Kherson has become the first Ukrainian city to fall to Russia, with a Ukrainian official confirming it was now under the "complete control" of Putin's forces.
Kherson – considered to be a strategically key centre – has around 300,000 residents, and its capture could enable Russia to control a significant chunk of the southern coastline and allow troops to head west towards the port city of Odessa.
According to the New York Times, mayor Igor Kolykhaev confirmed Russian troops had encircled the city with Ukrainian forces retreating to the nearby city of Mykolaiv.
Russia has claimed victory over the city, with Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov stating that Kherson was under the "complete control" of Russian forces.