Russia hammers Ukraine with new airstrikes on first anniversary of start of war

Ukraine remained defiant amid another round of punitive bombardments, while Russian units complained of being sent into battle without the appropriate technical and artillery support

A stunning mural painted in kyiv says: "Be brave like Ukraine". (

Image: Rowan Griffiths/Daily Mirror)

Dozens of new airstrikes hit towns along the southern and eastern front of the war in Ukraine, where troops are still holding out more than a year later.

As the first anniversary of Vladimir Putin's invasion passed, there were fears that there might be an attack on the capital kyiv to revive his faltering campaign.

But as the streets remained quiet last night, a local security source told the Mirror: "Putin rarely does what you expect him to, so maybe he'll wait - or maybe the The Russians are running out, as we have long suspected, of missiles. They keep getting shot down by our defenses."

In and around Kyiv, resistance to Russian tyranny continues and morale remains fiercely optimistic.

A stunning mural painted on a wall near the city's Maidan Square reads, "Be brave like Ukraine."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (

Picture:

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

This defiance is also evident in Avdiivka, in the Donbass region, where Ukrainian paratroopers continue to hold the line. Sources said yesterday that Mirror fighters are even repelling Russian forces in attacks across the city.

The Russian 1439 regiment mobilized in the "cannon fodder", currently near Avdiivka, is said to have begged Putin for more reinforcements. Reports claim that the Despot's fighters sent a message complaining that they had been sent into battle without artillery, reconnaissance or communications support.

And yesterday, the Ukrainian 110th Brigade shot down a Russian SU-25 fighter jet that was trying to attack a Ukrainian position near Avdiivka, military sources said.

The warplane was shot down with a portable air defense system and the Russ...