The information about the explosion, which was disseminated by Ukrainian telegram channels, was confirmed by the "head" of the Russian-appointed "administration" of the occupied part of the Zaporizhia region, Vladimir Rohov.

He accused the Ukrainian side of committing a terrorist attack.

According to him, there were five explosions in Melitopol, information about the victims is being clarified.

The information about the explosion was also confirmed by the mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, who is currently in the territory controlled by Ukraine.

"One more step away from the pseudo-referendum," he noted.

The movement "We are together with Russia" was created after the Russian military occupied Melitopol and other territories of southern Ukraine.

He advocates the annexation of these territories to the Russian Federation.

Ukrainian media clarifies that the headquarters of the movement in Melitopol was located in the post office building on Lomanosava Street, where they directly engaged in preparations for the "referendum".

Initially, the Kremlin planned to hold "referendums" on joining Russia in several occupied regions of Ukraine on September 11: in addition to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, also in the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions.

However, due to the state of affairs at the front and the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian troops, this idea could not be implemented.

On September 5, the Kherson region of Ukraine, occupied by Russian troops, confirmed that the "referendum" on joining the Russian Federation was postponed.

Kirill Stramousau, the deputy head of the occupation administration of the region appointed by Russia, clarified that they are taking a break there "due to the security situation."

Two days later, the Secretary of the General Council of the "United Russia" party, Andrei Turchak, said that the "referendums" on joining Russia in the Donbass and the occupied territories of southern Ukraine should be timed for the National Unity Day, which is celebrated in Russia on November 4.

Kyiv and the majority of Western countries consider holding such "referendums" illegal and promise criminal cases to all their organizers.