Russian flag disappears from administrative building in Kherson PHOTO

Videos and photos shared online on November 3 show the Kherson Regional Administration building in the annexed city without a Russian flag.

Russian-installed authorities in the southern Ukrainian city ordered an evacuation of residents two weeks ago after Ukraine's advances around the city, writes Sky News.

A video posted on September 16 by Russian state media agency Ria Novosti shows the Russian flag above the same building.

The reason for its disappearance is unknown. A Russian flag can still be seen over the naval academy opposite.

Russian-installed Kherson official Kirill Stremousov has continued to urge all civilians to "evacuate" across the Dnipro River, but insists "at the moment everything is fully under control".

Boats were filmed two weeks ago carrying Kherson residents further into Russian-held territory after claims that "shelling of residential blocks by the Ukrainian armed forces is expected".  

Kherson is strategically important and a prime objective for both sides because of its major river and seaport.