Ukrainian capital Kyiv is under attack by Russian forces. Several reports emerged early Friday that claimed heavy fighting in the region with “dozens of explosions [heard] in the last few minutes“.
Battles are also being reported near Vasylkiv. Vasylkiv is a city of 37,000 people some 40 kilometers south of Kyiv. It has an airfield. Russian paratroopers reportedly landed in the city. Ukrainian forces are fighting them.
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According to reports, Russian saboteurs disguised as the National Police drove up to a checkpoint near Vasylkiv and shot Ukrainian soldiers there. Meanwhile, dozens of Videos and images from Kiyv on social media show heavy blasts taking place in the region.
More video from Kyiv, where heavy fighting is happening now – NEXTA pic.twitter.com/NTaLekLlGj
— BNO News (@BNONews) February 26, 2022
WATCH: Heavy fighting in Kyiv pic.twitter.com/j5a9dnmXpD
— BNO News (@BNONews) February 26, 2022
The dawn invasion of troops and tanks accompanied by airstrikes on Ukrainian cities has sparked outrage across the world, with the United States and its allies responding with a barrage of sanctions. Meanwhile, the Taliban have asked Ukraine and Russia to resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue. Here are the top developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
US, Europe step up sanctions to target Russia’s Putin
The United States and European allies said they were stepping up sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by adding measures directly targeting President Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister, putting diplomatic appeals to one side as Russia’s forces closed on Ukraine’s capital.
the US would also newly sanction the Russian Direct Investment Fundwhich functions as a sovereign wealth fund meant to draw capital into the Russian economy, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
A Ukrainian Army soldier inspects fragments of a downed aircraft in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. (Image: AP)
The US and European allies had earlier announced sweeping asset freezes and other penalties against Russia’s banks, state-owned enterprises and elites.
Russia said the sanctions against the pair were “a demonstration of the complete impotence of the foreign policy” of the West.
Taliban ask Ukraine, Russia to resolve issues through peaceful dialogue
Ministry of Foreign affairs spokesperson, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, released a statement on Friday calling for restraint by both Russia and Ukraine.
Statement concerning crisis in #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/Ck17sMrAWy
— Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) February 25, 2022
“The Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine and expresses concern about the real possibility of civilian casualties,” read the statement.
“The Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan, in line with its foreign policy of neutrality, calls on both sides of the conflict to resolve the crisis through dialogue and peaceful means,” it read.
Russian invasion of Ukraine justified, says Myanmar junta
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is “justified” and demonstrates Moscow’s position as a world power, Myanmar’s junta said on Friday, backing its major ally and arms supplier.
Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said Moscow’s military had “carried out what is justified for the sustainability of their country’s sovereignty”.
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“Russia shows its position to the world as a world power,” he added in the statement, which was also released in Russian.
Defending our independence: Ukraine president in new video
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a self-shot video from central Kyiv on Friday vowing alongside key aides to stay and defend the capital against the Russian invasion.
Standing outside the presidency building, Zelensky said, “We’re all here. Our military is here. Citizens in society are here. We’re all here defending our independence, our country, and it will stay this way.”
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“- , ! . ! !” pic.twitter.com/hojX94ONDI— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 25, 2022
In another late-night video, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Saturday that Russian troops would attempt to take the capital Kyiv before dawn.
“This night will be more difficult than the day. Many cities of our state are under attack…Special attention on Kyiv – we cannot lose the capital,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in the video message.
Russia-Ukraine war updates: Smoke and flames rise over during the shelling near Kyiv, as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine. (Image: Reuters)
Russia, Ukraine signal possibility of talks
On Friday, the Russian and Ukrainian governments signaled an openness to negotiations even as authorities in Kyiv urged citizens to help defend the capital from advancing Russian forces in the worst European security crisis in decades.
Ukraine and Russia will consult in coming hours on a time and place for talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s spokesman Sergii Nykyforov said on social media, offering the first glimmer of hope for diplomacy since the invasion began.
Russia-Ukraine news: What’s happening at UN
Russia has vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution deploring Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and demanding the immediate withdrawal of its troops. Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia also thanked the Security Council members who did not support the draft, which he described as anti-Russian.
Meanwhile, China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstained from voting on the US-drafted text. The remaining 11 council members voted in favour.
(With inputs from AFP, Reuters, AP)
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