Russian forces pound Ukraine’s Donetsk as Kremlin mobilises for long war
- Ukraine reports heavy shelling around eastern Donetsk region and in towns on the southern front
- Areas near Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have been subject to shelling for weeks
Ukrainian forces reported heavy Russian shelling and attempts to advance on several towns in the eastern region of Donetsk that has become a key focus of the near six-month war, but said they had repelled many of the attacks.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces also reported Russian shelling of more than a dozen towns on the southern front – particularly the Kherson region, mainly controlled by Russian forces, but where Ukrainian troops are steadily capturing territory.
Much attention has been focused on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine amid fears of a catastrophe over renewed shelling in recent days that Russia and Ukraine blame on each other.
The Zaporizhzhia plant dominates the south bank of a vast reservoir on the Dnipro River. Ukrainian forces controlling the towns and cities on the opposite bank have come under intense bombardment from the Russian-held side.
Kyiv has said for weeks it is planning a counteroffensive to recapture Zaporizhzhia and neighbouring Kherson province, the largest part of the territory Russia seized after its February 24 invasion and still holds.
On Sunday, Ukraine said Russian troops who have crossed the Dnipro river during their offensive in the region were facing growing difficulties after strategic bridges were damaged.
