Russian tanks arrived in areas surrounding Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Friday morning, and troops from both sides are exchanging fire, China Media Group has learned.

The Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency earlier reported that Ukrainian forces blew up a bridge near the capital to stop the Russian advance.

Some media outlets said the Russian tanks are coming from Chernobyl, of which Russian forces reportedly took control on Thursday. 

Ukraine said it expects a Russian tank attack on its capital later on Friday.

Anton Herashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine's interior minister, added that Kyiv's defenders were ready with anti-tank missiles supplied by foreign allies.