Russia steps up airstrikes

At least 12 dead in attacks in east as Putin's forces target populated areas

Firefighters work at the site of a Russian shelling on the town of Vilniansk in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, on Saturday. Officials said the attack killed seven people including two children - and injured 10 others.

Russian attacks across eastern Ukraine killed at least 11 people Saturday, while rescuers in the city of Dnipro dug through rubble after a Russian strike ripped through a nine-story residential building, leaving one dead, officials said.

The attacks came as Russia continues to stretch out Ukrainian forces in several areas along the 1,000-kilometre front. Moscow has stepped up airstrikes in a bid to drain Ukraine’s resources, often targeting energy facilities and other vital infrastructure.