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Residents of the Ukrainian capital are preparing for a huge convoy of Russian tanks and armored vehicles to rush into the city. However, this convoy has been stopped for three days just miles outside of Kyiv.
“They are not… of our best estimates have not made significant geographical progress in the last 24 to 36 hours and again nothing special. you will do it, “Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday.
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The convoy, which is about 40 miles long, was stopped about 20 miles outside of Kyiv. The threatening convoy could surround the capital and prevent anyone from leaving by besieging the key city.
Kirby said the detention of the convoy could be reduced to three reasons: the Russians were “deliberately” overestimating their progress and devising a strategy to make up for lost time; unexpected logistical challenges haunt the Russians’ plan.
“And three, they are receiving resistance from the Ukrainians. We have some indications – nothing that we can verify 100 percent independently – but we have some indications that the Ukrainians have actually tried to slow down this convoy. And we have no reason to doubt these reports. but again, we can’t talk about them to a large extent, “Kirby said.
It is alleged that Ukrainian forces struck the convoy using Ukrainian Su-24 and Su-25 fighters, as well as rocket fire, Ukrainian brig. This was said to the Military Times on Wednesday morning by General Kirilo Budanov.
“We strike at the enemy’s columns,” Budanov said. “We’re burning a lot of enemy columns.”
“My scouts and agents are leading and appointing strikes,” he said.
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The UK Ministry of Defense found on Thursday that the convoy had stopped in part due to mechanical damage.
“The main part of the large Russian column advancing towards Kyiv remains more than 30 kilometers from the city center, as it has been delayed by strong Ukrainian resistance, mechanical damage and congestion,” the ministry said in a tweet.
There have also been reports that Russian troops are facing food and fuel shortages, which could help keep the convoy closer to Kyiv.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Facebook post Wednesday night that morale among Russian fighters had fallen and he claimed some were fleeing Ukraine.
“More and more occupiers are fleeing back to Russia, from us, from you … we are a nation that shattered the enemy’s plans in a week – plans that have been built for years,” he said.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – MARCH 1: Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is seen on screen as he addresses the European Parliament Assembly on March 1, 2022 in Brussels, Belgium. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said: “We pay such a price to have the same rights as you.” (Photo by Thierry Monasse / Getty Images)
Although the convoy is not moving, Kyiv and Kharkiv are under constant attack by Russian forces.
Kyiv and Kharkiv are “constantly under attack” but without “noticeable movement by Russians to take control” of those areas, a U.S. defense official said on Wednesday.
Explosions shook the Ukrainian capital early Thursday morning. Zelenski’s office attributes a rocket blast near the capital’s southern railway station.
Russian troops continue to attack Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, including by air. Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said the city is still strong.
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Russian forces have also besieged two Ukrainian seaports, Kherson and Mariupol, as residents of the Odessa seaport prepare for a major attack.
As the fighting continues, the number of people fleeing Ukraine exceeded 1 million on Thursday, according to the UN refugee agency. The number marks the fastest displacement of refugees this century.
Audrey Conklin of the Associated Press and Fox News contributed to this report.