Zelenskyy: Russian Forces Have Entered Kyiv
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, stated that his government has information indicating that sabotage groups and Russian forces have entered the capital. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister reported “terrible missile attacks” on Kyiv.
Continued Intense Fighting in Northwestern Kyiv
According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, heavy fighting continues between Ukrainian military and Russian forces in the Kyiv region. In Ivankiv, approximately 80 kilometers northwest of the capital, large numbers of Russian airborne troops have landed and are advancing toward the capital with armored vehicles.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces also announced that fighting is ongoing at the strategically important Hostomel airport in northwestern Kyiv. Ukrainian forces have maintained their positions there. Russia continues air strikes on various cities across Ukraine.
● Zelenskyy: Sanctions Are Not Enough
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, criticized the sanctions imposed by the West against Moscow, deeming them insufficient. He said that the international community is merely watching what is happening in Ukraine. The European Union has imposed sanctions against Russia but has not disconnected the country from the SWIFT system. This measure could effectively cut off Russian financial institutions from the global financial system.
Aircraft Crashes Over Kyiv
CNN correspondent reported, citing sources in Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, that a Ukrainian aircraft was shot down over Kyiv. Other official Ukrainian sources from the Interior Ministry speak of a Russian aircraft.
● “Kyiv Will Fall Soon”
The President of Ukraine stated that his government has information indicating that sabotage groups and Russian forces have entered the capital. He is currently in a shelter in the Kyiv government district. Zelenskyy describes himself as Moscow’s number one target and his family as the number two target. His family remains in hiding somewhere in Ukraine.
Before him, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, reported “terrible missile attacks” on Kyiv, and a CNN reporter said that Russian special forces have landed around the city. The news agency reported last night that Russian forces are attacking Kyiv from two sides to encircle the capital.
● 137 Killed Since Start of Russian Invasion of Ukraine
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Thursday, February 24), large numbers of military and civilian personnel have been killed and wounded in the country. Zelenskyy said in a video address: “We have lost 137 of our heroes and citizens. 316 people have also been wounded.” He issued an order for general mobilization.
● 800 Russian Soldiers Killed
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported that 800 Russian soldiers have been killed. This information has not yet been confirmed by any other source. The city of Sumy, east of Kyiv, has fallen to Russian forces. They have set up checkpoints on the way to the capital.
● 100,000 People Fleeing
According to the UN Refugee Agency, from Thursday until now approximately 100,000 Ukrainian people have left their homes and are fleeing. Many people apparently are trying to take refuge in rural areas of the country. Hundreds have also fled to neighboring countries of Ukraine.
Macron: Phone Call With Putin Yielded No Results
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, described his phone conversation with Vladimir Putin as “frank, direct and brief” after a European Union crisis meeting in Brussels Friday morning. He said: “In this conversation, which took place at the request of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, he asked Putin to end the fighting in Ukraine as quickly as possible. However, this call was fruitless.”
Source: DW
