The invasion of Ukraine – city-by-city as Russian troops enter the crucial port city of Mykolaiv


Vladimir Putin’s forces have made further gains in Ukraine, seizing control of a nuclear power plant and reducing cities to rubble as Volodymyr Zelensky desperately battles to save his country from the invading forces on the ninth day of fighting.

Russian troops attacked the Zaporizhzhia plant in the early hours of Friday, with CCTV capturing a fierce gun battle that sparked a fire in a six-storey training building just outside the main complex. 

Warships are still poised off the coast of Odessa, while the port city of Mykolaiv, near Kherson which was the first city claimed by Russia, is feared to be the next under Putin’s control.

Kyiv continues to face intense shelling but has so far been spared a major assault, with Russia’s main attack force stalled for days in a miles-long convoy on a highway to the north. 

But there are growing concerns that the stationary troops are regrouping and amassing logistical supplies before launching a fierce onslaught on the capital. 

Putin want to ‘sever’ Ukraine in half and deprive the north of resources needed to keep fighting the war – a siege tactic reminiscent of how he won the Chechen war in 2000. 

Just over a week after Putin launched his savage campaign, MailOnline assesses the gains being made by the Russians in the cities where they are meeting fierce resilience from Ukraine. 

Kyiv 

Moscow’s advance on Ukraine’s capital may have stalled but the city is still being subjected to heavy bombardment from the air.

Loud explosions could be heard this morning and an air raid siren constantly blared. 

Blasts also rocked the city yesterday and Hostomel Airport has seen intense fighting, with the transport hub changing hands multiple times in recent days.

Russian tanks and armoured vehicles are yet to enter the city, with the huge convoy still stuck around 16 miles from Kyiv. 

The convoy, which earlier in the week had seemed poised to launch an assault on the capital, has been plagued with comical mishaps including fuel and food shortages. 

But there are also some concerns that the 15,000 troops attached to the convoy may be regrouping and waiting for supplies before launching a blistering assault on Kyiv. 

People remove personal belongings from a burning house after being shelled in the city of Irpin, near Kyiv

People remove personal belongings from a burning house after being shelled in the city of Irpin, near Kyiv

Moscow's advance on Ukraine's capital may have stalled but the city is still being subjected to heavy bombardment from the air

Moscow’s advance on Ukraine’s capital may have stalled but the city is still being subjected to heavy bombardment from the air

A destroyed Russian tank is seen on the road near Brovary, to the east of Kyiv, after being destroyed on Friday morning

A destroyed Russian tank is seen on the road near Brovary, to the east of Kyiv, after being destroyed on Friday morning

Ukraine says two tanks and three infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed in an early-morning attack near Brovary, Kyiv

Ukraine says two tanks and three infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed in an early-morning attack near Brovary, Kyiv

People stand next to a shell crater in front of a house damaged by recent shelling in the village of Hatne in the Kyiv region

People stand next to a shell crater in front of a house damaged by recent shelling in the village of Hatne in the Kyiv region

Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a warehouse after shelling by Russian forces in the village of Chaiky in the Kyiv region

Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a warehouse after shelling by Russian forces in the village of Chaiky in the Kyiv region

Russia made clear its plans to quickly seize the capital, with Western security officials fearing they would overthrow the government and implement their new regime within days. 

But stiffer than expected resistance from the outmanned and outgunned Ukrainians has staved off the swift victory that Russia may have expected.  

An aide to Zelensky has called on soldier and volunteers to use guerrilla tactics against Russian forces, to cut down trees and destroy rear columns of Russian troops. 

