New Delhi: Russian Defence Ministry on Monday said that "peaceful" civilians in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv can leave the city freely. The Russian representative also chalked out the safe way for civilians to leave the country.
The Russian representative, while speaking at the UNSC Meeting on the Ukraine-Russia crisis, said, “All peaceful citizens of Kyiv can leave the capital of Ukraine without hindrance via Kyiv-Vasilkov road which is open and safe.”
He further added, “Over 5 days of operation, there hasn't been a single documented case of targetted destruction or evidence of the death of civilians caused by the Russian military... people are trying to blame us for what's being done by Ukraine itself.”
The statement comes as the Russian forces have reached near Kyiv. On Monday, multiple explosions were heard from Ukraine’s second most populated city Kharkiv.
Kharkiv’s regional governor said on Monday that at least 11 civilians were killed and dozens were injured in the Russian assault.
According to a report by the Ukrainian health ministry on WION, until Sunday, around 352 civilians including 14 children have been killed since the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia is being isolated by the western allies. Many Western countries including the EU have levelled sanctions on Russia and banned their airspace for the country.
On Monday, a peace talk between Russia and Ukraine at the Belarus border concluded with no solid solution. However, another round of such talks is expected soon.