Pockets of shelling across Ukraine as wintry warfare looms

In the eastern Donetsk region, five people were killed in shelling over the past day, according to governor Pavlo Kyrylenko.

(Bernat Armangue/AP)

Shelling by Russian forces struck several areas in eastern and southern Ukraine overnight as utility crews continued efforts to restore power, water and heating following widespread strikes in recent weeks, officials said on Sunday.

With persistent snow blanketing the capital, Kyiv, analysts predict that wintry weather – bringing with it frozen terrain and gruelling fighting conditions – could have an increasing impact on the direction of the conflict that has raged since Russian forces invaded Ukraine more than nine months ago.