Kherson Weekly: 15-21 February 2025
A Weekly Review of War-Related Events and Information Space in & around Kherson
Photo: State Emergency Services of Ukraine
Photo of the Week
This teddy bear was found among the ruins and next to the bed of a 37-year-old man killed in a KAB strike on Kherson, late on 19 February. The caption given by the State Emergency Services says more than I could ever say about such cruelty that robs the world of the best people, memories, and amenities which life has to offer.
Kherson. Night. Pain… Another Russian guided air bomb turned the entrance of a 10-story building into ruins. In an instant, a peaceful house became a death trap. In the middle of the night, debris flew, walls shook, and human lives were torn in half.
5 injured, among them - two children, twins, a boy and a girl. They lost the most precious thing - their mother, who died under the rubble. Another family destroyed, another childhood cut short...💔
A man's body was found among the ruins... Nearby, on his bed, lay a small teddy bear. Blood stains froze on its white fur. Whose was it? Perhaps a gift from a daughter or a lover, or perhaps the only memory of someone close to him. Now this teddy bear is a silent memory of a person who was not destined to survive that night. Another fragment of a destroyed life, another symbol of pain that cannot be erased.
Despite the ruins, despite the pain and the enemy's attempts to wipe us off the face of the earth - we will stand. Because Ukraine was, is and will be!
Videos of the Week
On the night of 19-20 February, Russian forces dropped KAB glide bombs on Kherson, severely damaging a 10-story apartment building in central Kherson. Additional glide bomb strikes on 19 February hit the villages of Tokarivka, Havrylivka, and Novooleksandrivka, according to the Kherson Police. This came with additional glide bomb strikes later on 20 February reported by Governor Oleksandr Prokudin on Mylove and Novooleksandrivka, further up the Dnipro.
Video: Oleksandr Prokudin
In the strikes on Kherson, six civilians were injured and two were killed, according to Kherson Police. Among the injured were two 13-year-old twins—a boy and a girl. Their mother, a 47-year-old woman, was killed by the strike and her body was recovered the next morning. Additionally, the body of a 37-year-old man was recovered by rescuers. The strike caused the front facade of the building to collapse, killing them. A 36-year-old man, two 47-year-old men, and a 60-year-old man were also injured in the series of three glide bomb strikes across the city.
Video: Oleksandr Prokudin
The body of the 37-year-old man was recovered by rescuers on 20 February.
Video: Oleksandr Prokudin
The twins were recovering in the hospital, unaware of their mother’s death, when the body of the 47-year-old mother was recovered by rescuers later on 20 February.
Footage of the strike emerged on Osvedomitell Alex’s war crime blog, “From Mariupol to the Carpathians” almost immediately after it occurred. In the caption, Alex admits that the strike on these children, civilians, and their homes was entirely premeditated, constituting a murderous war crime. Evidently, the maiming of children and murder of their mother was simply “an objective.”
Video: Osvedomitell Alex
Geolocated by Dmojavensis on X
Kherson. Objective control.
Series of strikes on planned enemy targets in Kherson. All targets hit.
Storming the Dnipro (Revisited)
Photo: The Tunnel Light
Russian milbloggers recently rekindled talk of storming the Dnipro River amid the increase in glide bomb strikes on settlements along the riverbank, so some data from Ukrainian forces defending in the Southern Front will offer some vital context. The Southern Joint Task Force Odesa publishes almost daily updates on Russian personnel and vehicle losses, as well as the daily number of assault operations in both Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Since talk of riverine operations began on 20 December, with reports of 300 boats being supplied to Russian forces, intense battles for control of the islands in the mouth of the Dnipro have erupted. As discussed in earlier editions of Kherson Weekly, the Russian forces are mainly being wiped out on the islands or in their boats via drones and submersible mines. Of the supposed 300 boats, Russian forces have lost 126 boats, according to data collected from the Southern Joint Task Force. So almost half of the reported boats have been lost.
Video: Southern Joint Task Force Odesa
Another important factor to consider when talk about crossing the river emerges is that Russian forces have actually lessened their assaults across the Dnipro River since reaching a peak at the very end of January and start of February. Between 30 Jan and 3 February, there were 32 assaults alone–nearly a quarter of all attempts since 20 December. In contrast, since 3 February, Russian forces have only stormed the Dnipro 4 times: 3 times on 15 February and once on 22 February.
Data: B. Kelley
Some platforms that would be critical for Russian forces to conduct successful riverine assault operations and establish a bridgehead over the Dnipro would be artillery systems, motorcycles, ATVs, and various armored and unarmored automobiles. Since 20 December, Russian forces operating from Huliaipole, Zaporizhzhia Oblast to the Kinburn Spit, Mykolaiv Oblast have lost 466 artillery systems, 180 motorcycles, 89 ATVs, and a staggering 1174 various APCs, IMVs, and technicals. Losses in these categories correspond with increases in Russian offensive activity, particularly in Zaporizhzhia, near Orikhiv. But evidence of Ukrainian drone operators disrupting Russian logistics and general ability to move in the rear emerged, as so-called “roads of death” took shape around critical locations in occupied Kherson like Hola Prystan or Oleshky. Many vehicles simply do not make it to the front, as Ukrainian heavy nighttime bombers remotely mine or stalk vehicles on major Russian logistics routes. Below, the 104th Guards Airborne Division’s channel shared footage from late January of operations on such a road near Russian-occupied Krynky.
