Changes

A Russian computer simulation anticipated the effects of NATO/Ukraine's planned destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam across the Dnieper river on the city of Kherson and surrounding environs all the way to the river's mouth on the Black Sea. The territory is the home of some 300,000 civilians. The simulation anticipated a rise in the river's level of 1.5 meters, with a cresting wave of 4.5 meters.  The water would take at least 3 days to recede during which time the NATO/Ukrainian offensive toward what was formally the city of Kherson would commence.<ref>https://youtu.be/BqV1ts5TIPE</ref>

A Russian computer simulation anticipated the effects of NATO/Ukraine's planned destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam across the Dnieper river on the city of Kherson and surrounding environs all the way to the river's mouth on the Black Sea. The territory is the home of some 300,000 civilians. The simulation anticipated a rise in the river's level of 1.5 meters, with a cresting wave of 4.5 meters.  The water would take at least 3 days to recede during which time the NATO/Ukrainian offensive toward what was formally the city of Kherson would commence.<ref>https://youtu.be/BqV1ts5TIPE</ref>

[[File:Zelensky Offensive, Fall 2022.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Zelensky Offensive, Autumn 2022]]

[[File:Zelensky Offensive, Fall 2022.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Zelensky Offensive, Autumn 2022]]

On November 9, 2022 Gen. Sergey Surovikin announced, with the approval of Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, the withdrawal of Russian forces from the west bank of Dnieper river to include the city of Kherson. More than 115,000 civilians had been evacuated from the city and surrounding territories in recent weeks.  The general pointed to continued Ukrainian attacks on the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam on the Dnieper river, arguing that it could mean the total devastation of the city and isolation of Russian troops in the region.  “If the Kiev regime … launches an even more devastating attack on the Kakhovskaya dam, a flow of water could arise that would flood large areas, causing significant civilian casualties." This, according to the commander, “would create further threats for civilians and risk total isolation of our force grouping on the right bank of the Dnieper.”  A pullout would help avoid the worst-case scenario and also keep the combat effectiveness of the force grouping in the area, Surovikin said. "This is a very difficult decision. Yet, we would be able to preserve the most important thing: the lives of our soldiers." Minister Shoigu ordered the general to organize secure relocation for both soldiers and civilians.  With the HIMAR systems being under American control, Biden [[National Security Advisor]] [[Jake Sullivan]] negotiated a deal with his Russian counterparts, [[Nikolai Patrushev]] and [[Yuri Ushakov]], to allow for the withdrawal of Russian forces without being fired upon.

On November 9, 2022 Gen. Sergey Surovikin announced, with the approval of Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, the withdrawal of Russian forces from the west bank of Dnieper river to include the city of Kherson. More than 115,000 civilians had been evacuated from the city and surrounding territories in recent weeks.  The general pointed to continued Ukrainian attacks on the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam on the Dnieper river, arguing that it could mean the total devastation of the city and isolation of Russian troops in the region.  “If the Kiev regime … launches an even more devastating attack on the Kakhovskaya dam, a flow of water could arise that would flood large areas, causing significant civilian casualties." This, according to the commander, “would create further threats for civilians and risk total isolation of our force grouping on the right bank of the Dnieper.”  A pullout would help avoid the worst-case scenario and also keep the combat effectiveness of the force grouping in the area, Surovikin said. "This is a very difficult decision. Yet, we would be able to preserve the most important thing: the lives of our soldiers." Minister Shoigu ordered the general to organize secure relocation for both soldiers and civilians.  With the HIMAR systems being under American control, Biden [[National Security Advisor]] [[Jake Sullivan]] negotiated a deal with his Russian counterparts, [[Nikolai Patrushev]] and [[Yuri Ushakov]], to allow for the withdrawal of Russian forces without being fired upon.