Ukrainian forces are closing in on the outskirts of the southern city of Kherson after Russia’s announcement its forces have begun retreating. Ukraine claimed it had liberated the key town of Snihurivka, about 32km north of Kherson. Images also emerged of Ukrainian soldiers with a Ukrainian flag in Kyslivka, a village just outside Klapaya and about 15km from Kherson’s city centre.

The Russian defence ministry confirmed its withdrawal in the region was under way.

Ukrainian troops continued their advance on Kherson from the north, east and west, as the large pocket around the city once held by Russian forces appeared to be shrinking.

Ukraine’s defence minister said Russians will take at least a week to leave Kherson city and Moscow still had a contingent of 40,000 troops in the Kherson region. He added that intelligence showed Russia’s forces remained inside the city, around the city and on the west bank of the Dnipro.

There were unconfirmed reports of explosions from shelling around the Nova Kakhovka dam late on Thursday. Kyiv has repeatedly warned that the 30-metre high hydroelectric facility could be targeted by the Russians.

The US will send $400m more in military aid to Ukraine, officials announced on Thursday. According to the Pentagon, the aid package will contain large amounts of ammunition and, for the first time, four highly mobile Avenger air defence systems. The US will also buy 100,000 rounds of howitzer artillery from South Korean manufacturers to provide to Ukraine, an official added.