Ukrainians in the conquered city of Kherson swear allegiance to Russia

This week's ceremony in the town of Kherson, which took place under a portrait of President Vladimir Putin and Russia's coat of arms, is one of many that have been held in the southern region of Ukraine in recent weeks, writes Sky News, translates Periscopi.

I love Russia. Glory to Russia! ” said one of the three Ukrainians, after pledging to protect the Russian Federation.

I'm happy. Thank you”, said another Ukrainian woman, 92, after wiping her tears from her eyes and handed over a Russian passport from an armed person wearing a medical mask.

Officials installed by Russia say more than 2,300 Russian passports have been submitted and more than 11,000 applications have been submitted in what Ukraine and the US say is an illegal Moscow attempt to annex the territory.

Moscow calls its war “a special military operation” to protect itself and protect Russian-speaking people who say they were persecuted by Ukrainian authorities, something Kiev denies.

Control of the Kherson region gives Russia a land corridor from its Crimea border, which it annexed by Ukraine in 2014, and a channel used to supply fresh water crime.

Many of its prewar population have since fled.

Officials from Russia say they plan a referendum, probably in September, in which they expect the region to vote to become part of Russia.