RUSSIAN civilians have been urged to flee from Kherson as Ukrainian fighters are only 12 miles from reclaiming the occupied city.
In a sign that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has been advancing, the annexed region's Moscow-installed head Vladimir Saldo has asked Russia to help evacuate residents from the whole area.
He said on a Telegram post: "We suggested to all people of the Kherson region to, if they wish, leave to other regions to protect themselves from missile hits.
"In addressing the leadership of the country (Russia), I ask you to help organise this work."
"We, the people of the Kherson region, know that Russia does not abandon its own."
Saldo added that the region was being hit by an increasing amount of rocket attacks causing "serious damage", and claimed civilian infrastructure was being targeted.
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The key port city of Kherson has been captured since the beginning of the war in February.
But as Zelensky's men continue their lightning counter-offensive, they are said to be narrowing in the occupied Black Sea city.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed Russia was preparing to evacuate civilians in the Kherson region suggesting the possibility that Russian troops will attempt to consolidate a new front line west of the village of Mylove after retreating about 12 miles in the north of the Kherson sector earlier this month.
It said in its daily update: "Heavy fighting continues along this line, especially at the western end where Ukrainian advances mean Russia’s flank is no longer protected by the Inhulets River.
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"Most of the Russia troops on this front line remain understrength VDV (airborne) units.
"In recent days, the Russian occupation authorities have likely ordered preparation for the evacuation of some civilians from Kherson.
"It is likely that they anticipate combat extending to the city of Kherson itself."
The call came a day after Kyiv said it had retaken five settlements in the Kherson region.
In a humiliating blow to Putin's invasion, Ukraine has recaptured swathes of territory in Kharkiv in the past few weeks and was already approaching Kherson.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin's crumbling army is said to refuse to fight, disobeying orders amid "extremely low morale," the Kyiv Independent reports.
Ukraine's General Staff reported that Russian forces have received orders to stop the offensive in some front-line areas.
The reason behind it is "the extremely low morale and psychological condition of the recruits, numerous facts of desertion, and refusing to obey combat orders.
Russian lines are said to be dramatically collapsing in Ukraine, with a formerNATO commander claiming it could be Russia's biggest military disaster for 100 years.
In another embarrassing blow for the Russian leader, Ukrainian forces shot down four KA-52 attack helicopters in just 18 minutes yesterday.
Ukraine's defence ministry shared a picture of four helicopters with the caption: "Today, in just 18 minutes, service members of #UAarmy shot down 4 Russian helicopters that were spoiling beautiful autumn skies in the south of Ukraine. No place for Alligators here."
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General Sir Richard Shirreff, said Putin's army is on the verge of total collapse.
"I think the scene is being set for a decisive rout of the Russian Army in those parts of Ukraine they have occupied since February 24," he told The Sun Online.
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