Kyiv streets filled with war debris amid Russian invasion, plan to take capital city

Two cities under an hour away from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv have been obliterated, as Russian troops continue to encroach on the capital.

One journalist described the scenes as a ‘Russian Death Army’. Picture: Twitter @IAPonomarenko.

A strip of road on the outskirts of Kyiv has been described as the “Russian Death Valley,” as Russia’s attempt to take Ukraine’s capital continues.

Footage shared by local journalist, Illia Ponomarenko shows scenes of burnt tanks and destroyed armoured vehicles between Bucha and Irpin. The two cities are respectively 32km and 26km away from Kyiv.

Both Bucha and Irpin were invaded by Russian forces on Sunday, as air strikes hit Bucha and Irpin was set alight due to shelling. However, Ukrainian forces retaliated against the invasion and were able to turn back Russian forces.

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Scenes of overturned vehicles littered the roads. Picture: Twitter @IAPonomarenko.

This comes after Ukrainian forces retaliated against Russian troops. Picture: Twitter @IAPonomarenko.

“This is the road between Bucha and Irpin,” wrote Mr Ponomarenko, who works as the The Kyiv Independent’s defence reporter.

“Part of my usual bike route in the Kyiv region.”

“Today it is a Russian Death Valley.”

And this is the road between Bucha and Irpin.
Part of my usual bike route in the Kyiv region.
Today it is a Russian Death Valley. pic.twitter.com/qR79LZOcJM

— Illia Ponomarenko (@IAPonomarenko) February 27, 2022

The footage comes as Russian forces continue to encroach on the capital.

This comes as the city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko was recently misquoted as saying that the city was “encircled” by Russian forces.

Posting on Telegram, Mr Klitschko alleged it was a “lie” spread by Russian sources.

“Russian internet publications spread information with reference to me that Kyiv is allegedly surrounded and evacuation of people is impossible,” he wrote.

“Do not believe lies! Trust information only from official sources.”

Taken on February 27, 2022, the photo shows a column of Russian military vehicles as they move towards Kyiv. Picture: Maxar Technologies/AFP

While this may not be the case, satellite images show a long convoy of troops, tanks and self-propelled artillery travelling towards the city.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky also remains in the capital and has vowed to defend the city against Russian invasion.

In a briefing on Thursday evening, Mr Zelensky said he was Russia’s “target number one”, with his family marked as “target number two”.

According to a tweet from Lithuanian Defence Minister, Arvydas Anušauskas, 4300 Russian soldiers have been killed and wounded in the occupation. The country has also lost 26 helicopters, 706 armoured fighting vehicles and two ships.

The most recent figures provided by the Ukrainian Health Ministry from Saturday has also placed the country’s death toll at 198, tragically the majority of casualties are civilians.