Newly released satellite images reportedly show a '40-mile long convoy' of Russian military vehicles approaching the Ukrainian city of Kyiv.
As reported by CNN and BBC News, the space technology company Maxar has released a series of satellite images showing a Russian military convoy approaching Ukraine's capital city. The satellite images were reportedly captured on Monday, February 28.
The convoy reportedly stretches for 40 miles (65km), consists of hundreds of vehicles, and, per BBC News, the head of the convoy is less than 17 miles away from Kyiv's city center.
More on this story in the report below:The startling images have since been shared across social media:
Per Reuters, Maxar Technologies has also stated that additional ground force deployments and ground attack helicopter units have been spotted in southern Belarus - less than 20 miles (32km) north of Ukraine's border.
On March 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the protection of the country's capital of Kyiv is the "key priority" for his nation.
In a Facebook message shared on Tuesday, Zelensky said: "Kharkiv and Kyiv are currently the most important targets for Russia. Terror is meant to break us. To break our resistance. They are heading to our capital, as well as to Kharkiv."
He added: "Therefore, the defense of the capital today is the key priority for the state."
"Kyiv is special. If we protect Kyiv, we will protect the state. This is the heart of our country. And it must keep beating. And it will keep beating, so that life triumphs," Zelensky continued.
On Monday evening, Zelensky also commented on a reported airstrike by Russian military forces on the city of Kharkiv.
"Today, Russian forces brutally fired on Kharkiv from jet artillery. It was clearly a war crime." Zelensky said. "Kharkiv is a peaceful city, there are peaceful residential areas, no military facilities. Dozens of eyewitness accounts prove that this is not a single false volley, but deliberate destruction of people: the Russians knew where they were shooting."
The president added: "There will definitely be an international tribunal for this crime — it's a violation of all conventions. No one in the world will forgive you for killing peaceful Ukrainian people."
Russia has repeatedly maintained that there have been no targets on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and that there is no evidence of civilian deaths, CNN reports.
If you would like to know how you can support the Ukrainian people at this time, click HERE to find a list of organizations and groups dedicated to helping those affected by this crisis.
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