Russian military convoy made up of armored vehicles, tanks, towed artillery and other logistical vehicles inching close to Kyiv as Russia seems is all set to destroy Ukraine
With 40-mile-long (64-kilometer1 Russian military convoy made up of armored vehicles, tanks, towed artillery and other logistical vehicles inching close to Kyiv, Russia is all set to destroy Ukraine.
The second wave of Russian troops is likely to consolidate the country’s positions. As per the United States (U.S.) based space technology company – Maxar Technologies, there were plumes of smoke rising from homes and buildings near the roads where the convoy is traveling.
More than 400 civilians have been killed or injured since Russia attacked Ukraine. However, the U.S. fears the worst is yet to start. Even after the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin confirmed to the President of France – Emmanuel Macron that Russia will not target civilians and civil infrastructure, there have been reports of civilian deaths and explosives at residential buildings.
Aerial attacks and fighting in urban areas are damaging critical civilian facilities and disrupting essential services such as health, electricity, water and sanitation, which effectively leaves civilians without the basics for day-to-day life.
A large explosion also destroyed a Government building in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv. The Russian forces have completely destroyed the city. A total of 20 people have been injured in the attack. An Indian student also lost his life in the shelling in Kyiv.
Speaking on the occasion, the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelensky said, “At least 20 people, including a child were injured, but authorities are still trying to clarify if anyone was killed. Russian forces have today cruelly targeted Kharkiv with artillery fire. This is a peaceful place, peaceful suburbs… The Russians knew where they were shooting.”
The Foreign Minister of Ukraine – Dmytro Kuleba tweeted,
Barbaric Russian missile strikes on the central Freedom Square and residential districts of Kharkiv. Putin is unable to break Ukraine down. He commits more war crimes out of fury, murders innocent civilians. The world can and must do more. INCREASE PRESSURE, ISOLATE RUSSIA FULLY! pic.twitter.com/tN4VHF1A9n
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 1, 2022
Accusing Russia of state terrorism, Zelensky said, “Kyiv is special. If we protect Kyiv, we will protect the state. This is the heart of our country. And it must keep beating. And it will keep beating, so that life triumphs.”
The Prime Minister of United Kingdom (U.K.) – Boris Johnson has said that Russian invasion of Ukraine is worse than he expected. He said that Putin is prepared to target civilians also. The Prime Minister of Canada – Justin Trudeau has also announced to ban impot of crude oil from Russia. He also said that U.K. can take in 200,000 Ukrainian refugees.
Johnson said, “It is clear that Vladimir Putin is prepared to use barbaric and indiscriminate tactics against innocent civilians to bomb tower blocks, to send missiles into tower blocks, to kill children, as we’re seeing in increasing numbers.”
Ukraine continues to get support from other nations. The Prime Minister of Australia – Scott Morrison has also announced to send missiles as part of a U.S. $ 50 million package of lethal and non-lethal aid to help Ukraine repel Russian forces. South Korea has said it will provide U.S. $ 10 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
As per U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are 520,000 refugees from Ukraine in neighbouring counties. Many of them are women who have had to make tough decisions to leave behind their fathers and husbands. Men aged between 18 to 60 years are banned from leaving Ukraine.
Meanwhile, China has also started evacuating its civilians from Ukraine. Indian Embassy in Kyiv has asked its citizens to leave the country immediately.
