The city is the capital of the same-named region, one of four that Russia unlawfully annexed last month. It is strategically significant and a top priority for both sides due to its big river and harbor.
In the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, Russian-installed authorities have ordered the “urgent” evacuation of residents amid predictions of an impending Ukrainian counteroffensive to recover the city.
Authorities demanded in a Telegram message that all citizens of Kherson leave the city “immediately,” citing the “tense situation” and increased risk of shelling.
In recent days, thousands of people have fled across the Dnieper River, but the Russian government’s warning is a significant development.
To get deeper into Russia-held territory, residents have been advised to use boat crossings.
The city is the seat of the same-named region, which was one of four illegally acquired by Russia last month following “fake” referendums, according to the West.
Because of its big river and harbor, the city is strategically significant and a top priority for both sides.
The warning is issued as Ukrainian forces march along the west bank of the Dnieper in an attempt to reclaim the city.
Targeting resupply routes, Ukrainian forces pounded Russian positions around the province on Friday, inching closer to an all-out assault on the province’s capital.
In its daily intelligence briefing, the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom said that Russian soldiers continue to fortify crossing locations over the Dnipro River in Ukraine, but are under “growing pressure” in Kherson.
In addition, all departments and ministries of the Russian-installed government in Kherson have been ordered to leave.
This week, Russian commander General Sergei Surovikin stated that the situation in Kherson was “already unpleasant” and that Russia would “not rule out taking difficult steps” if necessary.
However, the Russian defense ministry stated in a briefing on Saturday that its soldiers had rejected a Ukrainian effort to breach its control line in the Kherson region. These assertions could not be independently verified by Reuters.
During their counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces regained several settlements in the region.
Russia continues to target Ukrainian infrastructure with missiles. Saturday, the Ukrainian air force claimed that multiple regions have reported attacks on energy infrastructure and power disruptions.
“More than one million” without electricity
On Saturday morning, the force’s command claimed that 33 missiles had been fired at Ukraine and 18 of them had been intercepted.
As of Saturday afternoon, presidential adviser Kyrylo Tymoshenko reported that over a million people in Ukraine were without electricity, including 672,000 in the western area of Khmelnytskyi alone.
Russia has expanded its attacks on power plants, water delivery networks, and other vital infrastructure during the previous two weeks.
Ukrenergo, the state-owned energy utility, has asked all Ukrainians to conserve energy.
This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged people to reduce their daily electricity consumption between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.
