Ukraine seeks to build flood zone, Russia evacuates Dnipro River

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Russian Army General Sergei Surovikin, head of the Joint Group of Russian Forces, informed Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that Kiev's intentions to cause a flood zone below the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant might have disastrous consequences.

According to Surovikin said "The implementation of the enemy's plans to create a flood zone below the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power plant can lead to dangerous consequences," adding that "this is confirmed by constant missile attacks on the dam of the Kakhovka HPP, as well as on the spillway gates of this dam."

"So, on September 26, one of the spillway shutters was hit and damaged," Surovikin significantly noted.

He continued that the intense water release via the dam of the Kiev hydroelectric power plant and the hydroelectric power plant downstream, which Kiev had been conducting out since October 10, was also a reason for concern regarding the potential flooding of the two banks of the Dnieper River.

Given the aforementioned information, Surovikin highlighted that over 115,000 people have been evacuated from the right bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson Region.

The General explained "The enemy is indiscriminately shelling the city. Prohibited methods of warfare can be used [by Ukraine]. For this reason, the regional administration has decided to evacuate the population from the right bank of the Dnipro to Crimea and other regions. Currently, everyone, and this is over 115,000 people, has left the area. We have done our best to ensure their safety during the evacuation." 

On a similar note, Surovikin, announced on Wednesday that the Russian armed forces had begun offensive operations in several regions of Ukraine.

The General said "All attempts of the Ukrainian armed formations to carry out offensive operations in the Kupyansk and Lyman areas have been thwarted thanks to the active actions of formations of the joint group of [Russian] units and forces. In addition, [Russia's] offensive operations have been resumed in certain areas."

The general in charge of Russia's military operation in Ukraine said that although the Russian forces have been able to repel Ukraine's shelling of Kherson, 20% of the missiles still manage to reach their targets, making it impossible for the city and nearby villages to receive the full amount of supplies.

"We are successfully repelling these attacks. About 80-90% of the missiles are being shot down by the Russian air defense. At the same time, up to 20% of them are still reaching their targets. The engineering units of the group of troops are restoring the Dnipro crossings and taking measures to maintain their work almost every day. Under these circumstances, the city of Kherson and surrounding villages cannot function and be fully supplied," Surovikin said.

Russian forces suffered 7-8 times less losses during strikes in the Kherson direction from August to October than did Ukrainian forces, according to Surovikin, commander of the Russian Joint Group of Forces, who reported to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

"After a comprehensive assessment of the current situation, it is proposed to take up defense along the left bank of the Dnieper River. I understand that this is a very difficult decision. In addition, part of the forces and means will be released, which will be used for active operations, including offensive ones, in other directions in the operation zone," the commander stated.

He said that "the maneuver of the troops will be carried out in the near future, formations and units will occupy defensive lines and positions prepared in engineering terms on the left bank of the Dnieper River."

Read more: Kherson faces electricity outage after Ukrainian attack on power lines