Ukraine forces stop Russia taking key airfield near Kyiv 'they'd wanted since day one'

Russia has yet to take a key airfield in Ukraine they thought they'd capture within a day, the UK's Ministry of Defence has said.

Vladimir Putin launched an all-out attempt to invade Ukraine on Thursday, but according to intelligence reports his troops has yet to make any significant gains as Ukrainians desperately fight them off.

Russia had claimed to have taken Hostomel Airport – also known as Antonov Airport – on Thursday.

The strategically vital airport, just 10km outside of Kyiv, has a long runway which can land heavy-lift transport planes, potentially meaning Russia could airlift soldiers to the outskirts of the capital.

But Ukraine snatched it back within hours as Russian forces attempted to take a number of locations across the country.

Read more: Putin orders nuclear alert as Ukraine fiercely resists Russian invasion

The Ministry of Defence said in a tweet: “The bulk of Putin’s ground forces remain more than 30km to the north of Kyiv their advance having been slowed by Ukrainian forces defending Hostomel airfield, a key Russian objective for day one of the conflict."

It added: “Heavy fighting continues around Chernihiv and Kharkiv however both cities remain under Ukrainian control.

“Logistical failures and staunch Ukrainian resistance continue to frustrate the Russian advance.

“Despite continued attempts to suppress details of the conflict from the Russian population, the Russian Armed Forces has for the first time been forced to acknowledge suffering casualties.”

Reports have suggested Putin believed Ukraine would fall within 48 hours, but after facing fierce opposition from the Ukrainians, the conflict has entered day five.

UK defence secretary Ben Wallace told Sky News that the Russia invasion is now "behind schedule", and left troops in "disarray."

"They based all of this on this sort of bizarre assumption that the Ukrainians would welcome them as liberators, well president Putin has taken that assumption, and now that's not the case that's causing them to pause. It's causing them logistical trouble," he said.

Read more: Stage set for Belarus peace talks after Putin puts nuclear forces on high alert

While Putin may have planned a swift victory, it seems he may have underestimated the ferocity of the Ukrainian defence and their leader.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Velenskyy – a former TV comedian and actor – has become one of the most recognisable faces in the world, and garnered admiration for his determination in beating Russia.

When the US offered him an evacuation out of Kyiv, he declined, telling them: "I need ammunition, not a ride."

Putin ordered Russia's nuclear forces on to high alert on Sunday, in response to what he said was "unfriendly" steps from the West.

Wallace said this was a “big attempt to distract away from his troubles in Ukraine”.

The defence secretary did not rule out Putin launching a nuclear attack, and was asked on Sky News whether the Russian leader was “crazy enough” to start a nuclear conflict.

Wallace responded: “I think he has certainly done a lot of irrational things recently.”

He added: “I think I’m not going to speculate on what he would or wouldn’t do, but that’s why we all keep our deterrents at a state of readiness in the West.”

Read more: Who is president Volodymyr Zelenskyy - Russia's 'enemy number one'?

In response to the aggression, much of the world has placed tough sanctions on Russia, cause the ruble to plunge to an all-time low, wreaking havoc on the Russian economy.

The ruble sank nearly 26% against the US dollar early on Monday morning, trading at a record low 105.27 per dollar (£78.95).

It comes after Western nations moved to block Russian banks from the Swift payment system.