Kyiv is the capital city of Ukraine and has maintained a role as one of the most important cities in eastern Europe for hundreds of years.
Also known as Kiev based on its Russian-pronunciation, the city is home to millions of people and is one of the most populous cities in Europe.
Its history goes back well over a thousand years and it remains an important religious, cultural and economic center in the region.
Currently, Kyiv remains the seat of power of the Ukrainian government and has been the site of several clashes and attacks by Russian forces in the (currently) ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine is an important global grain and oilseeds producer, but its exports have fallen significantly since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine and Russia blame each other for the dam's destruction, which has sent floodwaters across a war zone and forced thousands to flee.
Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, dismissed statements by Russian officials who have said the counteroffensive has already begun.
A Ukrainian military spokesperson said Russia's aim was to prevent Ukrainian troops crossing the Dnipro River to attack Russian occupying forces.
What is the dam and what happened - and what do we not know?
The woman, said to be over 80 years old, was injured in Russian shelling that killed a Ukrainian mother and daughter on Thursday.
NATO agreed in 2008 that Ukraine would eventually join the alliance but leaders have so far stopped short of taking steps in that direction.
In the Russian town of Shebekino, five people were wounded by overnight shelling that damaged multiple buildings, the governor of the region said.
Kyiv and its allies say Iran has been supplying Russia with arms, including hundreds of drones, since Moscow invaded Ukraine last year.
Russia has increased its use of Iranian drones to attack Kyiv, but these are mostly being countered by Ukraine's air defenses.
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