Russian strikes cut power to thousands in Ukraine as Kherson ceasefire to end within hours

A humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine's Kherson region that has allowed civilians to evacuate the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky is due to end on Sunday night.

While the localised ceasefire on the front line has held since it was implemented last week, fighting has continued elsewhere.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had struck energy infrastructure in four regions overnight on Saturday into Sunday, leaving hundreds of thousands without power.

Another overnight strike killed two people, including a 13-year-old girl, in the Vinnytsia region, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine hit a major missile fuel producer in Russia's Rostov region, which caused a fire and damaged four production facilities, Zelensky said.

Because of regular attacks on energy infrastructure, emergency power cuts have been introduced across the country. Even in the capital Kyiv, electricity is cut off for most of the day. Water supplies are also disrupted.

Zelensky said in a social media post that the intensity of Russian strikes has been "extremely high" over the past week, adding that Russia was "trying to take maximum advantage of the shortage of ballistic missile interceptors".

He added that "every day" Ukraine communicated its need for Patriot missiles - the only effective weapon for downing Russia's deadly ballistic missiles - to the US, Europe and other partners. He thanked countries for their support so far and longer-term commitments, but calling for more immediate aid.

Kaynak: BBC News World RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)