Russia faces ‘more opposition than expected’ in Kiev, US official says

• Russian forces are moving slower than expected

• The main investments are in Kiev, Kharkiv and Kherson

• Russia has not yet picked up the ‘major cities’

Russian forces advanced on Friday in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, but “encountered more resistance than expected,” a U.S. defense official said.

“I can not give an exact geographical location of where they are, but they did not get around Kiev as fast as they predicted,” he said.

According to the official, the Russians “continue to try to move over Kiev” in defiance of Ukrainian opposition.

Russian operations through the Ukrainian territory continue in the Kharkiv region and in the south, and by river through the Kerson region. According to officials, these were the three main attacks by the Russians.

“There have been no airstrikes in the last 24 hours in the Kharkiv region,” he added.

The official says the biggest change in the U.S. view from yesterday to today has progressed through southern Ukraine. Despite advancing across the river, part of the Russian forces diverged to serve in the northeastern part of the country, “in the direction of Mariupol and Donbass.”

Ukraine controls the ‘major cities’

Despite the presence of the Ukrainian capital Kiev, the advance of Russian forces on Friday (25) was considered a “limited advance”.

“Fighting continues in key areas. Russia has made limited progress so far this Friday and Ukraine is still in control of key cities, “said the UK Defense Ministry.

The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a Russian military base. So far, however, there have been no signs of attacks against the city of Lviv.