Eight hours ago, Russian telegram sources from within the 205th Seperate Motorized Rifle Brigade began reporting on massive Ukrainian artillery strikes on the settlement of Snihurivka, Mykolaiv Oblast. At the time of that posting, the source said there were about 22,000 Russian troops in and around Kherson and that they were concerned about encirclement from any axis. They also recognized that the destruction of bridges, civilian boats, and barges made for a desperate situation if mass troops had to withdraw:
“Purely professional interest. How will it all end. I’m talking about leaving for Kherson. open arithmetic. There are about 22 thousand of us here. Some have already been taken away, but a small one. Technique, artillery. There are no crossings. There are no bridges. Supply across the river by helicopters. One breakthrough for 10-15 km in any of the directions of Dudchany-Snigirevka-Pravdino and this will mean the encirclement of the rest. They really hold on tight. No doubt. The rest is a question. I will accept a barge as a gift. I’m not kidding.”
However, at approximately 2100 EST, the same sources began reporting of Ukrainian infantry attacks along the forward line of troops, communications blackout, and a pitched tank battle near the settlement itself:
”Now I confirm. Everything is bad with Snigirevka. We’re still holding on, but it’s hard. We won’t pull it out.”
This sentiment was echoed by Snihurivka administrator Yuri Barbashov who told RIA Novosti:
