Russia says it hit headquarters of southern grouping of Ukrainian army

Russia said on Wednesday that it had struck the command headquarters of the Ukrainian army’s southern grouping, which is based in the port of Odesa where Kyiv reported a missile attack had killed three people.

“The headquarters of the operational command of the Southern grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was struck by operational and tactical aviation, missile forces and artillery,” Russia’s defense ministry said.

It gave no further details about the attack but said that Russian forces were improving their positions along the entire frontline.

Ukrainian prosecutors said residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged in Odesa in an overnight strike while the Southern military command said administrative and residential buildings, medical and educational institutions were hit.

Odesa has been a frequent target of Russian forces in the more than two-year-old war, with many attacks aimed at the city’s port facilities.