Ukraine is resisting attacks by Russian troops on the fifth day since the start of the war by Vladimir Putin, with many Ukrainians spending the night in shelters again as more explosions were heard in recent hours in the capital Kyiv and other cities. The Ukrainian army says it has managed to repel several attacks in the vicinity of the capital.
Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said 352 civilians had been killed, including 14 children, since Russia launched its attack in the early hours of Thursday morning. Another 1,684 people, including 116 children, were injured Sunday night, according to ministry figures.
Meanwhile, Russia resumed bombing raids on major Ukrainian cities, Kyiv and Kharkov, this morning. A town near the capital was also hit, where a rocket destroyed a block of flats.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that negotiations would take place on Monday morning between a delegation from his country and a Russian delegation in Belarus, near the border.
“I will be honest, as always, I do not believe in the outcome of this meeting. But let’s try not to let any Ukrainian citizen have any doubts that I, as president, tried to stop the war when there was a chance,” Zelensky said.
“In Belarus, everything is ready to host Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Waiting for delegations to arrive“, reads a Belarus MFA post on Twitter.
President Zelensky also said the next 24 hours – the fifth day of the Russian invasion – will be “crucial” for Ukraine. This was told by Zelensky to the UK PM Boris Johnson during a phone call on Sunday.
US President Joe Biden will have a phone conference with the NATO allies and partners today on the Ukraine’s war.
5-km Russian convoy
As Ukrainians continue to repel Russian attacks around Kiev, new satellite images show a Russian military convoy more than 5 kilometers long on a road to the capital, CNN reports. The convoy was seen on satellite images around 10:56 a.m. local time on Sunday on P-02-02, near Ivankiv, about 60 kilometers northwest of the Ukrainian capital. The P-02-02 road leads to Kyiv. The convoy includes fuel trucks and logistics, as well as tanks, infantry vehicles and self-propelled artillery.
According to the Ukrainian army, Russia has suffered serious losses. The latest tally was 4,500 dead, 150 tanks, more than 700 armored vehicles and 26 helicopters.
Meta/Facebook deletes accounts in Russia
Meta / Facebook has removed a network of about 40 Facebook and Instagram accounts operating in Russia and Ukraine and targeting Ukrainian public figures, including military officials, politicians and a journalist, writes Reuters.
Over 90% Ukrainians support Zelensky, polls says
Over 90% of Ukrainians surveyed in a poll this weekend said they support President Zelensky – a threefold increase from December last year.
According to the poll, conducted by the respected Rating Sociological group, 91% backed him, only 6% do not support him and 3% were undecided.
Two thousands respondents from across Ukraine were questioned, though residents in the Crimea and the rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine were excluded.
When asked about the chances of Ukraine being able to repel the Russian assault, 70% said they believed it was possible.
Support for the Ukrainian armed forces has also increased considerably since just before the start of the invasion.