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MOSCOW and KYIV – Russia-backed authorities began an evacuation of civilians from the occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson Wednesday — in a sign that Moscow’s hold over the territory looks increasingly in jeopardy amid a surging Ukrainian counteroffensive.
In a video address, Vladimir Saldo, the Kremlin-installed administrator, called on residents from districts surrounding the regional capital of Kherson to evacuate across the Dnipro river — a key defense line — as Ukrainian forces continue to gain ground in Ukraine’s south.
Saldo offered residents the option of relocating to cities « in any part of Russia, » and said the Russian government would provide housing vouchers to those who wished to move further from the fighting.
« Let the Russian army do its job, » he said.
Others within his administration were less measured.
Kirill Stremousov, Saldo’s Moscow-appointed deputy, urged residents to evacuate « as quickly as possible » — saying the battle for Kherson « would soon begin. »
« We will not surrender the city, and we will fight to the end, » he said, adding that residents whose homes might be damaged from shelling could receive compensation from the Russian government.
