Nov 6 (Reuters) - Ukraine's Russian-held Nova Kakhovka dam was damaged in shelling by Ukrainian forces, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, citing emergency services.
Russian state-owned news agency TASS quoted a representative of the emergency services as saying that a rocket launched by a U.S.-made HIMARS missile system had hit the dam's lock and caused damaged. The official quoted said it was an "attempt to create the conditions for a humanitarian catastrophe" by breaching the dam.
This is not a goodwill gesture this is a defeat. Russians couldn't hold Kherson any longer without supplies that Ukraine pretty much cut off by blowing up all bridges entering and exiting Kherson. Taking out Crimean bridge sealed Kherson's fate for the Russians no longer able to move heavy equipment in the area. Now is Ukraine going to be soft or hit retreating Russian forces? Perception is everything for Ukraine.
the bigger question now how much heavy equipment will receive with that goodwill gesture because those damaged bridges aren’t safe anymore.
This is a military defeat. I take Surovikin at his word, the withdrawal from Kherson is to preserve the lives of Russian servicemen. Kherson wasn't captured because it was lightly defended, it fell under Russian control because the civilian authorities defected to Russia.Like I predicted in June, Russia is likely ceding Kherson as a "goodwill gesture" for peace negotiations in exchange for formal recognition of Crimea/DPR/LNR etc...
This is not a strategic loss for Russia. So I wouldn't say it's a defeat for Russia, Russia captured Kherson at little-to-zero cost on day 8 or invasion because it was lightly defended, so giving it up as a bargaining chip is very smart, particular since it's very difficult to defend (West bank of Dniper river), and Russia extracted what essential human talent that matters. Remember, it's 80K new tax-payers in Russia, human talent is what matters, not land or territory (which is already bountiful in Russia proper), and Kherson is a useful bargaining chip for peace negotiations to gain Paper neutrality and recognition of DNR/LNR/Crimea.
With what? How is Russia going back on the offensive?Also the city will be empty of civilians, so when they go on the offensive in Kherson region again they might go in harder.
Ukraine wins a PR win for the west and might boast about it at the G20 during the US parts etc.
But time will tell what will happen in winter.
Glad to see you admit that the only place where Ukraine can be victorious is in propaganda and perception.Now is Ukraine going to be soft or hit retreating Russian forces? Perception is everything for Ukraine.
Why do you think Russia is doing the partial mobilisation?With what? How is Russia going back on the offensive?