Ukrainian authorities announced that Russian forces shelled two villages in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of seven civilians, including an infant. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko indicated that a couple and their 23-day-old child, along with another man, were killed in the village of Shiroka Balka. He added that another child of the couple, aged 12, was seriously injured and later died after being taken to the hospital.
Two more people were killed and another injured in the neighboring village of Stanislav, which Klymenko stated had been shelled 12 times with artillery.
In Donetsk, a Russian-appointed official in parts controlled by Russia in Zaporizhzhia noted that Ukrainian forces are attempting to breach Russian lines in the western areas of Donetsk, where Ukrainian fighters continue to gain a foothold east of the town of Staromaiorsk. Vladimir Rogov reported that fierce fighting erupted south of the town of Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk as Ukrainian forces attempt to break through Russian lines to advance to the coast of the Sea of Azov.
He stated, "The (enemy) managed to enter and gain a foothold in the northern part of Urozhein after two weeks of the fiercest and bloodiest battles for control of this residential area," referring to that same section of the front line. He added that Russian forces still control the southern part of Urozhein, and that Ukrainian forces are seeking to control the town of Staromlynivka, located furthest south.
**Ukrainian Attack**
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that it had downed three Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod region in western Russia at 08:00 GMT. The ministry stated that it also shot down a Ukrainian drone over the Kursk region around 08:30 GMT, confirming that these incidents resulted in no casualties or damages.
**Warning Fire**
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that a Russian warship fired warning shots today at a cargo ship flying the Palauan flag that was heading to Ukraine via the Black Sea. Russia stated that its reconnaissance ship "Vasily Bikov" fired automatic weapons at the tanker "Sukro Okan" after its captain failed to respond to a request to stop for an inspection.
The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the tanker "Sukro Okan" was making its way toward the Ukrainian port of Ismail. Russian forces boarded the tanker via a Ka-29 helicopter. The ministry said, "After the inspection group completed its work on the tanker, Sukro Okan continued its journey to Ismail port."
