The conflict in Ukraine: Russia admits that the situation is fragile in the city of Kherson, residents have been evacuated The commander of ...

The conflict in Ukraine: Russia admits that the situation is fragile in the city of Kherson, residents have been evacuated

The commander of Russian forces in Ukraine says the situation in the southern city of Kherson is "difficult" and residents should be evacuated.

General Sergei Surovikin said Ukrainian soldiers using Himars rockets were hitting the city's infrastructure and residences. He spoke on Russian state TV.

"The Russian army above all will ensure the safe evacuation of the people" of Kherson, he said.

His rare admission of serious problems was backed up by a top local official.

A regional officer installed by Russia Kirill Stremousov warned Kherson residents that "in the near future" Ukrainian troops would launch an offensive in the city.

"Please take my words seriously - I'm talking about moving as soon as possible," he said on the Telegraph messaging service. He added that people on the west bank of the Dnieper River (called Dnipro in Ukraine) were most vulnerable.

This was confirmed by the Governor of the region Vladimir Saldo, who was also appointed by Russia, in a video message.

Kherson was the first big city to fall to the Russians, back in February.

Ukrainian forces have been retaking the area for the past few weeks. They have pushed up to 30 kilometers (19 miles) south along the Dnieper, threatening to trap Russian troops.

"Generally the situation in the special area of ​​the military operation can be described as tense," General Surovikin said.

Kherson is the only Ukrainian regional capital that has been captured by the Russians in their invasion. The Kremlin now claims Kherson and three other Ukrainian regions to be part of Russia - a claim rejected internationally.