Russian military strikes on civilian targets sharply increased over the past two weeks, according to Ukrainian officials, who said at a news conference that Moscow’s use of older and less precise weapons caused greater casualties.

Brigadier Gen. Oleksii Hromov said that more than 200 missiles were fired on Ukraine in that time period, more than double the amount in the first two weeks of June, according to a Reuters report.

Russia has claimed it only hits civilian targets that the Ukrainian military had taken over for use as a command post, weapons depot or other operations.

But one of the most lethal strikes over the past week occurred in a mall in the industrial city of Kremenchuk, killing more than 20 people. And on Friday, at least 21 people were killed when missiles demolished an apartment building near the strategic port city of Odesa.

Latest developments

►The European Union’s executive arm on Friday pledged to draft an emergency plan this month aimed at helping member countries do without Russian energy in the wake of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.

►The Russian missile used in the deadly strike on the shopping mall in Ukraine on June 27 was designed to attack ships, a senior defense official said Friday. The missile did not have the accuracy needed to avoid civilian casualties in an urban environment.

►WNBA star Brittney Griner's trial for drug charges in Russia began Friday, but experts say it will lack legitimacy.

Fearing Russian retribution, Germany bracing for gas price spikes

BERLIN – Fearing Russia might cut off natural gas supplies, the head of Germany’s regulatory agency for energy called on residents Saturday to save energy and to prepare for winter, when use increases.

Federal Network Agency President Klaus Mueller urged house and apartment owners to have their gas boilers and radiators checked and adjusted to maximize their efficiency.