Both KYIV (legally mandated by the Ukrainian government in 1995,) and KIEV (this new name only started a few years ago when the Ukrainian government mounted secure international approval for its capital). Either name appears to be for a fine city. Unfortunately either one may also be headquarters for the biggest urban battle in over 80 years. KYIV covers 325 square miles and is divided by a broad river. It has about 500,000 structures – factories, ornate churches and high-rise apartments – many on narrow, winding streets. Roughly 2-million people remain after extensive evacuations of women and children. KYIV is backed by columns of tanks, armored vehicles and artillery. It remains the biggest prize of all for the Russian military. Negotiations over a cease-fire are continuing, and a long, heated battle is not inevitable. The fight for KIEV looms as a long, fierce conflict.  <By Andrew E. Kramer, New York Sunday Times.>