Defending Kyiv, Ukraine

In this screenshot from a video posted Saturday morning, February 26, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainians will fight for their land, as Russian troops were said to be closing in on the capital, Kyiv. (Screenshot/Twitter)

"[The] enemy has marked me down as the number one target. My family is the number two target." 

"They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state."

"There is a lot of fake information on the networks that I am calling on our army to surrender and that there is an evacuation, but I am here. We will not lay down our weapons. We will fight for our land."

"Our weapon is our truth, and our truth is that it’s our land, our country, our children. And we will defend all of that. Do not believe the fakes."

"We’re all here. Our military is here. Citizens in society are here. We’re all here defending our independence, our country, and it will stay this way."

"I want everyone in Russia to hear me. Everybody. Hundreds of captured soldiers who are here in Ukraine don't know why they were sent here to kill people or be killed. People need to tell the government why the war has to be stopped, more people from your country will stay alive."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

"I once again appeal to the military personnel of the armed forces of Ukraine: do not allow neo-Nazis and [Ukrainian radical nationalists] to use your children, wives and elders as human shields."

"Take power into your own hands, it will be easier for us to reach agreement."

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Benevolent Vladimir Putin, concerned over the well-being of ordinary Ukrainians, cautioning them to be aware of the presence of 'racists' and 'terrorists' and 'fascists' and 'neo-nazis', among themselves in Ukraine, mingling with ordinary citizens, infiltrating the government, prepared to take over the country. In invading Ukraine with ground forces, helicopters and planes, tanks and munitions, Russia is demonstrating its concern for its neighbour.

And ridding Ukraine of these unsavoury, dangerous elements would be so much easier if only Ukrainians were sensible and agreed to turn against their democratically-elected government, posing as authorities whose administration of the country's affairs reflect the best interests of the country and its citizens. It is why Belarus has helped Russia invade and bomb the cities of Ukraine, and why Chechnya has marched its forces into Ukraine; concern for the well-being of the country that has gone astray.

After all, the Kremlin has made it public that it is prepared to meet with Ukrainian officials in Minsk, Belarus, for negotiations. It is Ukraine's administration that has decided to make matters more difficult by insisting any such meeting take place in Warsaw, Poland. It would, needless to say, be simpler for the Russian special operations unit to arrest or assassinate Ukraine's leader in Minsk, whereas safety would be assured in Warsaw. But come -- that's the cynic's view.

Firefighters extinguish fire in a high-rise apartment block which was hit by recent shelling in Kyiv on Saturday

 

Moscow claims to have taken the airfield northwest of Kyiv, recognized as a potential staging post for a full-on Kyiv assault. Fierce fighting has taken place there since Russian paratroopers landed in the first hours of the war. Kyiv's mayor, former world heavyweight boxing champion, Vitali Klitschko said "the enemy wants to put the capital on its knees and destroy us", in response to news that Russian saboteurs had infiltrated the city.

Ukraine's defence ministry has urged Kyiv residents to make petrol bombs with the intention of repelling the intruders. Witnesses reported Friday evening that artillery rounds and intense gunfire could be heard from the capital's western region. President Zelensky had a video produced of himself with aides on the streets of Kyiv as he vowed to defend Ukraine's independence.

Kyiv was pounded overnight by Russian missiles, sending residents into shelters, while others attempted to board packed trains heading west, and others of the hundreds of thousands who left their homes to find safety, crowded highways to a standstill. The U.S. government offered to assist Ukraine's president in leaving to avoid capture or assassination; he responded that he needed more weaponry, not an exit plan. According to Ukrainian authorities, over a thousand Russian soldiers have lost their lives so far, reflecting the strength of the Ukraine military's resistance to the invaders.  

 

A draft United Nations Security Council resolution was vetoed by Russia, meant to condemn Moscow's invasion. What could possibly be more ludicrous than Russia, as a member of the permanent UN Security Council condemning itself? China, the United Arab Emirates (surprisingly) and India abstained from the vote while the balance of the council members voted in favour of the resolution now expected to go before the 193-member UN General Assembly.

Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers inspect damage on a road caused by Russian shells on Saturday