Russia 'drops cluster bombs on civilian houses and Ukrainian zoo'

Russia has dropped cluster bombs on civilian houses and a zoo in a Ukrainian city, its mayor has claimed.

There were reports that the southern Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv was subjected to Russian attacks on Monday morning.

It comes after it emerged that so-called “safe corridors” announced by Russia and meant to evacuate Ukrainians from the cities of Kyiv and Kharkiv will lead refugees straight into the arms of the invaders.

Mykolaiv mayor, Oleksandr Senkevych, told Sky News that 40 bombs had fallen on the city this morning, hitting civilian housing and a zoo.

Senkevych said the Russians began bombing the area at 5am and "almost all" of them fell on "civilian buildings”, including houses.

Watch: Ukraine rejects offer of 'safe corridors' to Russia

He said: "Almost 40 bombs fell down and were unexploded, all the bombs were cluster bombs.

“It’s not about a fight with military troops but more with civilians.”

He added: "We still have no confirmation of dead people because we were prepared for this bombing and people were in special places but about 60 people have been injured.

"This morning was a wake-up call with the bombs."

Read more: Russia 'bombing TV towers' to cut Ukrainians off from internet and vital broadcasts

Cluster bombs, which are banned under international law, involve bomblets being scattered over wide areas, increasing the danger or harming more people.

Unexploded bomblets can also kill or injure people long after they have been dropped.

Senkevych insisted that cluster bombs are being used by Russia.

He said that Russia has also bombed the zoo in Mykolaiv.

Ukrainian troops had pushed Russian forces back from the city limits on Sunday.

In a Facebook post, Senkevych wrote that Russia had targeted residential buildings and shared an image of a block of flats in flames.

“There are many shells in the city that did not explode,” he said. “Do not approach, do not lift, and do not try to move them yourself.”

CNN reported that one person was killed and three were injured in the Monday morning attack on Mykolaiv.

Meanwhile, the UK government is under increasing pressure after it was revealed that only about 50 visas have been granted to Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country.

On Monday, Foreign Office minister James Cleverly claimed the application scheme has “only just started”, amid accusations the process is too difficult, with the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK calling for it to be "simplified".

The Home Office said on Sunday that “around 50” visas had been granted under the Ukraine Family Scheme, despite a promise last week from prime minister Boris Johnson that the UK may welcome more than 200,000 Ukrainian refugees.

More than one million refugees have already been allowed to pass into neighbouring Poland.

A Tory MP warned on Monday that the UK is on the brink of economic collapse because of Western sanctions against Russia.

Watch: Protesters take to streets of London against Russia's war in Ukraine