Ukraine reports a success in the fight against the Russian occupiers. In Melitopol it was possible to destroy a Russian base. The place has been fought over again and again since the beginning of the war.
According to the mayor of Melitopol, Ukrainian forces have destroyed a large Russian military base in the occupied city. This is reported by the Ukrainian news portal “Kyiv Independent”. The base was therefore in a former car factory.
Mayor Ivan Fedorov, who is staying in Zaporizhia, wrote on Telegram: “Last night explosions were heard in the village of Myrne, Melitopol district. One of the buildings where preparations for a pseudo-referendum were underway was destroyed.” Nothing is known about possible victims, and the information cannot be verified from independent sources.
Strong explosions had been reported from both Melitopol and Myrne the day before. According to Ukrainian media reports, the Russian base and a bridge near Melitopol have been repeatedly attacked since Monday.
Fedorov urged the remaining residents of the occupied territory to flee to Ukrainian-controlled areas before the winter, Kyiv-Post reports. On Telegram, the mayor recommended going to Zaporizhia or places on the Azov Sea. Melitopol has not had access to gas for almost a month. The mayor also denied Russian reports that a pipeline would be built from the city of Berdyansk.
Melitopol is the second largest city in Zaporizhia Oblast after Zaporizhia. There has been constant fighting for the place since the beginning of the war. Local authorities believe at least 5,000 people have died in recent fighting.
Fedorov was kidnapped by Russian troops in March and later freed during a Ukrainian special operation. Russia is striving for referendums in the occupied territories, in which the population should speak out in favor of belonging to Russia. The mayor’s declared goal is to make the referendum impossible.