Explosion, casualties as Russian forces move on Ukraine capital Kyiv

Prosecuting their days-long ‘special military operation’ many round the world have chalked up to invasion, Russian forces redoubled their shelling of Kyiv and two other major cities in the country on Tuesday.

“There are reports of explosions being heard in Kyiv this morning, the capital of course, the most important urban centre in the country and the enormous convoy to the northwest, 40-miles long, which contains Russian armour, troops, logistical and support supplies, that’s ready to attempt to move on the capital,” Jonah Hull, an Al Jazeera reporter said.

“There’s another convoy coming up from the southeast, the idea is to try and encircle the capital and apply maximum pressure on the civilian population inside and the government of president Zelenskyy,” he added.

“The other big urban centre under continued attack is Kharkiv in the east … And attacks are going on as well at military targets, one very large incident is being reported this morning in Okhtyrka  … which apparently sustained attack [yesterday] by very heavy munitions, potentially a missile strike … [in which] 70 Ukrainians soldiers were killed.”

The US and other western powers ratcheted up their glowing praise for Ukrainian forces’ resilience das ago, insisting at some points the Russian forces were demoralized and routed.

“Russia is clearly facing setbacks that it did not expect. It’s taking casualties and Ukraine is taking prisoners, including some quite senior, at least one, possibly two, brigade commanders,” said Nigel Gould-Davies from the International Institute for Strategic Studies.