Taking full control of Kherson is key for the Russian forces in Ukraine.

Militarnyi informs about this with reference to the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom.

The full occupation of the Ukrainian city is key to Russia’s objective of establishing a ground passage to Crimea.

“Kherson is key to Russia’s objective of establishing a land bridge to Crimea and dominating southern Ukraine,” said the British Defense Ministry in its statement.

It is noted that Russia is planning a staged referendum in the city aimed at justifying the occupation.

“Russia’s own domestic elections have been beset by allegations of vote-rigging and have seen high-profile opposition blocked from running,” the Ministry added.

A recent report of the Ukrainian intelligence stated that so-called “referendums” will be using the personal data collected from the residents of the occupied territories in advance, ostensibly to receive “humanitarian aid” or “social benefits.”

“On the days of the so-called “vote”, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation will fill out the ballots, using the information received, without the consent and physical presence of the Ukrainians themselves,” reads the statement from the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The Ministry emphasizes that such plans of Russia aim to “destroy the representatives of the Ukrainian ethnos.”

In addition, Russia plans to push on its population and the world the myth that “the liberated population has begun to fight nationalist battalions.”

There have also been reports of the invaders blocking entry and exit routes from the Kherson region.

Previously, the Defense Forces of Ukraine have regained control of eight settlements in the Kherson region.