Russia Closing In On Kyiv, Ukrainian Capital Hit By Barrage Missiles: Here's What's Happening

The defense the Ukrainian forces had put up so far seems to be soon eroding as the Russian troops are bulldozing their way into capital Kyiv.

Several large explosions were reported from the outskirts of Kyiv as the battle intensifies.

A senior Ukrainian official said Russian forces would enter areas just outside the capital later on Friday and that Ukrainian troops were defending positions on four fronts despite being outnumbered.

AP

Witnesses said loud explosions could be heard in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-biggest city, close to Russia's border, and air raid sirens sounded over Lviv in the west. Authorities reported heavy fighting in the eastern city of Sumy.

What is happening?

Earlier, Russian troops had seized the Chernobyl former nuclear power plant north of Kyiv as they advanced on the city from Belarus. Ukraine said radiation levels were elevated there.

Reuters/ File

The Soviet-era powerplant near the city of Pripyat was the scene of the worst nuclear disaster in history.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that he understood Russian troops were coming for him but vowed to stay in Kyiv.

"(The) enemy has marked me down as the number one target," Zelenskiy said in a video message. "My family is the number two target. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state."

There are also reports that Ukraine reached out to Russia to end the war.

AP

Kremlin on Friday noted President Zelenskiy's willingness to discuss a possible neutrality pledge by Ukraine and said it could not say anything about possible talks between the two countries' leaders.

"This is a new statement. We have taken note of it. It looks like a positive development," he said.

Peskov said he could not comment on whether talks would take place between Putin and Zelenskiy.

Saying that Moscow would analyse Zelenskiy's offer, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that Moscow's expectations of Kyiv remained unchanged. Moscow has long demanded guarantees that Ukraine would never join NATO or allow the bloc to deploy troops and weapons on its territory.

AFP

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday Moscow was ready for talks if Ukraine's military surrendered.

"We are ready for negotiations at any moment, as soon as the armed forces of Ukraine respond to our call and lay down their arms," Lavrov said.

With the lack of support from the US, EU and NATO, Ukraine has been left to defend itself against Russia.

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