Kherson governor urges families to evacuate as Russian strikes threaten power and heat

On August 27, Oleksandr Prokudin, the governor of Ukraine’s southern city of Kherson, issued a public plea for residents—particularly families with children and the elderly—to evacuate if they are able. He described the security environment as “extremely difficult,” noting that Russian forces have stepped up attacks on the region’s essential services. A recent glide-bomb assault on the district heating facility inflicted serious damage, raising the risk of long-term loss of electricity and heating.

Prokudin emphasized that there is presently no capability to intercept these drones or aerial bombs anywhere in the country. Russian troops, now stationed on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River, continue to shell the city, while both sides have increased long-range strikes on civilian infrastructure. The warning follows a pattern of attacks that have previously left millions without power during winter. Authorities hope the evacuation request will protect vulnerable populations from the looming humanitarian crisis.