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Russia Ukraine updates: Attack on Kyiv begins, warning ahead of curfew

The mayor of Ukraine’s capital city has issued a spine-tingling warning to citizens as it prepares to enable a “more effective defence” against Russia.

Rebekah Scanlan, Alexis Carey and Sarah Sharples
10 min read
February 27, 2022 - 1:35AM
Explosive Russian invasion begins on Ukraine capital Kyiv

Kyiv has been placed under a strict curfew to enable a “more effective defence of the capital”, officials said.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has introduced a 5pm to 8am curfew for the next two days, saying all civilians on the streets during the curfew will be considered an enemy.

“All civilians who will be on the street during the curfew will be considered members of the enemy’s sabotage and reconnaissance groups,” Mayor Klitschko said on Twitter.

“For safety’s sake, stay at home or in shelters as much as possible! Do not go out and do not go to the city.”

Russian troops are reportedly only 18.6 miles (30 kilometres) from the centre of Kyiv, the British Ministry of Defence said Saturday.

More than 120,000 Ukrainians have already fled the country while 850,000 are internally displaced, according to the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, CNN reported.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared their support for Ukraine, praising those who “bravely fight” for their future.

Earlier on Saturday, Ukraine reported a grim spike in its death toll as the country entered its third day of conflict with Russia.

Health minister Viktor Liashko stated Saturday 198 Ukrainians had died “at the hands of the gunpowder” in the three days since Russian troops moved in – including 3 children.

He also said data shows 1115 have been injured, 33 of which were children.

Liashko made the announcement in a lengthy Facebook post showing a sharp increase in the reported fatalities, up from 137 people as reported by Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, the NY Times reports.

Confusion over Russia’s death toll

However the number of Russians who have lost their lives in the battle is unclear, with contrasting information emerging from officials on both sides.

Russia began to move in on Kyiv, striking an apartment block with a missile overnight. Picture: GENYA SAVILOV / AFP
Russia began to move in on Kyiv, striking an apartment block with a missile overnight. Picture: GENYA SAVILOV / AFP

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk claimed there were “thousands” of Russians killed in the invasion so far, the BBC reports.

She called on the Red Cross to remove the bodies, describing it as a “humanitarian need”.

However the Russian Defense Ministry has not reported a single combat casualty from the military conflict in Ukraine, CNN reported.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence says Russian casualties likely “greater than anticipated or acknowledged”.

The Ukraine Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, called on Russian women to “take your men home”.

“Mothers, wives, daughters of Russian soldiers! Take your men home. They came to a foreign land to kill innocent people, to destroy our homes. Your power is lying. The people of Ukraine meet them with weapons, not flowers. Demand from the authorities to stop the war of conquest, save your loved ones!” he wrote.

Russia claims it has captured “significant” city

Russian troops have taken their first “significant” city after their invasion of Ukraine began on Thursday, reported Reuters.

The city of Melitopol, which has an estimated population of 150,000, has been captured, claimed Russia’s defence ministry.

The mid size city is located in the south of Ukraine and is near the key port of Mariupol.

However, Ukrainian officials have not been reached for comment on the situation.

Russia also claimed to have carried out overnight strikes on military targets in Ukraine using air and ship-based missiles.

‘Active fighting’ in the streets

The battle in Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv has intensified with fighting breaking out on the streets, according to government officials.

Residents have been warned to remain in shelters or at home and avoid going near windows or on balconies.

They have also been advised to cover themselves with something to avoid injury from bullet fragments.

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry posted the following statement to Facebook: “Active fighting is taking place on the streets of our city. Please stay calm and be as careful as possible!

“If you’re in the shelter, don’t leave it now. If you’re at home – do not go close to windows, do not go to the balconies.

“Hide indoors for example in that bathroom and cover yourself with something that will prevent injury from bullet fragments.

“If you hear sirens (”Air Alarm” signal) – go immediately to the nearest shelter!”

Many residents spent the night in train stations and underground garages to try and keep themselves safe.

During the battle on Friday night, a missile struck the middle of a high rise residential building, according to Kyiv’s municipality government, but the extent of casualties are currently unknown.

With Russian troops closing in on the city, the window to escape is closing.

Several special evacuation trains were put on Friday night by the Ukrainian Railway Company, with women, children and those with limited mobility given priority on the services, reported CNN.

Passengers on the services were warned not to panic if the lights went out on the service.

