"Kherson evacuation complete?" Topic

Russia has completed the withdrawal of its troops from Kherson city, the country's defence ministry says.

In its daily briefing cited by Russian news agencies, the ministry said all forces and equipment had been transferred to the eastern bank of the Dnieper River by 5am Moscow time (02:00 GMT) on Friday…

Antonovsky Bridge has been destroyed.

Aljazeera: link

Points to Russia if true, as everybody was saying it would take weeks to do it.

I think most of the pundit estimates of withdrawal rates will be based on the Russian's supposedly having 30K troops to pull back. Also that they intend to remove everyone and everything!

Russian troops withdrew from the right bank of the Dnipro River on Friday in a major military defeat for the Kremlin that led to scenes of jubilation in the port city of Kherson, the only Ukrainian regional capital Russia succeeded in occupying in almost nine months of bitter fighting…

Moscow Times: link

Never any points to Russia.

The fact they 'seem' to have broke contact and evacuated in good order is being seen as something of victory – probably mostly in the context of recent Russian military outcomes. Its clear that Russia has been moving troops out (and in) for some weeks prior to the final official announcement. My guess would be the Russians pulled out 'better' units for reservists and may be left a good few of those behind? I suppose it will be good while before we now any solid details.

I suppose for Ukraine there was some unpleasant calculus to be done. Cost in men and ammunition versus may be letting the Russians extract already fairly degraded forces they may have to face again later? Still Ukraine seems to have taken the opportunity to hammer some of the retreating columns.

Unfortunately for Kherson, safely on the other side of the Dnipro Russia could bombard it at will. Though I'd question whether Russia can afford in missiles, shells and gun barrels to flatten another city? Though apparently Ukraine's new positions would potentially allow them to extend their reach with HIMARs to strike the supply routes coming from Crimea into the occupied area west of Kherson.

And the Russian's have blown the bridge suggesting they don't seem themselves coming back anytime soon!

Not so much a withdrawal, more of a rout.

link

footage shows Russian troops scrambling to escape Kherson city – video, The Guardian.
Walking across the barge bridge, so they either had no vehicles or left them behind.

Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

Could it be that the Ukrainians attrited the Russians worse than we knew?

So the Ukrainians finally break through the 'crust' of the Russian defenses, the Russians collapse, perhaps only a few thousand made it to the other shore rather than 30,000?

Even assuming 30K was the actual Russian strength on the east bank when the official announcement was made that number was highly likely not just to include frontline troops and I'd make a fairly substantial bet that the Russians had a fair number of rear area security troops holding down Kherson itself.

Unfortunately for Kherson, safely on the other side of the Dnipro Russia could bombard it at will. Though I'd question whether Russia can afford in missiles, shells and gun barrels to flatten another city?

From a logistics perspective, the areas from which Kherson could be bombarded with conventional artillery tend to have rather extended supply lines back to the Russia itself. Considering that logistics has been a bit of an issue for Russians so far, this place might not be the most obvious place to concentrate artillery munitions, though they probably have some still stored close to the far bank that they can extend as "sour grapes". That said, I would presume that the Ukrainian military has also seen the same possibility, and is bringing in some counter-battery ability to the area, just in case.

Ukrainians will also need to concern themselves with clearing out booby traps, minefields and unexploded ordnance from the more critical locations in the region – the same as with any other areas they capture.

The Ukraine is winning, but still have more to do. The Russians are losing and dying in high numbers.

I heard today on the news that the Russians are believed to have lost 100,000 troops killed or wounded, and the Ukrainians 40,000 – US intelligence assessment.

Seems like very high numbers to me, given the sparcity of the real fighting, at least as reported in the West, but I suppose we aren't finding out a lot about the battles there, given so little coverage in the news. Clearly, the numbers of troops and the fighting is far more widespread and lethal than it would seem from the coverage I've seen to date.

As far as the ratios go though, seems about right compared to Ukraine being the one on defense most of the time, as opposed to the Russians on offense for the majority of the time, at least initially.

I hope the Ukrainians can continue on their roll, and push out any and ALL Russians, and/or Russian-backed sympathizers from their lands in the east and in Crimea. They need to clean house and get rid of all the guerrillas that they've been fighting there for the last decade or more as well.

It WILL be interesting to see what Putin and Russia do from here, militarily, going forward.

As mentioned, with the Russians destroying key bridges, seems like they are more worried about Ukrainian advances against them than digging in, and hoping to go back on the offensive again in the near future, once/if they can rearm and regroup.

Russians are believed to have lost 100,000 troops killed or wounded, and the Ukrainians 40,000 – US intelligence assessment.

It shows how deadly modern warfare can be. With the poor quality of the Russian troops vs. the superior Ukrainian. Almost a 2-1 kill ratio …

I believe the Russian ratio dead/wounded is quite bad. Ukraine might have 40.000 dead or wounded but hopefully a better ratio. That is a lot of wounded for each dead.

I don't think we'll ever get accurate figures from Russia. But that is no surprise, but yes, in the long run the Russians will have suffered very high losses. And pushed out of Ukraine.

Regarding Kherson, it seems that this time the retreating Russian forces were organised enough to show their caring attitude by destroying some of the important civilian infrastructure in the city. Thus, they do not need to dedicate artillery fire to that very task.

As for the casualties, keep in mind that the conflict has been raging so far for over 260 days or so, over a very long front line (plus occasional strikes at targets well behind the front line). Even on the quieter areas of the front line there is likely to be some amount of shooting going on.

The Retreat from Kherson

link

Armand

The worst part is the russkies stole a raccoon from the Kherson Zoo. Ukraine have offered to trade ten Russian POW:s if they get the raccoon back.

Stealing dish washers and toilet chairs are one thing but to actually steal a raccoon. Now that is a new low.

Imaging paddling across the river on a inflatable toymatress with a raccoon in your back pack (but no rifle of course).

Damn russkies.

Damn russkies.

Indeed !

They are shelling Kherson from across the river. I highly doubt they will ever be able to go on the offensive again. With their poor troop quality and leadership, massive losses of AFVs, Rolling Stock, etc.

The Ukrainians are fighting for their very lives. With every hamlet, village, etc. they retake they see the massive losses to their own people. Torture, rape, murder, looting, etc. is only fueling their hatred for the Russians & Putin.

Putin is just trying to buy time, attriting and hope the US pushes the Ukraine into a brokered "peace". This WWII type mentality and aggression can't be allowed to go unchecked and unpunished. The US, NATO, etc., have to continue to support the liberation of the sovereign nation of Ukraine.

As I have said before the US leaderships' priorities are very much "skewed" IMO. Besides the open border that is supported by many of those in power. How much does in cost to support every illegal alien that the US lets in ? Many don't even qualify for "asylum".

Yesterday it was reported that the US will give Indonesia 20 Billion $ to get them off use of coal. WDF !!!!!

All that money should go to many other things that needs to be done in the US. Plus support the Ukraine. The Russians & Putin cannot be let off the hook for their war crimes and aggression.

Some pundits have said Putin and his generals are just withdrawing here, and may regroup and push more forces into the Donbas region again.

Russians are already withdrawing civilians from the east bank of the river. It's pretty forlorn territory, and since it is low-lying, it could flood if the damaged dam gives out.

Ukrainians are also raiding across the river already.

Ukrainians are also raiding across the river already.

That should be SOP …

Perun's analysis
YouTube link
In summation yes, Russia managed to withdraw in some order, but it was forced, and the campaign as whole cost them.