The Russian invaders are only creating the illusion of a future escape from Kherson, but in reality they are preparing for defense in the occupied regional center.

This was stated by the head of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, in an interview with Ukrainian Pravda.

According to him, the Russians are bringing new military units to the city to strengthen their group.

Budanov emphasizes that Sergey Surovikin, who commands the Southern Group of the Russian invasion forces in Ukraine, may be preparing the groundwork to soften the reaction of the Russians in the event of the surrender or loss of Kherson, but so far it. It is not the case to say that “right now they are fleeing from Kherson.”

“No, there is no such thing,” states the head of the Defence Intelligence.

“In many aspects, this is an information operation and manipulation…. Moreover, as the so-called occupation authorities are withdrawn, all non-walkers are transferred – exactly, transferred, – seriously wounded people are taken out, they try to discharge those who can walk from hospitals as quickly as possible, and conduct this crazy information campaign that” we care about people “and so on.

They are creating the illusion that everything is gone. And at the same time, on the contrary, they are bringing new military units there and preparing the streets of the city for defense,” Kyrylo Budanov emphasizes.

The head of military intelligence noted that the Russians understand that if the Armed Forces of Ukraine take control of even the Kakhovka dam, “they [the Russians] will have to make a very quick decision” or leave the city very, very quickly.

According to him, now the crossing over the Kakhovka dam remains the only fully functioning transport artery.

And without this crossing, the Russian invasion forces may find themselves in a situation similar to that in which the Ukrainian units found themselves in Mariupol in the spring.

“Understanding all this, they are preparing the groundwork so that, if necessary, they can get out of there very quickly. However, they are not preparing to leave now, they are preparing for defense,” the head of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine emphasized.

As previously reported, on October 18, the occupation administration formed by the Russians in the Kherson region called on civilians to evacuate to the left bank of the Dnipro. All occupation so-called “ministries” and units are also moving to the left bank.