Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged the Ukrainian army to overthrow its leadership whom he labelled as a “gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis who have has lodged itself in Kyiv and taken hostage the entire Ukrainian people.”

Addressing the Ukrainian military in a televised address, a visibly angry Putin urged the military to “take power in your own hands”.

It seems like it will be easier for us to agree with you than this gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis.

Putin further repeated his claim that the Ukrainian leadership had been engaged in “genocide” in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

We are fighting with nationalist groups that are directly responsible for the genocide of the Donbas and the bloodshed of peaceful civilians in the two republics.

In the address, Putin further accused the Ukrainian “neo-Nazi” leadership of acting like terrorists, by ‘cowering behind civilians’.

Ukraine says that Russian troops are in Kyiv's northern outskirts and have taken Hostomel airport just outside the city.

 The UK's Ministry of Defence, however, says that the bulk of Russian forces are still approximately 50km away from the city centre.

 In anticipation of a Russian assault on the city, Ukrainian authorities have been distributing 18,000 weapons to local residents. Ukrainian forces have also reportedly destroyed bridges leading into the city.

Earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Ukraine's military to overthrow the government.

US defence officials have said that they believe that Russia's offensive is losing momentum and met more resistance than anticipated.

 Russia has warned of "serious consequences" if Finland or Sweden were to join the Nato alliance.