Ukraine said Sunday a blast triggered by “local resistance movements” in the Moscow-controlled Ukrainian city of Melitopol the previous day killed Russian military officers at a headquarters of the occupation authorities.

Melitopol, with a pre-war population of around 150,000 people, was captured early after Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year and now lies some dozens of miles behind the frontline further north.

“At least three officers of the Russian guard were eliminated” as a result of the “revenge action, carried out by representatives of the local resistance movement,” the intelligence service of Ukraine’s defence ministry said on Telegram.

AFP was not able to independently confirm the claims.

“The attack on the headquarters was carried out during the meeting of the (Russian security service) FSB and (Russian National Guard) Rosgvardia,” the same source added.

Melitopol is in Zaporizhzhia, one of the four regions — along with Donetsk, Lugansk, and Kherson — that Russia claims to have annexed without fully controlling them.

The exiled mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov on Saturday evening said residents reported an “explosion, which was heard in all corners of the city” and police cars speeding through the city.

Several Russian-linked officials have been killed in attacks in territories controlled by Moscow’s forces since the invasion began.

A massive fire broke out at five godowns, containing slippers, at a building at Mir Chowk police station limits of Old City, Hyderabad, police said on Sunday.

Visuals showed fire brigades and officials trying to bring the fire under control.

The fire spread on the second and third floors of the building, officials said, adding that the flames have been doused entirely on the second floor while operations are ongoing on the third to rein in the flames.

#WATCH | Telangana | Fire broke out in five footwear godowns in Mirchowk Police Station of Old City, Hyderabad. Fire tenders at the spot. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/mH1PzwW6kt

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2023

As per the reports, 10 fire engines, along with personnel, reached the spot after getting word of the blaze and immediately went about dousing operations.

According to locals, there are no reports of any casualties in the incident as no one was at the factory at the time of the incident, on account of Diwali.

Further reports are awaited.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said that senior Congress leader Kamal Nath is an “outsider” for the state and can’t be trusted. Mr Chouhan was addressing a rally in the Berasia assembly seat of Bhopal district.

The CM said that the opposition Congress would create confusion and make false promises and cautioned people not to make “mistakes”.

“They will not fulfil their promises as they have nothing to do with the people. Anyway, Kamal Nath Bhaiya is not from Madhya Pradesh. We were born here. Where was he (Nath) born, tell me,” he asked.

Modifying a line from a popular Hindi song, he sang, “Ye to thahre pardeshi, sath kya nibhayenge” (he is a stranger, won’t stay with us).” Mr Chouhan said Mr Nath, the state Congress chief, can’t be trusted.

He said that when Mr Nath was the chief minister, he would rue about a shortage of money for developmental works.

“I am saying that there is no shortage of money with me for developmental works,” Mr Chouhan said, assuring people that he would carry out all works.

Mr Chouhan also addressed rallies in the Khurai assembly seat of Sagar district, Sarangpur of Rajgarh district, and Kukshi in Dhar district to canvass for BJP candidates.