Russia has launched another large-scale drone and missile assault across Ukraine, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 50 as fighting intensifies across the country. The attacks targeted several regions, including Odesa, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv, damaging civilian infrastructure, industrial facilities, and medical buildings. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 122 attack drones and two ballistic missiles, with Ukrainian air defenses intercepting 101 drones. Explosions were reported across Kyiv after ballistic missile alerts, while officials confirmed damage to warehouses and other non-residential buildings. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine expects to begin domestic production of missiles for the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system by the end of the year, calling the project a historic step toward strengthening the country's defense capabilities.

Russia-Ukraine war | Deadly Russian strikes kill 13 as EU unveils €11.4 billion military package

Russia has launched another large-scale drone and missile assault across Ukraine, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 50 as fighting continues to intensify. The attacks targeted several regions, including Kyiv, Sumy, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv, damaging civilian infrastructure, industrial facilities, and medical buildings.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 122 attack drones and two ballistic missiles, with Ukrainian air defenses intercepting 101 drones. Explosions were reported across Kyiv following missile alerts, while officials confirmed damage to warehouses and non-residential buildings.


Russia pounds Ukraine with 122 drones and missiles | 13 dead, kyiv under heavy attack

One person was killed and 23 others were injured in a Russian missile strike early Thursday (April 27) on an apartment block and houses in Ukraine's Mykolaiv. Taking to Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia bombarded Mykolaiv with four Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea.

One person was killed and 23 others were injured in a Russian missile strike early Thursday (April 27) on an apartment block and houses in Ukraine's Mykolaiv. Taking to Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia bombarded Mykolaiv with four Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea. "The high-precision weapons were aimed at private houses, a historic building, and a high-rise building. For now, we know about one dead and 23 wounded, including a child," Zelensky added. Regional governor Vitaliy Kim. meanwhile, said that emergency services doused fires caused by the missile debris, adding the rubble was being cleared. Further details are awaited. Mykolaiv, a shipbuilding centre and port, suffered heavy Russian bombardments throughout the war. Wagner suspends artillery fire in Bakhmut Russian mercenary group Wagner, which has been spreading Moscow's assault in Ukraine's Bakhmut, said on Thursday (April 27) that it was suspending artillery fire in the city to allow Ukrainian forces on the other side to safely show the city to visiting American journalists. In an audio message, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said, "A decision has been taken to suspend artillery fire so that American journalists can safely film Bakhmut and go home," the news agency Reuters reported. Prigozhin also warned Ukraine to not bring any extra forces under the cover of the journalists' visit. On Sunday (April 23), the Wagner chief said that his men fighting in Bakhmut would kill rival soldiers and take no more prisoners. "We will kill everyone on the battlefield. Take no more prisoners of war!" Prigozhin said. Till now, Ukrainian forces have thwarted Wagner's attempts to take full control of Bakhmut. The forces are holed up in a network of dimly lit and cramped basements in the city's western districts, making a determined last stand against the Russian offensive. Speaking to the news agency AFP on Wednesday, a Ukrainian deputy battalion commander said, "They don't stop attacking day or night or day. Only when we hit them, they're busy evacuating their wounded and killed." The commander, who identified himself as "Philosopher", said that little by little, Russia was nibbling away little pieces of Bakhmut. "On our side, we're tired, people are exhausted," Philosopher said, "(But) each day we resist here gives more opportunities for other units to prepare for a counterattack." 'We do not plan nuclear escalation, but....': Russia Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that her country did not intend to take the path of nuclear escalation in its standoff with the West over Ukraine, but others should not test its patience. Speaking to reporters, Zakharova said, "We will do everything to prevent the development of events according to the worst scenario, but not at the cost of infringing on our vital interests." "I do not recommend that anybody doubt our determination and put it to the test in practice," the foreign ministry spokesperson added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine war: 1 killed, 23 injured in Russian missile strike in Mykolaiv

As Russia's war in Ukraine nears its one-year anniversary, WION's correspondent is in Mykolaiv to report on how life in Mykolaiv has changed? What is the new normal? How long the conflict is going to continue? Watch the video to know more.

