Kherson Authorities Urge Residents to Evacuate Amid Intensifying Russian Strikes

Authorities in southern Ukraine have called for residents of Kherson to evacuate the city due to intensifying Russian strikes on critical infrastructure. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin specifically urged families with children and elderly residents to leave if possible, warning that the city faces the risk of prolonged electricity and heating outages. The governor noted that Russian forces have increased the use of guided bombs and jet powered drones, which have caused significant damage to the city's combined heat and power plant.

Beyond Kherson, Russian forces launched a series of attacks across Ukraine on Thursday. In Kyiv, drone strikes occurred during the day, injuring one man, while ballistic missiles and drones targeted the capital region throughout the night. Other strikes were reported in the Sumy region, where one person was killed and four injured, as well as in Odessa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. In Kherson, city administration head Yaroslav Shanko stated that civilian transport was targeted during the day.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed requests for additional equipment from allies to defend against ballistic missiles. These events occur as the conflict enters its fourth and a half year.