On Wednesday, the Russian Defence Ministry declared that it had successfully gained control of the port city of Kherson in southern Ukraine, marking Moscow’s first major territorial gain after a week of sustained military onslaught. Kyiv, however, challenged Moscow’s claims regarding Kherson, saying Russia has not totally captured the city. The latest developments come against the backdrop of another round of ceasefire discussions between the two countries.
Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov announced that Russia maintains “full control” of the port city of Kherson, adding that talks with local authorities to the operation of public facilities are underway. The mayor of Kherson, Ihor Kolykhayev, said that he was in talks with the “armed guests,” despite earlier claiming that his forces were warding off Russia. Kolykhayev emphasised that he has not made any promises to the Russians yet. Ukrainian regional official Gennady Lakhuta also confirmed that Russian forces are in “all parts” of Kherson following a three-day siege that left the city short of essential supplies.
Russian forces attacked Kherson from the occupied Crimean Peninsula, and now have a foothold in the southern part of mainland Ukraine. The capture of this strategic port represents a major victory for the Russian forces, who have failed to make any territorial headway due to Ukraine’s resilience.
Russian troops entered the Ukrainian city of Kherson, forcing their way into the council building, the mayor said, after a day of conflicting claims over whether Moscow had made the first major gain of a city in its eight-day-long invasion https://t.co/c9vDXGXPm2 pic.twitter.com/g0N7C2IxlP
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 3, 2022
Elsewhere, intense fighting continued in the capital Kyiv, and Ukraine’s second-largest city Kharkiv. Presidential aide Oleksii Arestovych said that Kharkiv, in particular, is under heavy fire, calling the city “a 21st century Stalingrad.” Arestovych added that Russia is intensifying its attacks on the city by using bombs and missiles to damage huge sections of residential areas. In addition, he raised concern about the possibility of Belarus joining Russia’s side, though there are reports that Belarusian troops are already in Ukraine.
One week into its invasion of Ukraine, Russia released its first report of casualties, claiming 498 troop deaths and 1,500 injuries. According to Ukraine’s estimates, however, more than 5,700 Russian soldiers have lost their lives, and 200 are imprisoned. Officials in Ukraine also estimate that Russia’s week-long attack has killed more than 2,000 people across the country.
⚡️Russian missiles hit central Kharkiv, damaging several residential and government buildings, including the city council.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 2, 2022
Video by State Emergency Service of Ukraine pic.twitter.com/AyGk3nBqFH
In parallel developments, a Ukrainian delegation will hold a second round of talks with the Russian side in Belarus today morning, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the discussions are a “waste of time until Russia stops fighting.”
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was quoted as saying that a Third World War would be nuclear. Lavrov’s comments come in light of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to put Moscow’s nuclear forces on ‘high alert.’