Vladimir Putin’s forces killed at least six people and injured more than a dozen others in missile attacks in the early hours of of Wednesday.
The southern Ukrainian city of Odesa was hit by cruise missiles overnight, while heavy shelling destroyed homes in the eastern Donetsk region.
A Ukrainian military spokesman said Russian forces have stepped up aerial strikes in their 15-month war against Ukraine, as the country’s troops reported limited gains in an early counter-offensive.
Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported that at least three people died after shelling destroyed seven homes and damaged dozens more in the cities of Kramatorsk and Konstantinovka.
In Odesa, three employees at a food warehouse were killed and seven others injured in a strike. Houses, shops and cafes were also hit. A further six people — guards and residents of a neighbouring house — were injured.
Searchers were looking for possible survivors under the rubble.
The attack on the port city, launched from the Black Sea, also involved four Kalibr cruise missiles, three of which were intercepted by air defences.
Andriy Kovalov, a spokesman for Ukraine’s General Staff, said Russian forces have increased missile and aerial strikes on Ukraine to support their ground troops.
It comes as UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi delayed a planned trip to Ukraine’s Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant amid safety concerns, a Ukrainian government official said.
He had been expected to visit the facility today after talks in Kyiv on Tuesday but sources said the visit would be delayed by “some hours” so he can travel safely.
