---
title: "“We Need Maturity, Not Panic”: Prokudin Explains Why the Kherson Regional Military Administration Speaks Openly About Threats and Calls for Evacuation"
description: "Alexander Prokudin, head of the Kherson RMA, explained why authorities openly warn residents about threats and call for evacuation. He rejected the “treason” narrative and reminded of the destroyed TPP, which will deprive the city of heat this winter."
date: 2026-08-31T23:44:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/prokudin-kherson-evacuation-threats-thermal-power-plant
tags: [kherson, evacuation, prokudin, war-ukraine, energy-infrastructure, civilian-protection]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# “We Need Maturity, Not Panic”: Prokudin Explains Why the Kherson Regional Military Administration Speaks Openly About Threats and Calls for Evacuation

![Injured elderly man with a bandaged hand inside an ambulance — illustration of evacuation and threats in Kherson region](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/01/prokudin-herson-evakuaciya-ugrozy-tse/prokudin-herson-evakuaciya-ugrozy-tse-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Prokudin stated that public warnings about threats are a sign of respect for residents, not intimidation
- Around 80 settlements in Ukraine are being destroyed, and another 200 are constantly under shelling
- The Kherson TPP was destroyed by four glide bombs; this winter the city will not receive heat in normal mode
- Minister Bezgin visited the region to organize the placement of the evacuated in sanatoriums in safe regions
- Prokudin urged not to perceive evacuation as “treason” and reminded of the families who have lost loved ones

Alexander Prokudin, head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration (RMA), explained in an interview with RBC-Ukraine the logic behind the public warnings about threats that regional authorities are issuing to the local population. In his words, frankness in assessing the situation is not an attempt to frighten residents, but a sign of respect for them as “partners in the fight for the region's survival.” “Our task is to warn people in advance, prepare, and together do everything possible to minimize the consequences,” Prokudin emphasized, adding that when authorities see a potential threat, their duty is not to pretend it does not exist.

### The Scale of Destruction and the Limits of Protection

In his address, Prokudin cited figures characterizing the current state of affairs on the front: according to his data, around 80 settlements in Ukraine are being “wiped off the face of the earth” by Russian forces, while another roughly 200 are constantly under shelling. The head of the RMA separately warned against the illusion of absolute safety: “Even the most modern protection cannot guarantee that a Russian glide bomb will not hit the object it is supposed to shield.” Thus, the warning about a threat to the energy infrastructure, in his words, does not mean that the lights will necessarily go out in the coming days, nor does it indicate inaction by the responsible services.

### “This Is Not Treason”: A Response to the “Survival” Narrative from Kherson

Prokudin directly addressed those who doubt the expediency of evacuation and urged them not to fall for provocations: “Do not listen to those who try to portray such decisions as some kind of ‘treason’ or a desire to ‘get rid of’ people from Kherson.” As an argument, he referred to families in Kozatske, Veseloye, Bilozerka, Antonivka and other settlements who have already lost loved ones. “If they had the chance to make the choice again, they would choose life,” the head of the RMA declared, summing up: “You and I are one team. We do not need panic. We need maturity, mutual help, trust and shared responsibility. We will hold on. But the most important thing is that we must hold on alive.”

### Support Mechanisms for the Evacuated: Bezgin's Visit and New Accommodation Formats

Last week, Vitaly Bezgin, Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons, visited Kherson Oblast. During the visit, practical support for residents leaving the risk zone was discussed. The option of resettling the evacuated in sanatoriums and other accommodation facilities in safe regions, where comfortable living conditions will be provided for the time being, is being considered. In parallel, measures to assist with employment and enrolling children in schools and kindergartens are being worked out. The possibility of additional financial support for those for whom moving and renting housing in another city would become a serious financial burden is also being discussed separately.

### Context: Strikes on the Power Plant and the Winter Scenario

Prokudin's calls for evacuation are not one-off. Earlier, the head of the Kherson RMA had already warned that this coming winter the city would not be able to count on the thermal power plant (TPP) operating in normal mode. This statement came after Russian forces struck the Kherson TPP with four guided aerial bombs: the facility suffered critical damage, and all remaining heat-generating equipment at the station was destroyed. This incident became one of the key triggers for expanding the mandatory evacuation zone, as reported by Korrespondent, Glavred and ZN.ua.

### Contradictory Data

Publications by different outlets note a difference in wording: RBC-Ukraine presents Prokudin's words as a “call” and a “warning,” while Korrespondent, Glavred and ZN.ua use the term “mandatory evacuation” and point to the expansion of its zone. This is less a contradiction than a reflection of two levels of administrative pressure: the public rhetoric of the head of the RMA remains persuasive and appeals to the conscious choice of residents, while regulatory acts may provide for a mandatory character of relocation for certain districts. The exact list of settlements falling under the mandatory regime is not detailed in the provided materials, which leaves room for clarification by the regional administration.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [“This Is Not Treason”: Kherson RMA Calls for Evacuation from Dangerous Areas of the Region](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/tse-zrada-hersonska-ova-zaklikala-evakuyuvatisya-1788216434.html) - Первичный источник слов Прокудина. Подтверждает цитаты, цифры (80/200 н.п.), упоминание ТЭЦ и удар четырьмя КАБ, визит Безгина.
- [Kherson Oblast Has Expanded the Mandatory Evacuation Zone](https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/4901310-khersonskaia-oblast-rasshyryla-zonu-obiazatelnoi-evakuatsyy) - Подтверждает факт расширения зоны эвакуации. Использует термин «обязательная», что создаёт нюанс с риторикой «призыва» у Прокудина.
- [Mandatory Evacuation Expanded in Kherson Oblast: Which Districts Were Included](https://glavred.info/war/v-hersonskoy-oblasti-rasshirili-obyazatelnuyu-evakuaciyu-kakie-rayony-voshli-10781408.html) - Дополнительное подтверждение расширения зоны. В предоставленном фрагменте без детального перечня районов.
- [Urgent Evacuation Declared in Kherson Oblast from Part of Kherson and the Region](https://zn.ua/UKRAINE/v-khersonskoj-oblasti-objavili-o-srochnoj-evakuatsii-iz-chasti-khersona-i-oblasti.html) - Подтверждает срочный характер эвакуации из части Херсона и области. Согласуется с общей картиной.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Why is Prokudin calling on Kherson residents to evacuate?
**A:** The head of the RMA explains that public warnings are a sign of respect for people and their right to a conscious choice. The specific trigger was the destruction of the Kherson TPP by four guided aerial bombs, due to which the city will not be able to receive heat in normal mode this winter. In addition, around 200 settlements in the region are constantly under shelling.

### Q: What will happen to the evacuated residents of Kherson Oblast?
**A:** Following the visit of Minister Bezgin, the placement of the evacuated in sanatoriums and other facilities in safe regions is being considered. Help with employment, enrolling children in schools and kindergartens, as well as additional financial support for those who need to rent housing, is being worked out.

### Q: Is evacuation in Kherson Oblast mandatory?
**A:** Prokudin's rhetoric in public statements is in the nature of a call and a warning. At the same time, Korrespondent, Glavred and ZN.ua report on the expansion of precisely the “mandatory” evacuation zone. The exact list of districts falling under the mandatory regime is not detailed in the available materials.

### Q: What happened to the Kherson TPP?
**A:** Russian forces struck the station with four guided aerial bombs. The facility suffered critical damage, and all remaining heat-generating equipment was destroyed. Prokudin warned that this winter the city will not be able to count on the TPP operating in normal mode.