Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov holding a briefing, on February 27, 2022. AFP
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Monday that Kyiv residents can safely use a highway leading to Vasylkiv just southwest of the Ukrainian capital.
The statement came as fighting raged in various parts of the Ukrainian capital, with Ukrainian authorities saying that they were fighting small groups of Russian forces in various sectors of the capital.
"We appeal to the people of Kyiv. All civilians in the city can freely leave the capital of Ukraine along the Kyiv-Vasilkov (Vasylkiv) highway. This route is open and safe," Konashenkov, said in a statement.
"Once again, I want to emphasize that the armed forces of the Russian Federation strike only military targets. The civilian population is not in danger" he added.
Konashenkov charged that Ukrainian "nationalists'' were deploying military equipment using the city residents as shields, the allegations that can't be independently verified. Despite Russian military claims that it wasn't targeting populated areas, residential buildings, hospitals and schools have been hit all across Ukraine during the Russian invasion that began Thursday.
Konashenkov also announced new land gains, saying Russian troops have taken control of the area around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in the south, noting that the plant was safe and the radiation levels in the area have remained normal.
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