More flee Ukraine's Kherson as Russian occupiers renew warnings

Russian occupation authorities in Kherson, Ukraine, told civilians that they must evacuate immediately due to the tense military situation that Ukraine is advancing into.

After warnings of a Ukrainian offensive to capture the city, thousands fled across the Dnipro River for days. This latest warning was issued with renewed urgency.

"Take care of your friends and family's safety!" Russian authorities advised that documents, money and valuables should not be forgotten.

People arrived by riverboat from Kherson loaded with boxes, bags, and pets at Oleshky, on the other bank of the Dnipro. One woman was carrying a baby and a dog, while the other carried a toddler.

Many boats were loaded up with food and vegetables. Russian emergency ministry staff carried children and elderly in prams to the vessels. The families waited for buses to the Russian-annexed Crimea.

One resident said that he didn't want o leave, but that he was still working. "We wanted to remain here in the area, but now we don’t know."

The Russian-installed leader in the region stated that Russia planned to move approximately 10,000 residents per day from Kherson, and that Russia was ready to accept residents in anticipation of Ukraine's attack.

Despite the warning, the occupation authorities invited those still in the city to Saturday's "evening of Russian literature and music and art" at Kherson's Palace of Culture. There would be a book reading and an orchestra.

The Ukraine has placed an information blackout at the Kherson front. However, General Sergei Surovikin, the Russian commander, stated this week that the situation in Kherson was already difficult and Russia was not ruling out taking difficult decisions there.

The Russian defense ministry said in a briefing Saturday (21 October) that its forces had defeated a Ukrainian attempt at breaking through its control of the Kherson region. Reuters was unable to independently verify battlefield claims.

Russia's only province capital, Kherson, has been held and retaken intact since its 24 February invasion. Russia claimed the Kherson region as its "forever" territory, according to President Vladimir Putin last month.

Putin stated that he was prepared to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia's claims to its lands. Ukraine, its allies, and the United Nations General Assembly condemned the declared annexation as illegal.

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