Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara Vasly Bodnar explains the latest developments in his country
Some saboteurs wanted to cause panic by entering the city, Bodnar said. Despite Russia’s efforts, all major cities in Ukraine are still under Ukrainian control. Attempts by sabotage groups into Ukrainian cities are being neutralized. Thanks to the strong defense of Hostomel Airport, Russian troops were unable to land there. Some places occupied by the Russian army were liberated from the occupation, and Russian soldiers suffered serious casualties. Hundreds of invaders have been destroyed. We started getting help from our neighbors. Ukraine’s government continues to rule in Kiev. Putin’s plans have already fallen apart. Their offensive forces are getting weaker. They have made no progress except on the frontline in eastern Ukraine,” he said.
Yesterday, on the second day of the military operation in Ukraine, which began with russian President Putin’s order to the military, there are reports of clashes from the region.
12.16 The Ukrainian Armed Forces say Russia and the Ukrainian army are in conflict in the city of Ivankov, 50 miles from Kiev. The statement also said that Russian troops came to Ivankov from the belarusian side from the north, where they engaged in clashes with the Ukrainian army. It was also learned that the Ukrainian army destroyed bridges in the area so that Russian troops would not cross Ivankov and come to Kiev.
Air raid sirens sound again in Kiev, Ukraine. Three rockets were reportedly dropped in the city of Khakiv.
LAST MINUTE: Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibasvili announced in a statement that his country will not be complicit in Western sanctions targeting Russia.
12.07 Bombs were heard in Khakow. CNN TURK correspondent Mujahid Topçu, who was broadcasting from the area where the Russian attack continued, said, ‘Those voices came from the back of that building. It came very close. The attack continues. The fighters are on top of us. There was another noise. The bombardment continues. More than 10 shots were fired. People are in the windows,’ he said.
11.49 Russia has banned British planes from flying into Russian airspace in response to sanctions.
11.43 After the Ukrainian military announced that ‘we are fighting the Russians outside Kiev’, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar said they expected Russian tanks to launch an attack on the capital Kiev.
11:09 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged more support for Ukraine during a meeting with Ukrainian leader Zelenski.
11:04 The Russian Army is advancing on Kiev. The latest images from the area show military vehicles with a ‘Z’ on them.
10:54 AFP announces clashes in kiev’s northern region
10:46 Following Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said that “it will soon be decided whether France will send weapons to Ukraine.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Putin wanted to ‘take Ukraine off the map of nations’
10:26 Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar says Russian troops have captured some Ukrainian army vehicles and are moving towards Kiev.
10.18 The Ukrainian military says it is fighting Russian forces outside the capital Kiev.
10.08 British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has called Russia’s attack on Ukraine ‘barbaric’ and ‘unjustified’ and reiterated her country’s support for Kiev.
10.04 The French Defence Minister says that ‘no one in Europe has any desire to go to war with Russia’.
9.55 U.S. defense secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers in a phone call that Russian mechanized forces entering from Belarus were about 20 miles from Kiev, the Associated Press reported. The meeting was reportedly held at 02:30 GMT.
