Ukraine Takes Back Outskirts Of Kyiv, As Russia Steps Up Massive Offensive

The impact of the Russian bombing on Kyiv. (Wikimedia Commns /Kyivcity.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian troops claimed to have recaptured the outskirts of the strategically important Kyiv city on Tuesday, as Russian troops pressed another area near the capital and their offensive on the embattled southern port of Mariupol continued.

Explosions and bursts of gunfire rocked Kyiv, and black smoke rose from a point in the north. Intensive artillery fire could be heard from the northwest, where Russia had attempted to encircle and seize several suburbs of the capital, a key target.

Residents took shelter in their homes or underground, following a 35-hour curfew imposed by city authorities that lasted until Wednesday morning.

Russian troops also continued the siege of Mariupol, after defenders of the southern port city rejected demands to surrender, with fleeing civilians describing the relentless bombardment and bodies lying in the streets. However, the Kremlin's ground offensives in other parts of the country have progressed slowly or not at all due to deadly hit-and-run attacks by Ukraine.

Early Tuesday, Ukrainian troops forced Russian troops out of Makariv on the outskirts of Kyiv after heavy fighting, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said. The regained territory allowed Ukrainian forces, to reclaim control of major highways and block Russian troops from surrounding Kyiv from the northwest.

However, the Defense Ministry said Russian troops fighting for Kyiv could gain control of parts of the other northwestern suburbs of Bucha, Hostomel, and Irpin, some of which have been under attack almost since the Russian military invaded nearly a month ago.

Russian troop tanks were destroyed in the vicinity of Kyiv. (Wikimedia Commons/armyinform.com.ua)

Meanwhile, officials in the city of Boryspil, which is close to Boryspil International Airport, tried to calm residents amid concerns about a possible impending attack by Russian forces pursuing their assault on the Ukrainian capital.

Mayor Volodymyr Borissenko last night called for people to leave the city. He said if the women and children left, it would be easier for the men to protect the city.

"There is no need to be in the city now because there is already fighting going on in the surrounding area. I ask the civilian population to be smart, call our call center, and leave the city as soon as there is a chance," he was quoted as saying by the Daily Sabah, March 23.

"Panic broke out on social media, tomorrow the attack will start, tomorrow the Boryspil will be destroyed," Ukrainian news agency UNIAN quoted an adviser to the interior minister, Vadym Denisenko, as saying on Ukrainian television early Tuesday.

According to Denisenko, there is now panic not only in Boryspil, a city of 60.000 people about 30 kilometers (18.64 miles) southeast of Kyiv, but also in the surrounding villages and the region around Kyiv.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's adviser, Oleksiy Arestovych, on Tuesday called Russia's attempt to seize control of Kyiv as 'suicide'. He also said active hostilities between Ukraine and Russia could end in two to three weeks.

US and British officials say Kyiv remains Russia's top destination. Most of Moscow's troops remain miles from the center, but missiles and artillery have destroyed buildings and structures.