Major General Igor Konashenkov, who is the Russian Defence Ministry’s spokesperson, has said that they have recaptured Hostomel airport (also known as Antonov International Airport), just 4 miles northwest of the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. Ukraine is yet to respond to these reports.
Major General Konashenkov added that Russian airborne forces landed 200 helicopters with paratroopers in Hostomel and killed more than 200 Ukrainian special forces. The capturing of Hostomel allows Russia to block access to Kyiv from the West. Hostomel also benefits from a long runway which would empower Russia to land heavy-lift transport aeroplanes and airlift its troops straight into the outskirts of Kyiv. Ukraine is yet to respond to reports of Russia recapturing Hostomel Airport.
Hanna Malyar, Deputy Defence Minister of Ukraine, has stated that nearly 2,800 Russian troops have been killed, and up to 80 Russian tanks, ten aeroplanes and seven helicopters have also been destroyed.
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed in a tweet that people died today at the entrances of Chernihiv, Hostomel and Melitopol. He also added a comment aimed at Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi, who had said that Zelenskyy had missed a call they had scheduled. Draghi stated:
“President Zelenskyy told us that he is hiding somewhere and that Ukraine has no more time. He was supposed to attend a phone call at 9.30 am but he couldn’t make it.”
President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, told Ukraine’s military to gain power from the government in a televised meeting.
“I once again appeal to the military personnel of the armed forces of Ukraine: do not allow neo-Nazis and Ukrainian radical nationalists to use your children, wives and elders as human shields,”
“Take power into your own hands, it will be easier for us to reach agreement,”
We will bring you further updates as they occur.
