Russia Advances in Southern Ukraine, Defense Ministry Says 

Members of the National Police Special Purpose Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine March 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Members of the National Police Special Purpose Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine March 7, 2025. (Reuters)
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Russia Advances in Southern Ukraine, Defense Ministry Says 

Members of the National Police Special Purpose Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine March 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Members of the National Police Special Purpose Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine March 7, 2025. (Reuters)

Russian forces were on Monday advancing in southern Ukraine and had pierced part of the Ukrainian lines less than 50 km (31 miles) southeast of the city of Zaporizhzhia, according to Russian officials and pro-Russian military bloggers.

Reuters could not independently verify the assertions and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement that its forces had taken the village of Stepove in the Zaporizhzhia region, pushing through Ukrainian lines.

Yuri Podolyaka, one of the most influential pro-Russian military bloggers, said Russian forces had also smashed their way into the nearby village of Maly Shcherbaky.

"Our units have broken through the first line of defense in the Zaporizhzhia direction," Podolyaka said.

Russia on Sunday tried to drive the last Ukrainian soldiers from western Russia, after a seven-month incursion by Ukraine that aimed to distract Moscow's forces, gain a bargaining chip and rile President Vladimir Putin.



Three Killed in Thai Police Helicopter Crash

This aerial view shows vehicles driving on a highway between Khlong Toei slum (L) and high-rise buildings (R) in Bangkok on May 20, 2025. (AFP)
This aerial view shows vehicles driving on a highway between Khlong Toei slum (L) and high-rise buildings (R) in Bangkok on May 20, 2025. (AFP)
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Three Killed in Thai Police Helicopter Crash

This aerial view shows vehicles driving on a highway between Khlong Toei slum (L) and high-rise buildings (R) in Bangkok on May 20, 2025. (AFP)
This aerial view shows vehicles driving on a highway between Khlong Toei slum (L) and high-rise buildings (R) in Bangkok on May 20, 2025. (AFP)

Three people died when a police helicopter crashed and burst into flames in south central Thailand on Saturday, according to officials.

The Bell 212 aircraft belonging to the Kanchanaburi Police Aviation Unit came down near a village in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

Two pilots and a mechanic on board died, according to a statement by the Royal Thai Police.

Rescue workers told AFP that firefighters had extinguished the fire, but the cause of the crash is unknown.

In the statement the police expressed condolences and said police chief Kitrat Panphet had ordered an immediate investigation and compensation to the families.