Kherson remained under bombardment by Russian forces who retreated to the east. Bank of the river while the city was recaptured in a major Ukrainian victory.
Kyiv/Bakhmut: Ukraine’s recently liberated southern city of Kherson. Has come under intense mortar and artillery fire from Russian. Forces across the Dnipro River, while the Kremlin rejected a Ukrainian peace plan. Demanding Kiev recognize the annexation of four regions.
Kherson has been under bombardment by Russian forces who retreated to the east. Bank of the river while retaking the city in a major victory for Ukraine last month.
On Wednesday, gunfire hit the maternity wing of a hospital. Though no one was injured, according to Kirill Tymoshenko. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s deputy chief of staff. Staff and patients have been moved to a shelter, Tymoshenko said in a post on Telegram.
“It was scary… All of a sudden the explosions started, the window handles started tearing off… Oh, my hands are still shaking,” said Olha Prysidko, a new mother. “When we got to the basement, the shooting hadn’t stopped. Not for a minute.”
Moscow has denied targeting civilians.
Zelensky, in a video address, urged Ukrainians to hug loved. Ones, tell friends that they appreciate them, support colleagues, thank their parents and rejoice with their children more often.
“We have not lost our humanity, even though we have endured terrible months,” he said. “And we won’t lose it, even though there’s a tough year ahead.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Kyiv and its Western allies denounced Russia’s move as an imperialist-style land grab. Russian President Vladimir Putin called it a “special military operation” to disarm the neighbor.
Massive sanctions have been imposed on Russia for the war. Which has killed thousands, driven millions from their homes. Left cities in ruins and shaken the global economy, driving up energy and food prices.
Russian gas exports to Europe via pipelines fell to a post-Soviet low in 2022 as its biggest. Customer cut imports due to the Ukraine conflict and a major pipeline was damaged by a mysterious explosion. Gazprom data and Reuters calculations showed.
‘Today’s Realities’
There is still no possibility of negotiations to end the war.
Zelensky is strongly pushing a 10-point peace plan that requires Russia. To respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and withdraw all its troops.
But Moscow rejected that on Wednesday. Reiterating that Kiev must accept four Russian regions – Luhansk and Donetsk in the east and Kherson and Zaporizhia in the south.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there could be no peace plan that “does not take into account today’s reality about. The territory of Russia. With the accession of four regions to Russia.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Zelensky’s idea of expelling Russia. From eastern Ukraine and Crimea. With Western help and paying Moscow to compensate Kiev was an “illusion”, the RIA news agency reported.
TASS quoted Lavrov as saying that Russia will continue to build. Up its combat power and technological capabilities in Ukraine. He said Moscow’s organized troops had undergone “serious training” and that while many were now on the ground. The majority were not yet at the front.
Zelensky called on parliament to remain united and praised Ukrainians for helping the West “find itself again”.
“Our national colors today are an international symbol of courage and indomitability around the world. He said in the annual address held behind closed doors.
Kherson Attacks
On the battlefield, Russia shelled more than 25 settlements surrounding Kherson and Zaporizhia. The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said Wednesday. The Kherson region, at the mouth of the Dnieper, serves as the gateway to Russian-annexed Crimea.
Fighting is raging around the Ukrainian-held town of Bakhmut in the eastern. Province of Donetsk and, to its north. The towns of Satov and Kreminna in Luhansk. Where Ukrainian forces are trying to break through Russian defense lines.
Britain’s Ministry of Defense has said that Russia. Is likely to strengthen the Kremina section of the frontline. Because it is logistically important and relatively vulnerable. After the Ukrainian advance further west.
Kyiv-based military analyst Oleh Zhdanov noted. That Kharkiv city and region also suffered heavy attacks. That damaged a regional gas pipeline.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said in a Telegram post that the city was “” hit twice by Iranian Shahed drones. Five of which Ukraine’s Eastern Air Command reported downing over the city of Dnipro.
Reuters could not verify the battlefield report.
