Shelling hits south Ukraine

Police officers detain a man in Saint Petersburg on Saturday following calls to protest against the partial mobilisation. Pic/AFP

Ukraine and Russia traded accusations on Sunday of attacks on civilians in southern Ukraine as Russia sought to justify its seven-month war, even as it escalates with reinforcements and the expected annexation of regions its troops have seized. Ukraine and Western countries say referendums on joining Russia in territories Russia has captured are a sham designed to justify their annexation and ramping up of hostilities with newly drafted troops after recent battlefield losses.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the United Nations General Assembly and the world's media on Saturday, casting opposition to Russia's assault on its neighbour as limited to the United States and countries under its sway. Nearly three-quarters of countries in the assembly voted to reprimand Russia and demand it withdraw its troops shortly after the Feb. 24 invasion. Ukraine's military said early on Sunday that Russian forces had launched dozens of missile attacks and air strikes on military and civilian targets, including 35 "settlements", in past 24 hours. Russia also used drones to attack centre of the southern city of Odesa, Ukraine's military said. No casualties were reported. Russia denies targeting civilians.

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