Russian forces approached Kyiv, a day after President Vladimir Putin ordered a special military operation aimed at the ‘demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine’.
The European Union and the US, meanwhile, announced a new round of sanctions against Russia for the “long-term” impact. The European Union will freeze Russian assets in the block and stop access to its banks to the European Financial Market as part of what the Head of EU Foreign Policy Josep Borrell is described as “the hardest sanctions package ever conducted”.
But sanctions did not deter Russia when they captured the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and entered Kyiv. Airstrikes and shot incidents were reported as air sirens wailed throughout the city.
However, Ukrainian forces have taken back control of the Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast region in Southeast Ukraine. The following are the top developments in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
The Russian army was reportedly broken down into Ukraine from northeast and eastern Kyiv. Ukrainian military vehicles to the city were confiscated by Russia. Ukrainian President Zelensky said the attackers targeted civilians and explosions could be heard in the surrounded capital. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also accused Russia targeting kindergartens and orphanages. But Russia denied attacking civilians.
According to the government, at least 137 people have died so far. It also claims that Russia bombs 33 civil sites in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, 13 soldiers who were killed on Snake Island would get the honor of ‘Ukrainian hero.
“The last time the capital we experienced something like this in 1941 when attacked by Nazi Germany. Stop Putin, Russian isolation. All bonds,” said Foreign Minister Dymtro Kuleba.
Meanwhile, the British defense report said Russian forces within 50 km of Kyiv.
“Russian armored troops have opened a new route to advance towards Kyiv who failed to catch Chernihiv. Most Russian troops advanced in Kyiv remain more than 50 km from the city center,” said the report.
INCREASED RADIATION LEVELS FROM CHERNOBYL POWER PLANT
The Ukrainian nuclear body reported an increase in radiation in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. It was arrested by Russian forces on February 24.
According to a report by the Associated Press, the Ukrainian Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate said that the level of gamma radiation higher than was usually detected in the Chernobyl zone disabled. However, it does not provide details of increased radiation levels.