Heavy smoke blankets an area of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, after it was hit by Russian shelling on Thursday in the latest attack

Heavy smoke blankets an area of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, after it was hit by Russian shelling on Thursday in the latest attack

A firefighter works to extinguish a huge blaze at a warehouse that caught fire after shelling, according to local authorities, in the village of Chaiky in the Kyiv region

A firefighter works to extinguish a huge blaze at a warehouse that caught fire after shelling, according to local authorities, in the village of Chaiky in the Kyiv region

An apartment building in Borodyanka is seen on Thursday morning almost totally destroyed after a Russian missile struck it the day before, causing a large part of it to collapse

An apartment building in Borodyanka is seen on Thursday morning almost totally destroyed after a Russian missile struck it the day before, causing a large part of it to collapse

The Russian Defence Ministry has released photos appearing to show armed forces units entering the Kyiv region. Putin's hope of a quick invasion and takeover of the Ukrainian capital were slapped down by a fierce resistance from President Zelensky's troops

The Russian Defence Ministry has released photos appearing to show armed forces units entering the Kyiv region. Putin’s hope of a quick invasion and takeover of the Ukrainian capital were slapped down by a fierce resistance from President Zelensky’s troops

Another view of the apartment block in Borodyanka shows it suffered heavy damage in a Russian strike on Tuesday, as Putin's men continue to try and take the country

Another view of the apartment block in Borodyanka shows it suffered heavy damage in a Russian strike on Tuesday, as Putin’s men continue to try and take the country

A building is engulfed in flames after shelling in Kyiv, with the Ukrainian capital under heavy attack on Thursday afternoon

A building is engulfed in flames after shelling in Kyiv, with the Ukrainian capital under heavy attack on Thursday afternoon

Ukrainian soldiers patrol in front of the Independence Monument during Russian attacks in Kyiv

Ukrainian soldiers patrol in front of the Independence Monument during Russian attacks in Kyiv

In the residential area of Borodyanka, on the outskirts of Kyiv, a building is barely standing after being bombarded by Russia

In the residential area of Borodyanka, on the outskirts of Kyiv, a building is barely standing after being bombarded by Russia

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a damaged logistic center after shelling in Kyiv

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a damaged logistic center after shelling in Kyiv

A Ukrainian soldier keeps position sitting on a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun at a frontline northeast of Kyiv

A Ukrainian soldier keeps position sitting on a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun at a frontline northeast of Kyiv

Destroyed Russian vehicles are seen on a street in the settlement of Borodyanka, around 30 miles from the capital

Destroyed Russian vehicles are seen on a street in the settlement of Borodyanka, around 30 miles from the capital

Destroyed Russian vehicles are seen on a street in the town of Borodyank, around 30 miles from Kyiv, after meeting 'staunch' Ukrainian resistance

Destroyed Russian vehicles are seen on a street in the town of Borodyank, around 30 miles from Kyiv, after meeting ‘staunch’ Ukrainian resistance

A Ukrainian serviceman walks past as fire and smoke rises over a damaged logistic center after shelling in Kyiv

A Ukrainian serviceman walks past as fire and smoke rises over a damaged logistic center after shelling in Kyiv

The 40-mile Russian convoy continues to be stuck north of Kyiv, with vehicles bunched on to the road in an apparent attempt to stop them getting bogged down in mud

The 40-mile Russian convoy continues to be stuck north of Kyiv, with vehicles bunched on to the road in an apparent attempt to stop them getting bogged down in mud

A view shows damaged buildings following recent shelling, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in the settlement of Borodyanka in the Kyiv region, Ukraine March 2, 2022

A view shows damaged buildings following recent shelling, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, in the settlement of Borodyanka in the Kyiv region, Ukraine March 2, 2022

Smoke rises over Chaika, a residential area on the outskirts of Kyiv, as the city again came under bombardment by Russia

Smoke rises over Chaika, a residential area on the outskirts of Kyiv, as the city again came under bombardment by Russia

Zaporizhzhia 

Putin’s troops attacked the continent’s largest nuclear power plant overnight, sparking a fire that raged for hours before emergency crews were eventually allowed to extinguish it as Russian soldiers seized the complex.

Russian troops had attacked the Zaporizhzhia plant in the early hours of Friday, with CCTV capturing a fierce gun battle between Putin’s men and Ukrainian defenders that sparked a fire in a six-storey training building just outside the main complex. 

