Zelensky refuses US offer to evacuate saying, "I need ammunition, not a ride" (2024)

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5:37 a.m. ET, February 26, 2022

ZelenskyrefusesUS offer to evacuatesaying,"I need ammunition, not a ride"

From CNN’s Sharon Braithwaite in London

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hasturned down an offer from the United States of evacuation fromthecapital city Kyiv, the Ukraine embassy inBritain said Saturdayon Twitter.

According to the embassy, Zelensky told the US: "The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.

"Ukrainians are proud of their President," the tweetadds.

In a video posted Saturday morning on Twitter, Zelensky said, "we are not putting down arms."

Zelensky remains a "prime target for Russian aggression," US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Thursday evening amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

It echoed Zelensky's own words that his intelligence said he has become a key target.

Zelensky said Thursday that "according to our information, the enemy marked me as target №1, my family - as target №2. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state. We have information that enemy sabotage groups have entered Kyiv."

7:10 a.m. ET, February 26, 2022

Bridge connecting Russian-held areas to Ukraine enveloped in smoke

From CNN's Nick Paton Walsh inKherson, Ukraine

ZelenskyrefusesUS offer to evacuatesaying,"I need ammunition, not a ride" (1)

The sound of shelling impacts hit around the city of Kherson, Ukraine, north of the Crimean peninsula, from 8 a.m.

By 11 a.m. the bridge -- which connects Russian-held areas to Ukraine -- was blanketed in smoke from the grass around it that had caught fire.

Shelling continued back and forth, and a CNN team could see through the smoke apparent armored vehicles on the bridge moving towards the Ukrainian side. CNN was unable to confirm who they belong to.

Battle over strategic link: CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh has been reporting from the area.

On arriving to the southern Ukrainian city on Thursday night, he said Russiantanks were in the streets, with no rest overnight.Jets were flying low overhead, terrifyingresidents.

By Friday, Ukrainian forces had reclaimed the key crossing into the country but not without cost. One Ukrainian soldier told CNN the Russians were “not far away.” Civilians were seen picking through the wreckage on the bridge for ammunition, bodies of soldiers lying nearby.

“It shows you how many people areinvolved on a local level,” Paton Walsh reports. “They're stopping everywhere topick up whatever they can.”

Friday afternoon brought the noise of more rockets landing in the streets and by dusk it appeared the balance of power had changed once again. Shells landed around Ukrainian positions and seemingly near houses. It was followed by the sound of an attack helicopter. All acute violence that seemed to indicate the bridge had changed hands again and moments later local officials told CNN Kherson's defenses had fallen.

This post has been updated.

5:11 a.m. ET, February 26, 2022

Russia says it's not hitting Ukraine's civilian infrastructure. Evidence suggests otherwise

From CNN's Gianluca Mezzofiore and Katie Polglase in London

ZelenskyrefusesUS offer to evacuatesaying,"I need ammunition, not a ride" (2)

On Friday, Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov sought to reassure the world about civilian casualties a day after Moscow had ordered an invasion of Ukraine.

"Nobody is going to attack the people of Ukraine," he said during a heated press conference,telling CNNthat there were "no strikes on civilian infrastructure."

However, reports about apartment buildings and kindergartens being shelled, civilians being killed, and rockets being found in residential streets have been trickling in since the beginning of the offensive.

Social media videos, photos and satellite images analyzed and geolocated by CNN confirm that on several occasions densely populated areas have been hit by Russian forces. CNN is reaching out to the Russian government for comment.

ZelenskyrefusesUS offer to evacuatesaying,"I need ammunition, not a ride" (3)

Amnesty International, in a press release on Friday, accused Russian forces of "indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas and strikes on protected objects such as hospitals," citing three examples, including an attack on Thursday near a hospital building in Vuhledar, in the eastern Donetsk region. That attack killed four civilians and wounded 10 more, Amnesty reported.

Read our full story:

4:58 a.m. ET, February 26, 2022

Sanctions will test Russia's "fortress" economy

Analysis by Charles Riley, CNN Business

Vladimir Putin has been expecting the West.

