Russia Asks Kyiv Residents To Leave Ahead Of Strikes On Intelligence Facilities

A massive 40-mile long Russian military convoy -- made up of armoured vehicles, tanks, towed artillery and other logistical vehicles -- have reached the outskirts of Kyiv.

Rescuers respond to shelling by Russian troops of central Kharkiv (Getty Images)

New Delhi: Russia asked civilians in Ukraine's capital Kyiv to leave the city as it warned of strikes against intelligence facilities, AFP reported.

The Russian Defence Ministry said it would target the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the 72nd Main Centre for Information and Psychological Operations (PSO) in Kyiv.

"In order to suppress information attacks against Russia, the technological facilities of the SBU and the 72nd main PSO centre in Kiev will be hit with high-precision weapons," the statement said.

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"We call on Ukrainian citizens attracted by Ukrainian nationalists to carry out provocations against Russia, as well as residents of Kiev living near relay nodes to leave their homes," it said.

Citing satellite images, CNN reported that a massive 40-mile long Russian military convoy -- made up of armoured vehicles, tanks, towed artillery and other logistical vehicles -- had reached the outskirts of Kyiv.

Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly accused the Russian military of carrying out strikes on residential areas in several cities, including the eastern city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. However, Russia has maintained that it does not target civilians.

Social media videos, photos and satellite images have shown that on several occasions, densely populated areas have been hit by Russian forces, CNN reported.

Russian forces bombarded the central square in Kharkiv and other civilian sites on Tuesday as its invasion of Ukraine entered its sixth day. Ukraine said up to 350 civilians have been killed since Russia invaded.