Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that there are more than 100,000 Russian troops in his country, firing on residential buildings. Zelensky mentioned on his Twitter account that he spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged India to provide political support to Ukraine in the United Nations Security Council.
These remarks come after Russia began a military operation in Ukrainian territory last Thursday following weeks of tensions and Russian military buildup at the Ukrainian border. Before the military operation commenced, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 21 his decision to recognize the sovereignty of the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
Earlier, President Zelensky asserted that Ukraine "has derailed the Russian attack plan." He stated in a Facebook video, "We have endured and succeeded in repelling the enemy's attacks," explaining that "fighting continues in many towns and regions in the country, but our army controls Kyiv and the main cities throughout the capital." Zelensky called on Russians to "press President Vladimir Putin to stop the war."
He also urged Germany and Hungary to "have the courage" to support excluding Russia from the SWIFT banking system as a punishment for Moscow. Zelensky noted in the video, "There is almost unanimous support from EU countries to exclude Russia from SWIFT," expressing his hope that "Germany and Hungary will have the courage to support this decision."
Earlier, while the capital Kyiv was under Russian bombardment since the early hours of Saturday morning, President Zelensky appeared in a live broadcast from his office in Kyiv to address his people, stating: "We will not lay down our weapons... We will defend our land." He added, "I am here," confirming he will remain in Kyiv in the recorded video from his office, which was streamed on Facebook. He continued, "I spoke with the French president, and arms and equipment from our partners are on their way to Ukraine," emphasizing, "I did not ask the army to lay down their weapons and withdraw from the field."
The Washington Post reported on intelligence agency reports suggesting the presence of Russian snipers in Kyiv before the military operation. The publication also stated that U.S. officials had offered to evacuate President Zelensky to prevent him from being captured, an offer he declined.
On Friday night, President Zelensky warned that Russian forces would attempt to seize Kyiv that night amid fierce battles. He conveyed in a video message published on the presidential website, "I must say quite frankly: tonight will be more difficult than the day. Many of our cities are under attack." He emphasized, "There is special attention on Kyiv... We cannot lose the capital."
He addressed the defenders on all fronts: "Tonight, the enemy will use all its forces to crush our defenses in the most despicable, ruthless, and inhuman ways. Tonight they will attempt to seize Kyiv."
President Zelensky announced that during the day he spoke with several senior Western leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He said, "We agreed on further assistance, and further support, a significant backing for our country."
Zelensky stressed that "our main goal is to end this massacre." The Russian military operation in Ukraine entered its third day on Saturday, with renewed bombardment of the capital and gunfire heard in Independence Square in central Kyiv since the early hours, alongside warnings from foreign embassies and advisories for their citizens to be cautious and stay close to shelters, alongside repeated warnings for Ukrainians to seek shelter from the bombardment.
Reports indicate gunfire near government headquarters in central Kyiv, while the Ukrainian army confirmed an attack on a military base near Kyiv, and Russian forces launched "Kalibr" missiles at Ukraine from the Black Sea. Multiple sources indicated that the capital is experiencing internet service outages, and eyewitnesses reported looting in Kyiv, alongside shortages of food supplies, particularly bread.
