Russia extends evacuation zone in southern Ukraine

Russia has asked civilians to leave a swath of Ukraine along the eastern bank of the Dnipro, and has accused Kiev of plotting to use prohibited methods of war against its forces in the region.

Russian-backed officials on Tuesday identified seven towns on the east bank that would now be evacuated, comprising the main populated settlements along that stretch of the river. They said civilians were being taken to safety in Kherson region because of an alleged threat that Ukraine might use unconventional weapons.

"Due to the possibility of the use of prohibited methods of war by the Ukrainian regime, as well as information that Kiev is preparing a massive missile strike on the Kakhovka hydroelectric station, there is an immediate danger of the Kherson region being flooded," Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-backed head of the Kherson region, said.

"Given the situation, I have decided to expand the evacuation zone by 15 km from the Dnipro," he said. "The decision will make it possible to create a layered defense in order to repel Ukrainian attacks and protect civilians."

Moscow has accused Kiev of planning to use a "dirty bomb" to spread radiation or to blow up a dam to flood towns and villages in Kherson Province. Kyiv denies it would use such tactics.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin annexed the Kherson region after staging referendums in four Ukrainian regions at the end of September.

Russia previously ordered civilians out of a pocket it controls on the west bank of the river.

The mouth of the wide Dnipro River has become one of the most consequential frontlines in recent weeks. Russia has thousands of troops there and has been trying to reinforce the area. Ukraine's advance has slowed in recent days.

On Monday, Ukrainian officials reported multiple missile strikes in cities across the country, including the capital, Kiev, after Russia accused Ukraine of attacking its Black Sea fleet in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said missiles had targeted energy infrastructure in Kiev and other cities, causing electricity and water outages.

Russia said the ships targeted in the Saturday attack had been involved in an internationally-brokered deal to allow grain exports from Ukrainian ports. Following the attack, the Kremlin announced that it was suspending its participation in the deal.

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The Ukrainian government has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the attack on the Russian fleet.

Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. At the time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said one of the goals of what he called "a special military operation" was to "de-Nazify" Ukraine.

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