Almost 200 Ukrainians killed as fighting reaches Kyiv streets

A death toll of at least 198 is being reported.

Almost 200 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed due to "Russian aggression", according to Ukraine's Health Minister. The death toll of at least 198, reported by Health Minister Viktor Lyashko on Facebook, came as the battle reached the streets of Kyiv. Residents were told to seek shelter and avoid going near windows or on balconies with Russian troops trying to claim the capital. Ukrainians have also been instructed to make molotov cocktails to help fight off the invaders. Lyashko also said that 1,115 people have been wounded, including 33 children, during the invasion but it is unclear if this is only civilian casualties. Earlier, Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko said 35 people, including two children, were injured in fighting in the capital overnight. The news comes as 27 nations, including the UK, other European countries, and the US, agreed to give more weapons, medical supplies and other military aid to Ukraine, Sky News reported. Meanwhile, Russia's defence ministry has claimed it has now captured the city of Melitopol - with Reuters stating that, if confirmed, it would the first significant population centre to be taken over since the invasion began on Thursday. On Friday, there were growing calls on the Irish Government from opposition parties to expel Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yuriy Filatov. In a tense interview on RTÉ's Six One News, presenter David McCullagh grilled the Ambassador over the invasion. It concluded with the presenter asking: "Why should our Government entertain your presence here when you're acting as an apologist for slaughter?" "It's a good question. You might ask that to your Government," Filatov replied. "It's up to them. I can leave anytime." Also on Friday, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar compared Russian President Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler. Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime, The Tánaiste said what is taking place in Ukraine currently is an "atrocity" and that he believes it resembles "what happened to Czechoslovakia in 1939". "We knew that Putin was a bad man," he told the programme. "We've known that for a long time now but we didn't think that he would be the Hitler of the 21st century." "And I think he is putting himself into that space."