The Russians move – changing clothes and hiding

Russia's invasion of Ukraine 

 

Of: 

 

Emil Forsberg 

 

Published: Less than 2 hours ago 

 

Updated: Less than 2 hours ago 

 

NEWS 

 

The signs that Russia is about to leave Kherson are increasing. 

 

Now the locals say that Russian soldiers have changed into civilian clothes and are hiding all over the city.

 

- It seems very strange, says Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi. 

 

The Ukrainian successes in the southern parts of the country mean that a recapture of the city of Kherson is getting closer. 

 

The newly installed, Russian-backed regime has urged civilians to leave the city for the fighting ahead, but many have chosen to stay and wait for liberation. 

 

- There is a newfound sense of calm and freedom, says Cherson resident Nikolaij to The Guardian.

 

When Russian soldiers and officials began to evacuate, resistance in the city grew. Several shops have stopped accepting the Russian ruble and now only accept payment in the hryvnia, despite threats from the Russian-backed governor. 

 

- A few weeks ago we only whispered to each other about what was going on. But some of the fear has disappeared because so many Russians have left, says Nikolaij.

 

Russian soldiers were seen in Kherson earlier this year. Photo: Olexandr Chornyi / AP

 

Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi. Photo: Aftonbladet 

 

"Unusually optimistic" 

 

According to several local residents, the Russian soldiers still remaining in Kherson have changed into civilian clothes and are hiding around the city, The Guardian reports. 

 

A tactic that baffles lieutenant colonel Joakim Paasikivi.

 

- That Russian plainclothes soldiers would act as some kind of urban guerilla in a city where you do not have the support of the population seems strange and unusually optimistic, he says and continues: 

 

- It could be one in a series of different developments in information warfare, but it cannot be ruled out. In any case, I don't think it is a military first choice, he says. 

 

"Immense defeat" 

 

The Russian commander Sergei Surovikin has previously opened for a full-scale retreat from Kherson where he expects big problems. 

 

However, losing the city would be a severe setback for President Putin, who last month proclaimed that Russia would remain in Kherson "forever" 

 

- It is an incredible defeat. The military possibility of a future offensive in Mykolaïv or Odessa is completely lost. But it is also an incredibly prestigious defeat politically, and a sign that the Kremlin's plan is not working. 

 

Ukrainian military checks trenches dug by Russian soldiers in Kherson. Photo: Leo Correa / AP