Street fighting raged in Ukraine's second-biggest city on Sunday after Russian forces pierced through Ukrainian lines, as both sides said they were ready for talks to halt a conflict that has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.
Ukraine said Sunday it had agreed to talks with Russia after four days of conflict, as Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his defence chiefs to put nuclear "deterrence forces" on alert.
As Western countries lined up to send arms into Ukraine and impose ever more stringent sanctions, Putin ordered his defence chiefs to put the country's nuclear "deterrence forces" on high alert.Ukraine has reported 198 civilian deaths, including three children, since the invasion began."They fight against everyone. They fight against all living things -- against kindergartens, against residential buildings and even against ambulances.
Ukraine said it was fighting off Russian forces in several other points and that 4,300 Russian troops had been killed.In Kyiv, many residents spent another night in shelters or cellars as Ukrainian forces said they were fighting off Russian "sabotage groups", but Sunday was relatively calm compared to previous days.
On Sunday, Ukraine's general staff urged any foreigners to come to Ukraine "and fight side-by-side with Ukrainians against Russian war criminals".The UN refugee agency says more than 368,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries, while more than 160,000 are estimated to be displaced within Ukraine.
Poland, Germany and Austria have said Ukrainians can ride for free on their trains until further notice. The conflict has rattled particularly former Soviet satellite countries in Eastern Europe who fear their post Cold War democratic gains could be threatened by Russian aggression.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Putin puts nuclear forces on high alert; Ukraine announces talks with RussiaUkrainians held Kyiv and Kharkiv as Putin's invasion intensified, and President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of attacking civilians.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Ukraine says Russia will be disconnected from SWIFTGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz announces Germany is dropping its historic position of not providing lethal military aid to conflict zones, saying Russia's 'invasion marks a turning point.'
Read more »
US to send missiles to Ukraine; Ukraine agrees to meet with Russia on Monday - live updatesRussian troops have reached Kharkiv, Ukraine. The EU says it will finance military equipment to help Ukraine, and the U.S. approved sending missiles.
Read more »
US to send missiles to Ukraine; Ukraine agrees to meet with Russia on Monday - live updatesRussian troops have reached Kharkiv, Ukraine. The EU says it will finance military equipment to help Ukraine, and the U.S. approved sending missiles.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: EU takes bold steps to aid Ukraine forces'I am Ukrainian, and I am a fighter.' Former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko condemns Russian invasion of his country. UPDATE: A previous version of this post identified Wladimir Klitschko as his brother, Vitali.
Read more »