The attacks are part of a larger effort by the Kremlin to bolster its positions near Crimea, as well as the Zaporizhzhya region in the north, according to the latest update from Britain’s Ministry of Defense on Sunday. At the same time, the Ukrainian forces are resisting.
“Ukrainian forces have been putting pressure on the Russian defensive line in Kherson Oblast for more than a month now, and recent political statements by both Zelensky and the Deputy Prime Minister have warned of imminent offensive operations to force Russia out of the areas it currently controls,” the ministry tweeted.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu “instructed to intensify the work of units in all areas of operation, in order to exclude the possibility of the Kyiv regime launching massive missile and artillery strikes on civilian infrastructure and residents of settlements in Donbass and other regions,” his ministry said on Saturday.
Although the Russian campaign is focused on the eastern Donbass region, Saturday’s attacks have hit areas in northern and southern Ukraine as well. Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city, has seen heavy bombardment in recent days.
International doping authorities have approved special exemptions for seven Ukrainian athletes, allowing them to compete in the world championships despite not having been adequately tested in the lead-up to competition due to the war in their country. The Athletics Integrity Unit ruled that another 15 Ukrainians, along with 134 athletes from five other countries classified as “high risk” due to poor testing protocols, entered the tournament. No athletes from any country were disqualified.
More Stories
Taiwan is preparing to face strong Typhoon Kung-ri
Israel orders residents of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, to evacuate
Zelensky: North Korean forces are pushing the war with Russia “beyond the borders”