Explosions have been heard within the Russian-held metropolis of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine with studies of loud blasts coming from the world of a close-by airport. Based on unconfirmed studies from native sources, there have been as much as 4 missile strikes on Mariupol which was taken by Russian forces in 2022 following a three-month-long siege.

According to a correspondent from Ukrinform, an announcement was made utilizing the messaging service Telegram by Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol confirming the explosions.

A video of an explosion close to the not too long ago constructed Nevsky housing advanced, which was constructed by Russian occupants, was additionally uploaded by Andriushchenko.

Andriushchenko stated on Telegram: "Explosions rocked the Mariupol district. Mariupol residents reported hearing three powerful explosions.

Early reports indicate that the Mariupol airport, where occupation troops were based, was hit.

"A video means that if this info is right, enemy forces suffered substantial losses."

It comes as Ukraine and Russia sit on the brink of a critical phase in their ongoing conflict, with Kyiv preparing for an anticipated counteroffensive that could prove decisive.

In recent months, the war has been mired in a protracted stalemate exacerbated by adverse weather conditions.

Russian forces continue their relentless long-range bombardment of Ukrainian targets, while reports indicate that drones have caused damage to train lines behind the front lines.

The explosion of a freight train carrying grain in Russia-occupied Crimea resulted in approximately 130 meters of railway track being destroyed, leading to hours of train disruptions, according to Russian state media.

This incident has reignited suspicions of potential Ukrainian sabotage operations within Russian-controlled areas.

Furthermore, train traffic in northern Crimea came to a halt after a drone struck a railway track near the town of Dzhankoi, as reported by Russia's Baza Telegram channel.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed head of Crimea, confirmed in a separate statement that four Ukrainian drones were downed overnight without causing any damage or casualties.

Overnight, Russia unleashed a barrage of cruise missiles, drones, and artillery on various targets across Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of two civilians.

Kyiv experienced an aerial assault for the second consecutive day, marking the tenth such attack in three weeks. The Russian forces also targeted central, eastern, and southern Ukraine, as well as the western Lviv region near the Polish border.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia deployed 22 Iranian-made Shahed drones and six Kalibr cruise missiles during the night.

Ukrainian air defences successfully downed 16 drones and three missiles. In the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, the Russian shelling claimed the lives of two civilians and left 9 others wounded, as confirmed by the regional governor, Pavlo Kyrylenko.