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Following the breach of a dam in the Russian-occupied town of Nova Kakhovka, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern over the dire situation caused by the flooding. Hundreds of thousands of people are without access to drinking water, and tens of thousands remain stranded due to the floodwaters.

Evacuations are currently underway in the surrounding areas, as Kherson braces for the peak of rising water levels today. James Waterhouse, our correspondent in Kherson, reports that numerous homes have been submerged up to their rooftops. Distressed individuals in Kherson have sought refuge on rooftops and in trees, awaiting rescue.

Fortunately, the floods in Nova Kakhovka are subsiding according to local authorities. However, there are concerns regarding the impact on the vital agriculture industry in southern Ukraine, as the declining levels of the Kakhovka reservoir could have devastating consequences for irrigation.

The environmental damage caused by pollution and flooding is also a major worry, with Ukraine labeling it as one of Europe’s worst environmental disasters in decades. Nevertheless, there is currently no immediate threat to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant upriver, as it relies on the reservoir for reactor cooling.

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Nadia Sadoviak, a Ukrainian music teacher residing in Newbury, Berkshire, has created an illustrated book of poems aimed at helping children understand and cope with the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war. Sadoviak explained that the book provides a means for children in her homeland to navigate a situation that they can hardly comprehend.

The book features a character named “Brave Goose” portrayed in various roles such as a medic and a volunteer. Sadoviak expressed her constant concern for helping children and her continuous efforts to establish connections and foster positivity. While acknowledging the impossibility of finding positivity in the dire situation in Ukraine, she has received positive feedback regarding the book’s usefulness in aiding children in coping with their difficult circumstances.

Copies of the book have been produced in the UK, and Sadoviak intends to distribute it to as many Ukrainian children living in Berkshire as possible. She will officially launch the book at Newbury Library on June 14.

The library holds significance for this event as it has recently been granted Library of Sanctuary status for its commendable efforts in welcoming and supporting refugees and individuals seeking sanctuary, making it an appropriate venue for Sadoviak’s book launch.

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According to Ukraine, Russia has been accused of detonating the dam. The reasoning behind this accusation is that Russia may have feared Ukraine’s potential use of the dam to facilitate troop movements in their recent counter-offensive.

The destruction of the dam is expected to have several consequences. One significant impact is on a crucial water channel that carries water from the Dnipro River to Crimea, which is currently under Russian occupation. The channel originates from Nova Khakovka and is likely to be affected by the dam’s destruction. Additionally, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, located approximately 160km upstream on the banks of the Dnipro, is also at risk.

Andryi Yermak, the head of President Zelensky’s office, stated that Russia would bear responsibility for depriving the people of Crimea of drinking water. Yermak further emphasized that Russia’s actions pose a threat to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).

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The Russian defense ministry claims to have successfully thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive in the Donetsk region. According to Russia, they have killed 250 Ukrainian troops and destroyed armored vehicles.

However, these claims have not been verified, and Ukraine’s military has accused Russia of spreading disinformation. While a Ukrainian counter-offensive has been anticipated, Ukraine has stated that it will not provide advance notice of its commencement. Reports of increased military activity suggest that the expected Ukrainian offensive might be underway.

Russia alleges that Ukraine launched a large-scale offensive using mechanized and tank battalions but failed to achieve its objectives. The authenticity of the video showing military vehicles under fire remains unverified. Ukraine has been preparing for a counter-offensive for months, seeking training and military equipment from Western allies. The start of the offensive will not be publicly announced to maintain secrecy.

However, it will take time for Ukraine to achieve its goal of regaining territory taken by Russia years ago. Ukraine’s ground forces commander has reported progress in their advance, while anti-government fighters claim to have captured Russian soldiers near the Ukrainian border. Russia has blamed Ukraine for recent attacks in its border areas, but Kyiv denies direct involvement. Drone attacks have been reported in Russia’s Belgorod region and the Kaluga region, near Moscow.