Since 2014, when the United States and its Western allies imposed sanctions on Moscow following the annexation of Crimea and the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17, Russia's president has been trying to build an economy capable of withstanding much tougher penalties.

The West this week kept some of its sanctions firepower in reserve after Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Even so, the measures that were announced by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom will put Russia's "fortress economy" to the test.

Fear of what sanctions might do sent Russian stocks crashing 33% on Thursday. They have since recovered some of those losses, but the ruble continues to trade near record lows against the dollar and the euro.

Russia's $1.5 trillion economy is the world's 11th biggest, just behind South Korea. Since 2014, its gross domestic product has barely grown and its people have gotten poorer. The value of the ruble has also tumbled, shrinking the value of the Russian economy by $800 billion.

Read the full story:

4:30 a.m. ET, February 26, 2022

Zelensky tweets it is time to decide on Ukraine's membership in the EU

From CNN's Eric Cheung in Taipei, Taiwan and Joseph Ataman in Paris

ZelenskyrefusesUS offer to evacuatesaying,"I need ammunition, not a ride" (6)

Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelensky said it is now a "crucial moment" to decide on his country's membership in the European Union, in a tweet on Saturday.

"It is a crucial moment to close the long-standing discussion once and for all and decide on Ukraine's membership in the #EU. Discussed with@eucopresidentfurther effective assistance and the heroic struggle of Ukrainians for their free future," a tweet on his verified Twitter page said.

Defiant words: Earlier Saturday as the battle for Kyiv continued, Zelensky took to the social media platform a number of times to post updates.

In one 40-second video titled "do not believe the fakes," the president said: "I am here. We are not putting down arms. We will be defending our country, because our weapon is truth, and our truth is that this is our land, our country, our children, and we will defend all of this.

"That is it. That's all I wanted to tell you. Glory to Ukraine," he added.

In a separate tweet on Saturday morning, he also said: "A new day on the diplomatic frontline began with a conversation with@EmmanuelMacron. Weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine. The anti-war coalition is working!"

French support: French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday warned that the war in Ukraine and the crisis around it “will last” as he predicted impacts on food markets.

"If I can tell you one thing this morning, it is that this war will last," Macron told France's annual agriculture fair.

"This crisis will last, this war will last and all the crises that come with it will have lasting consequences," Macron added, warning: "We must be prepared.

“French and Europeans, we will be there,” he said, “to build short and medium-term responses to try and fully secure our energy.”

The president said that the crisis’ “impact on our lives” will also extend to the world of farmers and food, without providing further details.

4:56 a.m. ET, February 26, 2022

Kyiv resident shelters in her bathroom as fighting reaches capital's streets

From CNN's Ivana Kottasová in Kyiv

ZelenskyrefusesUS offer to evacuatesaying,"I need ammunition, not a ride" (7)

Olga lives in the Left Bank part of Kyiv, the area of the city that is to the east of Dnieper.

Her little son Vadim, a kindergartener, is sleeping in the bathroom these days, the safest place in the apartment.

“I sit next to him and caress him when he is not happy with something in his dream,” she said.“We are not going to the shelter, it does not guarantee 100% safety, and it can affect the psychology of a child. At home, he sleeps well, eats and thinks it's all fun,” she said.

Olga described hearing many explosions between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Saturday morning that sounded like they were coming from the north.

“It's calm now, she said on Saturday morning. “Finally, I can take a nap.”

Oleksandra Ochman contributed to this report.

3:37 a.m. ET, February 26, 2022

Russian defense ministry says it launched missiles overnight, but claims it didn't target residents

From CNN's Nathan Hodge in Moscow

ZelenskyrefusesUS offer to evacuatesaying,"I need ammunition, not a ride" (8)

Russia's defense ministry said Saturday it launched cruise missile strikes overnight against targets in Ukraine — but claimed it exclusively targeted military infrastructure, as videos emerged of a residential high-rise near Kyiv that was struck by a missile or rocket fire.

