Putin Likely To Overthrow Ukraine’s Government – US

• There are reports on Friday of explosions and an aircraft shot down over Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital
• Thousands of Ukrainians are fleeing cities on the frontline, heading west to quieter areas

EKO HOT BLOG reports that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he is “convinced” that Russian president Vladimir Putin will try to overthrow the government of Ukraine.

In an interview with US broadcaster ABC, Blinken said it was “part of the Russian plan” to assault the capital Kyiv and other major cities in Ukraine, along with launching a multi-pronged attack on the country from the north, east and south borders.

Read also: Ukraine In Pictures After Russia’s First Strike [PHOTOS]

Blinken said a Russian attack beyond Ukraine was “a possibility”, but reiterated the US’ commitment towards defending its Nato allies, warning that “an attack on one member of Nato is an attack on all members of Nato”.

“The President’s been very clear that we will defend every inch of Nato territory. I think that’s the most powerful deterrent against President Putin going beyond Ukraine,” he said.

Blinken also reiterated US President Joe Biden’s position that the possibility of expanding existing US sanctions to target Putin directly was still “on the table”, if the situation were to escalate.

It follows frontline battles all across the country, with fighting most heavy in the east, around Kharkiv, but also present in the north, and around the southern Black Sea cities of Odesa

One battle occurred at the radioactive Chernobyl nuclear site in the north, which fell to Russian forces. The US says Ukrainian soldiers are being held hostage there.

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