Russian Forces Surround Kyiv from the West, Says Russia's Defense Ministry

Russian airborne troops have joined the paratroopers who captured Hostomel Airport, located in the outskirts of Kyiv, and have completely surrounded the Ukrainian capital from the west. This was reported by the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry.

According to the same statement, about two hundred helicopters were used to seize Hostomel Airport, and Ukrainian air defense systems were struck down.

“During the operation, around two hundred Ukrainian nationalists were destroyed, and the Russian paratroopers have suffered no casualties,” the statement said.

On Thursday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he was commencing a special military operation in Ukrainian territory, aimed at ensuring the security of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics and removing Ukraine’s “Nazi regime.” The United States and the EU have assessed Russia's actions as a direct aggression against Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.