Extract from ABC News
A Russian politician has claimed he has an audio recording from a general who says he was stood down because of his criticism of the war effort in Ukraine.
Key points:
- Major General Ivan Popov said 'the army lacked reconnaissance of enemy'
- Meanwhile, explosions could be heard across different parts of Kyiv
- The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia fired a total of 20 drones
The politician, Andrei Gurulyov, is a hardline former army commander who regularly appears on state television.
Mr Gurulyov claims Major General Ivan Popov in the recording says he was relieved of command for saying Russian soldiers had been stabbed in the back by the failings of top military officers.
There was no immediate comment from the defence ministry and Reuters was unable to verify the authenticity of the voice message.
"There was a tough situation with the senior bosses in which it was necessary either to keep quiet and be a coward or to say it the way it is," Major General Popov, who commanded Russian units in southern Ukraine, is reported to have said.
"I had no right to lie in the name of you, in the name of my fallen comrades in arms, so I outlined all the problems which exist."
It claims he raised the deaths of Russian soldiers from Ukrainian artillery and that the army lacked proper counter battery systems and reconnaissance of enemy.
"The senior chiefs apparently sensed some kind of danger from me and quickly concocted an order from the defence minister in just one day and got rid of me," it continues.
"The Ukrainian army could not break through our ranks at the front but our senior chief hit us from the rear, viciously beheading the army at the most difficult and intense moment."
Meanwhile, explosions could be heard across different parts of Kyiv on Wednesday night.
Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs said debris from intercepted drones fell on four districts of the Ukrainian capital.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said falling debris caused fires in the capital, and a body was recovered in the historic Podil district.
Two people were also hospitalised with shrapnel wounds.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia fired a total of 20 drones, mostly at the Kyiv region, and that all 20 were shot down.
The Ukrainian military also intercepted two cruise missiles.
It was reported that one ballistic missile wasn't intercepted, although it wasn't clear what damage it may have caused.
The government of the region of Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine reported that a cruise missile was intercepted over the region, but there were no casualties.
"We appreciate the meticulous work of Ukraine's air defence forces," the regional administration said.
Rescuers extinguished a fire in a 16-storey building, as well as in a non-residential building, according to the Interior Ministry.
Debris also "damaged the facade" of a 25-storey apartment building, the ministry wrote.
Volodymyr Motus, a 22-year-old resident of the 25-storey building, carefully picked his way across the floor of a destroyed apartment, his footsteps accompanied by the sound of shattered glass.
The mangled furniture was coated in a thick layer of dust.
"I was in my apartment and suddenly I heard a boom, that's all. Then the alarm went off and I went down to the shelter," Mr Motus said.
He said that some people were injured, but they were all alive.
AP/Reuters
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