Ukraine conflict: Cities on high alert after night of shelling

 

Ukraine conflict: Cities on high alert 

On the fifth day of Ukraine's war against Russia's invasion, cities across the country remain on high alert.

Russian troops attempted to rush the outskirts of Kyiv many times, but were unsuccessful, according to Ukraine's military.

Officials described the combat on Sunday as "tough," with Russian soldiers shelling from "almost all angle.

Overnight, the main cities of Kharkiv and Chernihiv were targeted as well.

They, like Kyiv, are still under Ukrainian control, but Russia has made considerable success in the south, capturing Berdyansk, a port town. Fighting is also ongoing in Mariupol, a strategically significant port city on the Sea of Azov near Russia-annexed Crimea.

Ukraine has refuted reports that Russian troops had taken control of Europe's largest nuclear power facility in Zaporizhzhia, in the country's southeast. Russian forces took control of the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant site last week.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the bulk of Russia's soldiers are still more than 30 kilometres (19 miles) north of Kyiv, "having been halted by Ukrainian forces."

"Logistical setbacks and tenacious Ukrainian opposition continue to stymie Russian progress," it stated.

After two days, Kyiv's curfew was removed, with some food stores reopening and public transportation running; nevertheless, residents are still encouraged to seek shelter and avoid going outside unless absolutely essential. Fighting on the streets is still going on in a lot of places.

Locals in Dnipro, which is closer to rebel-held territories under Russian influence, were awoken for the first time by warning sirens, sending families into bunkers, basements, and garages with children and dogs, according to the Broadcaster's Sarah Rainsford. According to her, armed patrols in the city are randomly stopping cars to check for Russian saboteurs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Russian soldiers to lay down their arms and leave the nation to save their lives in a speech on Monday, cautioning them not to believe what their Russian leaders told them.

He also urged the European Union to expedite Ukraine's accession to the bloc through special procedures.

"Our goal is to be with everyone throughout Europe. And, most importantly, be on an equal footing. That seems reasonable to me. I believe we have earned it. All of this, I am confident, is doable "Mr. Zelensky explained.

Eerie calm in Kyiv, then sirens

According to Ukraine's official office of special communications, there was a brief reprieve in Kyiv before shelling and air raid sirens resumed in the early hours of Monday.

Russian troops attempted to rush the outskirts of Kyiv overnight, but were rebuffed, according to Kyiv's defence commander. He went on to say that Russia had suffered "major human losses" and that Russian military hardware was being destroyed. This has not been independently verified by the BBC.

Many inhabitants were forced to spend another night below, under heavy curfew.

According to Ukraine's official emergency service, missiles hit multiple buildings, including a five-story residential building. The fire started on the two lower floors, but it was quickly put out. There were no fatalities reported.

Local media said that loud explosions were heard once more across Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, 500 kilometres (310 miles) east of Kyiv.

Amnesty International, a human rights organisation, has accused Russia of using weapons indiscriminately in populated areas, which it claims could amount to a war crime.

Lithuania's government announced on Monday that it would request that the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague examine "war crimes and crimes against humanity" in Ukraine.