Update 2022-04-28 (3): Heavy explosions caused by missile strikes are being reported from downtown area of the capital Kiev. According to initial reports, a residential building was hit and at least six people were injured.
Update 2022-04-28 (2): On Thursday (28 April), the pro-Russian leadership in the Russian-occupied region of Kherson announced its intention to permanently secede from the Ukrainian state. Contrary to earlier assumptions, there will be no referendum, according to a spokesperson. In addition, the Russian government has announced that it will introduce the rouble as a means of payment in the occupied territories of Ukraine as of 1 May. According to further reports, the situation of the fighters and civilians trapped in the steel plant in Mariupol has further deteriorated.
Update 2022-04-28 (1): According to media reports on Thursday (28 April), Russian occupation forces violently broke up a demonstration in the city of Kherson in the south of the country, according to Ukrainian sources. In the process, the Russian security forces used tear gas grenades against the Ukrainians who were demonstrating. Several demonstrators were injured and arrested. Explosions are also reported at several places in the city. In Kharkiv oblast, at least three civilians were killed and six others injured by Russian shelling, according to Ukrainian reports. Local sources in the Sumy and Mykolaiv regions reported further shelling, but did not give casualty figures. In the heavily contested regions in eastern Ukraine, Russian forces have further increased the intensity of their attacks. The embattled cities of Lyssychansk and Popasna have been almost completely destroyed.
