Russian train 64 km long approaches Ukraine’s capital

A massive Russian convoy is approaching Kiev on Tuesday, and US officials warn that Russia’s sheer numbers may be able to overcome Ukrainian resistance.

The 64km Russian column, made up of armored vehicles, tanks, towed artillery and other logistical vehicles, arrived on the outskirts of Ukraine’s capital, according to satellite images by Maxar Technologies.

Maxar said it saw clouds of smoke rising from several houses and buildings near the roads where the convoy is traveling, although it is unclear what the cause was.

The new images come as US officials told lawmakers at classified briefings on Monday that a second wave of Russian troops is likely to consolidate the country’s positions in Ukraine and, by sheer numbers, could overcome Ukrainian resistance, according to two people. familiar with the briefings.

“That part was off-putting,” one lawmaker told CNN.

The stern warning came as Ukraine appeals to the international community for help, negotiations have taken place between Russian and Ukrainian officials, and Moscow struggles to avoid the financial collapse of its economy battered by sanctions imposed by the invasion.

More than 400 civilians have been killed or injured since Moscow’s attack on its neighbor began on Thursday, according to the United Nations, and Ukraine’s leader has accused Russia of committing war crimes by attacking civilians.

But US officials fear the worst is yet to come. US officials who were once surprised by the fierce Ukrainian resistance that saw ordinary citizens take up arms now fear the situation is becoming “much more challenging” for Ukrainians.

US officials said on Monday that Russia would likely besiege Kiev, leading to ugly scenes of urban warfare, one of the people familiar with the matter said.

In Kherson, where the Ukrainian military held off a Russian attack for days, Ukrainian defensive lines appear to have collapsed and Russian military vehicles were seen driving into the city.

After a meeting on Capitol Hill on Monday where the Ukrainian ambassador to the US called for more guns, high-ranking Republican senator Jim Risch said Ukraine is struggling.

“It’s David versus Goliath,” he said.

The war this Tuesday (1st)

At least six people were injured, including a child, in an explosion in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said in a Telegram post on Tuesday.

The blast hit a government building, according to videos of the incident posted by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and government officials. The clips were also published on Tuesday, local time, and were verified by CNN.

Russia is waging war in violation of international humanitarian law. Kills civilians, destroys civilian infrastructure. Russiaʼs main target is large cities that are now fired at by its missiles.

📍Kharkiv, Administration building pic.twitter.com/BJgyNnDp1h

— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) March 1, 2022

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kubela said “Russian missile attacks” caused the explosion. He then reinforced the call for other countries to “isolate Russia completely”.

The search for possible victims continues, according to the government.

On Monday, at least nine civilians were killed by Russian rocket attacks in Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. According to him, three children died.

“The missiles hit residential buildings, killing and injuring peaceful civilians. Kharkiv hasn’t seen this much damage in a long time. And that’s horrible,” he said. Terekhov said four people left the shelter to get water and were killed.

A family of two adults and three children were burned alive in their car, he said. Another 37 people were injured. The administration of the city of Kharkiv gave the same figures.