explained, "The main threat facing Kherson continues to be Russia’s drone, artillery, and air attacks, as has been the case previously."

The spokesperson’s remarks come as Ukraine continues to battle Russian forces, with both sides claiming tactical victories. The conflict, now nearing its fifth month, has seen Russia struggle to gain significant ground in recent weeks, leading some analysts to suggest a shift in military strategy.

As the situation on the ground remains volatile, the international community maintains its support for Ukraine, condemning Russian actions and imposing sanctions on Moscow. The conflict’s outcome remains uncertain, with both sides digging in for what could be a prolonged struggle.

Headline:
Russian Offensive Strategy: Assessment from "Return Alive" Foundation Director Taras Chmut

Subhead:
Potential Limited, but Risks Highlighted for Key Ukrainian Cities

Article:

Ukraine’s security situation remains fluid as Russian forces continue their push. In a recent interview with "Ukrainian Truth," Taras Chmut, the director of the "Return Alive" foundation, offered insights into Moscow’s potential movements and the challenges Ukraine faces.

Herson: The River and the City
Chmut emphasized the significance of the Dnieper River, which acts as a natural barrier against Russian advances on Herson. Whilender, the potential for a Russian river assault remains, with Chmut noting that the invaders have studied the area and could find success in this tactics due to the limited value they place on human life. Russian strategies to depopulate the city through targeted strikes on infrastructure and terror tactics further exacerbate the situation.

Moreover, Ukraine’s control over the river’s islands is crucial to prevent Russian drone (FPV) attacks and artillery strikes from the right bank.

Zaporizhzhia: A Long Journey
Chmut acknowledged Russia’s efforts to capture Zaporizhzhia but noted that the distance between their current positions and the city poses significant challenges. Despite the city’s being under constant fire, Russia’s progress has been limited.

Dnipro and Kharkiv: Similar Dynamics
The situation in Dnipro and Kharkiv is comparable to Herson and Zaporizhzhia, with Russian forces attempting to impose chaos through relentless shelling and attacks on infrastructure. Each city’s distance from the frontlines of the active conflict moderates its immediate risk.

Potential Risks and Strategic Considerations
While Chmut asserts that Russia lacks the capability to seize Herson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, or Kharkiv outright, the potential for localized gains remains. Disorganization within Ukrainian forces could lead to significant territorial losses, with the degradation of defense lines exceeding mere kilometers.

Chmut’s Interview: Watch Full Interview

Breaking: Russia‘s Next Assault – Massive Jonger on the Horizon

Intelligence sources have revealed to RБK-Ukraine that Russia’s preparations for an offensive on the right bank of Kherson are even more advanced than those for an intensification in Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian military analysts predict the main Russian strike in the Zaporizhzhia region will target the Ptyahatky area, parallel to the Dnieper River, with concurrent actions possible in the Huliaipole district.

In Kherson, Russian forces have already attempted to breach the right bank of the Dnieper. In late November, their reconnaissance-and-diversion groups (DRGs) were repelled near the Antonovsky Bridge from the Oleksandrivka side.

Sources indicate that plans for an offensive on Kherson have been finalized, with the operation to be overseen by Russia’s airborne forces commander, Mikhail Teplinsky. Up to 4,000 Russian stormtroopers are anticipated to participate, including:

• The 61st Separate Marine Brigade
• The 7th Guards Mountain Air-Assault Division

Significantly, these units previously retreated from Kherson in the autumn of 2022, adding symbolic weight to their expected role in the new operation.

Russian plans hinge on favorable weather conditions. To reach the right bank of Kherson, occupiers must cross the Dnieper, as all bridges in the area have been destroyed. This necessitates the use of boats or the construction of floating bridges. Moreover, the transformation of parts of the Dnieper into marshy areas and their freezing in winter could potentially facilitate the enemy’s crossing.

Previously, partisans of the "ATESH" movement reported that Russian soldiers were destroying their own boats due to fears of crossing the Dnieper. Furthermore, a portion of the 10th Army from the "Dnieper" military unit has been redeployed to assist Russian subunits in the Kursk region and has yet to return.

Doubt has been cast on the likelihood of Russian success in their planned operation, given its complexity. The fact that Ukrainian forces are already prepared to greet the enemy on the right bank of Kherson further complicates Moscow’s plans.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation unfolds.