Moscow’s men then stopped firefighters getting to the building for several hours. 

Eventually, emergency crews were allowed to go in and douse the flames before Russian troops moved in an occupied the site, which provides a fifth of Ukraine’s electricity. 

Fire-damaged buildings at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear complex are pictured on Friday morning after coming under attack by Russian forces overnight, leading to international condemnation

Fire-damaged buildings at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear complex are pictured on Friday morning after coming under attack by Russian forces overnight, leading to international condemnation 

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A damaged Russian attack truck is seen outside Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (left) and damage to a training building at the plant is seen with fire crews putting it out (right)

A column of Russian tanks, armoured vehicles and support trucks is seen at the Zaporizhzhia plant after it was seized

A column of Russian tanks, armoured vehicles and support trucks is seen at the Zaporizhzhia plant after it was seized

The UN’s nuclear monitoring agency said that, fortunately, none of the site’s six reactors had been directly damaged and radiation levels remained normal. Three Ukrainian troops were killed defending the complex, Kyiv said. 

Moscow has, predictably, attempted to deny responsibility for the attack, saying its forces had come under attack by Ukrainian ‘saboteurs’ while patrolling the plant, who then set fire to the building themselves.

Ukraine is home to three other active nuclear power plants, one of which is located 70 miles from the city of Mykolaiv which Russian forces have begun attacking after seizing nearby Kherson. The other two active sites are located in the west and are not currently under threat, though that situation could change as the Russian attack branches out. Ukraine also has five sites which are out of action, including Chernobyl, but could still pose a risk if hit by shells.

President Zelensky said the attack on Zaporizhzhia could have caused a crisis equivalent to ‘six Chernobyls’ – referencing the fact that the modern-day plant has six reactors while the Soviet-era disaster affected only one – and called on Russians to end the fighting.

Sparks erupt from an administration building (bottom right) as a live steam video shot from a larger office block behind it films Russian tanks opening fire on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the early hours of Friday morning

Sparks erupt from an administration building (bottom right) as a live steam video shot from a larger office block behind it films Russian tanks opening fire on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the early hours of Friday morning

Russian armoured vehicles and troops attacked the nuclear power plant in the early hours of Friday, shooting and shelling guards holed up in administrative buildings near the nuclear reactors - setting one of them on fire

Russian armoured vehicles and troops attacked the nuclear power plant in the early hours of Friday, shooting and shelling guards holed up in administrative buildings near the nuclear reactors – setting one of them on fire

Zaporizhzhia has six nuclear reactors, making it the largest of its kind in Europe, and accounts for about one quarter of Ukraine's power generation. One report said the fire was about 150 meters away from one of the reactors

Zaporizhzhia has six nuclear reactors, making it the largest of its kind in Europe, and accounts for about one quarter of Ukraine’s power generation. One report said the fire was about 150 meters away from one of the reactors

Nuclear experts told the BBC that attacks on Zaporizhzhia were ‘frightening’ but that any disaster caused by fighting would be similar to Fukushima in 2011 rather than Chernobyl in 1986. Fukushima, in Japan, melted down after a tsunami cut electricity to the plant, disabling its cooling system. Chernobyl exploded after a training exercise gone-wrong caused an uncontrolled nuclear reaction.

Claire Corkhill, professor of nuclear materials at Sheffield University, told the corporation that the reactors at Zaporizhzhia now appear to be shutting down to remove the danger – which may have been Russia’s intention in attacking the plant.

Mykolaiv 

Fears are growing that Mykolaiv will soon be the biggest city to fall to Russia.

The mayor said Russian troops had entered his city of around 500,000 people and there was now fighting inside it. 

Local authorities in the shipbuilding city told residents not to panic and Zelenskiy’s military adviser, Oleksiy Arestovych, said the Russian advance there had been halted.

