The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that “experts from the broadcasting units of the Russian Armed Forces have changed the characteristics of the last of the seven towers in the Kherson region to ensure the possibility of broadcasting Russian TV channels.”

She noted that “about a million residents of the region can now watch the main Russian channels, especially the official VTRK VGTRK, for free.”

From the first days of its invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, the Russian army took control of the Kherson region, which borders Crimea.

Since then, Moscow has been pursuing a policy of Russification of the territories under its control in southern Ukraine: the use of the ruble currency and the distribution of Russian passports began.

A new pro-Russian official in Kherson, Kirill Strimosov, confirmed on Tuesday that Russia could annex the region “before the end of the year,” noting: “We will hold a referendum this year. After this referendum, we will go to the leaders of the Russian Federation to accept (our accession to) Russia.”