The recently recaptured city of Kherson faces renewed strikes, including an attack on a maternity ward, as Russia continues its assault.

Russian forces have escalated their bombardment of Kherson, a city recently liberated by Ukrainian forces, with attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday that targeted multiple sites, including the maternity ward of a hospital. According to the Ukrainian military’s daily report, 33 strikes were launched on Kherson in the 24-hour period until Wednesday morning, causing significant damage and sparking concerns for the safety of residents.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, Deputy Chief of Staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed on Telegram that the maternity ward was struck during the attacks. Miraculously, no casualties were reported, despite the fact that two babies had been born on the ward just hours before the strike. Medical staff had managed to complete a Caesarean section and evacuate to a shelter in time.

In a separate incident on Wednesday, shelling in the nearby village of Kizomys injured three individuals, including a 14-year-old girl. All three were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The recent bombardment comes after Russian forces withdrew from Kherson last month, following months of occupation. The city’s liberation was initially celebrated, but Russia has since ramped up its offensive, frequently targeting Kherson with rockets and artillery. A deadly strike on Saturday left at least 10 people dead and 58 injured, prompting Ukrainian authorities to urge residents to evacuate. As of now, about 300 people are leaving daily via evacuation trains, seeking refuge in safer regions of the country.

Meanwhile, heavy fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, particularly around the city of Bakhmut, which has been reduced to rubble after months of Russian shelling. Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov visited Bakhmut this week, where he met with special forces and awarded medals to the troops on the front lines.

The town of Kreminna, a strategic point in Ukraine’s ongoing eastern offensive, has also seen Russian forces strengthen their defenses in recent days. British intelligence reports suggest that Russia has constructed new fortifications around Kreminna, signaling its intention to hold the line in the area.

In his annual speech to parliament on Wednesday, President Zelensky addressed the ongoing challenges of the war, stressing Ukraine’s resilience and success on the global stage. “Thanks to our unity, we have achieved what almost no one in the world believed possible,” he said, declaring that “freedom can be victorious.” Zelensky also noted his participation in over 850 international events since the start of the war, reinforcing his commitment to securing Ukraine’s eventual victory.