Thread by @DrAlakbarov

Russian forces appeared to be moving to cut Ukraine off from the sea via its key southern ports.

Kherson is under Russian control, the siege of Mariupol on its way, as a large amphibious taskforce threatened Odessa to the west.

Cutting Ukraine’s access to its coast would deal a significant blow to the country’s economy and allow Russian forces to build a land corridor stretching from its border, across Crimea, which has been under Russian control since 2014, and all the way west to Romania.

Another key target for Russian forces in the south east is the Zaporizhzhia and its nuclear power plant in south-eastern Ukraine, Europe’s biggest, where Russian units were trying to break through a barricade to the plant erected by local residents and territorial defence forces.

Ukrainian forces are getting ready for amphibious landing targeting Odessa following footage of a Russian naval convoy showing at least 8 ships visible off the coast.

The convoy appears to include a number of 4,080 tonne Ropucha-class large landing ships and supporting vessels.

The fall of Kherson is a significant strategic loss for Ukraine’s forces since this city controls the water supply to the Crimea.

Kherson is also crucial to crossing the Dnieper river.

Russian forces keen to captures both sides of the Dnieper river to move up and unite with their northern front.

As a result, the loss of a city is a major gain for Russian forces.

According to Ukrainian forces, Russian forces are advancing on Mykolaiv, another major Black Sea port and shipbuilding centre to the west.

A US defence official said it was too early to say whether Russian units were in full control of Kherson.

So let's see how it goes.