As Ukrainian forces press offense in the city of Kherson, a Russian leader is urging residents to “take your children and leave’’ for Russia. RELATED: Russia continues to shell Ukraine, people optimistic: 'We will resist' https://bit.ly/3TjQ2Zo As Ukrainian forces zero in on the southern city of Kherson, occupied by Russian troops since early in the war, the Kremlin-picked leader of the Kherson province is urging civilians to “take your children and leave’’ for Russia. Vladimir Saldo said Thursday on Telegram that Ukrainian missile strikes are hurting civilians and damaging buildings, and he asked the Kremlin to organize evacuations from four cities, including Kherson. Saldo said Kyiv is retaliating against Kherson -- one of four Ukrainian regions Moscow claims to have annexed -- for supposedly voting to join Russia last month in elections widely discredited as shams. Ukraine has maintained it doesn't target its own civilians. "We suggested that all residents of the Kherson region, if there is such a desire, to protect themselves from the consequences of missile strikes ... go to other regions (of Russia),'' Saldo wrote. » Subscribe to USA TODAY: http://bit.ly/1xa3XAh » Watch more on this and other topics from USA TODAY: https://bit.ly/3HZIYge » USA TODAY delivers current local and national news, sports, entertainment, finance, technology, and more through award-winning journalism, photos, videos and VR. #Russia #Ukraine #War