Russians shelled Rubizhne all night, damaging at least 27 houses – official

Russian invaders shelled the town of Rubizhne in the Luhansk region all night on March 17, damaging at least 27 homes.

Serhii Haidai, head of the Luhansk regional military administration, said this in a statement released on Telegram.

"On the night of March 16-17, the Russians staged a hell in Rubizhne, with shelling lasting all night. At least 27 houses caught fire in the city after Russian shelling, and even whole streets were burning in some areas. At least five houses caught fire in Popasna and one in Sieviedonetsk. Information on victims is being clarified," Haidai wrote.

He noted that the Russian army continues to purposefully fire on civilians who are not even allowed to flee to safety.

"A few days ago we saw them open fire on buses with refugees in Rubizhne, and yesterday they fired in the direction of Mariupol. We barely managed to take women and children out of Popasna," he said.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying key infrastructure, residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages using artillery, multiple launch rocket systems and ballistic missiles.