“The less the train looks like a garland, the safer the journey,” the company said.

The United Nations has revealed more than 50,000 Ukrainian refugees have left the country in less than 48 hours, with the majority entering Poland and Moldova.

A damaged residential building at Koshytsa Street, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where a military shell allegedly hit, on February 25, 2022. Picture: Daniel Leal / AFP
A damaged residential building at Koshytsa Street, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where a military shell allegedly hit, on February 25, 2022. Picture: Daniel Leal / AFP

Ukraine won’t put down weapons

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier posted to Twitter to declare that his country won’t put down their weapons.

“I am here. We are not putting down arms. We will be defending our country, because our weapon is truth, and our truth is that this is our land, our country, our children, and we will defend all of this,” he said.

“That is it. That’s all I wanted to tell you. Glory to Ukraine.”

There have been reports both countries have tried to propose a location for negotiations, but a senior adviser to the president said Ukraine would be in the driver’s seat.

“I don’t think that after what is happening now, Ukraine has weak positions,” said the adviser Myhailo Podoliak.

“Even if the negotiation process starts – and it is going to start – Ukraine will set conditions.”

The US government also asked Zelenskyy to evacuate the country but he refused, AP reported.

“The fight is here, I need ammunition not a ride,” said Zelenskyy, according to a senior American intelligence official.

A former television comedian, who speaks Russian, Zelenskyy was elected to lead the country three years ago and promised to bring peace to the area.

Women take up guns in battle against Russia

Ukrainian women have been learning how to use guns as part of the battle against Russian troops, it has been revealed.

The 36-year-old leader of a Ukrainian political party, Kira Rudik, said it was a “surreal” situation preparing to bear arms but she had learned how to use an automatic rifle in a matter of days.

“Our women will protect our soil the same way as our men,” she tweeted.

On Friday, Rudik told CNN she was in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv.

“It is my duty to be here. I am armed and my crew is armed,” she said.

A Ukrainian television channel also broadcast instructions on how to make Molotov cocktails, according to CNN, with a person demonstrating the steps to create the explosive, including a diagram to show how to close off a glass bottle with a piece of cloth.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has also tweeted that citizens should “make Molotov cocktails and take down the occupier”.

It’s been reported that 18,000 weapons have been given to reservists in the Kyiv region too.

Meanwhile, thousands of Ukrainians, mainly women and children, crossed into Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia on Friday, but the country banned all men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country, according to the State Border Guard Service.

Missile attacks as battle for Kyiv rages

A bitter battle for Kyiv is now underway, with Russian troops launching an attack in hopes of taking over the Ukrainian capital.

The city has faced a barrage of missile attacks overnight, with terrified residents forced to seek shelter and citizens urged by authorities to assemble homemade bombs in a desperate bid to protect their homes.

Explosions and gunfire has been heard across the city, with disturbing footage of attacks circulating on social media.

According to UK intelligence, the Russian objective “is to encircle the capital, to secure control of the population and change the regime”.

Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a damaged residential building at Koshytsa Street, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Picture: Handout/Ukraine Emergency Ministry Press Service/AFP
Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a damaged residential building at Koshytsa Street, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Picture: Handout/Ukraine Emergency Ministry Press Service/AFP

The invasion was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, with Moscow launching a brutal three-pronged assault on its neighbour, attacking by land, sea and air.

Yesterday, the infamous Chernobyl power plant fell, with Russian forces reportedly holding employees hostage.

The strategically important Snake Island, also known as Zmiinyi Island, was also captured, with Ukrainian guards making a defiant last stand before all were killed by the invaders.

The European Union, United States and Australia have all announced a slew of new sanctions against Russia, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has told European leaders via a harrowing video chat that “this might be the last time you see me alive”, after he claimed he was Russia’s “target number one”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims he is ‘target number one’. Picture: Handout/Ukraine Presidency/AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims he is ‘target number one’. Picture: Handout/Ukraine Presidency/AFP

The death toll on the Ukrainian side has soared to more than 1000, with civilians included in the grim tally.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies have vowed to provide weapons and supply troops to assist in the defence of the nation.

Attack on Kyiv underway

Russian troops have reached the outskirts of Kyiv, with reports of explosions indicating the battle for the capital is now underway.

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier released an alarming video statement claiming Russian forces were preparing to storm the capital immediately.

Addressing his people, Mr Zelensky announced that Russian troops were closing in on Kyiv, advancing from the north and the east.

