Enemy fakes about supposed Russian “landing” in Kherson aimed at Russians – Voloshyn

Spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, Vladyslav Voloshyn, stated this in a comment to a Ukrinform correspondent.

“For Russians to enter this island and land there, they would have to capture several other islands and cross several channels. That cannot go unnoticed. Therefore, this fake is meant only for those who panic at the thought of Russians and do not use their heads. And, of course, for the Russian audience — since the majority of Russian media outlets and Telegram channels spread this fake,” Voloshyn said.

He noted that Russian state TV channels even showed doctored videos filmed in completely different areas and locations. In these videos, Russian fighters with covered faces gave interviews about a place they clearly had no idea about — neither the island itself nor its structures. Voloshyn also mentioned that recently, in the Kherson sector, the enemy carried out a rotation, expecting it to proceed much faster than it actually did.

“According to our intelligence, reports from the enemy show that, under their plans, they were supposed to have long since taken the Antonivski Bridges (the road and rail bridges) and driven us from our positions near them. So, during this rotation, those who were ‘handing over’ and those who were ‘taking over’ tried together to push out our troops and carried out continuous assault operations near the bridges,” Voloshyn noted.

The enemy continues to operate in small groups, attempting to cross the Dnipro channels and rivers to the islands in the Dnipro Delta.

“Control over these islands is exercised through observation posts — there are no permanent positions there. In this island area, it’s impossible to build fortifications or shelters. A person landing there is practically ‘exposed.’ If they try to warm up and light a fire, they’re immediately visible from a drone. Russians, when they do land there, use anti-thermal cloaks to try to hide themselves. But they don’t last long on those islands — they are quickly detected and eliminated,” Voloshyn explained.

According to him, any large group would be quickly found and neutralized. And for the Russians to attempt crossings with large forces and conduct assaults — capturing areas, clearing neighborhoods or industrial zones — is currently unrealistic, given the forces and means they have at their disposal.

Voloshyn also expressed skepticism about the prospects of Russian troops crossing the Dnipro over ice in winter, as they have failed to do so for the past three years.

“The situation with forces and means has not changed in their favor this year compared to previous years,” Voloshyn noted.

However, the spokesperson emphasized that the number of enemy artillery strikes has increased in recent days — the Russians are attempting to create a so-called “kill zone” by destroying buildings in coastal areas. According to Voloshyn, this situation is observed not only in Kherson but along the entire line of contact.

Voloshyn pointed out that in Kherson, the enemy is also shelling residential neighborhoods, not only near the water, which constitutes terrorism against the civilian population.

In particular, during the day, the enemy has been actively shelling Kherson — about a dozen and a half artillery strikes have been recorded.

“Every day, Kherson and the nearby settlements come under up to a dozen artillery attacks,” the spokesperson said.

In addition, 350–370 kamikaze drone strikes are recorded daily, with 70–90 drones dropping explosives, as well as regular airstrikes using guided aerial bombs and unguided aerial rockets.

“The enemy mainly uses unguided aerial rockets to hit settlements located slightly downstream from the former Kakhovka Dam — such as Odradokamianka, Kozatske, and Mykolaivka,” the spokesperson noted.

Russians are attacking Kherson with guided aerial bombs almost daily — they strike residential areas, which are deliberately targeted by the enemy.

As Ukrinform reported, in the autumn of 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the right-bank part of the Kherson region, including the city of Kherson. The part of the region located on the left bank of the Dnipro River remains temporarily occupied by Russian forces, while Ukrainian units continue to hold their positions there.

The photos are provided by Vladyslav Voloshyn.