Grinding battle of attrition in Ukraine

Ukraine is all set to experience a “life threatening” winter due to the lack of electricity caused by attacks on key infrastructure by the Russian military. As a result, the government has planned evacuation for citizens living in the worst-affect areas and it can start with the newly-liberated regions of Mykolaiv and Kherson. Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk informed the media on Monday that both regions will face evacuation and the people will be moved to the central and western parts of Ukraine.&nbsp;

The announcement coincided with the report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) claiming that the ongoing invasion by Russia has severely damaged the energy grid of Ukraine and as a result, this can be the worst winter in history for the people who will have to survive without any electricity.&nbsp;

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"This winter will be life-threatening for millions of people in Ukraine," Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, told reporters. "Put simply –- this winter will be about survival," he added.&nbsp;

The two southern regions have been at the centre of conflict recently. Kherson was one of the regions which were annexed by Russia after a number of referendums. However, the Ukrainian military fought back in the past few months and was able to take it back with Russia deciding to retreat.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-claims-that-officials-found-four-torture-sites-in-kherson-536154">Ukraine claims that officials found four 'torture' sites in Kherson</a>

However, the constant missile strikes have left the region in a terrible situation and at the end of the conflict, the people were left without heat, electricity and even snow blankets.&nbsp;

The situation is not restricted to the two regions as even the capital Kyiv is facing power outages and it is estimated that around 15 Ukrainian provinces may end up losing power during the winter months.&nbsp;

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Ukraine is all set to experience a “life threatening” winter due to the lack of electricity caused by attacks on key infrastructure by the Russian military. As a result, the government has planned evacuation for citizens living in the worst-affect areas and it can start with the newly-liberated regions of Mykolaiv and Kherson.

Ukraine is all set to experience a “life threatening” winter due to the lack of electricity caused by attacks on key infrastructure by the Russian military. As a result, the government has planned evacuation for citizens living in the worst-affect areas and it can start with the newly-liberated regions of Mykolaiv and Kherson. Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk informed the media on Monday that both regions will face evacuation and the people will be moved to the central and western parts of Ukraine. The announcement coincided with the report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) claiming that the ongoing invasion by Russia has severely damaged the energy grid of Ukraine and as a result, this can be the worst winter in history for the people who will have to survive without any electricity. Also read | Indonesia earthquake: Death toll jumps to 162, says governor "This winter will be life-threatening for millions of people in Ukraine," Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, told reporters. "Put simply –- this winter will be about survival," he added. The two southern regions have been at the centre of conflict recently. Kherson was one of the regions which were annexed by Russia after a number of referendums. However, the Ukrainian military fought back in the past few months and was able to take it back with Russia deciding to retreat. Also read | Ukraine claims that officials found four 'torture' sites in Kherson However, the constant missile strikes have left the region in a terrible situation and at the end of the conflict, the people were left without heat, electricity and even snow blankets. The situation is not restricted to the two regions as even the capital Kyiv is facing power outages and it is estimated that around 15 Ukrainian provinces may end up losing power during the winter months.

Ukraine to evacuate Kherson and Mykolaiv ahead of 'life-threatening' winter

Ukraine has been facing a barrage of missile strikes in the last few days. In the latest, Russia fired missiles and carried out drone strikes in Mykolaiv.

Ukraine: Russian S-300 missile hit top floor of a residential building

Ukraine: Russia could use nuclear weapons near Mykolaiv

Ukraine has announced the launch of a counter-offensive to recapture southern parts of the country and has advanced into the Kherson, Mykolaiv regions; however, Russia claimed to have repulsed the Ukrainian offensive.

Ukraine launches counter-offensive to recapture Kherson, Mykolaiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the war-torn southern city of Mykolaiv on Saturday to meet the forces resisting the Russian military. This was the first time that Zelensky visited the city and during a small ceremony, he handed out medals to the soldiers who are currently taking shelter in an underground shelter. The President also posed for a number of selfies with the soldiers, according to a video posted on Telegram. The city has been facing Russian attacks since March, but the Ukrainian forces were able to restrict them to the outer edges of the southern city till now.

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"Our brave men. Each one of them is working flat out," he said in the video posted on his official account on Telegram. "We will definitely hold out! We will definitely win!"

Zelensky also awarded medals to Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych and Governor Vitaliy Kim for their work in the last four months after visiting a hospital housing the local patients in Mykolaiv.

“Because you are heroic people, you saved the lives of everyone — both military and civilian. I want to wish you and your family and friends good health,” Zelensky said at the hospital.

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The visit came just one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin once again justified the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and blamed the western countries for blaming their problems on Russia.