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A tragic incident occurred in Dnipro, Ukraine, where a two-year-old girl was killed and 22 people were injured in an alleged Russian air strike. The governor of the region, Serhiy Lysak, confirmed that among the injured were five children, three of whom were in serious condition. President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed Russia for the attack, although the Kremlin had not yet commented on the events.

Explosions were also reported in the capital city of Kyiv, where air defense systems were deployed. The entire country had been under air raid alerts. Fires broke out in a northern district of Dnipro following the alleged strike, and 17 of the injured were taken to the hospital. Reports of explosions were received from various parts of the country, including Kyiv, Sumy, Berdyansk, Melitopol, and Kropyvnitsky.

In Russia, officials claimed that two more people were killed in fresh attacks in the border region of Belgorod and blamed Ukraine for the incidents. However, Ukraine maintained that the deaths were a result of Russia’s attempt to target anti-government fighters. There have been recent incidents in the region, including a cross-border incursion, which Russia claimed resulted in the deaths of 70 attackers. Kyiv denied direct involvement and stated that Russian paramilitaries were responsible.

Regarding a potential counter-offensive against occupying Russian soldiers, a close aide of President Zelensky, Dr. Ihor Zhovkva, stated that Ukraine was not yet ready due to a lack of weaponry and ammunition. This statement appeared contradictory to President Zelensky’s previous comment indicating Ukraine’s readiness to initiate the maneuver. The inconsistent comments from Ukrainian officials may have been an intentional tactic to confuse Moscow.

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In a recent nighttime missile attack on Kyiv, three individuals, including an 11-year-old girl, lost their lives, according to regional police. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has resulted in frequent missile and drone strikes targeting the Ukrainian capital.

The latest attack occurred in the Desnyanskyi and Dniprovskyi districts, leaving 11 others injured. The victims also included a 33-year-old woman and the girl’s 34-year-old mother. Initial reports suggested two children had died, but the information was later updated.

This marks the fourth attack this week, following a series of 17 strikes on Kyiv throughout May, mostly during nighttime. Photos shared by military authorities revealed rescue teams tending to the wounded and damaged buildings. In the occupied Luhansk region, Russian-backed officials claimed five deaths and 19 injuries from Ukrainian shelling at a poultry farm.

Additionally, the governor of the Russian region of Belgorod, bordering Ukraine, stated that two individuals were injured in an attack on Shebekino, which he attributed to Ukrainian troops.

Russia has been employing kamikaze drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles in recent weeks to target Ukraine, with Kyiv being a primary focus. Analysts believe that Moscow aims to weaken Ukraine’s air defenses ahead of an anticipated counter-offensive planned by the Ukrainian government.

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Russia has conducted a large-scale drone attack on the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. According to reports, 54 kamikaze drones were launched by Russia, out of which 52 were shot down by Ukraine’s Air Force. The attack resulted in the death of one person and injury to a woman when drone wreckage fell near a petrol station. Several high-rise buildings in different districts of Kyiv caught fire due to falling drone fragments, and warehouses in the Holosiyivsky district were also set ablaze.

Kyiv residents described their experiences during the attack, with one person mentioning being woken up by a drone flying close to her window and witnessing a series of bright flashes followed by loud explosions. Despite the terrifying situation, many residents expressed gratitude for the air defense and rescue services and emphasized the importance of cherishing every moment of life.

Some officials accused Russia of intentionally targeting Kyiv, particularly as the city was preparing to celebrate Kyiv Day. The attacks by Russia have been escalating, using kamikaze drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Ukraine has been preparing for a counter-offensive, and one of its senior security officials stated that the country was ready to launch such an operation.

Both Russia and Ukraine have been engaging in drone attacks, with Russia targeting critical infrastructure and military targets. Ukraine has been retaliating by targeting key locations in the occupied regions of southeastern Ukraine. The frequency of military exchanges between both sides has been increasing as Ukraine prepares for its counter-offensive.

Russia’s ambassador to the UK warned about the escalation of the war, emphasizing that the supply of weapons to Ukraine could further escalate the conflict beyond the current levels. He expressed Russia’s desire to avoid such a scenario.

