Russia pounds Kherson with rockets and artillery

Aseries of explosions rang out across Kherson on Monday morning amid reports of increased Russian shelling on the recently liberated territory. 

Ukrainian soldiers fire an artillery at Russian positions near Bakhmut, Donetsk region - AP© AP

The regional capital is now considered the frontline in Ukraine's war against the Russian invasion, leaving it within artillery range.

Industrial areas inside Kherson were targeted over the weekend by fire from multi-launch rocket systems (MLRS) positioned on the left bank of the Dnipro River.

And now a fresh wave of blasts have been reported inside the city as the Russian bombardment on the area appears to have continued.

"Artillery duels continue, the fight continues," said Dmytro Pletentchuk, spokesman for the Ukrainian military in the area.

"Kerson is now on the front line".

It comes amid reports that Ukraine's government is preparing to evacuate civilians from Kherson, which is without running water or electricity after the Russians destroyed critical infrastructure as they made their escape. 

10:44 AM

China boosts efforts to control Western critical infrastructure, says Nato chief

Western countries must be careful not to create new dependencies on China as they are weaning off from Russian energy supplies amid Moscow's war on Kyiv, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg warned on Monday.

"We see growing Chinese efforts to control our critical infrastructure, supply chains and key industrial sectors," he said on a visit to Spain. "We cannot give authoritarian regimes any chance to exploit our vulnerabilities and undermine us." 

10:02 AM

No talk of new round of mobilisation, says Kremlin

The Kremlin said on Monday it was not discussing calling up more Russian soldiers to fight in Ukraine through a second round of mobilisation.

President Vladimir Putin said he had ended the mobilisation drive at the end of October, but has not revoked an official decree which provides the legal basis for the draft - a decision which has caused concern among some who say the Kremlin is keeping its options open for a future round of call-ups.

Asked by reporters if Russia was planning a new round of mobilisation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "I can't speak for the defence ministry, but there are no discussions in the Kremlin about this."   

09:50 AM

Yellow terrorist alert in Belgorod extended

The Russian border region of Belgorod will extend the current high level threat of a terrorist attack until early December, Tass reports. 

"The ‘yellow’ terrorist threat level has been extended for another 2 weeks. It will remain effective in the Belgorod Region until December 6," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on his Telegram channel.

Belgorod raised the threat level to yellow on April 11 after Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out an air strike on a fuel depot. It has remained in place amid a spate of further reported attacks.  

09:10 AM

Ukraine lost 30 troops over past day, according to Russian media

Ukraine has lost more than 30 troops over the past day in Donetsk, RIA Novosti reports citing local militia.

It followed losses of more than 60 Ukrainian troops on the previous day along with two D-30 howitzers, three T-72M1 tanks, eight off-road vehicles and two field drone control posts. 

08:34 AM

Russia’s estimated combat losses up to today

08:18 AM

In pictures: Ukrainian soldiers fire a mortar on the frontline in Donetsk

DONETSK OBLAST, UKRAINE - NOV 20: Ukrainian soldiers fire a mortar on the frontline in Donetsk oblast, 20 November 2022. (Photo by Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) - Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images© Provided by The Telegraph

08:12 AM

60 shells were launched on Dnipropetrovsk overnight, reports Nexta

07:53 AM

Italian government looks to extend arms supplies to Ukraine

Italy's government will ask parliament to pass a new law on military and civilian supplies to Ukraine throughout 2023.

The Rome government can send aid to Ukraine without seeking parliamentary authorisation each time on the basis of a decree that expires at the end of the year.

"The Defence (ministry) will shortly propose to renew that same measure, extending it to all of 2023," Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told Il Foglio newspaper.

Mr Crosetto said Italy would continue supplying arms, as it has done in the past, "in the times and ways that we will agree with our Atlantic allies and with Kyiv". 

07:46 AM

Latest from the UK Ministry of Defence: Svatove likely to be a political priority for Russia

07:15 AM

UN nuclear chief denounces strikes on Ukraine power plant

The UN's atomic watchdog chief on Sunday denounced "targeted" strikes at Ukraine's Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, calling for a "stop to this madness", as Kyiv and Moscow traded blame.

"The news from our team yesterday and this morning is extremely disturbing," said a statement Sunday from Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Explosions occurred at the site of this major nuclear power plant, which is completely unacceptable.