Kyiv: Russia’s defence ministry is warning residents in Kyiv to leave their homes as it plans to strike targets in the Ukrainian capital, Russian state news agency Tass is reporting.
In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, the defence ministry says Russian forces are preparing to launch “high-precision strikes” against the “Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the 72nd Center for Information and Psychological Operations (PSO)“ in Kyiv.
We urge Ukrainian citizens involved by Ukrainian nationalists in provocations against Russia, as well as Kyiv residents living near relay stations, to leave their homes.
Russian forces have bombarded the regional government building in Ukraine’s second city, killing at least 10 civilians, officials have said, as a huge armoured column rolling towards the capital, Kyiv, raised fears Russia may resort to pulverising civilian areas.
Officials in Moscow said on Tuesday the second round of ceasefire talks would be held on Wednesday.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba accused the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, of “murdering innocent civilians” as he tweeted a video of the huge explosion in Kharkiv’s Freedom Square, calling it a “barbaric missile strike” resulting from Putin’s inability to “break Ukraine down”.
The president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said repeated Russian missile strikes on Kharkiv – including the latest on the central administration building, which left at least 35 wounded – amounted to state terrorism and a war crime. “Evil, armed with rockets, bombs and artillery, must be stopped immediately, destroyed economically,” he said.
In an emotional address to the European parliament, Zelenskiy reiterated his country’s wish to join the EU, saying Ukraine “has a desire to see our children alive – I think it is a fair one. We are fighting for survival. We are fighting to be equal members of Europe. We are exactly the same as you are.”
Ukraine’s general staff said on Tuesday Russian losses since the attack included 5,710 personnel, 29 destroyed and damaged aircraft, and 198 tanks. The figures could not be verified.
In a historic development, the European Parliament accepted Ukraine’s application to join the European Union on Tuesday.
The development comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the European Union Parliament. In his address, Zelenskyy pointed out how all the countries of the block were unified and expressed his desire for Ukraine to be a part of it. ‘We want to be equal,’ the Ukrainian President said.
Zelinsky took the opportunity to highlight how the people of Ukraine were paying a ‘heavy price’ in the offensive of Russia. “This morning 2 cruise missiles hit Kharkiv city. The city has the largest number of universities. The youth is bright and smart there. We are fighting just for our land and our freedom. Also, at the same time, we are fighting to be an equal member of Europe,” the Ukrainian President further said. He added,” Today it’s about that. EU will be much stronger with Ukraine. Without the EU, Ukraine will be lonesome.”
(Photo: A man stands inside a shell crater in the aftermath of an overnight shelling on a military facility in Brovary near Kyiv.)