60-Kilometer Russian Military Convoy Positioned 25 Kilometers from Kyiv

Satellite images from an American company show a 60-kilometer convoy of Russian forces positioned around Kyiv airport.

Satellite images show a 60-kilometer convoy of Russian forces stationed in the northwest of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Based on these images released by American company Maxar, the convoy is positioned south of Antonov airport, 25 kilometers from the center of Kyiv, extending to the area near Prybirsk north of the airport.

Images of this convoy show dozens of military vehicles lined up one after another on Ukrainian streets. In an email sent by Maxar, it was noted that some of these vehicles are positioned at “very large” distances from each other, while some are positioned two or three vehicles side by side. In some photos, smoke from burning buildings can be seen.

American company Maxar also released images showing new deployments of combat helicopters and vehicles in Belarus, less than 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

Based on reports from Ukrainian sources since Thursday when the Russian attack on Ukraine began, the country’s army has neutralized multiple Russian attacks on Kyiv. The most intense clashes have occurred around Antonov airport on the outskirts of the capital.

According to reports from Western military sources, Ukrainian resistance to the Russian offensive has “slowed down.” Russia, however, continues to send more forces toward major Ukrainian cities and targets them with missiles.

French news agency reported, citing diplomats and Western defense sources, that Moscow prepared itself on Monday evening, February 28, for an imminent military advance.

According to a senior U.S. Department of Defense official, on Monday the main Russian military column advanced approximately five kilometers toward Kyiv and is currently “25 kilometers” from the Ukrainian capital.

Ukraine’s General Staff announced on Tuesday on Facebook that Russian forces have taken new positions in the past 24 hours and equipped themselves with armored vehicles and artillery weapons.

Ukrainian officials reported on Monday a major explosion in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, which resulted in at least 11 deaths. The city mayor said Russian tanks and armored vehicles are seen “everywhere.”

The mayor of Cherson, a city in southern Ukraine, said the Russian army has established checkpoints at all exits of the city. He assured, however, that “Cherson will remain Ukrainian” and “is in a condition to be able to resist.”

According to a report by the monitoring committee of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on Monday, several explosions occurred in both mentioned cities (Kharkiv and Cherson). According to Interfax news agency, residential buildings in many cities across Ukraine have been targeted by missile strikes, with a number of people wounded.

The commander of the Ukrainian army reported on Monday night that a total of 113 tactical missiles have been fired since the beginning of the Russian attack on the country.

The United Nations reported on Monday 102 deaths and 304 wounded but emphasized that the actual figures are “much” higher. Ukrainian officials reported 352 civilian deaths and 2,040 wounded since the beginning of the Russian attack and stated that thousands of Russian soldiers have also been killed. The Russian government has not provided any figures in this regard.

According to reports from journalists in Kyiv, explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital on Monday night as well. In this city, many people have prepared themselves for another Russian attack and set up temporary trenches in the streets. The Russian army has asked people to leave Kyiv through a specific highway in the south of the capital.

On Monday, after lifting movement restrictions following 36 hours, long lines formed outside grocery stores. A bank employee in the city told French news agency that people are prepared for a Russian attack and “we welcome them with Molotov cocktails and direct shots to the head. The only soil they will take from us will be for their graves.”

Source: DW