Russian forces shelled Zaporizhzhia more than 160 times over the past day as it launched a new offensive in the region.

The Russian army said on Saturday its troops had led "offensive operations" in the region and claimed to have "taken more advantageous lines and positions".

It comes as fighting this week intensified there after several months of an almost frozen front.

Oleksandr Starukh, governor of the region, said that Russian forces launched over 160 shelling attacks overnight in 21 towns and cities, killing one woman and injuring two others.

“The enemy is intensifying regime measures in the temporarily captured territories of the Zaporizhzhia region," he said.

“Over the past day, Russian shells have covered 21 towns and villages of the Zaporizhzhia region. Our communities survived 166 shellings. Another 18 destroyed houses were added to the register."