‘We can feel cautious optimism about the future prospects of the enemy offensive – I think that it will be stopped in other areas also,’ he said

The US believes Russia’s goal may be to move past Kherson to Mykolaiv in order to set up a base of operations there that they can then use in a move to encircle and take Odesa. 

In a video statement shared online, Mykolaiv Governor Vitaliy Kim said fighting was under way in parts of the city. ‘Let’s not get nervous,’ he said. 

Kherson

Kherson remains the only city to be captured by Russian forces in a huge strategic win for Putin.

The city allows his troops to cross the Dnieper River and advance on Kyiv from the south, with army commanders able to link up the two main offensives.

The city also holds the fresh water supply for the region, meaning Russia could use it in Crimea. 

Mayor Igor Kolykhaevr said ‘armed visitors’ joined a local council meeting and imposed a curfew. He said he asked them not to shoot civilians and to allow crews to gather up the bodies from the streets.

The mayor said Russian troops had entered his city of around 500,000 people and there was now fighting inside it.

The mayor said Russian troops had entered his city of around 500,000 people and there was now fighting inside it.

The mayor said Russian troops had entered his city of around 500,000 people and there was now fighting inside it.

The mayor said Kherson would maintain a strict 8pm to 6am curfew and restrict traffic into the city to food and medicine deliveries

The mayor said Kherson would maintain a strict 8pm to 6am curfew and restrict traffic into the city to food and medicine deliveries

‘We don’t have any Ukrainian forces in the city, only civilians and people here who want to LIVE,’ he said in a statement.

The mayor said Kherson would maintain a strict 8pm to 6am curfew and restrict traffic into the city to food and medicine deliveries. 

The city will also require pedestrians to walk in groups no larger than two, obey commands to stop and not to ‘provoke the troops.’  

Cutting Ukraine’s access to the coastline would deal a crippling blow to the country’s economy and allow Russia to build a land corridor stretching from its border, across Crimea, which has been occupied by Russia since 2014, and all the way west to Romania. 

CCTV footage shows Russian combat vehicles on the central square of Kherson in southern Ukraine

CCTV footage shows Russian combat vehicles on the central square of Kherson in southern Ukraine

Kherson became the first city feared to be captured by Russian forces after its mayor said 'armed visitors' joined a local council meeting and imposed a curfew

Kherson became the first city feared to be captured by Russian forces after its mayor said ‘armed visitors’ joined a local council meeting and imposed a curfew

Kherson's mayor, Igor Kolykhaev, previously said that the national flag was still flying, but that there were no Ukrainian troops in the city

Kherson's mayor, Igor Kolykhaev, previously said that the national flag was still flying, but that there were no Ukrainian troops in the city

Kherson’s mayor, Igor Kolykhaev, previously said that the national flag was still flying, but that there were no Ukrainian troops in the city

Mariupol 

Perhaps the hardest-hit has been the city of Mariupol, on Ukraine’s eastern Black Sea coast, with the fire kept up near-continuously into today with the city completely surrounded.

The heavy Russian shelling of Mariupol has been compared to the Nazi Siege of Leningrad in World War Two which lasted for three years and practically levelled the entire city. 

An incessant attack of artillery, rockets and airstrikes has obliterated the city and killed hundreds.

Capturing the city would allow Russia to link Donetsk and Luhansk with Crimea which was annexed in 2014. 

Local officials say the city is without water, heat, or electricity, and bombardment is so heavy that medics cannot clear the dead from the streets. 

Mariupol is all-but surrounded by Russian forces attempting to smash the city into submission as Putin’s men resort to bloody siege tactics. 

