The Russian-installed leader of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, has called on civilians to evacuate, citing daily rocket attacks by advancing Ukrainian forces.
He asked them to “save themselves” by going to Russia for “study” and asked for Moscow’s help.
The call was later made by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin in a message on state television.
Ukraine denies allegations that it is targeting its own civilians.
Its troops have recently retaken some areas of northwestern Kherson, closing in on the regional capital.
“The government made the decision to organize assistance for the evacuation of residents of the [Kherson] region to other regions of the country,” said Khusnullin, who has special responsibility for southern Russia and Crimea.
“We will offer everyone free housing and everything necessary.”
Among other weaponry, Kiev has used US-supplied Himars missile systems to great effect, targeting key Russian-held military targets and threatening to cut off most of the occupation forces on the west bank of the Dnieper River. (known as Dnipro in Ukraine).
Kherson is the only regional capital occupied by Russian forces since the invasion of Moscow began on February 24.