Video: Udalenshyky Airlines (104th VDV Division)
Russian milblogger and propagandist, Osvedomitell Alex, posted a video of a PTS-2 amphibious cargo carrier on 20 February, just as bombs were crushing Ukrainian cities and villages across the river. The vehicle is particularly interesting because only a few hundred PTS-family vehicles were produced and have yet to make a mark on the battlefield, according to Tank Encyclopedia. The relatively rare piece of Soviet-era kit was also fitted with the classic Russian “Tsar Mangal” (Translation: Czar Cage/Grill) – a nickname given to the ad-hoc anti-drone APC expansion packs often employed by Russian forces on tanks, APCs, IFVs, technicals and more platforms since 2023. Russia claims the vehicle can carry up to 75 personnel, but given the platform’s slow 12 km/h swimming speed, this would seem like a sure-fire way to feed Madyar’s Birds. This makes me personally question their effectiveness in ensuring Russian personnel survive their potential riverine excursion. Either way, Alex made sure that his audience was aware of ongoing training to achieve the strategic goal of the reoccupation of Kherson.
Video: Osvedomitell Alex
Kherson direction.
While aviation, artillery and UAV crews work along the right bank, the infantry of the 18th combined arms army (UA) conducts training and practices all possible scenarios for forcing water obstacles.
Kherson is a Russian city.
Data: B. Kelley
One other interesting observation in the data from the Southern Joint Task Force is an increase in strikes on blindages, dugouts, and fortified positions. Ukrainian hits on Russian static positions began to spike directly after 3 February and have continued to be Ukrainian forces’ second or third most popular target since. Prior to 3 February, Russian fortifications were still targeted regularly, but they rarely saw high volumes of hits. Between late December and late January, on average 8 blindages were hit daily, but since then, an average of 34 of such targets are hit by Ukrainian forces daily. This corresponds to increases in Ukrainian hits on Russian Starlink systems, generators, EW complexes, and observation points within the same time frames.
Data: B. Kelley
It seems that 3 February marked a temporary pause due to high losses or perhaps a shift in operational attention. Since 3 February, Russian forces have launched 57 assaults in the Orikhiv direction in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This intensity of operations elsewhere on the battlefield could be stretching Russian logistics and C4 capabilities (command, control, communications, and computers). These capabilities may be temporarily marred by Ukrainian strikes as Ukrainian forces have destroyed 506 antenna complexes, 90 EW complexes, and over 150 Starlink systems.
Russian personnel losses have also increased dramatically, averaging 108 daily casualties within the last week. The daily average the week before was only 48. This increase in losses corresponds with small increases in the losses of ATVs, motorcycles, and other armored & unarmored vehicles, also aligned with the increase in assaults toward Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia. Given significant attrition since December in the Kherson direction, I believe Russian forces are shifting focus more toward the central part of the Zaporizhzhia line.
Russian forces do seem determined to continue trying small raids across the Dnipro, especially near the Antonivka Bridge, yet I still remain skeptical as to their ability to pull off a successful operation. Given significant losses in relevant platforms, increased losses in personnel, a relatively small stock of rare PTS-family vehicles, a recent concentration of Ukrainian strikes on Russian defensive positions, and a shift in Russian offensive priorities, I find Russia’s ability to conduct serious offensive operations relevant to their strategic goal of capturing Kherson rather insufficient.
Still, let’s be vigilant and watch the space.
Tracking Russian Terror
Data: B. Kelley
Situation Report
Civilian casualties were driven by a few events this week. An increase in the use of glide bombs on the city of Kherson and villages along the river resulted in the aforementioned strike on a 10-story apartment building, killing 2 and wounding another 6.
Earlier that day, on 19 February, a drone struck a civilian medical clinic in Bilozerka injuring 8 medical staff and a 73-year-old pediatrician. Additionally, two police officers were wounded in Korabelnyi Raion on 15 February.
Since tracking began on 21 June 2024, 11 medical volunteers & personnel, firefighters, and police officers have been killed and 98 more have been wounded by Russian attacks.
The youngest victim since 21 June 2024 was injured this week: a three-year-old boy was injured by an artillery strike that also injured his 42-year-old mother.
So far in February, Russian forces have maimed or murdered 152 Ukrainian non-combatants: 16 people were killed and another 136 civilians were wounded by Russian attacks. Of those victims, Russian drone attacks have killed 8 and wounded 86 civilians, while shelling has killed 8 and wounded 50 civilians.
