Russian-appointed authorities urge Kherson residents to evacuate, fearing counteroffensive

Russian-appointed authorities in charge of the city of Kherson ordered all citizens to evacuate “immediately” on Saturday, fearing that the area will become the next major front of the war. 

"Civilians of Kherson and all departments and ministries of civil administration must now cross over to the left bank of the Dnieper [River]," Russian authorities from Kherson said in a Telegram message. 

Authorities claim to have made the order "due to the tense situation at the front, the increased danger of massive shelling of the city, and the threat of terrorist attacks," referring to the approaching Ukrainian forces.

Russian-installed officials said they were planning to evacuate around 1,000 people a day from Kherson into Russia, reported Reuters.

The statement told civilians to take all valuables and necessary documentation, as well as pets, as they prepare for the region to become the next major battlefield.

Ukrainian forces have been advancing and experts believe they might be planning another major counter-offensive such as the one that left Russian forces retreating from Kharkiv last month. 

Recently, Ukraine’s troops have been targeting bridges, roads, and supply routes around Kherson, cutting off vital access points to Russian troops and preparing for a final push to reclaim the city.

Russia took control of most of the Kherson region shortly after its invasion of Ukraine began in February. In September, the Kremlin declared that the region of Kherson was part of Russia’s territory after it attempted to annex it last month. Ukraine and its Western allies have dismissed Russia’s claim as illegal.