The Black Sea city continues to be under heavy bombardment today, with the mayor saying there is no water, heat or electricity and that Russian fire is so intense they cannot collect bodies from the streets

The Black Sea city continues to be under heavy bombardment today, with the mayor saying there is no water, heat or electricity and that Russian fire is so intense they cannot collect bodies from the streets

Serhii, a father from the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, weeps over the body of teenage son Iliya at a maternity unit converted into a hospital to treat civilian victims of Russian shelling

Serhii, a father from the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, weeps over the body of teenage son Iliya at a maternity unit converted into a hospital to treat civilian victims of Russian shelling

Mariupol is all-but surrounded by Russian forces attempting to smash the city into submission as Putin's men resort to bloody siege tactics

Mariupol is all-but surrounded by Russian forces attempting to smash the city into submission as Putin’s men resort to bloody siege tactics

The attacks which began targeting the city on Wednesday continued into today, with the mayor saying the bombardment is so heavy that medics can't get into the streets to rescue the dead and injured

The attacks which began targeting the city on Wednesday continued into today, with the mayor saying the bombardment is so heavy that medics can’t get into the streets to rescue the dead and injured

Ilya is brought into hospital in the back of a car, with both of his legs destroyed by a Russian shell explosion. The mayor of Mariupol believes 'hundreds' of civilians have been killed in similar strikes

Ilya is brought into hospital in the back of a car, with both of his legs destroyed by a Russian shell explosion. The mayor of Mariupol believes ‘hundreds’ of civilians have been killed in similar strikes

Electricity and phone connections are largely down, and homes and shops are facing food and water shortages

Electricity and phone connections are largely down, and homes and shops are facing food and water shortages

Mariupol city council said Russia was constantly and deliberately shelling critical civilian infrastructure in the Ukrainian southern port

Mariupol city council said Russia was constantly and deliberately shelling critical civilian infrastructure in the Ukrainian southern port

Electricity and phone connections are largely down, and homes and shops are facing food and water shortages. 

Mariupol city council said Russia was constantly and deliberately shelling critical civilian infrastructure in the Ukrainian southern port, leaving it without water, heating or power and preventing bringing supplies or evacuating people. 

‘They are trying to create a blockade here, just like in Leningrad,’ Mariupol mayor Vadym Boichenko said, referring to the brutal Nazi siege of Russia’s second city, now re-named Saint Petersburg.  

Kharkiv   

In the northeast, along another major axis of the Russian attack, the city of Kharkiv has been under bombardment since the start of the invasion which worsened sharply this week, but defenders are holding out.   

Dozens have been killed and hundreds injured in the city which has been reduced to rubble with many residential buildings destroyed.

The city remains under Ukrainian control but Russian paratroopers landed on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday and raided a military hospital.

If Russia seizes the city, it will be able to launch an offensive on Kyiv from another front.  

In the northeast, along another major axis of the Russian attack, the city of Kharkiv has been under bombardment since the start of the invasion which worsened sharply this week, but defenders are holding out

In the northeast, along another major axis of the Russian attack, the city of Kharkiv has been under bombardment since the start of the invasion which worsened sharply this week, but defenders are holding out

A view of damaged building after the shelling is said by Russian forces in Ukraine's second-biggest city of Kharkiv

A view of damaged building after the shelling is said by Russian forces in Ukraine’s second-biggest city of Kharkiv

A destroyed car is seen in front of a partially-collapsed apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, after Russian shelling

A destroyed car is seen in front of a partially-collapsed apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, after Russian shelling

An office block in central Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has been destroyed in Russian attacks in the last few days

An office block in central Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has been destroyed in Russian attacks in the last few days

Civilian and administrational infrastructure damaged in Russian shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine

Civilian and administrational infrastructure damaged in Russian shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine

UN prosecutors say Kharkiv has been subjected to indiscriminate shelling, in a possible war crime.

Military strikes on the village of Yakovlivka near the eastern city of Kharkiv destroyed 30 homes, leaving three dead and seven injured, and rescuers pulled 10 people from the ruins, according to emergency authorities. 

Residents desperate to escape falling shells and bombs crowded the railroad station and pressed onto trains, not always knowing where they were headed.

Despite the intense attacks on the city, Ukraine forces are still putting up a stiff resistance and captured a unit of Russian troops over the weekend.  

