Ukraine prepares for urban warfare in Kherson, Russia arrests many Kiev agents

The Ukrainian military predicts that its soldiers will face fierce fighting before regaining control of the city of Kherson from the enemy.

“Russian armed forces in Kherson have disguised themselves as civilians, taking shelter in civilian buildings and fortifying positions inside the city to conduct street fighting. At the same time, enemy soldiers are transporting equipment, vehicles and food to Russia,” an unnamed source from the Ukrainian military told Reuters.

Russian soldiers in Kherson. Photo: AP

According to The Guardian, the above statement from a source of the Ukrainian army is completely well-founded when people who used to live in Kherson also said that Russian soldiers are increasing defense in this city.

“It was a diversionary tactic, with Russian soldiers dressing up in civilian clothes and hiding in houses. It looks like the enemy is preparing for fierce fighting on the streets of Kherson in the fall and winter,” said Kherson resident Alyona Lapchuk.

Russian military officials have not yet commented on the information published by Reuters and The Guardian.

Russia arrests several Kiev agents

RIA Novosti news agency reported that Russian authorities in Kherson today (November 8) arrested 9 suspects who are agents of the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

“Sabotage activities andSBU reconnaissance in Kherson province, which included carrying out terrorist acts against high-ranking officials of the local civil-military administration, were detected and prevented. More than 5 kg of plastic explosives, actuators, electric detonators, 3 grenades and a special reconnaissance device were seized by our security officers. Later, our bomb squad discovered the car with the bomb and neutralized the explosive device in it,” the statement from the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said.

So far, independent news agencies have not been able to verify the FSB's announcement.

Russia unexpectedly releases dozens of Ukrainian prisoners

The Ukrainian parliament’s human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said on November 8 that 30 Ukrainian soldiers who were captured by the Russian military on Snake Island have been released from detention. “We are continuing to seek the release of the remaining prisoners,” Lubinets wrote in a Facebook post, The Guardian reported.

According to The Guardian, Ukraine deployed many garrisons to protect Snake Island before the conflict with Russia broke out. However, the Russian army quickly took control of the place after launching a special military operation.

By the end of June, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the withdrawal of troops from Snake Island, calling it a goodwill gesture “showing that Moscow is not obstructing UN efforts to open a humanitarian corridor to allow grain to be transported from Ukrainian ports.” Ukraine then sent some soldiers to plant its flag on the island on July 7.