Joe Biden signs order to provide $600m military assistance to Ukraine

Up to $350m would be in military aid, while remaining is for ‘overall assistance’

US president Joe Biden has signed an order to provide up to $600m (£448m) in “immediate military assistance’’ to Ukraine, as Russia wages war against the country.

Ukraine is under Russian invasion for the third day on Saturday, with no signs of talks between Moscow and Kyiv to resolve the conflict.

He instructed secretary of state Antony Blinken to release up to $350m “in defence articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training” under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The remaining 250m would be for “overall assistance”, according to the memo released by the White House.

The order came after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly turned down the US government’s request to evacuate capital city Kyiv as it came under Russian attack.

Earlier, Mr Biden and Mr Zelensky spoke about strengthening sanctions against Russia and providing defence assistance to Kyiv.

Heavy street fighting against Russian troops is underway in Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv as officials urged locals to take immediate shelter. The Russian troops reached Kyiv early on Saturday morning, attacking a military base in the city, as well as attempting to capture an electricity generation station.

Reuters has reported that Kyiv has been struck by two missiles in the southwest areas of the city centre.

Ukrainians have been asked to avoid going near windows or on balconies and be cautious against getting hit by debris or bullets.

The attack came just hours after Ukrainian president Mr Zelensky had predicted Russian troops would mount a major attack on the city overnight.