Pro-Russian authorities in Kherson, Ukraine, have put the number of people evacuated in recent days at more than 70,000 to supposedly keep them away from an escalation of the conflict in this area, one of the territories that Russia now claims as its own after holding referendums.
The authorities controlling the area ordered the inhabitants to cross to the left bank of the Dnieper river in anticipation of a military offensive by Ukrainian forces. Some citizens chose to contact the authorities and others used their own boats, explained the leader Vladimir Saldo.
This pro-Russian governor admitted in declarations to a Crimean channel that «it is difficult to gather statistics», but he was «sure» that there are already more than 70,000 people who have crossed the river, according to the Russian news agency TASS.
The Kherson front is one of the most active today, with both sides accusing each other of intensifying attacks. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksi Reznikov has said that Russian forces are suffering supply problems following the destruction of several bridges in the area.
Reznikov has acknowledged, however, that the rain in recent days has caused Ukrainian troops to be «a little slower» in their advance. They are advancing «step by step», the minister explained on Fox News, emphasizing that «they will continue to do so» in the coming days.
