Ukraine war: Russian army continues Kyiv assault as Germany sends weapons

A Ukrainian soldier smokes a cigarette on his position at an armored vehicle outside Kharkiv - Copyright AP Photo/Andrew Marienko

By Euronews with AP, AFP

Published on 26/02/2022 - 07:00•Updated 27/02/2022 - 01:06

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Meanwhile, at least 120,000 Ukrainians have rushed to the country's borders with Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, while battles.

The Ukrainian people deserve EU membership, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a defiant and emotional address on Saturday, as at least 120,000 citizens of the country undergoing a Russian invasion are reported to have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

UNHCR reported that the number might go up to as high as 4 million people, as most Ukrainians trying to escape war are now heading to Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

On Saturday afternoon, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed a shipment of 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles "as soon as possible."

"The Russian invasion marks a new era. It is our duty to support the Ukrainian forces in their defence against the invasion of Putin's army," Scholz stated.

Earlier on Saturday, Zelenskyy issued a defiant message to his people in a separate address.

In a video recorded on the street in downtown Kyiv, Zelenskyy said that he hasn’t left the city and dispelled claims that Ukraine’s military would lay down its weapons.

“We will protect the country,” he said. “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.”

Meanwhile one of Zelenskyy's advisers said that fighting is raging in the capital and in the south of Ukraine, but that the Ukrainian military is successfully fending off Russian assaults.

Intense fighting overnight appeared to stem some of the Russian advance towards the capital, creating frustration amongst the Russian military and political leadership, Western intelligence sources claim.

Explosions and gunfire were heard throughout the night around Kyiv, with reports of hundreds of casualties in the fighting. The shelling sliced through at least one Kyiv apartment building and pummelled bridges and schools.

Reports came in from news agencies, citing Ukrainian military sources, that Kalibr missiles have been fired towards Ukraine from Russian vessels in the Black Sea.

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