"During the night, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a strike with long-range precision weapons using air- and sea-launched cruise missiles against Ukrainian military infrastructure facilities," Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said in a video statement.
"I emphasize once again that the fire is directed only on the objects of the military infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, excluding damage to residential and social infrastructure."

Scenes on the ground: CNN and other international news outlets have seen and documented damage to civilian infrastructure around Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

Images on Saturday morning showed severe damage to the outside of an apartment building in western Kyiv, with the outer walls blown out entirely for several apartment units. Emergency workers are on the scene, helping to evacuate residents. The extent of casualties is not yet clear.

The Russian ministry statement also claimed units of the Russian armed forces had taken control over the city of Melitopol in southeastern Ukraine. CNN on Thursday verified and geolocated footage circulating on social media of a massive explosion at Melitopol Airport.

3:04 a.m. ET, February 26, 2022

As fighting intensifies in Kyiv, Chinese diplomat says national sovereignty "applies to the Ukraine issue"

As fighting in Kyiv intensified on Saturday, a top Chinese diplomat defended China's long-held position on protecting national sovereignty -- adding that it "applies equally to the Ukraine issue."

"China firmly believes that the sovereignty & territorial integrity of all countries should be respected & protected and the purposes & principles of (the UN Charter) abided by in real earnest. This position of China is consistent & clear-cut, and applies equally to the Ukraine issue," wrote Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese government's special representative on Korean peninsula affairs.

Liu previously served as the Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom.

The UN Security Council vote: Liu's comments are especially striking as China had been one of the three countries that abstained from voting for a United Nations Security Council resolution to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine, at a Friday night meeting.

India and the UAE also abstained from voting, while Russia used its veto power as a permanent seat on the council to block the measure. After the vote, 50 countries released a joint statement accusing Russia of abusing its veto power.

China's position on Ukraine: Over the last few days, as other countries moved to punish Russia and President Vladimir Putin, China has avoided condemning the invasion, instead calling for peace and diplomacy -- and pointing the finger at the US instead for "fueling fires."

Any action from the Security Council "should be truly conducive to defusing the crisis, rather than adding fuel to fire," said China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun on Friday.

3:00 a.m. ET, February 26, 2022

How Zelenksy went from an actor playing President on TV to becoming a defiant wartime leader

From CNN's Joshua Berlinger

ZelenskyrefusesUS offer to evacuatesaying,"I need ammunition, not a ride" (9)

Volodymyr Zelenskyapproached a lectern under bright lights, preparing to deliver a message to the Ukrainian people.

"Today I will start with long-awaited words, which I wish to announce with pride," he said.

"Finally," he continued. "Ukraine is United ... This is our victory."

The speech was fiction: It is fromthe closing scene of "Servant of the People,"a satirical TV show about a down-on-his-luck high-school teacher, played by Zelensky, who is thrust into the Ukrainian presidency after his rant about corruption goes viral.

The series didn't just make Zelensky a star. It eventually served as the springboard for his real-life presidential campaign.In April 2019, within a month of the show's finale, the comedian-turned politician was elected Ukraine's President.

Zelensky again found himself in front of a lecternFriday, but the picture he outlined in the show's final moments has never felt further away as Russia's war of aggression moved closer to the capital.

The battle for Kyiv continued to rage Friday. Explosions lit up the sky as the Kremlin targeted the city with missile strikes before dawn, forcing people into air raid shelters.

In his Friday morning televised address, the Ukrainian Presidentstruck a defiant toneand praised the country's armed forces for "brilliantly defending the country."

"Now is an important moment," Zelensky said. "The fate of our country is being decided."

Read the full story here.

Zelensky refuses US offer to evacuate saying, "I need ammunition, not a ride" (2024)

FAQs

Did Zelensky say I don't need a ride I need ammo? ›

'I don't need a ride, I need ammo': Zelenskyy's pivotal moment in European history.

Did the president of Ukraine refuse evacuation? ›

Zelensky refuses US offer to evacuate, saying 'I need ammunition, not a ride' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has turned down an offer from the United States of evacuation from the capital city Kyiv, the Ukraine embassy in Britain said Saturday on Twitter.

