General Surovikin reported to Shoigu about the successes of the Russian army in Ukraine. And then announced the surrender of Kherson

Here is the full transcript of his report.

Sergei Shoigu: Sergei Vladimirovich, report on the situation in the area where the special military operation is being conducted.

Sergey Surovikin : Comrade Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, the situation in the area of ​​the special military operation has been stabilized overall. The combat capabilities of the combined group of troops and forces have increased significantly. The combat strength of military units has been increased by mobilizing citizens and volunteers. Additional reserves have been created.

Active actions of the units of the joint group of troops and forces have prevented all attempts of offensive actions of the armed forces of Ukraine in the Kupyansk and Krasnolimansk directions. In addition, offensive actions have been resumed in certain directions. In the Donetsk direction, the enemy has been routed on the right bank of the Bakhmutka River south of Artemovsk. Currently, active actions are being taken to block the city from the southern direction. Street battles are underway on the eastern outskirts of the city of Artemovsk.

The offensive to liberate Maryinka and Pervomaysk is developing successfully. In the South Donetsk direction, the liberation of the settlement of Pavlovka is being completed. In the area of ​​the Vremevsky salient, units of the group of forces have pushed back the enemy and occupied commanding heights in the depth of its defense. The enemy is inflicted with significant losses in manpower and equipment. In October alone, the enemy lost over 12,000 servicemen, 18 aircraft, 12 helicopters, six anti-aircraft missile systems, more than 200 tanks, more than 800 other combat armored vehicles, 21 combat vehicles of multiple launch rocket systems. About 350 mercenaries have been destroyed.

Despite high losses in manpower and equipment, the enemy does not abandon his attempts to attack. All his attacks are stopped in time, penetrations into our defense are eliminated and the situation along the forward edge is restored.

Shoigu: Sergey Vladimirovich, earlier you reported on the situation that is developing in the Kherson direction. The defense here is stable, but there are some peculiarities. How are things now?

Surovikin: Comrade Minister of Defense, I report that we are successfully resisting all attempts by the enemy to advance. In the course of repelling his attacks in this area from August to October, the Ukrainian armed forces lost more than nine and a half thousand servicemen killed and wounded, more than 200 tanks, 500 combat armored vehicles, about 600 vehicles of various purposes, and more than 50 artillery pieces and mortars.

As is known, the attacking side suffers greater losses than the one that is on the defensive. In this case, our losses are 7-8 times less than those of the enemy. We think first of all about the life of every Russian serviceman. The enemy strikes local government bodies, schools, hospitals, other socially significant facilities, civilians who are evacuated to the other bank of the Dnieper, as well as humanitarian aid distribution points. We successfully repel these attacks.

About 80-90% of missiles are shot down by Russian air defense systems. At the same time, up to 20% of them still reach their target. Engineering units of the troop group restore the Dnieper crossings almost daily and take measures to maintain them in working condition.

In these conditions, the city of Kherson and the surrounding settlements cannot be fully supplied and function. People's lives are constantly in danger due to shelling. The enemy is conducting indiscriminate shooting at the city. It is possible to use prohibited methods of warfare.

The regional administration has decided to evacuate the population from the right bank of the Dnieper to Crimea and other regions for this reason. At present, all those who wish, more than 115 thousand people, have left this area. We have done everything possible on our part to ensure their safety during the evacuation.

The implementation of the enemy's plans to create a flood zone below the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station may lead to dangerous consequences. This is confirmed by the constant missile strikes on the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, as well as on the spillway gates of this dam. Thus, on September 26, one of the spillway gates was struck and damaged. The intensive discharge of water through the dam of the Kyiv hydroelectric power station and the hydroelectric power station downstream, carried out since October 10, is also a cause for concern about the overflow of this river in the area of ​​its bed and the flooding of coastal areas.

If the Kiev regime decides to further increase the flow of water from the reservoirs or launch a more powerful missile attack on the Kakhovka Dam, a flood of water will form that will create vast flood zones, lead to significant casualties among the civilian population. An additional threat will arise for the civilian population and the complete isolation of our group of troops on the right bank of the Dnieper.

In these conditions, the most appropriate option is to organize a defense along the barrier line of the Dnieper River. Comrade Minister of Defense, having comprehensively assessed the current situation, proposes to take up defense along the left bank of the Dnieper River. I understand that this is a very difficult decision, but at the same time we will preserve the most important thing: the lives of our servicemen and, in general, the combat capability of the troop group, which is futile to keep on the right bank in a limited area. In addition, some of the forces and resources will be freed up, which will be used for active actions, including offensive actions in other directions in the operation zone.

Shoigu: Sergey Vladimirovich, I agree with your conclusions and proposals. For us, the lives and health of Russian servicemen are always a priority. We must also take into account the threat to the civilian population. Make sure that all civilians who wish to leave are able to leave. Begin the withdrawal of troops and take all measures to ensure the safe transfer of personnel, weapons and equipment across the Dnieper River.

Surovikin: Yes. The maneuver of troops will be carried out in the nearest future. The formations and units will occupy the defensive lines and positions prepared in engineering terms on the left bank of the Dnieper River. The report is finished.

Cover photo: Russian Ministry of Defense / AP / Scanpix / LETA