Ukraine: What happened today, Monday, April 18?

Military analysts say Russia is increasing its strikes on weapons factories, railways and other infrastructure targets across Ukraine to wear down the country’s ability to resist a major ground offensive in the Donbas

Men walk along a street filled with destroyed Russian military vehicles near Chernihiv, Ukraine. Picture: AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka

On Monday, Russia said it had launched mass strikes overnight on the Ukrainian military and associated military targets, using its air force, missile forces, artillery and air defence systems to hit hundreds of targets right across Ukraine.

In a statement, the Russian defence ministry said air-launched missiles had destroyed 16 Ukrainian military facilities, including five command posts, a fuel depot and three ammunition warehouses, as well as Ukrainian armour and forces.