Russian drones hit civilian targets and triggered a fire near Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv, officials have said.
The attacks came as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address Moscow was losing control of the Black Sea.
Russia launched overnight drone attacks today in Kharkiv, with multiple explosions heard, hitting a civilian site, said Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Synehubov.
Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said the fire was being brought under control but did not confirm whether there were any casualties.
In his address, Mr Zelensky said: “Russia is gradually losing control of the Black Sea and retreating to the eastern part of the waters.
“I am confident that Ukraine will definitely win. Be confident in yourselves,” he said.
Vladimir Putin’s troops bombarded 118 Ukrainian towns and villages over the course of 24 hours on Thursday, the most intense day of shelling this year, Kyiv said.
Ukraine is trying to build up a new shipping lane without Russian approval to revive its vital seaborne exports. But Russia said it would consider any vessel a potential military target after it quit a UN-brokered deal allowing Ukrainian goods to pass through.