MoD says Moscow’s forces are anticipating combat extending to the city itself as Ukraine pushes ahead in its southern counter-offensive
Russia is preparing to evacuate civilians from Kherson amid fears Ukraine could soon reach the southern city, according to British intelligence.
Moscow’s forces are likely attempting to consolidate a new front line west of the village of Mylove after retreating around 20 kilometres north of Kherson since early October, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
“Heavy fighting continues along this line, especially at the western end where Ukrainian advances mean Russia’s flank is no longer protected by the Inhulets River,” it said in its daily intelligence update.
A grinding Ukrainian counter-offensive, launched in September, has recaptured vast swathes of land in the southern Kherson region, with Kyiv’s forces edging towards regional capital.
The Ukrainian military said on Wednesday that it had liberated five more settlements in the region.
In the days prior to the announcement, it was claimed that Ukraine had recaptured nearly 1,200 square kilometres of territory since beginning the counter-offensive in late August.
British military officials said Russia has become concerned that fighting could soon reach the city of Kherson.
In recent days, the Russian occupation authorities have likely ordered preparation for the evacuation of some civilians from Kherson,” the MoD said. “It is likely that they anticipate combat extending to the city of Kherson itself.”
Ukraine has continued to use long-range weapons, such as the US-provided Himars, to target Russian logistical hubs behind enemy lines.
The tactic helped its armed forces degrade Russian lines before launching the long-awaited counter-offensive.
Ukraine’s southern command said its troops had destroyed five ammunition depots, two fuel trucks, two armoured vehicles and three artillery systems, as well as 36 Russian troops, on Wednesday.
Its forces also claimed to have shot down four Russian helicopters in less than 20 minutes on the same day.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin continued his aerial barrage on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, where residents were awoken by the sound of air raid sirens for the fourth consecutive day.
Oleksiy Kuleba, the Kyiv regional governor, said the strike on Thursday, using Iranian-made “kamikaze” drones, hit a village near the capital.
A five-storey apartment building was also destroyed in Mykolaiv as the result of overnight shelling.
