Putin escalates war with martial law as he faces threats

The severity of restrictions within Russia depends on proximity to Ukraine, including freedom of movement and other security steps.

In the Kherson region, Ukrainian forces repulsed the Russian positions on the western bank of the Dnieper River. By withdrawing civilians and fortifying positions in the region’s main city, which lies on the river, Russian forces appear to be hoping that the wide deep waters will serve as a natural barrier against the Ukrainian advance.

A Ukrainian soldier inspects the trenches dug by Russian soldiers in a restored area in the Kherson region.attributed to him:AP

Falling evacuations from the city in recent days have turned into a flood. Local officials said 5,000 had already left the city, out of an expected 60,000. Russian state television showed footage of residents crowding the banks of the Dnieper, many with young children, to cross by boat to the east – and from there deep into Russian-controlled territory.

Russia has said the movement of Ukrainians to Russia or Russian-controlled territories is voluntary, but in many cases, they have no other way out, and they have no other choice. Under martial law, authorities can enforce evacuations.

Reports of forced deportations abounded, and an Associated Press investigation found that Russian officials had deported thousands of Ukrainian children to be raised as Russians.

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The Russian authorities were fussed about their fears of an attack on Kherson, apparently to persuade the residents to leave. Russian state media reported that text messages were warning residents to expect bombing.

A resident contacted by phone described military vehicles leaving the city, authorities set up by Moscow rushing to load documents onto trucks, and thousands of people lining up on ferries and buses.

It looks more like a panic than an organized evacuation. One of the residents, Constantine, said that people are buying the last remaining groceries at groceries and heading to the port of the Kherson River, where thousands of people are already waiting. The Associated Press is withholding his family name, he requested, for his safety.

“People are afraid to talk about explosions, missiles and a possible siege of the city,” he added.

The leaflets told evacuees they could take two large bags, medicine and food for a few days.

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, called the evacuation a “propaganda show” and said Russia’s claims that Kyiv’s forces might bomb Kherson was a “rather primitive tactic, given that militants do not shoot at Ukrainian cities”.

Ukrainian military analyst Ole Zhdanov said the operation could portend heavy fighting and “the toughest” tactics from Russia’s new commander for Ukraine, General Sergei Surovkin.

“They are ready to wipe the city off the face of the earth, but not give it back to the Ukrainians,” Zhdanov said in an interview.

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Originally published at Melbourne News Vine