Crimea ready for possible Ukrainian offensive, says Moscow-appointed leader

Ukrainian forces could seek to break through the land corridor between Russia and Crimea, heading from Zaporizhzhia toward Melitopol and the Azov Sea.

Russian cadets mark the ninth anniversary of the annexation of Crimea (AP)

The Moscow-appointed leader of Crimea has said the region is on guard for what may be an impending Ukrainian counter-offensive.

Sergei Aksyonov told reporters that Russian forces in Crimea had built “modern, in-depth defences” and had “more than enough” troops and equipment to repel a possible Ukrainian assault after 13 months of war following Russia’s full-scale invasion.