Russia-Ukraine crisis: Battle underway in eastern suburb of Kyiv

Ukraine‘s State Service of Special Communications said early Saturday that clashes are underway in an eastern suburb of the capital, Kyiv.

“The enemy is trying to attack CHP-6 near Troieschyna. The Armed Forces give battle,” the service tweeted.

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Loud explosions were heard on Saturday morning from the west and south of Ukraine capital Kyiv, CNN reported on Saturday. The sky, still dark, lit up with a series of flashes on the horizon.

Earlier, news agency CNN reported that its team in Kyiv heard two blasts in central Kyiv and another explosion in the distance.

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On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called himself Russia’s “No. 1 target” but said, “I stay in the capital, I stay with my people.”

“They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state,” Zelensky added. “We also have information that enemy sabotage groups have entered Kyiv. That’s why I am asking Kyivites very much: Be careful, follow the rules of curfew.”

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On Thursday, some Ukrainians took refuge in the subways for safety from attacks.

Russian forces invaded Ukraine on Thursday in what Russian President Vladimir Putin called a “special military operation” — essentially declaring war on the country early Thursday morning. Ukraine says more than 100 Ukrainians have been killed in the conflict so far.