Russian forces seize Chernobyl reactor

Russian troops seized the Chernobyl nuclear power plant,  despite the warning from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky: “Our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated,” Mr Zelensky tweeted. “This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe.”

Kyiv also warns that Moscow will try to topple and replace government institutions sooner than expected, as  airborne Russian troops captured Antonov international airport on outskirts of the capital. The mayor of Kyiv ordered a curfew after Russian tanks were sighted inside the city.

Russia claims it has destroyed “over 70 military targets”, including 11 airfields.

Ukraine’s armed forces have been ordered to repel the invasion by inflicting “maximum losses” on the enemy, Major General Valeriy Zaluzhn said.