Ukraine, Russia Accuse Every Different of Shelling Civilians in Zaporizhzhia

(Reuters) – Three civilians have been wounded in Russian shelling of a village in Zaporizhzhia, the top of Ukraine’s presidential administration mentioned on Saturday, whereas Moscow-backed officers mentioned that Kyiv’s forces shelled a college there.

Preventing has been happening in Zaporizhzhia for months, a frontline area in southern Ukraine that Moscow moved to annex final yr however doesn’t occupy it in its entirety. The regional capital, town of Zaporizhzhia, stays beneath Kyiv’s management.

Andriy Yermak, the top of Ukraine’s presidential administration, mentioned on his Telegram messaging app that Russian forces shelled the village of Stepnohirske within the area from a number of rocket launchers, hitting an administrative constructing.

“There are three wounded: two girls and a males,” Yermak mentioned.

Russia additionally shelled town of Zaporizhzhia, hitting and damaging not less than 16 buildings there, Anatoliy Kurtiev, secretary of town council mentioned on the Telegram.

Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed official in elements of Zaporizhzhia managed by Moscow, mentioned that Ukrainian forces destroyed a college within the village of Stulneve, whereas air defence forces intercepted a drone over town of Tokmak.

Reuters couldn’t independently confirm neither of the stories. Each side deny concentrating on civilians within the almost 17-month lengthy battle that Russia has been waging on its neighbour.

Russia’s defence ministry mentioned on Saturday it had destroyed quite a lot of Ukrainian weapon depots within the area over the previous day. Ukraine’s high army command mentioned that Russia is making an attempt to cease Ukraine’s advance there, shelling closely the realm.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed once more on Saturday to liberate all of the land that Russia occupies.

“We can’t depart any of our individuals, any cities and villages beneath Russian occupation,” Zelenskiy mentioned in his nightly video deal with. “Wherever the Russian occupation continues, violence and humiliation of individuals reign.”

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Modifying by Diane Craft)

Copyright 2023 Thomson Reuters.