BREAKING - Russia just started process of banning Instagram.
It’s huge because this is really a much loved platform in Russia and also the source of income for lots of small businesses across the country. And for young Moscow elites it’s.. everything
Russian defence ministry is warning - according to the TASS and RIA - that it is about to strike several targets in Kyiv. One at least may be in the very heart of the city.
Where it previously maintained a pretence of not targeting anything near residents -- now it's telling residents near any targets to leave their homes. Jesus
It says it is also targeting 'relay centres' and tells residents near those to get out. ('ретрансляционный узел') -- Ukraine was warning earlier that Russia may target Kyiv comms v soon
#BREAKING - Gunfire heard in the government quarter of central Kyiv @AP is reporting
Shooting in the centre, Russian troops entering Kyiv from the north.
Ukraine’s army called on residents of the northern Kyiv district of Obolon to resist.
“Make Molotov cocktails, neutralize the occupier!” the defence ministry said.
At the same time, Ukraine armed forces reporting intense fighting in several settlements north of Kyiv while social media users sharing videos of lines of Russian military vehicles
Lines of cars jammed the main roads out of the capital as residents fled, leaving the city centre deserted.
People with suitcases in hand crowded into metro trains, tried to buy medical supplies at pharmacies, and lined up at ATMs to withdraw cash.
A few people, some with children, camped out in the metro, huddling on the floor and checking the fast-moving news on their phones, which showed Russia bombing a string of targets across Ukraine and intense fighting in the country’s east — @JohnReedwrites witnessed
An incredibly powerful and moving speech by Ukraine’s president Zelensky tonight.
He addressed the Russian people directly in a bid to prevent the potential outbreak of a major and full-blown war —
Listing his deep personal ties to the Donbas region in east Ukraine, he stressed Kyiv wanted peace and urged Russians to question the information presented to them by state TV.
“You are being told that we hate Russian culture. How could we hate a culture, any culture?” he said.
“Many of you have been to Ukraine, many of you have relatives in Ukraine… Listen to us, hear us. The people of Ukraine want peace.”