Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, in a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, confirmed the full control over the strategic village of Krymske on the left bank of the Dnieper River in the Kherson region.
Shoigu stated, "All cleansing operations in Krymske have been completed. However, due to the presence of many individuals hiding in basements, who recently pleaded for evacuation, we naturally offered and continue to offer those still there the option to surrender."
He added that Airborne Forces Commander Mikhail Teplinsky reported the village, located on the Dnieper's left bank, is now "effectively under our full control, with appropriate defenses established."
Shoigu noted that the Ukrainian forces stationed in Krymske were tasked with breaking through towards the Crimean Peninsula.
"Their mission was to achieve a breakthrough towards Armyansk and Perekop, heading to the Crimean Peninsula," Shoigu explained, estimating the total strength of Ukrainian forces in this sector at 30,000 personnel.
Shoigu told journalists, "They (Ukrainian forces) tried to fight, and as a result, four naval brigades alone lost 1,820 personnel in Krymske, with total losses nearing 3,400."
Regarding the entire operation on the Kherson front during the counteroffensive, Shoigu stated, "Kiev's losses amounted to 13,000 military personnel."
After the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ukrainian forces attempted to establish a foothold in Krymske on the Dnieper's left bank, but the village had already been evacuated by civilians.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces deployed significant forces in an attempt to seize control of the bridgehead on the Dnieper River, but their efforts were thwarted by the intense action of Russian artillery.
Putin expressed astonishment at Kiev's decision to send such large numbers of well-trained fighters to their "death." On December 14, Putin assured that the presence of Ukrainian Armed Forces in Krymske would soon come to an end.
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