Residents of annexed Kherson received SMS messages asking them to leave the city. The Russian authorities announce strikes on residential areas by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“There will be shelling of residential areas of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Buses from Rechport to the Left Bank from 7:00. Communication: 88003019999,” the messagesays .
Earlier, the "governor" of the Kherson region Kirill Stremousov urged everyone to prepare for the battle:
“The battle for Kherson will begin in the very near future. The civilian population is advised, if possible, to leave the area of the forthcoming fierce hostilities, so as not to thereby expose themselves to unnecessary risk.
The day before, General of the Russian Army Sergei Surovikin, who was appointed commander of the war in October, appeared on the air of federal channels, recognizing that the situation is serious, and announced the possibility of “making the most difficult decisions” in Kherson.