The regrouping of russian troops in the Kherson region and in the occupied areas of the Zaporizhia region indicates russia's intention to gain a foothold in these territories.
This was stated in an interview with Radio Svoboda by the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Vadym Skibitsky.
"In the Kherson region, in the occupied territory of the Zaporozhye region, we see the strengthening that occurs due to the movement of troops from the Crimean peninsula. And this is in transit from russia. And, accordingly, we see how powerful russia is now deploying troops in the occupied territories on the south of Ukraine", - Skibitsky told.
He noted that this group, in addition to the ground forces, includes air and sea components.
"A management system has been set up, a logistics system has been set up, everything has been restored by rail, by air, including captured ports. Melitopol airfields are in active use, for both aviation base and cargo delivery. ", - explained Skibitsky.
At the same time, if at the first stage the russian troops were stationed near strategic facilities, in particular, the hydroelectric power plant in Nova Kakhovka, now the situation has changed.
"Today we see that since the beginning of May the occupying forces have begun to strengthen their defenses. Appropriate engineering structures are being prepared, not even the first or second, but the third line of defense is being built. "The prospect that the russian federation wants to stay for a long time. It is these military aspects, military indicators that indicate russia's intentions to seize and hold these territories," he said.
Russia understands that it will not be able to hold a referendum in the Kherson region, as in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as residents are not going to come to them. Because of this, she is preparing another scenario of occupation.
Kherson region, despite repression by the occupiers, does not lose Ukrainian sentiment and courageously opposes the "power" of the invaders. Residents go to rallies and refuse to cooperate with the enemy.