Ukrainian leaders say they are continuing to receive reports of Russian attacks across the country. They say power plants, residential buildings and civilian facilities have become targets. Now, they are warning of serious damage to a vital dam.

Ukrainian forces have advanced in the south and recaptured the territory they had lost in the Kherson region. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian troops may be planning to flood the city. He believes they are preparing an operation to blow up a dam on the Dnipro River.

Zelenskyy said, "Now everyone in the world must act powerfully and quickly to prevent a new Russian terrorist attack. Destroying the dam would mean a large-scale disaster."

Analysts at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War say Russia is planning a "false flag" attack that could overshadow the news of its retreat from the region and that could portray Ukraine as a terrorist state.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, for the first time since May. Pentagon officials said Austin "emphasized the importance of maintaining lines" of communication. Earlier, he spoke with Ukraine's defense minister and promised unwavering support.