According to a new assessment from the UK Ministry of Defence, Russia plans a “staged referendum” in Kherson to legitimize its takeover.

It believes the city is vital to Russia’s goal of controlling southern Ukraine and constructing a land bridge to the Crimean peninsula (annexed in 2014).

It adds that Russia used this strategy to legitimize the takeover of Crimea.

Since late February, Russia has only managed to take Kherson. But Ukrainian soldiers have subsequently retaken several adjacent districts, and combat continues.

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