The Ukrainian city of Melitopol lost power after shelling by Ukrainian forces. The city currently being held by Russian forces, was struck at a railway depot. The attack took place on Wednesday amid growing talk from Kyiv of a counterassault against Russian forces worn out by a failed winter offensive, Reuters reported.
"Today around 5:30 a.m. (local), a series of explosions sounded in the city of Melitopol… As a result of the shelling by Kyiv… power supply facilities were damaged. The power supply was suspended in Melitopol and some nearby settlements," Vladimir Rogov, a member of the council of the pro-Russian military-civilian administration in the Zaporizhzhia region, said on Telegram. "According to preliminary reports, the shelling came from HIMARS, and there were no casualties. Emergency services are carrying out restoration work," Rogov added.
Melitopol is located approximately 100 kilometres from the frontlines. A land bridge linking Russia to the occupied Crimea peninsula passes through Melitopol. The city is also a railway logisitics hub for Russian forces in southern Ukraine. Melitopol is south of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, located on the Russian-controlled south bank of a huge reservoir that serves as the front line, Reuters reports.