A badly damaged car and destroyed buildings are seen in central Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, after being hit by artillery

A badly damaged car and destroyed buildings are seen in central Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, after being hit by artillery

The interior courtyard of a building in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, are pictured after being hit by a missile

The interior courtyard of a building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, are pictured after being hit by a missile

Heavily damaged buildings in downtown Kharkiv are pictured after a strike by Russian rockets on Thursday

Heavily damaged buildings in downtown Kharkiv are pictured after a strike by Russian rockets on Thursday 

A view of damaged civil settlements after Russian attacks in Kharkiv, Ukraine

A view of damaged civil settlements after Russian attacks in Kharkiv, Ukraine

Residents desperate to escape falling shells and bombs have crowded the railroad station and pressed onto trains, not always knowing where they were headed.

The city hall has been shelled and many parts of the city have no water, electricity or heating. 

On Tuesday, the opera house, concert hall and government offices were hit in a series of strikes, which killed at least 10 people, despite Russia’s claim it is only targeting military sites.

Meanwhile the central Freedom Square was attacked on Wednesday, which Zelensky labelled ‘frank, undisguised terror. Nobody will forgive. Nobody will forget. This attack on Kharkiv is a war crime.’ 

Flattened buildings and a destroyed apartment block are seen in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, after it came under attack by Russian forces

Flattened buildings and a destroyed apartment block are seen in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, after it came under attack by Russian forces

A view of damaged civil settlements after Russian attacks in Kharkiv, Ukraine

A view of damaged civil settlements after Russian attacks in Kharkiv, Ukraine

It wasn’t immediately clear what type of weapon was used or how many people were killed, but Zelensky said there were dozens of casualties. 

It was the first time the Russian military had hit the center of the city of 1.5 million people whose residential neighborhoods have been under shelling fire for days. 

Izyum, a city 70 miles to the south of Kharkiv towards Donetsk, has also came under heavy bombardment with explosions lighting up the night sky.

Despite the incessant shelling and bombardment, Kharkiv remains in Ukrainian hands. 

Chernihiv  

Chernihiv, to the north east of Kyiv, and Kharkiv, in Ukraine’s east, were braced for more heavy shelling today after days of increasingly indiscriminate attacks including with banned cluster munitions have left dozens of civilians dead.  

Located to the north-west of Kyiv, the city has been the site of fierce fighting with Russian troops since the early days of the invasion but is still under Ukraine’s control.

Yesterday, at least 47 people were killed after Russian forces hit residential areas, including schools and a high-rise apartment block, with the banned cluster bombs according to local officials.  

Rescue work had to be suspended due to the heavy shelling.

A diesel fuel storage facility burns in Chernihiv after being struck with a Russian shell

A diesel fuel storage facility burns in Chernihiv after being struck with a Russian shell

Nine people died and four were injured after Russian forces hit residential areas, including schools, in the northern Ukrainian city

Nine people died and four were injured after Russian forces hit residential areas, including schools, in the northern Ukrainian city

Located to the north-west of Kyiv, the city has been the site of fierce fighting with Russian troops since the early days of the invasion

Located to the north-west of Kyiv, the city has been the site of fierce fighting with Russian troops since the early days of the invasion

Footage from a car dashboard camera, verified by Reuters, showed buildings in a residential area in Chernihiv hit by apparent missiles. 

The street was engulfed in a fireball and a huge cloud of black smoke rose into the sky. 

The mayor says he is struggling to organise safe passage for civilians.

A huge fire also erupted at an oil depot after being bombed by Russian invaders.

Yesterday, at least nine people were killed and four wounded in a Russian air strike that hit two schools and private houses in the region

Yesterday, at least nine people were killed and four wounded in a Russian air strike that hit two schools and private houses in the region

The street was engulfed in a fireball and a huge cloud of black smoke rose into the sky after this morning's attack in Chernihiv

The street was engulfed in a fireball and a huge cloud of black smoke rose into the sky after this morning’s attack in Chernihiv

Odessa 

The Black Sea port city, and Ukraine’s main naval base, is preparing for a Russian assault after a dozen warships were seen forming up near Crimea.

