By Second city breached by Russians as missiles rain down on Ukraine
According to local officials Ukrainian forces are now fighting Russian troops on the streets of Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv.
Regional governor Oleh Sinegubov said light vehicles had entered the city and has urged its 1.4 million residents to stay indoors.
The advance came after missiles rained down overnight with emergency services stating that a nine-storey residential tower was hit.
The building was severely damaged and an elderly woman was sadly killed, but about 60 people were spared injury after taking refuge in the basement.
Russian troops also blew up a natural gas pipeline nearby, according to a Ukrainian state communications agency.
It comes after an oil terminal outside the capital Kyiv was attacked by missile, prompting toxic air warnings.
The massive explosion in Vasylkiv, 18 miles (30km) south of Kyiv, saw flames light up the night sky.
Those nearby were warned to close their windows athough many in Kyiv are already sheltering underground or are fleeing the city to neighbouring countries.
It is estimated that 200,000 Ukranians have fled to three different countries according to Slovak authorities.
A strict curfew in the capital is in place until Monday, with only police, military and volunteers on the streets.
In the northeastern city of Okhtyrka, the local governor said at least six Ukrainians – including a seven-year-old girl – had died as a result of a Russian attack on Friday.
A kindergarten and an orphanage were among the buildings reportedly hit, which Russia has denied.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has alleged war crimes and called for an investigation by the International Criminal Court.
The fighting across Ukraine has resulted in at least 240 civilian casualties, including 64 deaths, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OCHCR).
Ealier this morning President Putin has thanked the Russia’s special forces, highlighting those who are “heroically fulfilling their military duty” in Ukraine.
In a televised address that was also published on the Kremlin website, Putin hailed their “impeccable service in the name of the people of Russia and our great motherland”.
(Image: OSINTtechnical/Twitter)