As of 21 February 2025, 1853 civilians have been killed or wounded by Russian aggression since 21 June 2024, in Kherson Raion. 89 civilians have been killed by shelling, while 714 have been wounded. Another 85 civilians have been killed by drones, while 965 civilians have been injured (a total of 1050 drone casualties).
Weekly Civilian Victims of Russian Aggression
Shelling:
Killed: 5
Wounded: 11 (+ a 42-year-old mother and her 3-year-old son injured in Stanislav on 11 February, a 53-year-old man injured in Rozlyv on 13 February, and a 40 year-old man, 67-year-old woman, 70-year-old woman injured in Kherson on 14 February)
Drones:
Killed: A 50-year-old man injured in Antonivka on 10 February died from his injuries
Wounded: 23
Total: 39 ( + 6 casualties injured last week who sought medical attention and 1 injured civilian who passed away from their injuries)
Data: National Police
Due to the Kherson Police and the National Police website no longer being functional for most of this week, building, infrastructure, and vehicle damage was not able to be tracked and categorized accurately this week. Check back next week for another look.
Kherson Will NEVER Be a Russian City
Sources
Ukrainian Sources
ДСНС України. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/dsns_telegram/38670
ДСНС Херсон. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/dsns_kherson/8752
Національна поліція України 🇺🇦. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/UA_National_Police/35470
Національна поліція України 🇺🇦. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/UA_National_Police/35671
Патрульна поліція України. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/patrolpolice_ua/8038
Поліція Херсонської області. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonpolice/14508
Поліція Херсонської області. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonpolice/14530
Поліція Херсонської області. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonpolice/14547
Поліція Херсонської області. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonpolice/14558
Поліція Херсонської області. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonpolice/14559
Поліція Херсонської області. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonpolice/14572
Поліція Херсонської області. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonpolice/14585
Поліція Херсонської області. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonpolice/14616
Поліція Херсонської області. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonpolice/14638
Прокудін Олександр - Офіційна сторінка. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/olexandrprokudin/6354
Прокудін Олександр - Офіційна сторінка. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/olexandrprokudin/6366
Прокудін Олександр - Офіційна сторінка. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/olexandrprokudin/6369
Прокудін Олександр - Офіційна сторінка. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/olexandrprokudin/6370
Прокудін Олександр - Офіційна сторінка. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/olexandrprokudin/6375
Прокудін Олександр - Офіційна сторінка. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/olexandrprokudin/6379
Прокудін Олександр - Офіційна сторінка. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/olexandrprokudin/6384
Сили оборони Півдня України. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/12130
Херсонська обласна прокуратура. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/phogovua/6078
Херсонська обласна прокуратура. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/phogovua/6086
Херсонська обласна прокуратура. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/phogovua/6087
🇺🇦Херcонська ОДА (ОВА). (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonskaODA/31561
🇺🇦Херcонська ОДА (ОВА). (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonskaODA/31564
🇺🇦Херcонська ОДА (ОВА). (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonskaODA/31603
🇺🇦Херcонська ОДА (ОВА). (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonskaODA/31681
🇺🇦Херcонська ОДА (ОВА). (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonskaODA/31722
🇺🇦Херcонська ОДА (ОВА). (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonskaODA/31727
🇺🇦Херcонська ОДА (ОВА). (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonskaODA/31769
🇺🇦Херcонська ОДА (ОВА). (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/khersonskaODA/31810
Russian Sources
Удаленщики Airlines. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/AirlinesVDV/529
От Мариуполя до Карпат. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/osvedomitell_alex/24414
От Мариуполя до Карпат. (n.d.). Telegram. https://t.me/osvedomitell_alex/24416
English Sources
Bocquelet, D. (n.d.). PTS-2 (1985). https://tank-afv.com/coldwar/ussr/PTS-2.php
D. mojavensis 🇺🇲 🇺🇦 on X: “RU demonstrated their ‘desire for peace’ by hitting an apartment tower in Kherson (UA) w/ reportedly a glide bomb (20 FEB 2025). Damage ~ 46.6519, 32.6110 @GeoConfirmed Src: https://t.co/IdI9KP4ViF https://t.co/gplnQ7Ac2G https://t.co/YD2F416mMy” / X. (2001, February 20). X (Formerly Twitter). https://x.com/Dmojavensis/status/1892474788842541241
Kelley, B. (2025, February 4). Kherson Weekly: 25-31 January 2025. The Bober’s Lodge. https://brendankelley.substack.com/p/kherson-weekly-25-31-january-2025
Kherson Raion Civilian Casualty data. (n.d.). Google Docs. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FBQpTmqkOfZ3Nq-m9rjh6kWkIjaCBDzjjyFsX3RdvM8/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Southern Joint Task Force ODESA - Hits & Losses. (n.d.). Google Docs. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m16zq5QnvT5MLsQz_AF1Epvo9XtWYXEQJ2ObBWj_eBg/edit?gid=0#gid=0