Russian troops face the “heaviest of battles” as Ukraine mounts its counter-offensive in Kherson, a senior official in Kyiv has claimed. Vladimir Putin’s soldiers are preparing to defend the largest city under Russian control while Ukraine launches its fight back.
However, Russia has faced a setback in Kherson in recent weeks after troops were driven closer to the banks of the Dnipro River.
Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, pushed back against suggestions Russia was withdrawing and warned Kherson could witness an almighty skirmish.
Speaking in an online video on Tuesday, Mr Arestovych said: “With Kherson everything is clear.
“The Russians are replenishing, strengthening their grouping there.”
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He added: “It means that nobody is preparing to withdraw.
“On the contrary, the heaviest of battles is going to take place for Kherson.”
Mr Arestovych’s comments come just days after the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed Russian forces were “reinforcing” crossing points at the Dnipro River.
In an intelligence update released on October 22, the MoD said: “Russian forces continue to reinforce crossing points over the Dnipro River, and have completed a barge bridge alongside the damaged Antonovskiy bridge in Kherson.
Mr Sunak reaffirmed his commitment to assist Ukraine after speaking to US President Joe Biden.
He said: “I look forward to working together with [the] POTUS to enhance stability across the world and continue our leading role in support of the people of Ukraine.”