Kyiv mayor says heavy fighting around Ukrainian capital

There are reports of heavy fighting to the north and west of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

“With extreme rage, the enemy destroys Bucha, Hostomel, Vorzel, Irpin. They deliberately kill civilians,” Mayor Vitali Klitschko tells CNN.

It is unclear if the fighting is impacting the Russian-declared evacuation corridor from the city, which has in any case been rejected by Ukrainian authorities because it leads to Belarus.

“We are doing everything in the capital to support the city, to create a reserve of food, medicines, essential goods. We distribute and provide aid to those who need it the most today. Humanitarian aid was also sent to Chernihiv,” Klitschko says.

“We are trying to deliver it to Bucha and Hostomel. We are forming humanitarian cargoes for some other cities. The capital is preparing for defense. I ask all Kyiv residents to keep calm, to stay at home, or — in case of alarm — in shelters,” he says.