Ukraine war: Russia postpones ‘referendum’ in occupied region

The Russian occupation authorities in Ukraine’s southern city of Kherson have postponed a so-called referendum on joining Russia, on security grounds.

“This is being paused because of the security situation,” said Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Russian-appointed administration there.

He said heavy Ukrainian shelling had made a key Kherson bridge impassable.

Ukraine and its Western allies have denounced the referendum plans in Kherson and other areas as illegal.

Meanwhile, Ukraine says its forces have recaptured Vysokopillya, a small town some 167km (104 miles) north of central Kherson.

That gain – not verified independently – is part of a counter-offensive in the south launched by the Ukrainian army last week.