Kyiv residents urged to seek immediate shelter and stay away from windows
Explosions heard in Kiev as Russia advances on capital
Heavy street fighting against Russian troops is underway in Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv as officials urged locals to take immediate shelter.
Ukrainians have been asked to avoid going near windows or on balconies and be cautious against getting hit by debris or bullets.
Russian troops reached the Ukrainian capital and attacked a military base in the city, as well as attempting to capture an electricity generation station.
Volodymyr Zelensky said the “fate of Ukraine is being decided right now.”
As explosions ring out across the city and desperate families shelter in underground stations, president Zelensky said Russia would be using all its might “to break our resistance”.
“This night we must persevere,” he said. “This night will be hard, very hard, but morning will come.”
Meanwhile, Russia has blocked a UN resolution demanding a stop to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine said on Friday that at least 137 people had been killed in the first 24 hours of the invasion, including civilians, while Russia has not released casualty figures on its side.
President Zelensky posts fresh video: ‘We are here’
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has released a fresh video of nearly 40 seconds as he spoke to citizens and assured them that his administration is still on the ground and fighting.
He was seen standing in front of the “Chimeras house” across from the presidential office, and said: “We are here. We are fighting. Glory to Ukraine”.
He added that the Ukrainian army will not put down their weapons.
Arpan Rai26 February 2022 06:16
Central Kyiv shelled after gunfire attack: Witness
Shelling is being reported from central Kyiv on Saturday morning, shortly after the same region came under gunfire attack amid invasion from Russian troops who have unleashed lethal force on Ukraine.
Fighting is also underway near Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odessa, confirmed Mykhailo Podolyak, the adviser to Ukraine’s president’s office.
He added that heavy fighting is taking place near Mariupol.
“But there is no chance that Mariupol will surrender or be captured,” he said.
Arpan Rai26 February 2022 05:59
Biden pledges $600m in ‘immediate military assistance’ to Ukraine
US president Joe Biden has pledged $600m in “immediate military assistance” to Ukraine.
A memorandum directed Secretary of State Antony Blinken to provide “immediate military assistance to Ukraine” of up to $250m (£187 million) “in assistance without regard to any provision of law”.
While another $350m (£261 million) was allocated “in defence articles and services of the Department of Defence, and military education and training”.
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Arpan Rai26 February 2022 05:48
Gunfire heard near government quarters in Kyiv
Reuters says a witness present in central Kyiv is hearing gunfire close to the main government quarters of the capital on Saturday morning.
Russian forces have entered the city and street fighting has begun, with the invaders closing in on key government buildings.
Russia also attacked a military base close to the city centre overnight, Ukrainian officials said, but the assault was repelled.
Arpan Rai26 February 2022 05:47
Breaking: Cruise missiles launched at Ukraine from Black Sea – officials
Kalibr cruise missiles have been launched at Ukraine from the Black Sea, says Ukraine’s military command.
It also said areas near the cities of Sumy, Poltava and Mariupol were hit by air strikes on Friday.
Arpan Rai26 February 2022 05:45
Russian military heavy transport plane shot down: US officials
Ukraine has shot down a second Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane near Bila Tserkva, 50 miles south of Kyiv, two US officials aware of the developments told the Associated Press.
Analysts say this would be a major development, and possibly signify the heaviest Russian casualties since the 2nd Chechen War.
The first reports of the downing of a Russian military transport plane carrying paratroopers came on Friday from Ukraine’s military officials.
The first II-76 heavy transport plane was shot down near Vasylkiv city, 25 miles south of the capital.
Russian military officials have not commented on the reported downing of either military aircraft so far. They earlier denied
Ukrainian reports that seven Russian aircraft were downed in the first hours of the invasion.
Arpan Rai26 February 2022 05:28
Breaking: Street fighting underway in Kyiv
Ukrainian officials say street fighting is underway in Kyiv against Russian forces, and they are urging residents to seek immediate shelter.
The warning issued on Saturday advised residents to remain in shelters, avoid going near windows or on balconies, and to take precautions against being hit by debris or bullets.
Arpan Rai26 February 2022 05:07
Ukrainian president offered US flight to leave but he refuses it
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky turned down the US government’s request to evacuate from Kyiv as it came under Russian attack for the third day.
He said that he did not need a ride and sought for ammunition to fight back, said a senior US intelligence official.
“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,” Mr Zelensky is believed to have said.
The request to the Ukrainian president, who has periodically released visuals addressing his citizens to assure them that he is not leaving his country, was made at the behest of the US government.
Officials from the US defence department have said that the Russian offensive has now slowed down and is proceeding at a reduced pace than Moscow had envisioned as it has encountered considerable resistance.
Arpan Rai26 February 2022 04:47
Russian media stopped from running ads on Facebook
Russian state media has now been banned from running ads and monetising on the social media platform, Meta announced on Saturday as the company limited Moscow’s access to Facebook.
The network was accused of “censorship” and violation of “the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens” by Russia’s communication regulator Roskomnadzor, reported BBC.
According to Facebook, it had refused to not fact-check content on the ongoing invasion and labelling content from state-owned news platforms — a practice that helps inform readers about the content they are reading on the social media website.
Arpan Rai26 February 2022 04:30
Russia attacks Kyiv’s military units, attempt foiled
Russia is reported to have attacked one of the military units situated on Victory Avenue — the large square in Kyiv dedicated to World War II victory — in the capital city on Saturday.
The attack was repulsed, said Ukraine’s army officials on their Facebook page.
Ukraine has been under Russian invasion for the third day with no signs of talks between Moscow and Kyiv to resolve the conflict.
Arpan Rai26 February 2022 04:03
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