Crucial period ahead as massive Russian convoy closes in on Kyiv

A massive Russian column was closing in on Kyiv Tuesday, with US officials warning Russia’s sheer numbers could be able to overcome the Ukrainian resistance.

The 40-mile-long (64-kilometer) Russian military convoy made up of armoured vehicles, tanks, towed artillery and other logistical vehicles has reached the outskirts of Ukraine’s capital, according to satellite images from Maxar Technologies. 

Maxar said it saw plumes of smoke rising from a number of homes and buildings near the roads where the convoy is travelling, although it’s unclear what the cause was, reports CNN.

The new images come as US officials told lawmakers in classified briefings Monday that a second wave of Russian troops will likely consolidate the country’s positions within Ukraine, and by sheer numbers could be able to overcome the Ukrainian resistance, according to two people familiar with the briefings.

“That part was disheartening,” one lawmaker told CNN.

The Russian convoy is seen along with smoke rising from what appears to be burning homes, northwest of Invankiv, Ukraine.

The stark warning came as Ukraine appealed to the international community to come to its aid, negotiations were held between Russian and Ukrainian officials, and Moscow scrambled to prevent financial meltdown as its economy was slammed by sanctions imposed over the invasion.

Already, more than 400 civilians have been killed or injured since Moscow’s unprovoked assault on its neighbour began Thursday, according to the United Nations, and Ukraine’s leader has accused Russia of committing war crimes by targeting civilians.

But US officials fear the worst is yet to come. US officials who were previously surprised by the fierce Ukrainian resistance that saw regular citizens take up arms now fear that the situation is becoming “a lot more challenging” for the Ukrainians.

US officials told the briefing Monday that Russia would likely lay siege to Kyiv, leading to ugly scenes of urban warfare, one of the people familiar with the matter said.

In Kherson, where the Ukrainian military resisted a Russian onslaught for days, Ukrainian defensive lines appear to have fallen and Russian military vehicles have now been seen driving inside the city.

After a meeting on Capitol Hill on Monday where the Ukrainian ambassador to the US requested more weapons, high-ranking US Republican Senator Jim Risch said Ukraine was struggling.

“It’s David versus Goliath,” he said.