Russian forces seen in 40-mile long convoy near Ukraine’s Kyiv: Report

Russia’s forces were traveling in a convoy that stretched for 40 miles, according to satellite images provided by US-based company Maxar Technology. The forces were seen north of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv.

The convoy, which reportedly consists of armored vehicles, tanks, artillery and support vehicles was spotted 17 miles (25 kilometers) from the center of Kyiv, according to reports from Associated Press citing Maxar Tech’s statements.

Also Read: Russia-Ukraine War: What to know as Ukraine resists advance

The satellite images also showed deployments of ground forces and ground attack helicopter units in southern Belarus.

The Russian forces convoy stretched from the town of Prybirsk to Antonov airport, which are nearly 40 miles away from each other.

While some vehicles were “fairly far apart” from each other, some units are “traveling two or three vehicles abreast on the road”, the statement from Maxar Technology read, according to reports from AFP.

“A number of homes and buildings are seen burning north and northwest of Ivankiv, near the roads where the convoy is traveling,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Russian forces have intensified the shelling of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky alleged in a video statement on Monday. 

Zelensky says that “the talks (on the Belarus border) were taking place against the backdrop of bombing and shelling of our territory, our cities. Synchronising of the shelling with the negotiating process was obvious. I believe Russia is trying to put pressure (on Ukraine) with this simple method.”

Calling the city of Kyiv a “key goal” of the Russian troops, Zelensky said that the forces have also shelled the city of Kharkiv with rocket artillery.

However, United States said that the Russian march towards the Ukrainian capital had “slowed down” on the fifth day of the offensive. According to reports from AFP citing a Pentagon official, the main Russian convoy had moved only three miles on Monday and was nearly 18 miles from the capital city.