Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov (pictured) revealed on Monday that the Russian Air Force gained control over the sky over Ukraine. He also told reporters that Russia destroyed eight Buk M-1 combat vehicles, S-300 and Buk M-1 air defense systems, three radio positions with P-14 stations, four combat aircraft on the ground and one in the air over the previous 24 hours and confirmed that the cities of Berdyansk and Energodar are now controlled by Russians.
Additionally, the Russian official said that all Kiev civilians "can freely leave" the city using the Kiev-Vasilkov highway. He reiterated that Russian forces do not target civilians but added that the civilian population is being used as a human shield, as the Ukrainian authorities are placing artillery in residential areas. The purpose of the Kiev curfew is to force its residents to stay in their homes, exposing them to further dangers, Konashenkov also claimed, adding that "armed gangs of marauders, robbers and nationalists are rampaging in Kiev" after the authorities decided to give weapons to the population without any control.
