Russian strike hits TV tower in Kyiv, leaving five dead

Five people were killed after an apparent Russian airstrike hit Kyiv's main television tower in the heart of the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, knocking out some state broadcasting but leaving the structure intact.

After a blast sounded around the city and smoke was seen rising in the Babi Yar district, the interior ministry said equipment had been damaged and “channels won't work for a while”.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry warned that television channels will temporarily stop working, but backup broadcasts may return shortly, according to a translation of a tweet from the agency’s official account.

A senior US Defense official appeared to reference the attack later Tuesday morning.

“We’ve seen open press images of at least one strike on a government building in Kyiv. But that’s the only one that I’m aware of,” the person, who spoke on condition of anonimity, told reporters.

The alleged strike comes as recent satellite imagery appear to show a miles-long convoy of Russian military forces headed toward Kyiv, spreading fears that Ukraine’s capital city could soon face a full-scale assault. Russia has set its sights on Kyiv since it invaded its neighbor last week.

A senior U.S. Defense official appeared to reference the attack later Tuesday morning.

“We’ve seen open press images of at least one strike on a government building in Kyiv. But that’s the only one that I’m aware of,” the person, who spoke on condition of anonimity, told reporters.

The alleged strike comes as recent satellite imagery appear to show a miles-long convoy of Russian military forces headed toward Kyiv, spreading fears that Ukraine’s capital city could soon face a full-scale assault. Russia has set its sights on Kyiv since it invaded its neighbor last week.

But the U.S. official also said there are indications that the Russian move on Kyiv has stalled, and that some Russian units have surrendered without a fight.

Fighting has already shaken other Ukrainian cities such as Kharkiv, which lies to the east of Kyiv near the Russian border. Residents seeking cover from Russian bombs and shelling have fled underground into the city’s metro stations.

SOURCE: CNBC