Russian Army to attack Ukraine from all sides
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Saturday, Russia ordered its troops to advance into Ukraine “from all directions”, as the Ukrainian capital Kyiv imposed a general curfew and authorities reported 198 civilian deaths.
Kyiv residents took shelter to the sound of explosions as the Ukrainian army said it had held off an assault on the capital but was fighting off Russian “sabotage groups” who had infiltrated the city.
Moscow said it had fired cruise missiles at military targets and would “expand the offensive in all directions” after accusing Ukraine of “rejecting” the talks.
But on the third day of the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed that his country would never give in to the Kremlin.
Zelensky spoke in a video message, wearing olive green military-style clothing and looking tired but determined.
“I am here. We will not lay down any weapons. We will defend our state, because our weapons are our truth,” the 44-year-old Zelensky said.
“Our truth is this is our land, our country, our children and we will protect it all,” he added.
He later said Ukraine had “derailed” the Russian plan to overthrow him and urged the Russians to pressure Putin to end the conflict.
Ignoring warnings from the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin unleashed a full-scale invasion which, according to the UN refugee agency, has forced nearly 116,000 people to flee to neighboring countries.
Tens of thousands more are estimated to be internally displaced in Ukraine, many moving to western parts of the country less affected by the fighting.
Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Lyashko said 198 civilians, including three children, had been killed in the conflict and 1,115 injured.