Russia says it has launched offensive in Dnipropetrovsk, eastern Ukraine
Russia says its forces have launched an offensive in the Dnipropetrovsk region of eastern Ukraine. The AFP news agency says Russia is pushing into the region for the first time in its three-year invasion.
The Russian defense ministry said on Sunday that forces from a tank division had reached the western border of Donetsk and are continuing to develop an offensive in Dnipropetrovsk.
Elsewhere in Ukraine's east, Russian forces hit Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv with missiles, drones and guided bombs on Saturday. Local police say at least five people were killed.
Kharkiv's mayor condemned the attack, describing it as the most powerful so far.
On Friday, Russia pounded Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with missile and drone attacks, causing a number of casualties. The bombardment is believed to have been in retaliation for Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian airbases on June 1.
Reuters news agency quoted US officials as saying that Washington believes Moscow's threatened retaliation against the drone strikes has not happened yet in earnest.
The news agency also reported one source as saying the full Russian response was "expected within days." It quoted a US official as saying the retaliation was likely to include different kinds of air capabilities, including missiles and drones.
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Japan Times
a day ago
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Russian envoy to attend peace ceremony in Nagasaki
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