Fierce battle in Kharkiv as Russian troops roll into Ukraine’s second-largest city
Global News
Ukrainian president rejects the Kremlin’s offer for talks in Belarus, but says is open to negotiations in other neutral locations.
Russian forces rolled into Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv as Moscow’s invasion that has rocked several parts of the country and killed hundreds of civilians entered a fourth day.
A fierce battle was underway Sunday in Kharkiv, where Russian troops blew up a natural gas pipeline before daybreak, according to the Ukrainian state agency.
“The Russian enemy’s light vehicles have broken into Kharkiv, including the city centre,” regional Governor Oleh Sinegubov said, urging civillians to remain inside.
Heavy fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces erupted in Kharkiv following intensive overnight exchanges of rocket artillery, U.K.’s Ministry of Defense said in an update on Twitter.
Until Sunday, Russian troops had remained on the outskirts of Kharkiv, a city of 1.4 million about 20 km (12.4 miles) south of the border with Russia, while other forces moved their offensive deeper into Ukraine.
Meanwhile, in the capital Kyiv, where a curfew has been extended until Monday, clashes have subsided and Ukrainian forces were resisting the Russian offence.
“Russian forces are continuing to advance into Ukraine from multiple axis but are continuing to be met with stiff resistance from the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” Britain’s defence ministry said.
As of Sunday, both Kyiv and Kharkiv remained in Ukrainian hands. The Kremlin said its troops were advancing “in all directions”.
