The Russian occupation authorities assured on Friday that a state of siege will not be imposed in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, a few minutes after it was announced, reports AFP.

“A state of siege has been introduced in the city of Kherson, which will last for 24 hours, so that we can protect our city,” Kyrylo Stremousov, the deputy head of the Russian occupation authorities in Kherson, initially reported on Telegram.

He then deleted his original video minutes later, replacing it with a similar but edited video that no longer mentioned the entry ban, without explaining the reason for the change.

Then the official from Moscow, as a third step, published a new video, retreating, assuring that there were “no restrictions for residents” in Kherson, despite pressure from Ukraine in the region.

However, Stremousov again called on as many residents as possible to leave the city, saying that he expects provocations and terrorist attacks from the Ukrainian military.

“In some places, enemy vehicles were seen standing in columns. Maybe they are preparing to attack the city of Kherson,” he said, despite the fact that a few days ago he promised that the Russian military would defend the city “like a fortress.”

Earlier on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that civilians in Kherson should be kept away from the most dangerous war zones, as Moscow has been facing a counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces in the region for several weeks.

Kyiv has repeatedly condemned the evacuation of civilians, classifying it as deportation.