(AP) – A Russian official says troops have taken the Ukrainian port city of Kherson. But the Ukrainian military has denied that claim and a senior U.S. defense official said Wednesday that “Kherson is very much a contested city at this point.” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov says the city is under Russian soldiers’ “complete control.” He says the city’s civilian infrastructure, essential facilities and transport are operating as usual and that there are no food shortages. He says talks between the Russian commanders and local authorities over how to maintain order in the city have been underway. The claims could not be immediately verified.