The main body of a long column of Russian forces advancing to Kyiv remains more than 18 miles from the center of the city and has been delayed by “staunch Ukrainian resistance, mechanical breakdown and congestion,” according to a British intelligence update Thursday.
“The column has made little discernible progress in over three days,” the U.K. Ministry of Defence said.
Russian forces have entered the port city of Kherson, however, while Kharkiv, Chernihov and Mariupol remain in Ukrainian hands despite heavy shelling from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces.
Mariupol, another crucial port city, sits on the Azov Sea. Heavy fighting has resulted in electricity and telephone connections being cut to the city, and residents are facing food and water shortages, The Associated Press said.
“Hour by hour, minute by minute, more people are fleeing the terrifying reality of violence. Countless have been displaced inside the country,” said officials with the United Nations Refugee Agency. “Unless there is an immediate end to the conflict, millions more are likely to be forced to flee Ukraine.”
A million Ukrainians have become refugees in neighboring countries.
The seizure of Kherson is raising fears that other cities will fall into Russian hands and block Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea as its army resists invaders.
The British agency said the Russian side has been forced to admit that 498 Russian soldiers have been killed and 1,597 wounded so far since Mr. Putin decided to invade his neighbor, triggering a wave of crippling sanctions on Russia’s economy.
“The actual number of those killed and wounded will almost certainly be considerably higher and will continue to rise,” U.K. Defence Intelligence said.
Russian officials have said they are ready to continue talks even as they advance into Ukraine continues.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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