The British Ministry of Defence says Russia has sought to legitimise its control of the city of Kherson and surrounding areas by installing a pro-Moscow administration.
The new government has declared a return to Ukraine control “impossible” and announced a four-month currency transition to the Russian rouble.
These moves “are likely indicative of Russian intent to exert strong political and economic influence in Kherson over the long term,” the ministry said in its latest intelligence update.
“Enduring control over Kherson and its transport links will increase Russia’s ability to sustain its advance to the north and west and improve the security of Russia’s control over Crimea,” it added
Aljazeera
