Kharkiv air raids ‘blitz tower blocks’ amid fears for nuclear site as Ukraine braces for new ‘second-wave offensive’

KYIV and Kharkiv have come under bombardment tonight as murderous Vladimir Putin hammers residential homes ahead a second-wave offensive. Missiles are raining down after a day of true horror, which saw a mum and her two children killed as they desperately tried to flee and Russian troops fire on a nuclear site. GettyKharkiv and Kyiv are under fresh bombardment tonight as Russian forces murder helpless citizens[/caption] GettyTens of thousands of people are trying to flee the frontline amid unspeakable atrocities in Ukraine[/caption] AFPExperts have warned Putin will redouble his aggressive efforts after a heroic defence from Ukrainians[/caption] APIn Irpin, a mother and her two young children were killed by merciless troops as they tried to escape[/caption] Russia has now gathered enough troops to try and topple the capital within days, Ukraine says. Thousands of people have rushed to train stations in a bid to escape the city, while others have packed only the essentials as they escape on foot. Terrifying video, believed to have been filmed in Kharkiv, shows the moment a high-rise block of flats was blasted. Throughout the city, snowy streets are paved with glass blown from windows and debris torn from the earth by missiles. Another clip records the constant rumble of bombing in the distance. Presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovich said areas under bombardment tonight include the outskirts of Kyiv, Chernihiv in the north, Mykolaiv in the south, and Kharkiv. Just hours ago, Russian forces were accused of firing rockets at a facility with a nuclear reactor. Mad Vlad’s army are said to have fired unguided rockets at the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology. It comes as: Boris Johnson is to present a six-point plan of action to world leaders on how to deal with Putin Ukraine claims it has now killed 11,000 Russian soldiers as yesterday nine of Putin’s aircraft were shot downPutin issued a direct threat to the UK as he raged at sanctions “akin to a declaration of war”SAS and US commandos are reportedly training for a rescue mission to save President Volodymyr ZelenskyyVisa and Mastercard suspended operations in Russia dealing Putin another major blowCancer-stricken kids are trapped in war-torn Ukraine – as doctors tell them the bombs are just fireworksHeartbreaking pictures show the extent of Ukraine’s refugee crisis – with 1.5million fleeing for their livesBritish firms helping Putin’s henchmen must face the full force of the law, said David Davis MP Russia’s defence ministry claimed Ukraine has mined the reactor site and is planning a “provocation” – leading to fears its soldiers could fire on the building and then blame the sovereign nation for the resulting devastation. Tinpot despot Putin has also said Ukraine itself is to blame for the slaughter – and said Russia’s invasion could halt if Kyiv ceases hostilities. In reality, his deranged campaign has razed affluent cities and suburbs to the ground and resulted in thousands of deaths on both sides. Tens of thousands remained trapped in the besieged port city of Mariupol when he broke a ceasefire for the second day running yesterday. Desperate residents were struggling with a fifth day of no water or power after an evacuation failed, just as it did on Saturday. Vadym Boychenko, mayor of the Black Sea port, said: “They’re destroying us.” The UK’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that Putin’s forces had promised to let people escape – but once again Russian shelling resumed before refugees could leave. In Irpin, near Kyiv, at least eight people were killed as merciless troops fired on families fleeing the frontline. A mother and her two children – one of whom was an eight-year-old girl – died as they attempted to cross the river. Only the father and the family dog survived. Read our Russia – Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates And the train station in Kyiv was packed with people desperate to escape as explosions rocked the city. The station in Lviv, in the west, was also crammed as people queued through the night in a bid to make it to Poland. Elsewhere, Putin’s men have been accused of dropping 500kg bombs on civilians in Chernihiv. Video also showed rocket launchers firing in Peremoha some 40 miles from the capital. They appear to be aiming towards Kyiv. Thousands continue to flee their homes in Europe’s biggest refugee exodus since World War Two. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said more than 1.5 million people had been driven out since the start of the war — with the number likely to hit four million by July. He branded it a “senseless war” and added: “Unless there is an immediate end to the conflict, millions more are likely to be forced to flee Ukraine.” Putin’s main objective remains the capture of Kyiv. DAY OF HORROR Tonight, Vadym Denysenko, advisor to interior minister of Ukraine, told the Kyiv Independent: “Russian occupiers gathered sufficient troops near Kyiv and will try to seize the capital in the next few days.” Around 30 Tochka-U tactical missile systems have been brought to Belarus from Russia. As the onslaught continues Ukraine claims that Russia has lost 11,000 troops and more than 2,000 army vehicles – although US intelligence says the number of the dead is around 4,500. However, Putin is believed to have been deeply shocked by the ferocity of the Ukrainians. In just a single day on Saturday, he is believed to have lost nine aircraft. Britain’s Chief of the Defence Staff said yesterday the Kremlin had “got itself into a mess” over the invasion. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme that morale in the Russian forces was low and that the Kremlin had lost more troops in a week than the UK did in 20 years in Afghanistan. “We do know that some of the lead elements of Russian forces have been decimated by the Ukrainian response,” he said. But he warned aggression will ramp up as Putin struggles with his objectives. Most read in The Sun COLD-BLOODED MURDER Mum, son and girl, 8, killed as double-crossing Russians shell refugees STAGE FRIGHT Rocketman star Taron Egerton collapses on stage during show's opening night games shame Russian gymnast wears ‘Z’ war symbol on podium next to Ukrainian athlete KATE'S FEARS Kate Garraway suffers fresh blow with husband Derek Draper MAKE SCENT Cleaning fan uses fabric softener in reed diffusers to make homes smell heavenly MECK IT WORK Lucy Meck shows off baby bump as Ryan's Corrie ex is accused of smashing car Russia is being strangled by Western sanctions, which Putin raged were almost a “declaration of war” against them. And he also warned that anyone who attempts to enforce a no fly zone over Ukraine will be considered to have entered the conflict. Russia has issued a direct threat to Britain saying it “will not forget” support for Ukraine and warning of “tough retaliation”. ReutersA father carries his daughter in his arms as a fire rages behind them[/caption] APIrpin has been razed to the ground by the bombardment[/caption] Twitter / Verkhovna Rada of UkraineMarina Yatsko and her partner Fedor rushed their 18-month-old son to hospital in Mariupol. The little one didn’t survive his injuries[/caption] AFPThe scene in Kharkiv is one of complete devastation[/caption] AFPSergyi Badylevych, 41, hugs his wife Natalia and their baby in an underground metro station used as bomb shelter in Kyiv[/caption]