Newspaper headlines: Battle for Kyiv as 'Russian forces descend'
- Published
Ukrainian soldiers take positions in central Kyiv
The same photograph - of Ukrainian soldiers lying or kneeling on a bridge in Kyiv, guns at the ready - appears on many front pages.
The Daily Mail, external says the image is a "sight you never thought you'd see in a modern European capital".
The Sun, external describes the troops as "the thin blue and yellow line" - a reference to the colours of Ukraine's flag.
The city is the focus of most headlines.
"The battle for Kyiv" says the Daily Telegraph, external, while the Guardian has, external "Kyiv on the brink".
For the Daily Mail, Kyiv is "the City of Courage". And the Daily Express describes, external the Ukrainians as "Fearless".
The Times, external and the Telegraph say, external Western leaders fear Vladimir Putin could use devastating thermobaric rockets because fierce resistance by Ukrainians has slowed the Russian advance.
The Telegraph says the rockets are understood to have been taken into Ukraine but have not yet been used.
The Times says they are also known as vacuum bombs because they suck oxygen into powerful blasts.
According to the Guardian, Ukrainians are preparing a last-ditch defence of Kyiv with barricades and calls for civilians to arm themselves with petrol bombs.
A Western intelligence source has told FT Weekend , externalthat the capital is likely to fall within days because the Ukrainian military - even though it is putting up a fight - will be overwhelmed by the arrival of tens of thousands of extra Russian troops.
The Guardian highlights American estimates that Moscow has so far committed only about a third of the attacking force it has mustered on Ukraine's borders in recent months.
Smoke and flames rise over during the shelling near Kyiv
The Daily Mirror's reporter, Andy Lines, describes, external how he joined the mass exodus from Kyiv towards Poland after he was told to leave his hotel because Russian tanks were nearby.
He says it took five hours and 38 minutes just to get out of the city as the road was clogged with cars, mini-buses, lorries, motorbikes and even tractors.
On the hard shoulder, he saw thousands of people walking, even though the Polish border is more than 300 miles away.
The Mail praises "lionhearted Ukrainians" but accuses EU leaders of cowardice for refusing to kick Russia out of the Swift payments system.
According to the Times, external, Boris Johnson pushed for the measure to be taken at Friday's virtual meeting of the G7, but Italy and Germany strongly resisted the proposal.
The Mail says, external Italy has made sure its luxury goods makers can continue to export to Russia and Belgium has secured a similar deal for its lucrative diamond trade.
A report in the FT Weekend says, external the energy company BP - which owns nearly one fifth of the Russian oil and gas producer, Rosneft - is under pressure to sell the stake.
The article says Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng summoned BP's chief executive, Bernard Looney, to express his concern because Rosneft is providing fuel to the Russian military.
But a big shareholder tells the paper the company would struggle to find a buyer for its stake.
The Guardian says, external a number of prominent Russians have gone public with their opposition to the war, despite the professional and personal risks that come with dissent.
A veteran newspaper journalist has been expelled from the diplomatic pool, after she wrote an open letter condemning the invasion.
Popular actors and musicians have also spoken out and have been punished, including the host of a popular talk-show on state television.
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