Zelensky vows to remain in city to fight, praises Ukrainians for their courage

President Volodymyr Zelensky praised his fellow countrymen for their bravery in taking up arms and fighting the Russian superpower as it continues to steamroll tanks and armored vehicles into the nation’s capital, Kyiv.

“Today Russia attacked the entire territory of our state,” Zelensky said in a television address that honored Ukrainian forces. “And today our defenders have done a lot.”

“They defended almost the entire territory of Ukraine,” he continued. “Which suffered direct blows. They regain the one that the enemy managed to occupy.”

Never ask your people to do something you’re not prepared to do yourself - what a man #Zelenskiy is - a hero of his country 🇺🇦 and an example to the wider world pic.twitter.com/M3WiaqitDF

— Karen (@cheesedoff3) February 25, 2022

Reports have demonstrated and even published photos of Ukrainian citizens, including women, donning military gear and arming themselves to prepare to fight the Russian invaders. 

On social media, Ukrainian academic Darina Tkachencko who has been broadcasting updates from Kyiv
confirmed that Ukrainian citizens were banding together and preparing to fight.

“In Kyiv, many, many, many people gathered for civil defense and got weapons, [and] prepared Molotov cocktails. In one brewery, the owner started to empty the beer and give the bottles to the cause! We are invincible.”

She then added a tally of “enemy losses” reporting that Russians had enemy losses that have been reported by the U.K. Daily Mail:

--80 tanks

--516 armored vehicles

--10 aircraft

--7 helicopters

--2800 Russian troops.

“We are going to win!” she added confidently. 

In Zelensky's speech, he added that he was personally determined to remain in the Ukrainian capital with his people and fight until the bitter end.

Zelensky posts a video with top aides + his prime minister, apparently from above ground in Kyiv.

“We are all here, our soldiers are here … we are defending our independence” pic.twitter.com/CX7s7Rq0ED

— Felix Light (@felix_light) February 25, 2022

“I know that a lot of fake [news] is being produced now,” he said. “In particular, that I allegedly left Kyiv. I stay in the capital, I stay with my people. During the day, I held dozens of international talks, directly managed our country. And I will stay in the capital.

He then added, “My family is also in Ukraine. My children are also in Ukraine. My family is not traitors. They are the citizens of Ukraine.”

The Ukrainian president’s speech honored the 316 soldiers who were injured and 137 killed by Russian forces, which were the numbers at the time of president’s speech.

A lonely but honorable man Zelensky History will remember you with this stance. History will not forget America and Europe, how they left you alone, how they cheated.. #Kiew #Zelenskiy #Ukrainian #UkraineRussia pic.twitter.com/QIK94a5pF9

— Hamid Sherzad (@HamidSherzad30) February 25, 2022

“On our Zmiinyi Island, defending it to the last, all the border guards died heroically,” Zelensky explained. “But did not give up. All of them will be posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.”

Before finishing, Zelensky added encouraging words to his people.

“Now the fate of the country depends entirely on our army, on our heroes, our security forces, all our defenders. And on our people, your wisdom and the great support of all friends of our country. Glory to Ukraine!” he said.