"Let Us Escape"... Russian Troops Request Rescue from Defense Minister

Ukraine, Kherson Bridge Explosion... Russian Troops 'Isolated'

Russian soldiers trapped in Kherson requested rescue from the Russian Minister of Defense through social networking services (SNS).
Photo by The Sun, a British media outlet.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Russian soldiers trapped in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson have appealed to the Russian Minister of Defense for rescue through social networking services (SNS).

On the 7th (local time), according to the British media outlet The Sun, a Russian soldier appearing in a video with his face covered by a black mask pleaded to Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, saying, "The situation is really difficult," and "I hope Minister Shoigu finds a way for us to get out."

According to the media, the Russian soldier in the video is one of about 200 Russian troops currently trapped in Kherson. The brigade he belongs to has been isolated here for over a week since the Ukrainian army blew up the bridge allowing exit from Kherson on the 27th.

Meanwhile, Kherson has emerged as a key strategic point and a decisive battleground in this war. Earlier, Russian forces captured this area in a rapid offensive just two days after the war began, and a referendum to annex Kherson to Russia is scheduled for September. If the vote results in annexation by Russia, it will become difficult for Ukraine to reclaim the region.

In response, the Ukrainian army is launching counterattacks to retake the area. Ukraine has succeeded in cutting off major supply routes connecting Kherson and other regions by deploying High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) provided by the United States. As the Ukrainian forces achieve success in their recovery operations, Russian troops have also shown movements such as redeploying forces from the eastern front to the southern front, increasing tensions along the southern front around Kherson.