Russian troops have taken control of the Ukrainian city of Melitpole without any resistance. Russia’s Defense Ministry told reporters today. News from the BBC.
Russia’s Defense Ministry says a group of Russian troops stormed the Militia Pole on the evening of February 25, local time, after landing near a populated area in Azovsky, Ukraine. Residents welcome Russian troops patrolling the city. Many adults take to the streets with red flags.
The BBC quoted Russian media outlets Interfax and Sputnik as saying that Russian forces had captured the town of Melitpole in the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhya. Melitpole is a medium sized city in the country. Melitpole is located near Mariopole, one of the main ports in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a special military operation in Ukraine on Thursday morning. Within hours, Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine. Then the fight started between the two sides. Russian troops stormed the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, on Saturday morning.
Fighting has begun in the streets of Kiev. Kiev has been rocked by multiple explosions and clashes between troops on both sides since this morning. More than 50 explosions and shelling were reported in different parts of the city. There have also been missile attacks. Kiev residents are being told to stay indoors.
The Ukrainian military says a car bomb had exploded at an Iraqi police recruiting center at Kisak, west of Mosul. They resisted the attack. Ukraine’s military has demanded that 3,500 Russian troops be killed since Russia launched a military operation. Russia did not provide casualty figures.