Russia will help evacuate residents from Kherson, government official says
From CNN's Katharina Krebs
The Russian government will help residents of the Kherson region evacuate to other regions of the country, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin who was quoted by the Russian state media RIA Novosti.
"In connection with the appeal of the head of the Kherson region of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Saldo, the government decided to organize assistance for the departure of residents of the region to other regions of the country," said Khusnullin, as quoted by RIA.
Earlier Thursday, Saldo appealed to the Kremlin to organize an evacuation of civilians in the face of an ongoing Ukrainian offensive.
However, Kirill Stremousov, the deputy head of Kherson region military administration, said in response that there would not be any evacuation.
Saldo’s request to “help organize the departure of residents of the Kherson region for temporary stay and rest in other regions of the Russian Federation is not a call for evacuation,” Stremousov said. “We urge the residents of the Kherson region to remain calm and to not panic. Nobody is going to withdraw Russian troops from the Kherson region.”
Ukrainian forces have been making gradual advances through Kherson, as well as striking critical infrastructure such as bridges and railways.
Kherson is one of four regions of Ukraine annexed by Russia last month.
http://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-10-13-22#h_16e1b6b77fb6878032f7590b3a46b7e3
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