The Russian-appointed leader of Ukraine's southern Kherson region has called on residents to evacuate. But confusion is mounting as his deputy is saying the opposite.

The Russian-backed leader of Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, said residents should take their children and leave for their safety, citing the advances by Ukrainian forces and possible missile attacks on civilians. He made the remark in a video message on Thursday.

Kherson is one of four Ukrainian regions that Russia claims to have annexed in recent weeks.

Saldo asked for Russia's help in transporting Kherson residents to southern Russia. The Russian deputy prime minister promised full support for the plan.

But Saldo's deputy, Kirill Stremousov, tried to play down the move, saying nobody is retreating, evacuating or going to leave the Kherson region.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continued their attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine on Thursday.

The Ukrainian State Emergency Service said an attack struck a condominium in the southern city of Mykolaiv, killing two people and leaving five others missing.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, said on social media that a school was hit in the eastern region of Dnipropetrovsk. The government has urged schools to shift to online classes.

Ukrainian forces are maintaining counteroffensives in the east and south of the country.

Kherson's governor said on social media on Wednesday that Ukrainian forces had liberated five settlements in the region. But he said the situation remains serious and fierce fighting is continuing.