A large Russian military convoy near Kiev

Satellite images taken Monday in Ukraine show a large Russian military convoy extending more than 60 kilometers northwest of the capital Kiev, a key military target for Russia in the offensive in Ukraine.

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The convoy “stretches around the Antonov airport in the south (about 25 km from central Kiev) around Priybirsk in the north,” American satellite imagery company Maxer said in an email Monday evening.

The airport has been the scene of violent clashes since Russia launched its offensive against Ukraine, and Vladimir Putin’s army has been trying to seize this strategic infrastructure to seize the capital.

AFP

The convoy, captured by satellite imagery, stretches for about 64 kilometers, “Maxer adds,” some vehicles are sometimes too far from each other and military equipment is two or three miles away in other parts.

AFP

Pictures of the convoy show dozens and dozens of vehicles lined up one behind the other on the roads in the Ukrainian countryside, with occasional smoke and traces of fire, according to the company.

AFP

The American company is also broadcasting images of new troop deployments – attack helicopters and ground vehicles – in Belarus, less than thirty kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

AFP

Since the start of the Russian offensive on Thursday, Ukrainian forces have so far defended the entry of Russian troops into central Kiev, the attack “slowed down” on the fifth day and gathered around the capital.

According to two sources interviewed by the AFP on Monday, one is diplomatic and the other is security, with Moscow preparing to launch a new military push imminent.

AFP

On Monday, the main Russian column heading towards the Ukrainian capital “advanced about five kilometers” and was about “about 25 kilometers” from the city, a senior American defense official predicted the day before.