That’s it for our coverage for today, but before we go – let’s recap the day’s key happenings.
Airbase strikes
By far the biggest story of the day is regarding overnight Ukrainian strikes on an airfield inside Russia – news we broke exclusively here at Sky News via our Ukraine producer Artem Lysak and security and defence editor Deborah Haynes.
Ukrainian sources have since indicated that as many as 20 Russian service personnel were killed or wounded in the attack on Morozovsk airfield in Rostov.
Up to eight aircraft were damaged, while as many as six were destroyed completely, Ukrainian sources claimed.
The airbase has been the staging post for Russian bombings on the frontline since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
It is home to the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment within the 1st Guards Composite Aviation Division.
This unit has three squadrons of SU-34s which are regularly used to bomb Ukrainian forces on the frontline.
Claim that nuclear plant targeted again
Russia has once again claimed that Ukraine has tried to attack the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Critical infrastructure was not thought to have been damaged despite the drone attack, state media quoted the plant’s Moscow-installed management as saying.
Both Ukraine and Russia have accused the other of trying to create a nuclear disaster by attacking the plant – which has been under Moscow’s control since the early days of the war.
Separately – and not thought to be linked to the war in Ukraine – authorities in the far eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk have declared an emergency after radiation was detected in the area.
No one has been injured or exposed to radiation and there is no risk to public health, TASS quoted the local branch of Russia’s consumer safety watchdog as saying.
Russian advances?
Russia reported advances in two areas of Donetsk.
The defence ministry said Russian troops had reached the suburbs of the town of Chasiv Yar – which was denied by Ukraine.
Kyiv did note fighting in the area, however.
Additionally and without providing details or evidence, the ministry said troops had also captured the village of Vodyane, which is just northwest of Donetsk city and slightly southwest of Avdiivka.
Ukraine is yet to respond to the claims regarding Vodyane.
