Russia is evacuating civilians from Kherson as the region prepares for a battle. The Russian army later said it is evacuating at least 5,000 civilians from the region each day.

The evacuations are being carried out as the Ukrainian forces advance towards the Russian-occupied Kherson. Russian authorities have been carrying out evacuations since mid-October. Ukrainian officials say that administrators appointed by Moscow have relocated to a place 50 miles away. They went on to say that they took everything of value with them.

As Russian and Ukrainian troops prepare for the battle, the signs of Moscow’s rule are disappearing. Faced with the new challenge, civilians of the region are stocking food and fuel.

A report by the Indian Express mentions how Russian soldiers, patrols, and checkpoints have suddenly become extremely scarce in the city centre, according to residents, and most civilians have left. It also states that the Russian tricolour flag, raised over government offices after Moscow’s forces captured Kherson in February, was missing Thursday from the main regional administrative building and other sites.

A Kherson resident as quoted by the Indian Express, said, “On one hand I was happy to see that, but on the other hand, I’m worried that it would be anarchy now. So I bought extra stuff as I don’t know whether it would be safe to move around the city in the next days or weeks.”

Russia has vowed to make Kherson a “fortress” and prevent the Ukrainians from recapturing the city. Ukrainian intelligence reports say that Moscow has deployed 40,000 more soldiers to defend the region.