Ukraine frees thousands of people from occupation as Russian frontline collapses

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Kirill Stremousov, the Moscow-appointed deputy head of the Kherson region, told residents there was “no reason to panic”.

“Our artillery and fighter jets are hitting enemy forces that enter the sovereign territory of Russia,” he said. “Yes, you can hear explosions at a distance, but they’re infrequent.”

The Russian ministry of defense claimed in an afternoon briefing that it had destroyed “nine tanks, 12 infantry fighting vehicles, 20 vehicles and 250 personnel” in the area of ​​the fighting but made no mention of a retreat.

Russian commanders are expected to try to stabilize the line before the Ukrainians reach Nova Khakova, the site of a hydroelectric dam that also serves as a road bridge across the Dnieper river.

Failure to do so could lead to a general collapse of the Russian army group west of the Dnieper.

Novakhakova is one of only two bridges the Russians are able to use to supply the troops on the western bank of the river.

The other, the Anontonsky bridge in Kherson city, has been rendered all but unusable by Ukrainian Himars strikes.

The Novokhakova dam lies about 33 miles southwest of Dudchany and is deemed a key target for Ukraine’s forces.

The apparent retreat came as Russia’s Federation Council on Tuesday ratified the formal annexation of four occupied territories in Ukraine, including the southern Kherson region.

In response, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, signed a decree formally ruling out peace talks with Russia.

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