Streets empty in Russian 'occupied' city in Ukraine

 Reuters:

The streets and boulevards of the Russian-held port of Kherson in southern Ukraine are virtually empty. Many shops and businesses have been shuttered and, at a jetty on the banks of the Dnipro River, a handful of people board a ferry to leave.

As Ukrainian forces advance to the north and east of the strategic city, Russian-installed officials there have evacuated tens of thousands of civilians in recent weeks.

Only a few remain, and some expressed frustration at not knowing what lay ahead.

Compounding the uncertainty are claims and counter-claims by both sides in the eight-month-old conflict, which Russia calls a "special operation", that a nearby dam could be destroyed, potentially triggering floods downstream.

Vladimir, a pensioner who declined to give his surname, said that during the evacuation from Kherson, Russian-installed officials cited the risk of a Ukrainian counter-offensive or of flooding.

"That's the worst thing for us," he said, speaking on Monday. "Not knowing what the future holds."

Nearby, men were fishing peacefully on the waterfront. The rumble of what sounded like artillery fire could be heard in the distance, according to a witness.

Ekaterina, a shopkeeper, said business had slowed abruptly after so many people left. She added that she was determined to stay.
...

Ukraine suspects the Russians will blow the dam to cover their retreat.  I see little incentive for Ukraine to blow a dam on the territory it wants back. The Russian retreat is more evidence of the failure of their operations in occupied Ukraine.

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