“This night will be hard, very hard, but morning will come,” he said.

“This night the enemy will be using all available means to break our resistance. This night they will launch an assault.

“This night we must persevere. The fate of Ukraine is being decided right now.”

But Mr Zelensky also claimed Russia had already experienced “very grave" losses.

“Our main goal is to finish this slaughter. The enemy losses are very grave — today there were hundreds of killed soldiers who crossed our border and came on our land,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we also suffer losses. Ukrainians resist the Russian aggression heroically. This aggression cannot be justified, so the occupiers have to come up with more absurd accusations to say at least something.”

Reports are starting to emerge of a series of large explosions on the outskirts of the capital, with authorities handing out weapons to citizens to defend the city.

There are also reports of “heavy fighting” around the city of Vasylkiv, around 30 kilometres southwest of Kyiv.

CNN reports Kyiv has been hit by “cruise or ballistic missile” strikes, according to a Ukrainian official, with reporters on the ground describing the sky being “lit up with a series of flashes” as the attack unfolds.

Ukraine’s State Service of Special Communications has also confirmed on Twitter that a battle is underway in the east of Kyiv.

“The enemy is trying to attack CHP-6 near Troieschyna. The Armed Forces give battle,” the tweet confirmed.

Russian troops’ sick act caught on film

Horrifying footage has emerged which shows a Russian tank swerving to deliberately mow down a car with a civilian inside – and then reversing back over it.

The tank was seen deliberately mowing down the car.
The tank was seen deliberately mowing down the car.

The car was crushed in the disturbing act, which occurred on the outskirts of Kyiv.

Onlookers were heard screaming in horror as the assault played out.

The driver was miraculously pulled from the destroyed vehicle alive.
The driver was miraculously pulled from the destroyed vehicle alive.

But miraculously, the driver was later pulled from the wreckage alive.

Russia vetoes UN Security Council resolution

Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning the Ukraine invasion.

While 11 members voted for the resolution, China, India and the UAE abstained from the vote.

The draft resolution is now expected to be taken up by the 193-member UN General Assembly.

Video exposes Russia’s lie

A video recorded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has exposed a major Russian lie.

Propaganda coming out of Moscow claimed that the leader had fled the capital – but a clip shared by Mr Zelensky was actually filmed on Kyiv’s Bankova Street.

According to NEXTA, a high profile Ukrainian media organisation based in Kyiv, the video is proof of the “misinformation of Russian propagandists about his alleged escape”.

Australia cracks down on Russian billionaires

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne has announced new sanctions against Russian oligarchs.

Speaking on Saturday, she said the invasion of Ukraine was a “wholesale breach of international law” and “the most flagrant violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity that Europe has seen in decades”.

“So the international community is responding, particularly through co-ordinated sanctions and measures to inflict a cost on those in Russia who bear responsibility or who hold levers of power,” she said.

“I can announce some additional measures as part of the next round of Australian sanctions today. Last night, Minister [Simon] Birmingham as acting Foreign Minister signed the necessary instruments to put financial sanctions on eight Russian oligarchs who are close to President Putin and who deserve to bear the economic punishment and cost for Russia’s destructive behaviour.

“And also sanctions on 339 members of the Russian Duma, who are the political facilitators of this action. We will today take steps to sanction key figures in the Belarusian government who are allied with Russia and who are abetting the invasion.”

Russia’s sick threat to Ukrainian soldiers’ families

Russia has reportedly threatened to kill the families of Ukrainian soldiers who refuse to surrender.

According to CNN, the horrifying claim was made by a White House official, who also paid tribute to the “incredible bravery” displayed by Ukrainians.

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“Our information also indicates that Russia plans to threaten killing the family members of Ukrainian soldiers if they do not surrender,” the official said.

“We commend the Ukrainian people for showing strength and determination in response to an unprovoked attack by a significantly larger military.

A wounded woman stands outside a hospital after the bombing of the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv. Picture: Aris Messinis/AFP
A wounded woman stands outside a hospital after the bombing of the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv. Picture: Aris Messinis/AFP

“We are concerned, however, that Russia plans to discourage them and induce surrender through disinformation. Our information indicates Russia is creating a disinformation campaign by publicising false reports about the widespread surrender of Ukrainian troops.”

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/russia-ukraine-updates-russian-troops-sick-act-caught-on-film/news-story/a6e8a4a745fedb5f7692ee2cb18743ba