Russian military convoy 60 km long, 25 km from Kiev
Satellite images from an American company show a 60-kilometer convoy of Russian forces deployed around Kiev airport.
Satellite images show a 60km convoy of Russian troops northwest of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. According to the images, released by the American company Maxar, the convoy is positioned south of Antonov Airport, 25km from the center of Kyiv, and near Pripyat, north of the airport.
Images of the convoy show dozens of military vehicles lined up on Ukrainian streets. Some of the vehicles are “very far apart,” Maxar said in an email, and others are lined up in pairs and threes. Some of the images show smoke billowing from burning buildings.
The American company Maxar has also released images showing the new deployment of combat helicopters and vehicles in Belarus, less than 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
According to Ukrainian sources, the country's military has repelled several Russian attacks on Kiev since the Russian invasion began on Thursday. The most intense fighting has occurred around the Antonov airport on the outskirts of the capital.
According to Western military sources, Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion has “slowed down.” But Russia continues to send more troops to major Ukrainian cities and target them with missiles.
AFP reported that Moscow was preparing for an imminent military advance on the evening of Monday, February 28, citing Western diplomats and defense sources.
According to a senior US Defense Department official, the main column of Russian forces advanced about five kilometers towards Kiev on Monday and is now "25 kilometers" from the Ukrainian capital.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Army announced on Facebook on Tuesday that Russian forces have been reorganized and equipped with armored vehicles and artillery weapons in the past 24 hours.
Ukrainian authorities reported a major explosion in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, on Monday, killing at least 11 people. The city's mayor said Russian tanks and armored vehicles were seen "everywhere."
The mayor of Kherson, a city in southern Ukraine, said the Russian military had set up checkpoints at all exits from the city. He also assured that “Kherson will remain Ukrainian” and “is in a position to resist.”
According to the OSCE Monitoring Committee, several explosions occurred in both cities (Kharkiv and Kherson) on Monday. According to the Interfax news agency in Ukraine, residential buildings in many cities were targeted by rocket fire, and a number of people were injured.
The Ukrainian military commander announced on Monday night that a total of 113 tactical missiles have been fired since the beginning of Russia's attack on the country.
The United Nations reported on Monday that 102 people had been killed and 304 wounded, but said the real toll was “significantly” higher. Ukrainian officials have reported 352 civilian deaths and 2,040 wounded since the start of the Russian offensive, and said thousands of Russian soldiers have also been killed. The Russian government has not provided figures on this.
Explosions were also heard in the Ukrainian capital on Monday night, according to journalists in Kiev. Many people in the city have prepared for another Russian attack, setting up makeshift barricades in the streets. The Russian military has urged people to leave Kiev via a designated highway south of the capital.
Long lines formed outside grocery stores on Monday after a 36-hour curfew was lifted. A bank employee in the city told AFP that people were ready for a Russian attack and that "we will welcome them with Molotov cocktails and direct shots to the head. The only flowers they will take from us will be for their graves."
Source: DW
