Russia To Prioritise Encircling Kyiv: UK

London, March 21: Ukrainian capital Kyiv is still Russia’s primary objective and its forces are likely to prioritise attempting to encircle the city over the coming weeks, the UK Defence Ministry said on Monday.

In a series of tweets, the Ministry said: “Heavy fighting continues north of Kyiv.” The Ministry said a large number of Russian forces were over 25 km from the centre of the capital.

“Russian forces advancing on the city from the north-east have stalled. Forces advancing from the direction of Hostomel to the north-west have been repulsed by fierce Ukrainian resistance. The bulk of Russian forces remain more than 25 km from the centre of the city,” the Defence Ministry said. “Despite the continued lack of progress, Kyiv remains Russia’s primary military objective and they are likely to prioritise attempting to encircle the city over the coming weeks,” it said.