Ukraine has reacted to remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin justifying his country's invasion of Ukraine by likening it to its battle against Nazi Germany.

Ukraine's defense ministry on Friday tweeted in English that "Russia's spiritual heirs of the Nazis are wiping Ukrainian cities off the face of the earth." It added, "Cities occupiers are unable to conquer are turned into ruins."

Putin made the remarks on Thursday while visiting the southern Russian city that was the scene of fierce fighting between the Soviet Army and German troops during World War Two.

He said that the ideology of Nazism in its modern form and manifestation is again directly threatening the security of Russia. He said his forces will achieve victory over Ukraine.

Russian forces continued their attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine.

The governor of the eastern region of Kharkiv said on social media that Russian forces attacked a residential area with artillery fire in the early hours of Friday, killing two residents.

Officials in the southern region of Kherson said on Friday that two people were killed and nine others, including a 5-year-old child, were injured during the past 24 hours in a Russian bombardment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet with European Union leaders on Friday to discuss his country's plan to seek EU membership and support from the bloc.