Russia will occupy Kherson “forever,” a Russian MP has said while on a visit to the city in Ukraine’s south.
“Russia is here forever. There should be no doubt about this. There will be no return to the past,” Andrey Turchak said according to a statement from his ruling United Russia party.
Kherson became the first Ukrainian city to fall to Russian forces two months ago and last week authorities announced that the Russian rouble would soon be introduced as they attempt to normalise Moscow’s control.
In a separate Telegram post Turchak pictured himself laying flowers at a city war memorial and said that preparations were underway in the city for celebrations of Russia’s annual Victory Day in three days’ time.
“For the first time in many years, the people of Kherson will celebrate this great holiday with us again,” he said. “People have been waiting for this for a long time.”
The public holiday is a significant date in the Russian calendar marking the country’s World War Two victory over Nazi Germany.
