Russian forces take Ukrainian town of Kherson

Jefferson has become the first major Ukrainian city to be controlled by Russian forces since the invasion began last Thursday.

Kherson Mayor Igor Kolykhaev has confirmed that Kherson has been conquered.

There's no Ukrainian army here”, Kolykhaev said.

He added that Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the city toward Mykolaiw, a town in the northwest.

Kherson, a town of nearly 300 thousand people in the vicinity of the Black Sea, northwest of the Crimea Peninsula, is seen as a strategic point, allowing the Russians to control more of Ukraine's southern coast and continue the march towards Odessa, a large port.

The mayor has confirmed that a group of 10 Russian armed soldiers, including a commander of forces attacking the city, has entered the Communist building on Wednesday. He has said he is reportedly planning to establish a new administration similar to the two separatist regions east of Ukraine, Donetzu and Luhanscu.

It is alleged that nearly 300 people, civilians, and territorial defence forces have been killed by attacks at Kherson. After Russian forces have used heavy-caliber weapons, many troops are hard to identify, the mayor has said.

“I have brought volunteers to help gather troops and we are burying them immediately, as many bodies are completely destroyed”, he said.

The Russian Army on Wednesday had indicated it had taken control of Kherson, but the city's regional authorities had said they still have the city under control and that the city is surrounded.