Igor Konashenkov

Russia launched its second large salvo of missiles at Ukraine in recent days early Monday, damaging buildings, killing two people and wounding 40 in the eastern city of Pavlohrad but failing to hit Kiev, officials said.

Air raid sirens began blaring across the capital about 3:45 a.m., followed by explosions as Ukrainian defense systems intercepted missiles.

The Russian military claimed Sunday to have carried out deadly missile strikes on barracks used by Ukrainian troops in retaliation for the deaths of dozens of Russian soldiers in a rocket attack a week ago. Ukrainian officials denied there were any casualties.

He wrote on the Telegram channel that Ukrainian forces have recovered more than 3.000 square kilometers of territory this month and are continuing their offensive.

More than 1.200 militants were liquidated in 24 hours, the Ministry of Defense of Russia announced.

Fears about the potential for a radiation leak at Europe's largest nuclear power plant persisted Saturday as both sides traded blame for nearby shelling. Ukraine said Russian forces fired on areas just across the river from the plant and Russia claimed Ukrainian shells hit a building where nuclear fuel is stored.

"The protection system has been raised to a higher level, I cannot reveal the details. We expect today to be fully prepared because everything can be expected from the Zelensky regime," said the representative of the regional administration, Vladimir Rogov.

A representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense announced today that the Zaporizhia nuclear plant could be shut down if Ukrainian forces continue shelling. This information is strongly denied by Kyiv.

As "Sputnik" reports, official Kyiv is allegedly planning to carry out a provocation during the visit of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that airstrikes destroyed five Ukrainian drones as well as a warehouse of foreign weapons in the west of the country.
On the other hand, the Ukrainian military command says that Moscow is preparing troops to attack Zelensky's hometown.

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasized that he is convinced that Ukraine will remain independent and in its entirety, within its internationally recognized territory, after the war, which, he said, he wants to end as soon as possible.