I want them to survive' - Pointing to gradual Russian advances, Ukrainian authorities recently ordered families with children to evacuate from towns near the river in the Kremlin's sights.

Water levels in the Ural river near Orenburg rose to over 10m ... On the contrary, they look to the Kremlin for help. Flooding often happens in Russia when winter transitions to spring.

The armed forces general staff listed Pishchanivka village in the southern Kherson region, 3km (two miles) east of the river ... and making the Kremlin's supply lines more complicated.