Battle for the capital Kiev broke out

Despite fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces, the Russian attackers have achieved success on various fronts. Their main goal is to overrun the capital, Kiev, and thereby leave the Ukrainian state without a leader.

Ukrainian soldiers take up defensive positions in downtown Kiev on Friday.

Emilio Morenatti / AP

48 hours – that was the recent forecast by the American secret services of how long it would take Russia in the event of a major attack to capture the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and to overthrow the government of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. However, even on the second day of the war, the defenders of Kiev held up well. The city of three million was the target of enemy rocket attacks from morning to evening on Friday. The first Russian units also advanced to the northern quarter of Obolon.