Mykolaiv is an important city for the Ukrainian forces as it is strategically placed between Mariupol and Odesa. There were multiple missile strikes at the city and in March, 37 people were killed when a missile completely destroyed a building, according to a report by Reuters.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the war-torn southern city of Mykolaiv on Saturday to meet the forces resisting the Russian military. This was the first time that Zelensky visited the city and during a small ceremony, he handed out medals to the soldiers who are currently taking shelter in an underground shelter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the war-torn southern city of Mykolaiv on Saturday to meet the forces resisting the Russian military. This was the first time that Zelensky visited the city and during a small ceremony, he handed out medals to the soldiers who are currently taking shelter in an underground shelter. The President also posed for a number of selfies with the soldiers, according to a video posted on Telegram. The city has been facing Russian attacks since March, but the Ukrainian forces were able to restrict them to the outer edges of the southern city till now. Also read | Watch | Russian TV shows videos of two US vets captured in Ukraine "Our brave men. Each one of them is working flat out," he said in the video posted on his official account on Telegram. "We will definitely hold out! We will definitely win!" Zelensky also awarded medals to Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych and Governor Vitaliy Kim for their work in the last four months after visiting a hospital housing the local patients in Mykolaiv. “Because you are heroic people, you saved the lives of everyone — both military and civilian. I want to wish you and your family and friends good health,” Zelensky said at the hospital. Also read | In pics-Which are EU candidate countries and what's their status now? The visit came just one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin once again justified the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and blamed the western countries for blaming their problems on Russia. Mykolaiv is an important city for the Ukrainian forces as it is strategically placed between Mariupol and Odesa. There were multiple missile strikes at the city and in March, 37 people were killed when a missile completely destroyed a building, according to a report by Reuters. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky visits war-torn city of Mykolaiv

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Russia claimed on Thursday (June 2) that its military had downed a Ukrainian Su-25 fighter jet in the Mykolaiv region, news agency Reuters reported citing the defence ministry. The report also added that in a brief, the official also stated that Moscow had struck command points of Ukrainian forces near Kharkiv. However, this news hasn't been confirmed independently by the news agency. ALSO READ | Russia controls 'about 20 per cent' of Ukraine, says president Volodymyr Zelensky Russian defence ministry spokesperson, Igor Konashenkov, as quoted by Reuters, said: "A Su-25 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force was downed in the Kobzartsi area of Mykolaiv Region." "Operational-tactical, army and unmanned aviation have hit three command posts, 69 staging areas where military personnel and equipment are concentrated, one radar station and two ammunition depots of the Ukrainian armed forces near Raihorodok and Mykolaivka in the (self-proclaimed) Donetsk people's republic," he added. ALSO READ | China 'firmly opposes' US-Taiwan trade initiative WATCH | Reports: Oil group OPEC+ mulls excluding Russia from production deal × The ministry also issued a video in which a fighter jet can be taken off from an unidentified location. In the clip, there's no mention of the date and place where the video was taken. In the latest development, Russian forces on Thursday (June 2) hammered the last Ukrainian defences holding a strategic city in the Donbas region. Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops have set their sights on capturing eastern Ukraine since Ukrainian forces repelled them from seizing Kyiv after the Russian invasion began on February 24. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine war: Russia reportedly downed Ukrainian Su-25 fighter jet in Mykolaiv region

Mykolaiv's Governor Vitaliy Kim said on Saturday that at least 35 people have been confirmed killed as a result of Russia's rocket strike on the regional administration building.

Rescuers sent by the State Emergency Service have been searching the wreckage for survivors since Russian forces struck the building.

The governor, who was not on the premises at the time of the attack, later posted social media images showing a gaping hole in the nine-story structure.

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Mykolaiv, a strategically important city en route to Ukraine’s largest port of Odesa, has withstood weeks of shelling by the Russian forces.

Meanwhile, AFP journalists said the bodies of at least 20 men in civilian clothes were found lying in a single street Saturday after Ukrainian forces retook the town of Bucha near Kyiv from Russian troops.

Sixteen of the 20 corpses found on one street in Bucha were lying either on the pavement or by the verge. Three were sprawled in the middle of the road, and another lay on his side in the courtyard of a destroyed house.

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As Russian troops continue their war in Ukraine, the country's defence ministry said Russian troops were on "partial retreat" from the north of Kyiv.

Earlier this week, Russia had said it would be scaling back operations around Kyiv and Chernihiv located in northern Ukraine during peace negotiations in Istanbul, however, reports claim fighting continues in some areas.

Ukraine President Zelensky in a video message said Russian troops were making a “slow but noticeable” withdrawal from northern areas.

“We are moving forward, moving carefully,” Zelensky added however the Ukraine president said the situation in the east remained “extremely difficult” as Russian troops were "preparing for new powerful blows".

“I emphasise again, hard battles lie ahead. We cannot think we have already passed all the tests," Ukraine's president warned.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky's political adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said: "Our troops are chasing them both to the northwest and northeast (of Kyiv), pushing the enemy away from Kyiv."&nbsp;

Arestovych added that Russia was in fact carrying out troop rotation and sending its forces to eastern Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the action he launched on February 24 a "special military operation aimed at demilitarising and denazifying" Ukraine.

Ukraine and its allies call this a baseless pretext for a war of aggression. Since the invasion, more than 10 million people have been displaced from their homes.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mykolaiv's Governor Vitaliy Kim said on Saturday that at least 35 people have been confirmed killed as a result of Russia's rocket strike on the regional administration building.

Mykolaiv's Governor Vitaliy Kim said on Saturday that at least 35 people have been confirmed killed as a result of Russia's rocket strike on the regional administration building. Rescuers sent by the State Emergency Service have been searching the wreckage for survivors since Russian forces struck the building. The governor, who was not on the premises at the time of the attack, later posted social media images showing a gaping hole in the nine-story structure. Mykolaiv, a strategically important city en route to Ukraine’s largest port of Odesa, has withstood weeks of shelling by the Russian forces. Meanwhile, AFP journalists said the bodies of at least 20 men in civilian clothes were found lying in a single street Saturday after Ukrainian forces retook the town of Bucha near Kyiv from Russian troops. Sixteen of the 20 corpses found on one street in Bucha were lying either on the pavement or by the verge. Three were sprawled in the middle of the road, and another lay on his side in the courtyard of a destroyed house. Also see | Aerorozvidka: How Ukraine's elite IT force halted Russia's long mechanised brigade eyeing Kyiv As Russian troops continue their war in Ukraine, the country's defence ministry said Russian troops were on "partial retreat" from the north of Kyiv. Earlier this week, Russia had said it would be scaling back operations around Kyiv and Chernihiv located in northern Ukraine during peace negotiations in Istanbul, however, reports claim fighting continues in some areas. Ukraine President Zelensky in a video message said Russian troops were making a “slow but noticeable” withdrawal from northern areas. “We are moving forward, moving carefully,” Zelensky added however the Ukraine president said the situation in the east remained “extremely difficult” as Russian troops were "preparing for new powerful blows". “I emphasise again, hard battles lie ahead. We cannot think we have already passed all the tests," Ukraine's president warned. Also see | 'Multiple launches': Russia fires Kinzhal (Dagger) hypersonic missiles in Ukraine war President Volodymyr Zelensky's political adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said: "Our troops are chasing them both to the northwest and northeast (of Kyiv), pushing the enemy away from Kyiv." Arestovych added that Russia was in fact carrying out troop rotation and sending its forces to eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the action he launched on February 24 a "special military operation aimed at demilitarising and denazifying" Ukraine. Ukraine and its allies call this a baseless pretext for a war of aggression. Since the invasion, more than 10 million people have been displaced from their homes. (With inputs from agencies)

Mykolaiv's governor says at least 35 killed from Russian strike on government building

A Russian&nbsp;rocket&nbsp;hit the&nbsp;regional&nbsp;administration building in the southern Ukrainian port&nbsp;city&nbsp;of&nbsp;Mykolaiv&nbsp;on Tuesday (March 29), killing at least&nbsp;three&nbsp;people and wounding 22, local authorities said.

Surveillance footage said to be filmed from the&nbsp;Mykolaiv&nbsp;regional&nbsp;state administration building showed a large plume of smoke after the missile impact. The footage matched landmarks seen from publicly-available satellite imagery of the local shipyard and a local bridge, as well as third-party drone images taken from before the war.

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Eighteen of the wounded were pulled from the rubble by rescue workers, who continue to work at the scene, the emergencies service said in an online post.

An image shared by local governor Vitaliy Kim showed a large&nbsp;hole&nbsp;in the side of the building. On Tuesday, Reuters witnesses saw the destruction from a distance and ambulances and fire engines heading to the scene. The area was cordoned off.

