Hundreds of Russians have been killed in the the Ukrainian city of Melitopol as soldiers are forced to fight with shovels

 
The exiled mayor of the Ukrainian city of Melitopol says ‘hundreds’ of Russian soldiers may have been killed in a Ukrainian strike on the occupied region.

The mayor says two powerful explosions were heard, possibly killing hundreds of Russians.

This comes amid reports Russian reservists are using “shovels” for “hand-to-hand” combat in Ukraine due to a shortage of ammunition.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence says the personnel have described being ordered to assault a Ukrainian position “armed with only ‘firearms and shovels'”.

One of the Russians spoke of being “neither physically nor psychologically” prepared for combat.

Britain says this continued use of the shovel “as a weapon highlights the brutal and low-tech fighting which has come to characterise much of the war”.

Recent evidence also suggests an increase in close combat in Ukraine. #trending #featured