Satellite images show huge Russian convoy stuck in freezing conditions near Kyiv

Incredible new aerial images lay bare the trouble Russian forces are in, with soldiers trapped in a 64km convoy in freezing conditions.

New images have revealed the true extent of Russia’s faltering invasion of Ukraine, with a 64km convoy of tanks and armoured vehicles trapped in mud amid freezing conditions.

The huge line of invaders has been trapped for a week - but conditions are worsening with an Eastern European cold snap plunging temperature to -10C overnight.

The grim conditions mean Russian troops risk freezing to death in their tanks, and has complicated what Vladimir Putin and his military hoped would be a relatively straightforward invasion.

Instead, it has been thwarted by fierce Ukrainian resistance.

This Maxar satellite image taken and released shows a damaged bridge over the Irpin River in Irpin, Ukraine, west of Kyiv. Picture: AFP

Icy conditions are not all that has crippled the convoy, with mechanical problems, fuel supply issues also stopping them in their tracks.

Aerial satellite images taken on Wednesday show the traffic jam of Russian military vehicle close to Antonov Airport, just a few kilometres northwest of the outskirts of Kyiv.

Just south of Antonov, in the besieged city of Irpin, a badly-damaged bridge can be seen, further slowing down the Russian advance.

Thousands of people, including soldiers, are using the improvised path. Picture: AFP

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There is evidence the Russians have decided to continue their slow march to the capital as traffic can be seen queuing around the bridge,

The large military convoy was first photographed on February 28, according to satellite images released on Tuesday by Maxar Technologies. A senior US defence official said the convoy hadn’t advanced beyond Hostomel, near Antonov Airport, The Sun reported.

Russian forces are reportedly trying to reach Kyiv through other directions, the official noted.

Maxar Technologies has been tracking Russian military movements around Ukraine through satellite images since late last year.

A portion of the convoy has been photographed in more or less the same location as it was on February 28, four days after the invasion began.

Pictures released this week show bomb craters and a damaged bridge in Irpin. The bridge was destroyed in a Russian air strike, meaning desperate Ukrainians have been crossing the Irpin River on a quickly constructed path underneath to escape the bombings.