Moscow announced the withdrawal from the city of Kherson. The retreat represents a major setback for Russia, as it was the only regional capital it had captured since the start of its invasion of Ukraine in February. While Russian forces remain in the Kherson region, Ukraine’s military has reported recapturing several towns, including the capital city of Kherson. “In the Kherson region, the Russian army left behind the same atrocities as in other regions of our country, where it was able to enter,” Zelensky said, adding that the bodies of Ukrainian civilians and soldiers were found in Kherson. “We will find and bring to justice every killer. Without a doubt,” he added. Several Western leaders have accused Russia of committing war crimes after witnessing the devastation in areas after Moscow’s forces retreated. Ukrainian officials also reported finding mass graves in those areas. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently investigating possible war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.
Celebrations in Kherson amid destruction and danger
To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Here are the other main headlines from the war in Ukraine on Sunday, November 13
Ending war ‘the best thing we can do for the world economy’ — US Treasury Department
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said before the G20 meeting in Indonesia that ending the war in Ukraine was the “best thing” that could happen to the global economy. “Ending Russia’s war is a moral imperative and the single best thing we can do for the global economy,” Yellen said. Rising fuel and food prices, partly due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is one of the main topics of discussion at the G20 summit.
Scholz laments Putin’s snobbish G20
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it was a shame that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not attend next week’s G20 summit in Indonesia. Speaking in Hanoi, Vietnam, Scholz said Putin would face heavy criticism for the war he launched in Ukraine. “He should be exposed to all the questions and all the criticism that has come from many countries in the world. That’s probably why he’s not here.” Scholz and other leaders of the G20 group of advanced economies are due to meet on the Indonesian island of Bali on Tuesday for a two-day summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is to address them on video. Putin canceled his participation a few days ago and will now be represented by his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.
Demining in Kherson in progress
Authorities in the city of Kherson were working Sunday to restore critical infrastructure after Moscow announced its troops had withdrawn from the strategic city. Yaroslav Yanushevich, the governor of Kherson region, was quoted by the media as saying that Russian troops “have mined all critical infrastructure.” Zelensky said on Sunday that one person was killed and four were injured during demining operations. The president asked residents to “be very careful and immediately inform rescuers of all dangerous objects.” Rail services to Kherson were expected to resume this week, according to the head of Ukraine’s state railways, but another regional official, Yuriy Sobolevsky, told Ukrainian television that the humanitarian situation “remains very difficult.” “Most houses do not have electricity, water and gas supply problems,” said Sobolewski.
Russia claims advance on Donetsk, Ukraine reports strikes in many areas
Russia’s defense ministry said its troops captured the village of Mayorsk in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, but the Ukrainian military said earlier that heavy fighting was continuing in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Russian rocket and artillery fire hit the eastern regions of Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Novopavlivka and Zaporizhzhia, according to Ukraine’s general staff.
Ukrainian officials say Russian troops stole raccoons and other animals
The founder of an animal rights movement in Ukraine said Russian forces had stolen animals from a local zoo in Kherson.
“They have moved most of the zoo’s collection to Crimea: from llamas and wolves to donkeys and squirrels,” Oleksandr Todorchuk, founder of UAnimals, said on Facebook.
According to local media, an official in Crimea backed by Moscow had ordered the “evacuation” of the animals.
A raccoon, said to be among the ‘stolen’ animals, has attracted particular attention on social media, with Ukrainians posting memes calling for its release such as ‘Save Private Raccoon’, in reference to the award-winning war film Saving Private Ryan .
Odessa Zoo provides a sanctuary for animals
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Ukrainian railways offer token tickets to occupied cities
After the liberation of Kherson, Ukrainian railways offer token tickets to cities still under Russian control. The tickets, which cost about 1,000 national currencies ($27.40), can be used after the cities are liberated. “Today you can order tickets for the first three trains from Kyiv to five cities: the already occupied Kherson, as well as Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk and Simferopol,” the railway operator said on Telegram messaging apps. “The ticket can be bought, kept as a symbol of loyalty to the Armed Forces and the liberation of Ukraine from the invaders,” it said. “Once traffic is restored, railway officials will text with the date and location.”
The sledgehammer execution of a former Russian mercenary has gone viral on social media
A video purportedly showing the execution of a former Russian mercenary who switched sides has been circulating on Russian social media in what pro-Russian bloggers said was revenge for his alleged betrayal. The unverified video shows the man identifying himself as 55-year-old Yevgeny Nuzhin. He claims he is now supporting Ukraine in the war. He said he was kidnapped in Kyiv on October 11 and taken to a basement. “I hit my head and I passed out and I came to this cellar,” he said. “They told me I had to stand trial.” The video shows Nuzhin’s head pinned against a brick wall, and as he speaks, an unidentified man in combat gear wandering behind him smashes a sledgehammer into the side of his head and neck. Nuzhin collapsed to the floor and the unknown man gave him another blow to the head. It was also unclear how Nuzhin, who told Ukrainian media in September that he wanted to fight for Ukraine, ended up in the hands of Russian forces. mm, fb/aw (AFP, AP, dpa, Interfax, Reuters)
