Kiev: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday refuted reports that the country’s army will disarm and evacuate.
“We will not lay down any weapons, we believe in our army and our country. We will protect it. Glory to Ukraine!” Zelensky said, noting that he did not leave Kiev, which was under heavy shelling overnight, agencies reported.
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that at least 35 Kiev residents, including two children, were injured in clashes with Russian forces or shelling.
According to Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko, 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed in Russia’s operation against Ukraine.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Facebook that Ukraine shot down a Russian transport plane IL-76 near Vasylkiv town in Kiev.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that “partners” are sending weapons to help Kiev, adding that he had spoken over the phone with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
“A new day on the diplomatic frontline began with a conversation with Emmanuel Macron. Weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine. The anti-coalition is working,” Zelensky said on Twitter, Xinhua news agency. reported.
Volodymyr Zelensky had also posted a video on social media earlier on Friday, reassuring people that he is still in the capital.
“We are all here. Our troops are here … We are defending our independence, our state. And so it will continue,” he said in the video, in which he and other government leaders were seen in front of the parliament building in Kiev.
However, there were reports saying that he had fled.