Russian forces have entered the key city of Kharkiv. 

The BBC reports that a number of Russian trucks have stormed the city boundaries and authorities have appealed for locals to stay at home. 

"The Russian enemy's light vehicles have broken into Kharkiv, including the city centre," regional Governor Oleh Sinegubov said. 

"We ask civilians not to go out."

Dear friend, your actions matter. Your voice can be decisive to strengthen Western resolve and protect the security of Ukraine, Europe and the democratic world. Act NOW! See thread with a few simple steps to support Ukraine 👇 pic.twitter.com/5MJx9hzJzs

— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) February 25, 2022

The city is Ukraine’s second biggest and holds a special place in Russia and Ukraine’s fractious history. 

Located only 25km from the border, in the worldview of Putin it is a prime example of why Ukraine belongs to Russia and why the nation’s independence is a historical anomaly. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council.

In the early years of the Soviet Union, troops based in Kharkiv were used to crush the independent Ukrainian People’s Republic based in Kyiv which sought to detach the country from Moscow rule. 

In his essay ‘On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians’ published last year, Putin pointedly referenced the short-lived republic: 

“For those who have today given up the full control of Ukraine to external forces, it would be instructive to remember that, back in 1918, such a decision proved fatal for the ruling regime in Kiev [sic].”

Main image: Azov Regiment veterans in Kharkiv hold the territorial defence drill for civilians under the slogan "Don't Panic!' Picture by: Alamy.com