Now that Russia has retreated from Kherson following Ukraine's counteroffensive in the south, residents want to know why Moscow's forces were able to overrun the city so easily.
KHERSON, Ukraine — When about 100 Russian troops rolled into Kherson's Lilac Park on the morning of March 1, Oleh Shornik was one of about 20 lightly armed Ukrainian volunteers who didn't stand a chance against them.
“There are more questions than answers to this story,” said Svetlana Shornik, standing at her ex-husband’s grave for the first time because the Russians had blocked access to the cemetery while they had occupied the city.Besides the volunteers killed in the park, about five others were slain that day at a roundabout nearby.
Ukraine's Territorial Defense Force began operating just before the Russian invasion. A volunteer militia under the command of the Defense Ministry, it was made up of civilians, part-time reservists and former troops to fight alongside the regular military. Kherson is just north of Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. When Ukraine controlled the city, it was able to cut off fresh water to the peninsula, and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of the need to restore water supplies as one reason to invade.
That withdrawal "ensured the survivability of troops and did not allow the enemy to gain fire superiority in the air,” said Bohdan Senyk, chief spokesman for the army.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Russian drones strike Ukrainian capitalLIVE UPDATES: Russian drone attacks were launched against the Ukrainian capital overnight. Ukraine’s Air Force said it shot down 30 of the 35 kamikaze drones fired at Ukrainian targets.
Consulte Mais informação »
Russian shelling targets heart of city of KhersonRussian military forces shelled the center of Kherson, the major city that Russian soldiers retreated from last month in one of Moscow’s biggest battlefield setbacks in Ukraine. Three people were wounded in the attacks, according to a Ukrainian official.
Consulte Mais informação »
Russian shelling targets heart of city of KhersonThree people were wounded in the attacks, said presidential deputy chief of staff Kyrylo Tymoshenko.
Consulte Mais informação »
Russian shelling targets heart of city of KhersonRussian military forces on Sunday shelled the center of Kherson, the major city that Russian soldiers retreated from last month in one of Moscow's biggest battlefield setbacks in Ukraine.
Consulte Mais informação »
Key Ukrainian city’s rapid fall leaves unanswered questionsKHERSON, Ukraine (AP) — When about 100 Russian troops rolled into Kherson’s Lilac Park on the morning of March 1, Oleh Shornik was one of about 20 lightly armed Ukrainian volunteers who…
Consulte Mais informação »
Russian troop losses could hit 100K before Christmas: UkraineThe Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported that Russia had lost about 98,800 troops as of Monday in the nearly 10-month war.
Consulte Mais informação »