Ukrainian forces shell Russian-occupied Melitopol

29 March 2023 - 07:45
By Lidia Kelly
Melitopol is  about 120km  southeast of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Image: Planet Labs PBC via Reuters/ File photo Melitopol is about 120km southeast of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Ukrainian forces have shelled the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Melitopol, south of the Zaporizhzhia region, and Russian media reported on Wednesday the city's power supply had been cut.

Ivan Fedorov, the exiled mayor of Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since March last year, said on the Telegram messaging app several explosions had gone off in the city.

Russia's state TASS news agency, citing Moscow-installed officials in the area, said Ukrainian shelling had damaged the city's power supply system and knocked out electricity in the city and some nearby villages.

TASS also reported a locomotive depot was destroyed, but according to initial information there were no casualties.

Melitopol is about 120km southeast of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Rafael Grossi, DG of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is expected to visit the plant later on Wednesday.

Reuters