Russian forces capture city of Melitopol, southern Ukraine

MOSCOW, Feb. 26 (YPA) – Russian forces have captured the city of Melitopol in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhya region, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday.

“Russian armed forces have taken full control over the city of Melitopol and we are taking all measures to ensure the safety of civilians,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in televised remarks on Saturday.

In the early hours of Thursday, February 24, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Lugansk republics requested assistance to defend themselves from intensified attacks by Ukrainian forces.

Kiev is witnessing clashes that have been concentrated on several axes, most notably in the streets surrounding the command of the 101st Military Brigade of the General Staff, located near the Peristeri metro station.

E.M

.