So why is Peterson important to Russia?

The Russian Defence Ministry is claiming to have taken control of Herson.

This town has 300,000 inhabitants.

If these claims are confirmed, Harrison will become the largest Ukrainian city in the hands of the Russians.

Harrison is important for the Black Sea port and is known as an industrial centre.

Herson's search means controlling a large water source as well.

Ukraine has set up dams in the Northern Crime Canal, as Russia invaded the Crime Peninsula in 2014.

Since then, much of the fresh water has been blocked towards the Crimea, causing supply problems in the annexed region.

One of the first targets of the Russian Army has been the unblocking of the dam and the return of supplies to Crime.

Russian military equipment has entered the centre of Herson last night.

The town's mayor, Igor Kolyikhayev, has said Wednesday that the city needs a miracle. /rel