Occupying Russian forces seize children's shelter, cut down trees to protect themselves from partisans near Melitopol - local media

Ria-Melitopol reports.

The agency reports that conifers and bushes used to grow in the yard of the children's shelter. Now, after setting up a base there, Russian forces cut down trees and plants, because: "they are afraid that someone will plant an explosive device in there."

Invading Russian forces also placed searchlights on the roof to monitor the territory at night.

"They are afraid of partisans. But how can we, the residents of apartment buildings, sleep when this spotlight is constantly shining through  the windows," local residents told the agency.

Occupying forces tell locals that they have settled engineering troops in the shelter, who will lay a gas pipeline.

"A few days ago, they pulled a railway carriage into the yard and wrote "Bathroom" on it. Then with the help of a crane, they began to pull the barrel up. But their hands grow from one interesting place and the plastic barrel eventually fell and broke”, civilians watch the commotion of Russian occupiers from their windows, the message said.