Natalia Zinets

KYIV, Reuters – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zilenskiy vowed Friday that he would remain in Kyiv to face Russian invaders. They are advancing towards the capital in one of the most serious attacks on a European nation since World War Two.

After President Vladimir Putin’s declaration of war, Russia began an invasion on land and air. As explosions and gunfire devastated large cities, around 100,000 fled. Reports indicate that at least dozens of people were killed.

U.S., Ukrainian officials claim Russia intends to take Kyiv and overthrow the government. Russia took the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, north of Kyiv. It was located along the fastest route to Kyiv from Belarus. Moscow is staging troops.

Zelenskiy, in a video message warned that the enemy had marked me as number one. My family is number two. They seek to discredit Ukraine by taking down the head state.

“I will remain in the capital. My family lives also in Ukraine.

Putin claims Russia has carried out a “special military operation” in order to defend peoples, which includes Russian citizens who were subject to the “genocide” in Ukraine. This accusation is rejected by the West as baseless propaganda.

Asking if Zelenskiy was concerned about his safety, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken answered CBS that “To my best knowledge, President Zelenskiy continues to be in Ukraine at the post. And of course, we are concerned for all of our friends and family in Ukraine, including officials in government.”

SANCTIONS, MILITARY ADVANCES

Ukraine, which is a democracy with 44 million inhabitants, is Europe’s largest country in terms of area. Ukraine voted to be independent after the Soviet Union collapsed. Recently, it has intensified its efforts for NATO membership and the European Union. These aspirations are a source of anger for Moscow.

Putin has denied that he planned an invasion for many months, even though the United States was warning of an imminent attack and sharing satellite images showing Russian forces massing at Ukraine’s border.

A new round of sanctions was announced by the European Union, Britain and Japan as well as Canada and Australia on Thursday. The aim is to block Russia’s banking system, government and elite.

Russia is the largest global energy producer, while Ukraine and it are both top grain exporters. As the countries recover from the coronavirus epidemic, sanctions and war will cause economic disruptions around the globe.

Washington and NATO member states have provided military assistance to Ukraine, but no troops are being sent to join them in combating European aggression.

Zelenskiy claimed that at least 137 soldiers and civilians were killed so far in fighting, while hundreds more have been injured. Ukrainian officials reported earlier that 70 had been killed.

Chernobyl was overthrown by unidentified Ukrainian armed forces. They disarmed the Ukrainian military unit station guarding it, Ukraine’s nuclear regulator stated.

According to the regulator, there were no injuries and radiation levels remained unchanged. The International Atomic Energy Agency was informed by the regulator that the plant had been under its control.

Due to heavy fighting on several fronts, Friday’s vote by the United Nations Security Council on a draft resolution will condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and demand Moscow’s immediate withdrawal.

Moscow, however, can veto it. It was also unclear how China would vote, as China has repeatedly rejected the idea of Russia invading its territory.

Protests have been held in America, Europe, and Russia over the invasion. Authorities detained many demonstrators on Thursday.

Dmitry Muratov (a Russian journalist editor) told BBC that February 24, 2021, was the date “Russia’s future was stolen from it”.

“Our peaceful-loving Russian people are now going to feel the hate of the whole world, because we’re starting a third global war at the center of Europe.”