Resistance by the Ukrainian military has halted Russian forces about 18 miles from Kyiv, the capital city, U.S. defense officials said Saturday.
About half of Russia’s combat troops are in Ukraine, up from about 30% on Friday, a senior Defense Department official said Saturday. The official said the number of troops were in the tens of thousands, including combat and logistics personnel. Russian forces are advancing along three major routes into Ukraine.
Ukraine said 198 have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded, according to the Washington Post and the BBC.
More than 100 ballistic, cruise and surface-to-air missiles were launched at the invasion's start, said a senior Defense official, who spoke condition of anonymity, USA TODAY reported. The assault also included 75 medium and heavy bombers.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the invasion "a brutal act of war."
Here's a look at key moments:
Military vehicle burned on the streets of Kyiv
Ukrainian soldiers walk around debris of burning military trucks in a street Saturday in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
Missile strikes apartment near Kyiv
A missile struck a high-rise apartment building Saturday in the city’s southwestern outskirts near one of Kyiv’s two passenger airports, Mayor Vitali Klitchsko said. The missile left a jagged hole of ravaged apartments over several floors. A rescue worker said six civilians were injured.
Russian troops near hydroelectric dam
Maxar satellite imagery shows Russian ground forces have assembled Saturday in Nova Kakhovka, near the hydroelectric plant on the Dnieper River in southern Ukraine.
Satellite imagery shows hundreds of helicopters and ground attack vehicles in Belarus
According to Maxar Technologies, a space technology and intelligence company, images reveal large deployments of ground forces, ground attack and transport helicopters (nearly 150) and support equipment in southern Belarus on Friday.
One large helicopter deployment is seen near the town of Chojniki, Belarus, and contains more than 90 helicopters parked on a road with the deployment extending for more than 5 miles. Northeast of the town, a large deployment of ground forces with several hundred vehicles is seen in convoy position in several fields.
An additional set of more than 50 helicopters along with additional troops and equipment is also seen at the V.D. Bokov airfield near Mazyr, Belarus.
Explosions early Thursday in Kharkiv
Images from the city of Kharkiv, in northeast Ukraine, show explosions early Thursday morning. This footage was streamed on a webcam operated by EA Integration Group.
Troops enter Ukraine from various locations
On Thursday, the BBC reported Russian incursions coming from the regions controlled by Russia-backed militants in Donbas, in addition to Belarus and occupied Crimea. Central European nations, including Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania are preparing to assist Ukrainians fleeing invasion forces:
Russian troops seen entering Ukraine from Crimea
Video footage published by Ukraine's border guard service shows Russian vehicles moving across the border from the Crimean peninsula on Thursday:
Airfield bombed in Chuhuiv
Maxar Technologies captured images Thursday, revealing damage to fuel storage areas and other airport infrastructure at the Chuhuiv airfield.
Russian troops advancing toward Ukraine border
On Friday a large convoy of military vehicles is seen near Sergievka, Russia, approximately 6 miles east of the Ukraine border, and heading in a westerly direction toward Ukraine.
Apartment complex impacted by large explosion
Footage filmed by Terrell Jermaine Starr shows the extent of the damage to an apartment complex in Kyiv. A crater can be seen in front of the building along with debris, and damage to the structure.
Missile spotted overhead in Kramatorsk
In the city of Kramatorsk, a missile is seen flying overhead Thursday. The footage, filmed by Australian photojournalist Bryce Wilson, shows two men walking down a street in the city before they hear the sound of something above. The below video is slowed to show the missile.
Ukraine says 13 soldiers were killed after refusing to surrender on Snake Island
Thirteen Ukrainian border guards stationed on Snake Island, a strategic small outpost in the Black Sea, were reportedly killed after a Russian warship asked them to surrender. A border guard told the Russian warship "Go (expletive) yourself" before being killed, according to unverified audio. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said all 13 will be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously.
SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Associated Press
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