Defences are being built with fears that Putin wants to choke the economy by seizing the port through which grain and minerals are exported to Europe. 

The mayor said fighter jets appear to be testing air defences by flying sorties overhead, as residents prepare makeshift defences made of old railway sleepers and lay landmines on the beach.

There have also been reports of Russian rocket or artillery fire at the city’s airport, Ukraine’s deputy defence minister said.

But an official said despite bracing for an attack, there has been no major Russian military moves on the port city.

Footage circulating on social media appears to show a group of Russian naval warships off the coast of Odessa in south Ukraine, ahead of a likely invasion from which could cut off Ukraine's vital access to the Black Sea

Footage circulating on social media appears to show a group of Russian naval warships off the coast of Odessa in south Ukraine, ahead of a likely invasion from which could cut off Ukraine’s vital access to the Black Sea

Odessa is preparing for the Russian offensive, some of the inhabitants have already left, but those who remain are preparing to defend the city

Odessa is preparing for the Russian offensive, some of the inhabitants have already left, but those who remain are preparing to defend the city

A force of around a dozen Russian vessels including landing ships is massing off the coast of Crimea today, with experts saying an assault on Odessa could come later in the day

A force of around a dozen Russian vessels including landing ships is massing off the coast of Crimea today, with experts saying an assault on Odessa could come later in the day

The Black Sea port city, and Ukraine's main naval base, is preparing for a Russian assault after a dozen warships were seen forming up near Crimea

The Black Sea port city, and Ukraine’s main naval base, is preparing for a Russian assault after a dozen warships were seen forming up near Crimea

Local residents are building up defences on the port city amid reports of Russian rocket or artillery fire at the city's airport

Local residents are building up defences on the port city amid reports of Russian rocket or artillery fire at the city’s airport

Meanwhile, an Estonian-owned cargo ship was sunk off the coast of Ukraine after hitting a mine yesterday. 

Four crew members are still missing and two are in a life raft at sea following the explosion near Odessa. 

Igor Ilves, managing director of Tallinn-based manager Vista Shipping Agency, said the ship likely struck a mine, adding: ‘The vessel has finally sunk. Two of the crew are in a raft on the water and four others are missing. I don’t know where they are at the moment.’

Estonia is a member of NATO and the EU, and while an official reason has yet to be given for the blast, the possibility that it was the result of a mine risks further destabilising an already explosive situation in Eastern Europe.  

Images circulating on social media purport to show the sinking of the Helt in the Black Sea off the coast of Ukraine (pictured)

Images circulating on social media purport to show the sinking of the Helt in the Black Sea off the coast of Ukraine (pictured)

An Estonian-owned cargo ship has been sunk off the coast of Ukraine following an explosion (file image)

An Estonian-owned cargo ship has been sunk off the coast of Ukraine following an explosion (file image)

The 37-year-old Helt was flying under the Panamanian flag, like many merchant ships who wish to avoid their own countries’ strict marine regulations. 

It comes after the Russian Black Sea Fleet was accused of using civilian vessels including the Helt as human shields in the invasion of Ukraine.

The military said the Russian Navy forced the Helt to enter a dangerous zone of the Black Sea to cover the movement of its own warships.  

Dnipro

The city on the Dnieper River is feared to be the next to face heavy Russian bombardment, with air sirens sounding continuously.

Roads and buildings are being fortified as terrified civilians await the expected onslaught.

Armed volunteers are manning barricades and roadblocks on the outskirts of the city for the anticipated invasion.

Many Ukrainians are digging in, with volunteers in the southern industrial hub filling sandbags and collecting bottles for Molotov cocktails. 

Armed volunteers are manning barricades and roadblocks on the outskirts of the city for the anticipated invasion

Armed volunteers are manning barricades and roadblocks on the outskirts of the city for the anticipated invasion

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