What is Zelensky's approval rating? ›

Do you approve or disapprove of the actions of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy?
CharacteristicStrongly approveStrongly disapprove
Jun 202259%2%
Apr 202274%2%
Mar 202112%28%
Sep 202011%22%
4 more rows
Sep 19, 2023

How did Zelensky become president? ›

He won a landslide victory over incumbent Petro Poroshenko in the second round of the 2019 presidential election.

Is Ukraine burning through ammo? ›

Shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukrainian forces began burning through U.S. stockpiles of 155 mm rounds used in howitzer systems, which the U.S. had provided to Kyiv to help defend its territory and citizens.

How much ammo has been given to Ukraine? ›

Among their many contributions to Ukraine, Allies and partners have delivered 10 long-range Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), 178 long-range artillery systems, nearly 100,000 rounds of long-range artillery ammunition, nearly 250,000 anti-tank munitions, 359 tanks, 629 armored personnel carriers and infantry ...

Who was the president of Ukraine forced out? ›

In November 2013, Yanukovych made a sudden decision, amidst economic pressure from Russia, to withdraw from signing an association agreement with the EU and instead accept a Russian trade deal and loan bailout. This sparked mass protests against him that ultimately led to his ousting as President.

Did the president ban opposition in Ukraine? ›

Zelenskiy Signs Law Banning Pro-Russian Political Parties In Ukraine. KYIV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a new law banning pro-Russian political parties.

Has Ukraine declared a state of emergency? ›

Ukraine emergency: state of emergency extended to March 3, 2023. The deadline of the state of emergency approved on February 28, 2022 to ensure assistance to the Ukrainian population in Italy following the severe international crisis has been extended to March 3, 2023.

What is Putin's approval rating in Russia? ›

In February 2024, over eight out of ten percent of Russians approved of the activities of the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The popularity level was nine percentage points higher than in September 2022, when the figure declined following the announcement of a partial mobilization in the country.

Is Ukraine under martial law? ›

389-VIII from May 12, 2015) and presidential decrees about the introduction of martial law. Modern-day martial law has been introduced two times in Ukraine; in 2018 for 30 days and an ongoing one since 24 February 2022 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that started on 24 February 2022.

Is Zaluzhny more popular than Zelensky? ›

Zaluzhny is the nation's most popular leader, and he is widely credited with saving the country during the early weeks of the Russian invasion. Some of his aides had urged the general to consider challenging Zelensky for the presidency.

What religion are most Ukrainians? ›

Christianity is the predominant religion in Ukraine, with 85% of the population identifying as Christian according to a 2022 survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).

Who has been the youngest President in the US? ›

The youngest person to become U.S. president was Theodore Roosevelt, who, at age 42, succeeded to the office after the assassination of William McKinley. The oldest person inaugurated president was Joe Biden, at age 78.

Did Ukrainian president Zelensky promises to unleash wrath on Russia in 2024? ›

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a resolute New Year's address on Sunday (Dec 31), pledged to unleash formidable "wrath" against Russian forces throughout 2024. The leader of the war-torn nation vowed this, undeterred by what he said were attempts to "undermine" support for Kyiv.

What is the presidential draw down for Ukraine? ›

The presidential drawdown authority, or PDA, as it's known, has allowed the military to send billions of dollars worth of ammunition, air defense missile launchers, tanks, vehicles and other equipment to Ukraine.

What was the mission to evacuate people from Ukraine? ›

The correct answer is Operation Ganga. India evacuated 219 people as part of its mission to bring Indians from war-hit Ukraine, on 26 February 2022. The flight took off from Romania, as the Ukrainian airspace has been closed for civil aircraft operations. The evacuation mission is titled 'Operation Ganga'.

What is the operation for evacuation from Ukraine? ›

It is said to show the first-hand accounts of Indian students stuck in war-ravaged Ukraine, living in bunkers devoid of basic necessities, food and water, while their parents anxiously waited for their safe return to India.

What is the operation to evacuate Ukraine? ›

Operation Ganga was an evacuation mission carried out by the Indian government to rescue its citizens stranded in neighboring countries of Ukraine during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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