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A missile strike on a medical clinic in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro has resulted in the deaths of at least two people and left 23 others injured. Among the injured are two boys aged three and six. The regional governor, Serhiy Lysak, reported that 21 of the injured are in the hospital, with three in a serious condition. The strike is part of the escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine, which have increased in recent weeks ahead of an anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video on social media showing the damaged clinic, with firefighters and smoke visible in the footage. He condemned the attack, stating that it once again highlights the inhuman and dishonest nature of the Russian terrorists. The region experienced a “mass attack” involving missiles and drones, according to Governor Lysak. Dnipro, along with the eastern city of Kharkiv, was targeted, and an oil depot in the area was hit as well.

Ukrainian authorities claimed to have successfully intercepted and shot down 17 missiles and 31 drones launched from Russia overnight. The capital city, Kyiv, was also attacked, with intercepted drone fragments falling on the roof of a shopping center. Damage was caused to a house and several cars. In Russia, a blast occurred in the city of Krasnodar, east of Crimea, damaging a residential and office building. The governor of the region, Veniamin Kondratyev, attributed the blast to two Ukrainian drones, but no casualties were reported.

Another region affected by the attacks was Russia’s Belgorod region, which experienced over 130 strikes in the village of Kozinka. The governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, confirmed that one woman was injured. The Graivoron district, where an incursion from Ukrainian territory occurred earlier in the week, was particularly targeted in the attacks.

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Based on the information provided, the situation in Bakhmut, Ukraine, is uncertain and contradictory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Bakhmut is not occupied by Russia, but he also acknowledged that the city has been destroyed and its infrastructure severely damaged. He expressed his sorrow over the situation and mentioned that Bakhmut remains in the hearts of the Ukrainian people.

On the other hand, the Russian paramilitary group Wagner claimed to have captured the city, with its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, appearing in a video alongside his fighters, asserting control over the entire city. Russian President Vladimir Putin also stated that Russia had won the battle for Bakhmut and that deserving troops would receive state awards.

However, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Eastern Operational Command reported that Ukraine still controlled several buildings in the south-west of Bakhmut and was preparing for a counterattack. He mentioned that Ukrainian forces were flanking Russian troops and creating conditions for a pushback.

The situation on the ground appears to be highly volatile, with conflicting reports from different sources. It is unclear whether Bakhmut is fully under Russian control or if Ukrainian forces still maintain a presence in parts of the city. The extent of the destruction and the number of casualties is also alarming, with reports of heavy losses on both sides.

Given the contradictory information and ongoing conflict, it is essential to rely on updated and verified sources for the most accurate and reliable information regarding the situation in Bakhmut.

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Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, has experienced its ninth aerial attack by Russia this month. One person has been killed and two others wounded in a missile strike on Odesa, a city located in the south-western region near the Black Sea. Explosions were also heard in other central regions, including Vinnitsa, Khmelnitsky, and Zhytomyr. Kyiv’s military administration reported that preliminary information indicated that all incoming missiles had been successfully destroyed.

This recent attack marks the ninth time Russia has launched airstrikes on Kyiv this month. On a previous occasion, Ukraine claimed to have shot down six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles in a particularly intense assault. Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, announced that a fire had broken out in a garage in the Darnitsya area, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The head of Kyiv’s civilian military administration, Serhiy Popko, stated that a significant missile attack had been initiated by Russian strategic bombers flying over the Caspian Sea. Popko suggested that the attack likely involved cruise missiles and mentioned that Russia had deployed surveillance drones over Kyiv following the wave of airstrikes.

There were reports of additional fires in the Desnyansky district, located east of Kyiv, in a non-residential building. However, no updates were provided regarding any injuries resulting from this incident.

On Wednesday, at least eight people were reportedly killed, including a five-year-old boy near Kherson, with 17 others injured due to shelling. Both sides involved in the conflict have traded accusations of targeting civilian areas.

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