Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russian strikes intensify in eastern, southern regions ahead of Ukraine's independence day

Russian forces intensified their bombardment of Ukraine in recent days following the escalatory actions toward the largest power plant in Europe over the past several weeks. The continued bombardment also came ahead of Ukraine celebrating its independence this day this week.

Ukraine is set to celebrate its independence day on Wednesday, 31 years since the country was freed from Soviet rule. Wednesday would also mark the sixth month of Russia’s invasion, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warning that Russia could attempt to do “something particularly ugly.”

In his nightly video address Sunday, Zelenskyy said he discussed all possible threats with French President Emmanuel Macron, even informing other world leaders, including Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

“All of Ukraine’s partners have been informed about what the terrorist state can prepare for this week,” said Zelenskyy in his address.

With Ukraine set to celebrate its independence day, officials have reported that Russian shelling increased in the eastern and southern territories, where Russian forces are currently occupying.

One incident was the shelling of Nikopol, the city near Zaporizhzhia, where the nuclear power plant is located. Nikopol was shelled five times overnight, according to regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko.

Reznichenko said on the Telegram messaging app that 25 Russian artillery shells hit the city, causing a fire at an industrial area, and cutting 3,000 residents of power. Other local authorities also reported missile attacks at the Odesa region, which is where an UN-brokered plan to continue exporting Ukrainian grain is based.

In a daily update on Facebook, Ukraine’s general staff said several attempted Russian assaults took place in the past 24 hours in the Donbas region, where pro-Russia separatists partially control the area.

Russia’s defense ministry also accused Ukraine of poisoning some of its soldiers back in July in Zaporizhzhia. The ministry said a number of Russian troops were sent to a military hospital showing signs of serious poisoning back on July 31. The tests showed a toxic substance in their bodies.

The Ukrainian interior ministry adviser said the poisoning was likely caused by Russian soldiers eating expired tins of meat.

“The department does not clarify whether the poisoning could have been caused by expired canned meat, in which botulinum toxin is often found. Overdue rations have been massively complained about by the occupying forces since the first days of the invasion of Ukraine,” said Interior ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko.