Russia-Ukraine War: Here's list of some major cities attacked by Russian forces so far

Since Russian President Vlimir Putin ordered to launch a special military operation on February 24, country's military has attacked several major cities in Ukraine. war between two countries started when Putin recognised independence of Ukrainian breakaway regions -- Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday claimed that Russia has lost around 9,000 of its personnel. However,  Russian Defence Ministry refuted claim saying that 498 of its servicemen have been killed and 1,597 injured so far amid ongoing war.  varying casualty figures by Russia and Ukraine came at a time when both sides' troops are engaged in severe fighting in major Ukrainian cities.

Here are some major Ukrainian cities attacked by Russian forces 

Kherson

According to Ukrainian officials, Russian military occupied sourn city of Kherson on Wednesday, March 2. This comes after Russian troops encircled city and engaged Ukrainians in a ground fight for several hours. According to media reports, Kherson is first major Ukrainian city to come into Russia's control since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014. Kherson is strategically important because it connects Crimean Peninsula to rest of Ukraine. Kherson, a city with a population of 3 lakh, is strategically placed on Dnieper River near its confluence with Black Sea. If Russia captures city, y might open a water canal, restoring water supplies to Crimean Peninsula.

Kharkiv

Meanwhile, Russian forces have continued ir attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, for third day in a row. Earlier on Wednesday, Russian airborne forces landed in Kharkiv and fired rockets into centre of city. "Russian airborne forces landed in Kharkiv and attacked a hospital. Invers and Ukrainians are currently engaged in a fight," Ukrainian army said in a statement on Telegram. With a population of around 1.4 million people, Kharkiv is a primarily Russian-speaking city near Russian border. city has been a target for Russian military ever since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine. 

Kyiv

On Tuesday, March 1, a large Russian armoured column pounded Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. As per media reports, capital city has been encircled by Russian forces, who are continuing to bombard it. According to Kyiv City State ministration, city's infrastructure is in good shape, with heat, water, power, and communications available in all areas. First Deputy Chairman of Kyiv City State ministration, Nikolai Povoroznik, claimed that Russian forces are continuously firing missiles and that Ukrainian air defence unit is employing night explosives to knock down hostile missiles. Thousands of Ukrainian women and children were evacuated during bombing of Kyiv's Sourn Railway Station. strike affected area near Ibis hotel. On Wednesday, two explosions were reported near Kyiv's Druzhby Narodiv metro station. Meanwhile, air raid alerts were also issued in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, as well as Mykolaiv, Lviv, and Zhytomyr.

Melitopol, Mariupol and Chernihiv

Russian Defence Ministry claimed on Saturday, February 26, that country's forces have taken complete control of Melitopol city - located in Ukraine's sourn part. Meanwhile, Mariupol and Chernihiv cities have also been encircled and bombarded by Russian military. Russian forces also attacked an oil depot in Chernihiv which was set ablaze after a shell hit it on Thursday. Ukraine State Emergency Services (SES) stated that attack took place around 8:10 am (local time). 

Image: AP