Battle for Kiev: Russian attack repelled for the time being?

Fierce fighting was reported from Kiev during the night – but Ukraine says it has repelled Russian attacks. President Zelenskyj is also staying in the city. Elsewhere, however, the Russians are said to be advancing.

According to the Ukrainian government, the situation in the capital Kiev and on the outskirts of the city is under control. Small groups of Russian soldiers tried to enter Kiev and engaged in skirmishes with Ukrainian troops in a bid to seize control of the city and crush the country’s leadership, said an aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, the Russian military had not succeeded in gaining any ground.

However, the Russian attackers tried to bring the largest possible number of military technology and armed forces into the city. Russian saboteurs are also active in the city, against whom Ukrainian security forces have successfully taken action. In the outskirts, Ukrainian troops fought against the Russian invaders.

“No Russian troops in town”

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said something similar: “The night was difficult, but there are no Russian troops in the city,” he said in a Telegram clip. As of 5:00 a.m. CET there were 35 injured, including two children.

The infrastructure works, the subway runs. Klitschko called for suspected target markings to be removed from houses. Checkpoints have been set up, so movement in the city is restricted. Klitschko said: “It will be difficult, but we have an obligation to persevere because the army is with us, the territorial defense is with us, justice is with us.”

Zelenskyi: “I’m here”

Zelenskyi had previously warned that Russian troops were planning to attempt an assault on the capital during the night. He called on residents to defend the city.

In the morning he reported again via video from Kiev. He wishes “everybody a good morning” and wants to refute fake news that he left the country: “I’m here.” The country must be defended: “Glory to Ukraine!”

Public warned against street fights

The authorities warned the people of Kiev against street fights. “Combat operations are now taking place on the streets of our city. We ask that you remain calm and be as careful as possible!” the statement said. Anyone who is in a bunker should stay there. In the event of an air alert, people should go to the nearest bunker.

At home, people should not go to the window or balcony and cover themselves to protect themselves from injury.

Heavy fighting at night

Shots and fighting were reported from the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital Kiev during the night. According to the Ukrainian army, Russian troops shelled a barracks. The attack was repulsed. Explosions and gunfire could be heard in videos shared on social networks.

Russian troops also tried to attack thermal power station No. 6 in northeast Kiev. Artillery fire could be heard from the center, the Reuters news agency reported. According to a Reuters reporter, the impacts are some distance from the center.

A rocket hit a high-rise residential building on the south-western outskirts of the city near Zhulyany Airport.

Mayor: Russian attack on military base failed

The mayor of the town of Vasylkiv, 40 kilometers south of central Kiev, said on Saturday the military repelled an attempt by Russian soldiers to take control of a military base. Russian airborne troops had arrived near the city during the night and tried to take the base.

Heavy fighting also broke out on the main street of Wassylkiv. The Russian attack was repulsed and the situation is now calm. There have been heavy losses.

Russians report conquest of big city

According to the Ministry of Defense in Moscow, Russian troops conquered the city of Melitopol in southeastern Ukraine. The city is located near the Sea of ​​Azov between Russia’s annexed Crimea and the separatist areas of eastern Ukraine. British Defense Secretary James Heappey, on the other hand, said there was no indication of revenue. There is also fighting around Mariupol, which borders on these areas.

In the southwest, Russian troops advanced towards Odessa. The port metropolis is the third largest city in the country.

A Ukrainian presidential adviser also confirmed fighting in the south. Taking southern Ukraine is a priority for Russia, but has not made any significant gains there.

According to Russian information, separatist fighters from the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk have so far advanced about 30 kilometers into an area previously controlled by Ukrainian government troops. With Russian support, Donetsk fighters could have gained more terrain over six kilometers. On Friday evening it was said that the insurgents had advanced 25 kilometers further into Ukrainian-controlled territory.

According to Russia, it has “disabled” more than 800 Ukrainian military objects: 14 military airfields, 19 command posts, 24 S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems and 48 radar stations. In addition, eight Ukrainian Navy boats were hit.

The Ukrainian armed forces say they have killed 3,500 Russian soldiers and captured 200. In addition, 14 aircraft, eight helicopters, 102 tanks and more than 530 other military vehicles were destroyed.

Many people flee

More than 50,000 people have fled across the borders from Ukraine within 48 hours. This was reported by the head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, on Twitter.

The UN had previously spoken of hundreds of thousands fleeing.