War against Ukraine: this is the situation
According to the Ukrainian military, it is holding its ground in the embattled Kherson region south-east of the Dnipro River. "The defense forces continue to hold positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region," the General Staff announced on Facebook on Sunday evening.
The spokesperson for the Southern Command, Natalia Humenyuk, had previously said that the Ukrainian army had already pushed the Russians three to eight kilometers away from the river on the left bank, which was fully occupied until recently. International observers had also recently reported Ukrainian advances in the area.
Kherson in southern Ukraine was largely occupied shortly after the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. In November last year, the Ukrainian army then succeeded in liberating the parts of the region located on the right bank of the river - including the regional capital of the same name, Kherson. However, the Russians continued to occupy the towns on the left bank of the river.
Zelensky sacks head of army medical department
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the previous head of the army's medical department. Major General Tetiana Ostashchenko's position will be taken over by Anatoly Kasmirchuk in future, Zelensky said in his evening video address. Kasmirchuk was previously head of the national military hospital in Kiev. "A fundamentally new level of medical support is needed for our military," added the head of state. He did not initially explain the decision in more detail.
Ostashchenko was appointed commander of the Ukrainian army's Medical Forces Command in 2021 - before the start of the war. She was the first woman to hold this position. Recently, however, complaints from military doctors and paramedics about her work have apparently increased.
Putin takes part in virtual G20 summit on Wednesday
According to Moscow state television, Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in a virtual G20 summit this Wednesday (November 22). Russian state television reported that Putin may be able to see Western leaders live there for the first time in a long time in an online format. At the G20 summit of the group of leading economic powers in New Delhi at the beginning of September, Putin was represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
What will be important today
Heavy fighting continues in the east and south of Ukraine. The further actions of the Ukrainian army on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson are likely to be followed with particular attention.
- The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to intensified battles on both the eastern and southern fronts, with particular focus on the Ukrainian army's advancements on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson, where President Volodymyr Selensky's military forces have reportedly pushed Russian forces three to eight kilometers away.
- Despite the recent advances, the situation remains volatile, with Russian President Vladimir Putin set to participate in a virtual G20 summit this Wednesday, potentially marking his first interaction with Western leaders in a long time.
Source: www.dpa.com
