Ukraine: Kharkiv Avoids Falling To Russian Forces After Another Night Of Fighting

According to a UK Ministry of Defence update today, March 3, Kharkiv remains in Ukrainian hands.

After nights of heavy shelling from Russian forces, the cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol are still controlled by Ukraine.

Reports of forces entering Kherson and Russian forces seizing control of the city have emerged but the situation currently remains unclear.

The news comes as the eighth day of war in Ukraine continues.

The MoD shared their update on Twitter, with #standwithukraine alongside the post.

According to the update, 'the main body of the large Russian column advancing on Kyiv remains over 30km from the centre of the city having been delayed by staunch Ukrainian resistance, mechanical breakdown and congestion', adding the column made little progress over the last three days.

In addition, the post noted that the Russian defence ministry was 'forced' to admits that 498 Russian soldiers were killed and 1,597 have been wounded so far in President Vladimir Putin's war.

The ministry's report comes as Russia's assault on Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, continues as residential areas shelled and cultural landmarks have been attacked in recent days.

On Tuesday, March 1, Kharkiv's opera house, concert hall and government offices were targeted, with at least 10 people said to have been killed and many more injured.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attacks on Kharkiv were a 'terror attack against Ukraine'.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Alamy)

The city sits just 30 miles from the border and has been an early target for invasion.

Reports have emerged on Russian troops engaging in street combat with Ukrainian soldiers defending the city, as per the BBC.

British prime minister Boris Johnson was said to have spoken with Zelenskyy on Wednesday, sharing his 'disgust' toward Putin's continued invasion of Ukraine.

Johnson promised further support for the country, including weapons for those resisting the Russian military, as per ITV.

The news comes as United Nations officials stated that one million refugees were said to have fled Ukraine since the war began, with UN commissioner for refugees Filippo Grandi noting, 'I have rarely seen such an incredibly fast-rising exodus of people — the largest within Europe since the Balkan wars'.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information

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