Ukrainian TV tower taken out in Russian airstrike, officials say

At least five people were killed in Ukraine on Tuesday after an airstrike targeted Kyiv’s central TV broadcasting antenna and the country’s main Holocaust memorial – soon after Russia had warned residents to flee their homes.

The strikes, which crippled the country’s TV stations, also injured five people, Ukraine’s State Service for Emergency Situations said.

Harrowing footage captured the moment the huge TV antenna erupted into a ball of flames.

Ukrainian television stations stopped broadcasting just moments after local media first reported the explosions at the Kyiv TV tower, which carries both television and radio broadcasts.

The attack on Tuesday came as a massive column of Russian armor continued to push for the capital city. As of midday Tuesday, Russian forces were within 17 miles of Kyiv’s city center.

Russia’s defense ministry had earlier said it was planning to strike targets in Kyiv used by Ukraine’s security services.

Without giving specific locations, the Russian ministry urged residents to evacuate their homes.

Russian forces have stepped up the intensity of their artillery attacks in recent days, and begun using heavier weapons. New York Post