Russian offensive slows, says Ukraine, as residents flee bombed-out cities

  • Russian offensive significantly slower, says Ukraine
  • Second senior Russian commander killed, says Ukraine
  • Frightened residents flee cradling babies and pets
  • Oil price rises as U.S. considers Russia import ban
  • Russia warns it could turn off gas pipeline to Germany

LVIV/IRPIN, Ukraine, March 8 (Reuters) – Russia’s offensive in Ukraine continued but at a significantly slower pace on Tuesday and a second senior Russian commander had been killed, Ukrainian military and intelligence said, as frightened residents fled bombed-out cities.

In the city of Irpin, on the northwest edge of Kyiv, residents ran with their young children in strollers, or cradling babies in arms, while others carried pet carriers and plastic bags and suitcases.

“It’s like a disaster, the city is almost ruined, and the district where I’m living, it’s like there are no houses which were not bombed,” said one young mother, holding a baby beneath a blanket, while her daughter stood by her side.

“Yesterday was the hardest bombing, and the lights and sound is so scary, and the whole building is shaking.”

Ukraine’s military intelligence said on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces killed a Russian general near the besieged city of Kharkiv, the second Russian senior commander to die in the invasion.

Major General Vitaly Gerasimov, first deputy commander of Russia’s 41st army, was killed on Monday, the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s defence ministry said in a statement.

Ukraine’s general staff of the armed forces said the Russian offensive continues although at a significantly slower pace.

Russia’s defence ministry could not be immediately reached for comment and Reuters could not verify the reports.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/top-wrap-1-russia-warns-oil-import-ban-little-progress-is-made-ukraine-talks-2022-03-08/

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