(MENAFN) Russian-installed authorities in occupied Kherson have encouraged inhabitants to flee "immediately," anticipating a counteroffensive operation by Ukrainian soldiers to retake the city in southern Ukraine.

On Saturday, the regional government demanded that citizens evacuate Kherson city, citing a dangerous situation on the front and the fear of bombardment and suspected plots for "terror strikes" by Ukrainian forces.

They persuaded citizens to cross a river by boat in order to get farther into Russian-held territory.

Russia took control of the regional capital city of Kherson early in the war and conquered other areas of the region in the months that followed. Kherson is one of four territories unlawfully acquired by President Vladimir Putin last month. He declared martial law in the territories on Thursday, despite a continuous counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces.

Kherson's Kremlin-backed authorities earlier declared intentions to relocate all Russian-appointed officials and up to 60,000 inhabitants across the river in a "organized, progressive displacement," according to local leader Vladimir Saldo.

According to another Russian-installed official, Kirill Stremousov, who indicated civilians were transferring freely, an estimated 25,000 individuals from the region had made their way over the river.

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