The Ukrainian counteroffensive is gathering momentum in Russian-occupied Kherson, a city in the southeast of Ukraine.
On Wednesday, the Ukrainian army successfully struck the 1000-metre-long Antonivskiy Bridge, building on last week's offensive to weaken key strategic infrastructure around the Dnipro River. The crossing is now unusable for Russian troops who rely on it to transport supplies to the occupied city.
Using long-range artillery, Ukrainian forces also hit at least two other key bridges across the Dnipro River, according to British intelligence.
The successful missile strikes by the Ukrainian army "create an impossible dilemma for the Russian occupiers in Kherson: Retreat or be annihilated by the Ukrainian army. The choice is theirs," tweeted the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.
Ukrainian forces have established a bridgehead south of the Ingulets River, which creates a boundary to the north of Kherson.
Russia's 49th Army is positioned on the west bank of the Dnipro River and are now in a vulnerable position.
Kherson is of high significance for Russia, the city is thought to be vital to Russian plans to hold southern Ukraine and establish a land bridge to Crimea - which was annexed by Moscow in 2014.
Since May, Ukraine has launched its counter-offensive to take back Kherson city. The aim is to retake the city by September at the latest, preferably without a bloodbath.
Meanwhile, it was announced on Thursday that Russian armed forces have captured the country's second biggest power station in Ukraine, the coal-fired Vuhlehirsk plant near the town of Svitlodarsk, Donetsk. This would be the first tactical gain for Russia in almost three weeks.
