Russian shelling paving the way for fresh offensive, say Ukrainian officials

Relatives stand by the coffin of Eduard Strauss, a Ukrainian serviceman who died in combat last month during his funeral in Irpin, Ukraine (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Russian shelling hit more civilian targets in Ukraine, starting a fire in a hospital, before what Kyiv authorities suspect is an impending new offensive by Russia around the anniversary of its invasion.

A hospital in the north-eastern town of Vovchansk caught fire late on Monday as a result of the shelling, regional Ukrainian emergency services reported.