The Russian Defence Ministry said on Friday that its strategic bombers had carried out what it called high-precision missile strikes on Ukrainian army reserve units overnight to prevent them from getting to the frontline.
The attacks, the first large-scale Russian air strikes in nearly two months, were reported to have killed at least 17 people, according to Ukrainian authorities. They said the victims included several children who were killed in strikes on homes.
Russia's defence ministry, which denies deliberately targeting civilians, said the aim of the strikes was to prevent Ukraine - which says it is poised to launch a counter-offensive against Russian forces - from bringing reserve forces to the front line.
