Kyiv latest: 40-mile convoy of Russian military vehicles heading to Ukraine’s capital, satellite images show

A Russian military convoy stretching for 40 miles has been pictured heading to Kyiv, latest satellite images show.

The deployment of hundreds of military vehicles can be seen advancing towards Ukraine’s capital in an image released by Maxar Technologies, a private US company.

Maxar told CNN the large military fleet consisted of armoured vehicles, tanks, towed artillery and other logistical vehicles.

Other satellite images show additional ground forces fighting outside the city and smoke rising from homes and buildings close to where the line of military vehicles is located.

The convoy is significantly longer than had been previously estimated, following the collection and analysis of new satellite imagery by Maxar.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has now entered its sixth day, and while experts and world leaders say Vladimir Putin’s forces have not made gains as quickly as he has hoped, Russia shows no inclination to retreat.

“Barbaric rocket attacks and MLRS [multiple launch rocket systems attacks on] peaceful cities are evidence that they are no longer able to fight armed Ukrainians,” Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Facebook.

In an intelligence update published on Tuesday, the UK Ministry of Defence said the Russian advance had made “little progress” over the past 24 hours,.

The MoD added: “Russian forces have increased their use of artillery north of Kyiv and in vicinities of Kharkiv and Chernihiv. The use of heavy artillery in densely populated urban areas greatly increases the risk of civilian casualties.”

The Russian advance to Kyiv comes after peace talks between delegates from Ukraine and Russia, in the Gomel region at the Belarusian border, ended with no breakthrough on Monday.

Ahead of the peace talks Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that he was not optimistic they would lead to an end to the fighting.

Mr Zelensky said: “I do not really believe in the outcome of this meeting, but let them try, so that later not a single citizen of Ukraine has any doubt that I, as President, tried to stop the war.”

Some had hoped the peace talks would lead to a ceasefire but heavy shelling did not relent during the discussions, with the city of Kharkiv severely hit.

Ukrainian officials said 11 people were killed and dozens more injured in Kharkiv on Monday.

On Tuesday, Kharkiv region head Oleg Synegubov said Russian missile attacks had hit the centre of city.

Air raid sirens sounded and people remaining in the city were urged to take refuge in underground shelters.

A new round of talks is set to take place but a date has not been announced.