A senior US Defense Department official says Russian forces are within roughly 15 kilometers from the center of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the official noted that the troops are advancing from the northwest. The official added that they had apparently advanced about 5 kilometers in the past 24 hours.

The official also said another line of troops are advancing from the northeast and are likely to be about 40 kilometers from the capital.

The official said yet another line of troops, which have been advancing from the north, are apparently still fighting with Ukrainian forces in the northern city of Chernihiv.

The official noted that while the Russian military appears to be attempting to encircle Kyiv, the Ukrainian side has been putting up strong resistance. The person added that it has yet to be estimated when the Russian forces will reach the center of the capital.

The official said the Russian forces had conducted more than 775 missile launches as of Thursday. The official condemned Russia for its increased aerial bombings and for targeting populated areas.