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Russia has released its 2nd echelon troops from Belarus for another push on Kyiv tonight (Ukraine time).
The Ukrainians know that they're coming.
Artillery prep fire has already begun...
Sound of small arms fire around the city. That'll be the Spetsnaz troops trapped last night.
And/or...
Armed civilians with itchy trigger fingers.
Ukrainian Air Force chief says they have shot down a Russian IL-76 transport plane with paratroopers on board south of Kyiv.
No images, evidence or independent confirmation of the above at the moment.
It would be a change in Russian tactics if so. Thus far all Russian ABN troops landed in Ukraine have arrived by helicopter.
The Russians were spotted on satellite massing a new group of transport and gunship helicopters in Belarus.
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Key bridge outside of Odessa blown up by Ukr defenders.
No word (yet) of Russian movement along any of the previous axis of attack.
1:55am Ukraine time. Light rain and 37F temps.
Heavy fighting reported near Vasylkiv south of Kyiv, where Russia is trying to set up a landing force.
This is in the same area as the claimed Il-76 shoot down.
(At the cross marker on the map.)
For those folks who were wondering how Ukraine's air force was flying after their airfields were blown up or cratered.
They don't need airfields or runways. All they need is a long enough straight stretch of highway and some trees to hide the planes.
