Ukraine updates: Russia blames deadly shelling on Kyiv

Russia says it expects condemnation from Western nations for Ukraine over a shelling that killed 28.

Moscow claims the attack took place using weapons supplied by Kyiv's NATO backers.

Here's a look at the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine on Sunday, February 4:

Zelenskyy visits southern front line

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the front line, meeting troops in the village of Robotyne in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

Zelenskyy said on social media that he spoke to "the defenders, thanked them and presented state awards" during his Sunday visit, describing it as an "honor."

The president was seen in uniform in a video depicting the visit, meeting soldiers in a dark room.

"I have the great honor to be here today, to reward you, because you have such a difficult and decisive mission on your shoulders to repel the enemy and win this war," Zelenskyy said. "I wish you victory, I want to reward you and I wish you to do everything to achieve this victory sooner."

The brigade Zelenskyy met, the 65th brigade, led an assault on Robotyne last summer which saw Kyiv retake the small village from Russian forces, as part of its counteroffensive.

Ukraine had at the time hailed the victory as a major success, but Moscow has been consistently attacking Robotyne since, with the village becoming among the main hotspots on the southern front.

Kyiv reports heavy fighting in past day near Avdiivka

Ukraine's General Staff says Ukrainian forces have come under intense Russian attack over the past 24 hours along the front lines in the east.

The fighting has been particularly intense in the eastern city of Avdiivka, where Russia is trying to surround Ukrainian troops, officials said.

They added that Ukraine repelled 27 Russian attacks near Avdiivka, which Russia has been trying to seize for months, as well as the nearby village of Novokalynove.

Avdiivka has been a symbol of Ukrainian resistance after it briefly fell to Russian troops but was recaptured by Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kyiv's forces were also reported to have been on the defensive in Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, and Zaporizhzhia amid the intensified onslaught.

Yunakivka, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, and Esman were all said to have been targeted.

Commander of the Ukrainian Joint Forces Serhii Naiev also said Kyiv's forces had repelled Russian sabotage and reconnaissance units attempting to cross the frontier from Russia into Sumy.

The reported incursion indicates that Moscow may be seeking to test vulnerabilities in Ukraine's defenses. Many of Kyiv's troops and resources are deployed elsewhere, in the eastern regions of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv.