Russian-controlled city in Kherson comes under heavy fire

Authorities in Novaya Kakhovka, a Russian-controlled city in Kherson province, say they are under heavy shelling from Ukraine.

"Novaya Kakhovka is experiencing a power outage. The city and surrounding residential areas are under heavy fire from the Ukrainian armed forces," the Russian-appointed city government said on April 29.

Novaya Kakhovka officials called for residents to "remain calm", saying power would be restored "after the shelling stops".

Russian soldiers patrol the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant in Kherson on May 20, 2022. Photo: AFP

The shelling of Novaya Kakhovka came on the same day as a drone attack on a fuel depot in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Russia has controlled most of Kherson Oblast, including Novaya Kakhovka, since the early days of Moscow's war in Ukraine in February 2022. Novaya Kakhovka is home to the Khakhovka hydroelectric dam, one of Moscow's strategic targets. Ukraine launched a counteroffensive last year, pushing Russian forces out of the city of Kherson, the capital of the oblast of the same name. Russia retreated to the east bank of the Dnieper River and still controls most of the oblast.

Kherson was one of four Russian regions annexed last October, along with three others: Donetsk, Lugansk and Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine rejected the move, calling it “unjustifiable” and vowing to reclaim all the territory. Western countries also condemned Russia’s move, saying they would not recognize the results.

President Vladimir Putin visited the Russian military headquarters in Kherson on April 17, as the Ukrainian army is said to be actively preparing to launch a large-scale counter-offensive to regain territory.

Location Novaya Kakhovka. Graphics: WP

Hong Hanh (According to AFP )

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