Featured Image Credit: Ukrainian Defense Ministry/Alamy
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News
Hannah Smith
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News
A 40-mile-long convoy of Russian military vehicle that was stalled for several days outside of Kyiv has reportedly 'broken up and redeployed' amid warnings of an imminent new attack on the Ukrainian capital.
Satellite images taken by private company Maxar Technologies revealed that many of the vehicles have fanned out from the main road, where they were understood to have been stuck around 30 miles to the north-west of Kyiv, and moved into positions in nearby fields and woodland areas.
The convoy, which consists of tanks, artillery and other vehicles carrying troops, sparked fears of an imminent attempt to encircle and capture Kyiv when reports first emerged of its existence more than a week ago.
However, over recent days western intelligence and satellite images suggested that the convoy had been slowed to a virtual standstill by a combination of logistics and supply issues, and a fierce Ukrainian resistance that has so far prevented Russian forces further towards the city from making any more notable advances.
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Intense fighting has been ongoing for days in the Kyiv suburbs of Irpin, Bucha and Hostomel to the west of the city, with Russian forces assessed to have advanced around three miles in 24 hours, a US defence official reported on Friday, March 11, per CBS.
The official added that the convoy's movement was potentially defensive rather than a tactical advance, with vehicles seeking cover in woodland to avoid being targeted by Ukrainian troops.
Kyiv has so far been spared much of the indiscriminate bombing that has been seen in cities elsewhere in the country, however the convoy's renewed movement has sparked new speculation about Russia's approach.
Citing satellite imagery, AP has reported that howitzers – artillery guns used for shelling attacks – have been moved into 'firing positions' outside of Kyiv, with armoured units deployed in areas around Antonov airport in Hostomel.
Speaking yesterday, Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said that his city was prepared to defend itself against any Russian attempt to capture it, saying, 'Every street, every house, is being fortified.'
'Even people who in their lives never intended to change their clothes, now they are in uniform with machine guns in their hands,' he said, per The Telegraph.
Klitschko also acknowledged that roughly two million people – half of the city's population – had fled Kyiv since the start of the Russian invasion more than two weeks ago.
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