Russian forces have attacked&nbsp;Ukraine's&nbsp;southern ports including Kherson, Odesa,&nbsp;Mykolaiv&nbsp;and Mariupol as they try to cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea and establish a land corridor from Russia to Crimea, the peninsula Russia seized in 2014.

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Kim said there was an upside to the strike - it suggested Russia had given up trying to take over the&nbsp;city.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation" to disarm its neighbour. It denies targeting civilians and did not comment on the strike on&nbsp;Mykolaiv.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Zelensky opens the door for neutrality in peace talks

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A Russian rocket hit the regional administration building in the southern Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv on Tuesday (March 29), killing at least three people and wounding 22, local authorities said.

A Russian rocket hit the regional administration building in the southern Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv on Tuesday (March 29), killing at least three people and wounding 22, local authorities said. Surveillance footage said to be filmed from the Mykolaiv regional state administration building showed a large plume of smoke after the missile impact. The footage matched landmarks seen from publicly-available satellite imagery of the local shipyard and a local bridge, as well as third-party drone images taken from before the war. Also read | International accord needed to guarantee security, say Ukrainian negotiators Eighteen of the wounded were pulled from the rubble by rescue workers, who continue to work at the scene, the emergencies service said in an online post. An image shared by local governor Vitaliy Kim showed a large hole in the side of the building. On Tuesday, Reuters witnesses saw the destruction from a distance and ambulances and fire engines heading to the scene. The area was cordoned off. Russian forces have attacked Ukraine's southern ports including Kherson, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Mariupol as they try to cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea and establish a land corridor from Russia to Crimea, the peninsula Russia seized in 2014. Also read | Wiping off the blood: To oppose Ukraine war, Russians adopt new national flag Kim said there was an upside to the strike - it suggested Russia had given up trying to take over the city. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation" to disarm its neighbour. It denies targeting civilians and did not comment on the strike on Mykolaiv. Watch | Gravitas: Zelensky opens the door for neutrality in peace talks

Ukraine Crisis: Three killed in Mykolaiv as rocket blasts in regional headquaters

For three weeks, 13-year-old Sofia has been stuck in bed in the basement of a hospital in the southern Ukrainian city of&nbsp;Mykolaiv&nbsp;undergoing three operations that have still not removed all the shrapnel from her skull.&nbsp;

Yet, she's still smiling, dreaming of playing the guitar and one day becoming a painter.

After&nbsp;some terrible weeks in which the&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;army has tried -- in vain -- to blow up this strategic city, the&nbsp;threat&nbsp;in the last few days seems to have eased a bit.

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The frontline has even moved back slightly&nbsp;after&nbsp;Ukrainian forces launched a counter-offensive in Kherson, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) to the southeast, the country's only major city seized by&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;troops.

Mykolaiv&nbsp;is a key city on the road to Odessa, Ukraine's biggest port.

While dozens of&nbsp;residents, including many children, are leaving the city on yellow coaches every morning headed west, others are beginning to&nbsp;hope&nbsp;for a return to an almost normal life.

"The weather is beautiful," said the regional governor, Vitaly Kim, in one of the videos on social media that has made him popular since the&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;invasion. "And without strikes, it would be even more so."

At the weekend, the air raid sirens no longer disturb onlookers, who are more and more on the streets. Most barely hurry when they hear them.

It was one of these strikes on March 5 on a village near&nbsp;Mykolaiv&nbsp;that led Sofia to the basement of the paediatric hospital from which she dreams of leaving soon.

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"She received shrapnel to the head, some of which have not yet been able to be removed," says her mother, Ludmila, at the teenager's bedside where Sofia lies under a colourful blanket with a big white teddy bear for a companion.

"Now I can move my arms and legs a little, I still can't get up without my mother's help, but hopefully I can leave soon," says a stoic Sofia, with bandages on her hands and on her head in the neurosurgery department, demarcated by sheets hung on a wire with clothes pegs.

Situation has stabilised

"She has already undergone several operations, but the pieces are still there. Her life is no longer in danger, but it could harm her health, so that's why we are preparing to operate again," says Irina Tkachenko, a medical officer at the hospital.

"I know that I must not let myself go, otherwise I will crack," says Ludmila, who pushes back tears before recovering, a little reassured by the courage shown by her daughter.

