Amid heavy fighting north of Ukraine’s capital city, the “bulk” of Russian forces remain stalled about 15 miles outside the center of Kyiv, according to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense.
In the British Ministry of Defense’s latest intelligence update on Monday, it said Russian forces heading toward Kyiv from the northeast have stalled and that forces advancing from the northwest “have been repulsed by fierce Ukrainian resistance.” The bulk of Russia’s forces remains 15 miles north of Ukraine’s capital.
However, Kyiv remains a priority for the Russian army, and efforts to take the capital could escalate soon, the intelligence update warned.
“Despite the continued lack of progress, Kyiv remains Russia’s primary military objective and they are likely to prioritise attempting to encircle the city over the coming weeks,” the Ministry of Defense added.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 21 March 2022
Find out more about the UK government’s response: https://t.co/o31FnBRw3w
?? #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/reAkTEnHFj
— Ministry of Defence ?? (@DefenceHQ) March 21, 2022
BELARUS AMBASSADOR’S DEPARTURE FROM UKRAINE SIGNALS EXPANSION OF WAR
While Russian foot soldiers and combat vehicles remain outside the city for now, shells and missiles continue to bombard Kyiv.
Overnight on Monday, Russian shelling leveled a shopping mall near downtown Kyiv. At least eight people were killed in the attack, according to reports.
⚡️The video shows the destroyed Retroville shopping mall in Kyiv, following an overnight missile strike.
According to Prosecutor General’s Office, at least eight people were killed.
Video: Proof of war in Ukraine/Telegram pic.twitter.com/GgUosETtCn
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 21, 2022
In recent days, Russian forces have shelled near schools and hit residential apartment buildings in Kyiv, among other targets.
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Kyiv regional leader Oleksiy Kuleba said last week that “kindergartens, museums, churches, residential blocks, and engineering infrastructure are suffering from the endless firings” as Russian forces try to cut off transportation links in and out of the city.
