Six dead in artillery attack on Ukrainian town hours after Kremlin cronies accused Ukraine of targeting Russian towns

At least six people died in an artillery attack on the Ukrainian city of Sloviansk yesterday.

The strike in shops and homes came hours after three people died in the Russian city of Belgorod.

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Moscow blamed Ukraine for the attack, but Kyiv insisted it was orchestrated by Vladimir Putin supporters.

Russia is said to have aimed Ukrainian cluster munitions at a residential area in the city near the border between the warring nations.

The city is used as a stopover by Russian forces en route to the front.

Belgorod governor said the blasts hit 39 houses and 11 apartment blocks.

Meanwhile, Russia has captured Lysychansk and is now ready to launch attacks on Slovyansk and Kramatorsk in eastern Donbass.

Capturing the two cities would be a big step towards full control of the east of the region.

Lysychansk was the last Luhansk city under Ukrainian control.

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