Lead

Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo has accused Ukrainian armed forces of positioning themselves among residential buildings in the city of Kherson and firing mortars from within the urban area, according to statements he made in a video posted on his Telegram channel, as reported by Russia's TASS news agency.

In a separate statement, Saldo said Ukraine has announced a mandatory evacuation from Kherson and that the city is being turned into a military bridgehead. He also claimed that the Ukrainian authorities are using drones to target residents and have imposed restrictions on entry for families with children.

Coverage Comparison

The reporting on this story comes exclusively from TASS, Russia's state news agency, which published two articles based on statements by Saldo. The first article, dated July 13, focuses on the governor's allegation that Ukrainian forces are shelling the city from within its residential areas. The second, dated July 20, centers on the announced evacuation and what Saldo described as the militarization of Kherson.

Both reports rely on Saldo's statements, delivered via video and written messages on his Telegram channel, and present his viewpoint without alternative perspectives or independent verification. The language used in the reporting reflects a critical stance toward the Ukrainian government, which TASS refers to as the "Kiev regime."

Coverage Comparison

TASS, the Russian state news agency, is the only outlet represented in the available material. Its two reports both center on statements by Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of the Kherson region, and both attribute key assertions directly to him. The first report focuses on Saldo's accusation that Ukrainian forces are operating from within Kherson's urban area. The second address the announced evacuation and broader militarization of the city.

The coverage emphasizes the humanitarian impact on residents and frames the situation as a consequence of actions by Ukrainian authorities Hennadii. The tone is critical of the Kyiv government, with Saldo's quotes forming the core of both reports.

Coverage Comparison

Both reports from TASS — the only outlet whose coverage is reflected in the available material — center on statements by Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of the Kherson Region. The first report focuses on allegations that Ukrainian forces are using residential areas for military operations, including firing mortars from within the city. The second report addresses what Saldo described as Ukraine's announcement of a mandatory evacuation from Kherson and the city's transformation into a "military staging ground."

In the first account, Saldo said that subscribers had sent him a video showing Ukrainian forces firing from a portable mortar directly from within the urban area. He described Kherson and its residents as "expendable" for the Kiev regime, saying troops are positioned among residential buildings, firing from there and putting people in mortal danger while shelling the city themselves. He characterized such actions as "bloody provocations" and said Ukrainian propaganda then tries to blame Russia for the consequences.

The second statement, made days later, focused on the humanitarian situation. Saldo said the Kiev authorities have announced a mandatory evacuation from new areas of the city and settlements on the right bank, and are restricting the entry of families with children. He linked the measure to an increasingly difficult situation, including the use of drones.

Coverage comparison

The reporting on this story comes from TASS, the Russian state news agency, which published two separate articles featuring statements by Vladimir Saldo, the governor of the Russian-occupied Kherson Region. The first article, dated July 13, focused on allegations that Ukrainian forces are firing mortars from residential neighborhoods in Kherson. The second article, dated July 20, addressed the announced evacuation and what Saldo described as the militarization of the city.

Both articles rely exclusively on Saldo's statements and are presented from his perspective, with no independent verification or alternative accounts included. The reports characterize the situation in Kherson as a deliberate attempt by Ukrainian authorities to use civilians as cover and to escalate the conflict.

Key Claims

Saldo, in remarks quoted by TASS, claimed that Ukrainian armed forces are positioned among residential buildings in Kherson and firing mortars from within the urban area, thereby endangering residents. He described the situation as one in which "the troops are positioned among residential buildings, firing from there, putting people in mortal danger, and shelling the city themselves."

According to Saldo, such actions constitute provocation by the Kyiv authorities. He said that "bloody provocations" are a characteristic method of the "Kyiv regime" and that Ukrainian propaganda subsequently attempts to blame Russia for the consequences, a claim he repeated in both statements.

In his second statement, Saldo addressed the humanitarian dimension, saying that Ukraine had declared a mandatory evacuation from Kherson and from settlements on the right bank of the Dnipro River. He attributed this to the increasingly difficult situation on the ground, including what he described as the use of drones against residents. He also said restrictions had been introduced on the entry of families with children into the city.

Saldo characterized the evacuation as evidence that Kherson is being turned into a military staging ground, a development he tied to the broader dynamics of the conflict. He expressed concern for the city's residents, saying they want to live peacefully in their homes, and reiterated his view that Kherson "was and remains a Russian city," adding that "we will definitely return home."

Key Claims

  • Ukrainian forces firing from residential areas: Saldo, as reported by TASS, claimed that Ukrainian troops are positioned among residential buildings in Kherson and are firing mortars from within the urban area, endangering civilians and shelling the city itself.
  • Provocations by the "Kyiv regime": Saldo accused Ukrainian authorities of using "bloody provocations" as a favored method and of employing propaganda to blame Russia for the consequences of the shelling.
  • Mandatory evacuation announced: Saldo stated that Ukraine has announced a mandatory evacuation from Kherson and nearby right-bank settlements, and has restricted entry for families with children.
  • Kherson as a military bridgehead: Saldo asserted that the city is being turned into a military staging ground and that residents are being asked to leave as a result.
  • Drone attacks: Saldo claimed that the Ukrainian government has been using drones for several years to target civilians in the left-bank part of the region, striking cars, hospitals, shops, and homes, and that such tactics are also spreading on the right bank of the Dnepr River.
These claims are attributed solely to Saldo and have been reported only by TASS, which serves as the single source for the information in this article. No other organization's reporting on this matter is reflected in the available material.

Key Claims

  • Ukrainian armed forces are positioned among residential buildings in Kherson and firing mortars from within the urban area, according to Saldo as quoted by TASS.
  • Saldo accused the Ukrainian government of using provocations and then blaming Russia for the consequences through propaganda.
  • Ukraine has announced a mandatory evacuation from Kherson, according to Saldo.
  • Saldo said Kherson is being turned into a military bridgehead and that drones are being used to target residents.
  • Saldo said restrictions have been introduced on entry into the city for families with children.

Perspectives

Russian-appointed Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo

Saldo, speaking via TASS, portrays Ukrainian forces as endangering civilians by operating from residential areas and accuses the Kyiv government of using provocation tactics and propaganda. He describes the evacuation and entry restrictions as consequences of Ukrainian military actions and expresses confidence that Kherson will return to Russian control.