Earlier, tens of thousands of civilians were taken to other areas under Russian control, according to Ukraine. The pro-Russian authorities spoke then and now of a preventive measure because of an expected Ukrainian attack. Ukrainian army recaptures territory in Kherson from Russian forces.
Russia has occupied parts of the Kherson region since February 1, the day the war broke out. The city of the same name fell into Russian hands in March and is still the only regional capital to be occupied. Kherson is one of the four regions that Russia has recently annexed.