KYIV \u2013 February 26 (ONLINE): Russian troops stormed toward Ukraine\u2019s capital early Saturday, and street fighting broke out as city officials urged residents to take shelter. The country\u2019s president refused an American offer to evacuate, insisting that he would stay. \u201cThe fight is here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The clashes followed two days of fighting that resulted in hundreds of casualties and pummeled bridges, schools and apartment buildings. U.S. officials believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is determined to overthrow Ukraine\u2019s government and replace it with a regime of his own.<\/p>\n
The assault represented Putin\u2019s boldest effort yet to redraw the world map and revive Moscow\u2019s Cold War-era influence. It triggered new international efforts to end the invasion, including direct sanctions on Putin.<\/p>\n
As his country confronted explosions and gunfire, and as the fate of Kyiv hung in the balance, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for a cease-fire and warned in a bleak statement that multiple cities were under attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis night we have to stand firm,\u201d he said. \u201cThe fate of Ukraine is being decided right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zelenskyy was urged to evacuate Kyiv at the behest of the U.S. government but turned down the offer, according to a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation. The official quoted the president as saying that \u201cthe fight is here\u201d and that he needed anti-tank ammunition but \u201cnot a ride.\u201d<\/p>\n
City officials in Kyiv urged residents to take shelter, to stay away from windows and to take precautions to avoid flying debris or bullets.<\/p>\n
The Russian military continued its advance, laying claim Friday to the southern Ukraine city of Melitopol. Still, it was unclear in the fog of war how much of Ukraine is still under Ukrainian control and how much or little Russian forces have seized.<\/p>\n
As fighting persisted, Ukraine\u2019s military reported shooting down an II-76 Russian transport plane carrying paratroopers near Vasylkiv, a city 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Kyiv, an account confirmed by a senior American intelligence official. It was unclear how many were on board. Transport planes can carry up to 125 paratroopers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KYIV \u2013 February 26 (ONLINE): Russian troops stormed toward Ukraine\u2019s capital early Saturday, and street fighting broke out as city officials urged residents to take shelter. The country\u2019s president refused an American offer to evacuate, insisting that he would stay. \u201cThe fight is here,\u201d he […]<\/p>\n
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