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Kherson: How is Russia imposing its rule in occupied Ukraine?
Russia is introducing its own currency, media and internet services into parts of Ukraine its army has occupied - especially the southern city of Kherson.
Ukraine says Russia may be planning to hold a referendum in the city - to see whether its inhabitants want to set up a pro-Russian breakaway "people's republic" - but the vote will be illegal and a sham.
Why is Russia concentrating on Kherson?
Russian forces occupied Kherson in early March - one week after the invasion of Ukraine began.
It was the first major city to fall.
Before the invasion, it had a population of 290,000.
But, according to its former mayor, some 40% of residents have since fled the city.
If Russia aims to take southern Ukraine and establish a land bridge to Crimea, Kherson, at the mouth of the Dnieper River, on the Black Sea coast, will be key, the UK Ministry of Defence says.
What changes has Russia made in Kherson?
Russian military authorities dismissed Kherson's elected mayor from his post.
Ihor Kolykhaiev had "not been cooperating" with occupying forces, Russian state news agency Ria said.
In his place, a pro-Russian administration for the city and surrounding region has been installed.
Access to Ukrainian television channels has been blocked and internet service providers replaced with Russian ones.
Kherson's residents have been urged to listen to pro-Russian radio stations for their news.
Ukraine says Russia's goal is to "make their false propaganda an uncontested source of information".
