The Kremlin has avoided answering whether President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to leave Kherson.
Dmitry Peskov, Russia’s spokesman, addressed the question to the defense ministry, stating, “This question concerns the conduct of the special military operation.”
“I recommend you address it to the defence ministry.”
It comes as Russian-installed officials are evacuating tens of thousands of residents from the western side of the Dnipro river, which splits the region.
It also comes after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of planning to blow up a major dam in the region.
Meanwhile, Russia said that Ukrainian forces had killed at least four people and injured 13 in a missile attack on civilians leaving Kherson.
Mr Peskov also took a subtle dig at what he hinted was a lack of democracy involved in the process to choose a new British prime minister following the resignation of Liz Truss.
Asked about the possible return of Boris Johnson to the top post, he said: “We do not expect insight and political wisdom from anyone in the countries of the collective West, let alone Britain.
“Especially in Britain, where people do not choose the person at the head of the executive branch, who appears as a result of internal party shake-ups.”