Moscow/Kyiv: Russian forces have launched heavy strikes in Ukraine following the nuclear attack warning issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the last 24 hours, Russia launched major offensives in the Donbas region and the Mykolaiv region in south Ukraine. The missile attack in Mykolaiv killed 300 soldiers who were part of Ukraine’s “Foreign Legion”. At least 200 Ukrainian soldiers have also been killed in other clashes in the same region. The Russian Defence Ministry provided this information. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Russia might deploy nuclear weapons to secure the territories acquired by Russia in Ukraine.  

Two weeks ago, the Ukrainian army launched a counter-offensive in Kharkiv, forcing Russian troops to retreat. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted this and warned of more aggressive attacks. After announcing the additional military deployment, Putin warned that his threats of nuclear attacks were ‘not a bluff’. It was also revealed that Putin had ordered a restructuring of Russian military deployments in Ukraine. Against this background, the Russian army appears to have intensified its attacks on Ukraine.  

Major attacks were carried out in Mykolaiv and Odesa in southern Ukraine. Missiles were fired at a base of foreign troops in the Kalinovka area of the Mykolaiv region. At least 300 foreign soldiers were killed in the attack, the Russian Defence Ministry said. Igor Konashenkov, the spokesman of the Russian Defence Ministry, claimed that there might be less than a thousand soldiers left in Ukraine’s “Foreign Legion” after this attack. Ukrainian bases in Mykolaiv province were also attacked, in which 200 soldiers were killed, the Russian Defence Ministry said.  

Odesa, a key port in southern Ukraine, was also attacked. Drones were used for launching these attacks. Besides, the Ukrainian authorities said that administrative buildings in the city were targeted. It is the second time in the last three days that Odesa has been attacked by drones. Ukraine claims that the drones used by Russia are from Iran. Bakhmut city in the Donetsk region was also under attack, and according to military sources, the eastern part of the city had been captured by Russian forces.  

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov issued a new warning over the conflict in Ukraine. In a press conference held at the United Nations, Lavrov assured that Russia would provide complete security to the territories it controls in Ukraine. When asked about the deployment of nuclear weapons at this time, the Russian Foreign Minister warned that this deployment would also apply to new territories. Russia has taken control of most of Ukraine’s Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. The referendum process is said to have been initiated in these provinces, and Russia will likely annex them after its completion. Against this background, Lavrov’s warning is noteworthy. 

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