Ukrainian military wave flag in Zolotaya Balka in Kherson region
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Five explosions have been heard in the Russian-occupied city of Kherson early today, state media reported, adding that according to unofficial information air defence systems were launched. Meanwhile, Ukraine has claimed its forces have killed 100 Russian troops during fierce fighting in the Kershon region – although it was not immediately clear the two incidents were connected.
The city, the administrative centre of the broader Kherson region, was one of the first cities to fall to Russian forces after they launched their invasion in Ukraine in February.
Earlier on Wednesday, Ivan Fedorov, the exiled mayor of Russian-controlled Melitopol in the south of the Zaporizhzhia region, said on the Telegram messaging app that there was a powerful explosion in the city.
RIA reported, citing local Russia-installed police, that a device exploded near the city’s central market. There were no casualties, RIA reported.
Kyiv officials in Kyiv said Russian missile strikes have inflicted damage on more than 10 cities in Ukraine, including Lviv, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Zaporizhzhia.
A statement issued by the Ukrainian armed forces said: “Over the past 24 hours, the occupiers have again resorted to mass missile strikes – more than 30 cruise missiles, seven air strikes and 25 instances of shelling.”
A tweeted update by the UK Ministry of Defence on Monday said: “Ukrainian offensive operations continue to place pressure on Russian forces both in the north-east and in Kherson Oblast in the south.
“However, Russia continues to give high priority to its own offensive operations in the central Donbas sector, especially near the town of Bakhmut.
“Over the last week Russian forces have advanced up to 2km towards the town on two axes, coming closer to breaking into Bakhmut, which has suffered very extensive damage from shelling.”
It added: “These forces have likely included Wagner private military company units, including personnel recently recruited from Russian prisons.
Russia’s continued efforts to progress its grinding Donbas offensive, in the face of serious threats on its operational flanks highlight the imperative to deliver operational success while also underlining the inflexible operational design which has undermined its plans thus far.”
(More to follow)
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