26 February,2022 08:02 AM IST | Kyiv | Agencies
Natali Sevriukova near her house following a rocket attack in Kyiv on Friday. Pics/AP
Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital Friday after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War security order.
Explosions sounded before dawn in Kyiv and gunfire was reported as Western leaders scheduled an emergency meeting and Ukraine's president pleaded for international help to fend off an attack that could topple his democratically elected government, cause massive casualties and damage global economy. The UN said 25 civilians died. The military said Friday that Russian spies and saboteurs were seen on the outskirts of Kyiv, and police told people not to exit a subway station because there was gunfire in the area. Elsewhere in Kyiv, soldiers established defensive positions at bridges, and armoured vehicles rolled down streets, while residents stood uneasily in doorways of their buildings. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Kyiv "could well be under siege" in what US officials believe is a brazen attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to install his regime.
People take shelter in a building's basement while sirens sound new attacks in the city of Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to global leaders for even severe sanctions than ones imposed by Western allies and for defense assistance. "If you don't help us now, if you fail to offer powerful assistance to Ukraine, tomorrow the war will knock on your door," said the leader, who cut diplomatic ties with Moscow, declared martial law and ordered full military mobilization that would last 90 days.
Zelenskyy said he's the No. 1 target for the invading Russians but planned to remain in Kyiv. He said that 137 "heroes," including 10 military officers, had been killed, and one of his advisers said about 400 Russian forces had died. Kremlin accepted Kyiv's offer to hold talks, but it appeared to be an effort to squeeze concessions out of Zelenskyy instead of for a diplomatic solution.
Putin has warned in a speech that he has weapons available if anyone dares to use military means to try to stop Russia's takeover of Ukraine. "As for military affairs, even after the dissolution of the USSR and losing a considerable part of its capabilities, today's Russia remains one of the most powerful nuclear states," Putin said, in his pre-invasion address early Thursday.
"Moreover, it has a certain advantage in several cutting-edge weapons. In this context, there should be no doubt for anyone that any potential aggressor will face defeat and ominous consequences should it directly attack our country." By merely suggesting a nuclear response, Putin put into play the disturbing possibility the current fighting in Ukraine might eventually veer into an atomic confrontation between Russia and the United States.
Hungary has extended temporary legal protection to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, as countries in eastern Europe prepare for the arrival of refugees at their borders. Hungary, which borders Ukraine to the west, has in the past taken a firm stance against all forms of immigration. It has controversially refused to accept refugees and asylum seekers from Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The United Nations announced Thursday it is immediately allocating $20 million to scale up UN humanitarian operations in Ukraine following Russia's invasion. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the announcement saying UN and its humanitarian partners "are committed to staying and delivering, to support people in Ukraine in their time of need ... regardless of who or where they are." "With deaths rising, we are seeing images of fear, anguish and terror in every corner of Ukraine," he said. "People - everyday innocent people - always pay the highest price."
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