Photo: DANIEL LEAL / AFP / Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video on Friday that Russian forces are getting closer to Kiev, advancing towards the capital of the country from the north and east.
“ Tonight will be very difficult, and the enemy will use all available forces to break the resistance of the Ukrainians” Zelensky said in his message and then added: “The fate of Ukraine is deciding right now.”
Zelensky reminded the Ukrainians: “Our main goal is to end this massacre. The enemy losses are very serious: today there were hundreds of dead soldiers among those who crossed our border and reached our land”.
Zelensky added: “Unfortunately, we also suffered losses. Ukrainians heroically resist Russian aggression. This aggression cannot be justified, so the occupants have to present more absurd accusations to say at least something”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday night that Russian forces attacked the country’s “civilian infrastructure”, including kindergartens, according to CNN.
Addressing the people of Russia while speaking in Russian, Zelensky said: “There is nothing that can explain why kindergartens and civilian infrastructure are bombed.”
And He went on to ask: “What kind of war is this against Ukrainian children? Who are they? Are they also neo-Nazis? Or are they NATO soldiers who have posed a threat to Russia?”
Zelensky’s comments come after the Russian president, Vladimir Putin made unsubstantiated claims about Ukrainians before his security council on Friday. Putin frequently repeats the baseless and inaccurate claim that the democratically elected Ukrainian government is a “Nazi” or “fascist” regime.
Zelensky went on to say that “many” cities are under attack and called on Ukrainian citizens to “be very careful.” .
“Please help each other, especially the elderly, the lonely, those who need your support”, said the president of Ukraine. “In case of any danger, please go to the shelters.”
After seizing an airbase just north of the city on Thursday, forces Russians are now close to the capital, Kiev. They also advance along two routes from the north and at least one from the east.
CNN crews in the Ukrainian capital Kiev reported strong explosions to the west and south of the city early Saturday morning. The still dark sky lit up with a series of flashes on the horizon.
Ukrainian armed forces have also reported heavy fighting in the surroundings of Vasylkiv, a city located about 18 miles south of the capital of the country, Kiev.
On Friday, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council motion that would have condemned the invasion of Ukraine by that country.
The United States, the United Kingdom and other countries announced plans to introduce sanctions against Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
A NATO Response Force has been activated for the first time also on Friday as an extraordinary defense measure following Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
It may interest you:
– Russia invades Ukraine: Ukrainian civilians arm themselves and several explosions shake Kiev after the arrival of Russian troops
– Russia and Ukraine: what the Russian military action reveals about Putin’s plans
– What is known about the 137 dead in the first day of Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory