Ukraine war: Russian forces preparing to defend Kherson, says Ukrainian spy chief - BBC

Russia is sending much troops into the cardinal confederate metropolis of Kherson and whitethorn beryllium preparing to support it, Ukraine's spy main has said.

Ukraine had antecedently suggested immoderate Russian units mightiness beryllium leaving.

Russia took Kherson successful the aboriginal days of the war, but has precocious travel nether unit arsenic Ukrainian troops beforehand on the Dnipro River.

Russian authorities successful the metropolis person ordered thousands of civilians to evacuate.

Kyrylo Budanov, the Ukrainian quality chief, dismissed this arsenic an "information operation", telling the Ukrayinska Pravda website Moscow was "trying to make the illusion that everything is lost".

The Russian subject is sending successful much troops and preparing the streets for defence, helium said, adding that the removal of citizens is simply a pretence to prevention look successful lawsuit the metropolis falls to Ukraine.

This is simply a departure from Kyiv's earlier comments that the invading forces were leaving the city. "They are not preparing to exit now," helium said.

The BBC has not verified the precise movements of either sides' troops connected the ground. The proposition that Russian troops are digging successful raises the anticipation of a fierce combat successful the coming weeks.

Ukraine has been advancing connected Kherson since the commencement of October. It has reclaimed astir 90 villages successful the region, with a colonisation totalling 12,000, according to its military.

On Monday, the Russian-appointed officials successful Kherson announced the instauration of militia units, saying that men would person the "opportunity" to articulation them.

But Serhiy Bratchuk, a Ukrainian subject spokesperson successful Odesa, said this was a disguise to conscript antheral residents into the Russian army.

A decision successful Kherson would beryllium a large setback for Russia.

It is the superior of 1 of the 4 regions President Putin attempted to annex aft self-described referendums.

It is besides the lone determination superior which has been captured since the penetration successful February, and is the lone foothold connected the westbound slope of the Dnipro stream which runs done Ukraine.

And Kherson state controls the gateway to Crimea, annexed by Russia successful 2014.

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