"I want to make a guitar to learn to play," Sofia says, "since my little brother broke mine". "But we'll buy you one," her mother gently promises her.

"I dream of being an artist, I studied painting for a semester," Sofia continues, adding: "I want to be a famous painter and live from my art."

On the other side of the sheet is Micha, five, who lost his mother in a bombing. With his head wrapped in a thick bandage, he gets up from his cluttered bed to let his grandparents help him get dressed.

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"We turned our basement into a shelter, divided into sections for neurosurgery, surgery, traumatology and neonatology," Tkachenko says.

"At the height of war, when we were attacked by fascists -- there is no other word -- we had 12 children admitted with injuries of varying severity," says the hospital's chief doctor, Alexander Plitkin, "as well as two we could not save".

"Now the situation has stabilised a bit," he adds.

In another sign of respite, the governor eased restrictions on the sale of alcohol by allowing it on weekends but warned the limits would be reinstated in the event of excess.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine under attack: Russians come out in support of Ukraine

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For three weeks, 13-year-old Sofia has been stuck in bed in the basement of a hospital in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv undergoing three operations that have still not removed all the shrapnel from her skull.

For three weeks, 13-year-old Sofia has been stuck in bed in the basement of a hospital in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv undergoing three operations that have still not removed all the shrapnel from her skull. Yet, she's still smiling, dreaming of playing the guitar and one day becoming a painter. After some terrible weeks in which the Russian army has tried -- in vain -- to blow up this strategic city, the threat in the last few days seems to have eased a bit. Also read | Turkey says world cannot 'burn bridges' with Moscow The frontline has even moved back slightly after Ukrainian forces launched a counter-offensive in Kherson, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) to the southeast, the country's only major city seized by Russian troops. Mykolaiv is a key city on the road to Odessa, Ukraine's biggest port. While dozens of residents, including many children, are leaving the city on yellow coaches every morning headed west, others are beginning to hope for a return to an almost normal life. "The weather is beautiful," said the regional governor, Vitaly Kim, in one of the videos on social media that has made him popular since the Russian invasion. "And without strikes, it would be even more so." At the weekend, the air raid sirens no longer disturb onlookers, who are more and more on the streets. Most barely hurry when they hear them. It was one of these strikes on March 5 on a village near Mykolaiv that led Sofia to the basement of the paediatric hospital from which she dreams of leaving soon. Also read | Leading energy analyst says Russian gas sales to China 'will not make up for loss of European markets' "She received shrapnel to the head, some of which have not yet been able to be removed," says her mother, Ludmila, at the teenager's bedside where Sofia lies under a colourful blanket with a big white teddy bear for a companion. "Now I can move my arms and legs a little, I still can't get up without my mother's help, but hopefully I can leave soon," says a stoic Sofia, with bandages on her hands and on her head in the neurosurgery department, demarcated by sheets hung on a wire with clothes pegs. Situation has stabilised "She has already undergone several operations, but the pieces are still there. Her life is no longer in danger, but it could harm her health, so that's why we are preparing to operate again," says Irina Tkachenko, a medical officer at the hospital. "I know that I must not let myself go, otherwise I will crack," says Ludmila, who pushes back tears before recovering, a little reassured by the courage shown by her daughter. "I want to make a guitar to learn to play," Sofia says, "since my little brother broke mine". "But we'll buy you one," her mother gently promises her. "I dream of being an artist, I studied painting for a semester," Sofia continues, adding: "I want to be a famous painter and live from my art." On the other side of the sheet is Micha, five, who lost his mother in a bombing. With his head wrapped in a thick bandage, he gets up from his cluttered bed to let his grandparents help him get dressed. Also read | If I was the US President, I’d threaten to drop a nuclear bomb on Russia: Trump "We turned our basement into a shelter, divided into sections for neurosurgery, surgery, traumatology and neonatology," Tkachenko says. "At the height of war, when we were attacked by fascists -- there is no other word -- we had 12 children admitted with injuries of varying severity," says the hospital's chief doctor, Alexander Plitkin, "as well as two we could not save". "Now the situation has stabilised a bit," he adds. In another sign of respite, the governor eased restrictions on the sale of alcohol by allowing it on weekends but warned the limits would be reinstated in the event of excess. Watch | Ukraine under attack: Russians come out in support of Ukraine

Mykolaiv residents dare to hope after Russian threat eases

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