Russia-Ukraine War: Putin Pushes For Russian Evacuation in Kherson Region But Kyiv Thinks It's a Trap

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for the evacuation of residents from the fighting zone in the southern Kherson region of Ukraine on Friday.

On Russia's Day of National Unity, Vladimir Putin told pro-Kremlin supporters that civilians should not have to suffer, as reported by DW. Putin said people who live in Kherson "should be removed from the zone of the most dangerous actions."

Russian Forces Begin Pullout From Kherson

The Ukrainian province of Kherson was one of four that Putin unlawfully annexed in September. This was the first time he has publicly admitted that the situation was getting worse in the territory he now claims for Russia.

Kherson's Russian-appointed leaders have urged residents to evacuate the west of the city, where Ukrainian forces have made recent gains in the Russia Ukraine war. In a separate statement, Vladimir Putin revealed that Russia had enlisted 318,000 people into the military since the partial mobilization announcement in September.

According to the RIA news agency, Putin also signed a law permitting the mobilization of those who have perpetrated heinous crimes. Offenders with a history of child sex abuse, treason, spying, or terrorism are not covered by the law.

As Ukrainian forces launch a counteroffensive in the partially seized southern region, Al Jazeera reported that "more than 5,000 civilians" are being evacuated from Kherson daily in the Russia Ukraine war.

According to Russia's defense ministry, military engineers daily move "up to 1,200 civilian vehicles, both trucks, and cars, as well as more than 5,000 citizens" to the eastern bank of the Dnipro river. The Ukrainian government has accused Russia of carrying out illegal "mass deportations" of its citizens.

After pictures on social media showed that the Russian flag had been taken down from the city's main administrative building, rumors started to spread on Thursday that Russia might be leaving Kherson city. Telegram channel footage, however, showed Russian flags hanging over other government structures.

Russia-Ukraine War May Slow Down in Winter

It has been reported by Politico that Ukrainian authorities are treating those stories with some skepticism. According to Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine's southern military command, this may be a "trick" on Russia's part.

"This may be a provocation in order to create the impression that settlements have been abandoned, that it is safe to enter them," she told Ukrainian television. The Ukrainian military official added that there is no reason to "rejoice" yet since the Russians have been planning street fights for a while and the Kyiv forces are aware of the intended tactics of Moscow's troops.

Humeniuk warned that any decision to retreat is more about Russians making long-term strategic decisions about where to defend to be effective, retain weapons supplies, and prepare for winter.

Russia illegally annexed four parts of Ukraine this month, including Kherson Oblast, via fraudulent referendums. Ukrainians in Kyiv and beyond would feel relieved if Russia withdrew from Kherson.

However, it is highly improbable that Ukrainian forces will be able to reclaim the Crimean Peninsula this winter from the unlawfully occupying Russian troops that have been there since 2014.

Officials have stated that the upcoming colder weather will likely slow down the Russia Ukraine war, and that the Ukrainians still have to pass the Dnipro and confront a well-fortified Russian defensive line before they can reach Crimea.

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Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir putin, Russian President Vladimir Putin