War in Ukraine: Fights have broken out over Kiev, the fate of the country is being decided according to Zelenský (minute by minute) – SME.sk

Follow the latest news on the war in Ukraine minute by minute:

6:47 The media reports that missiles fired from the Black Sea hit Ukraine. Airstrikes are also being reported in Sumy, Poltava and Mariupol.

6:44 Chinese Ambassador to the UN Chang Jun said that Beijing is “deeply concerned” about the latest developments in Ukraine.

“It has grown to a point we do not want to see,” Chang Jun said during an extraordinary UN Security Council meeting on Friday. “We are of the opinion that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states should be respected and the goals and principles of the UN Charter collectively respected,” he added.

6:30 Western officials say the Ukrainian military has been effective in slowing Russia’s move in Kiev tonight, according to the BBC.

However, they fear that the Russians, who wanted to win a quick victory, could resort to drastic measures.

“I’m afraid that if they don’t meet the timetable and goals … they will start using violence without distinction,” one of them told the BBC.

6:25 UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on Russian troops in Ukraine to “return to the barracks”.

“We must never give up. We must give us another chance for peace,” Guterres told reporters after Moscow vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

6:10 The Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria have announced that they will not allow any Russian Airlines aircraft into their airspace from midnight on Saturday.

“Since midnight, we have been stopping the operation of all Russian air carriers on Czech territory,” the Czech Minister of Transport Martin Kupka wrote on Twitter.

In Bulgaria, the same measure will come into force for “worsening military conflict, as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine”.

6:00 The US government is ready to help Ukrainian President Zelenský leave Kiev and prevent him from being captured or killed by Russian forces. However, the president has so far refused to leave Kiev and the country.

“The fight is taking place here. We need ammunition, not transport,” the AP quoted a high-ranking intelligence official as saying in the president’s response.

As the Russian army stepped up its attacks on Friday, Zelensky he promised to remain at the helm of the government despite serious personal risk. “According to the information we have, my friend marked me as goal number one and my family as goal number two,” the president told Ukrainians on Friday morning.

“They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state.”

5:45 With the approaching morning, there are reports of ongoing intense fighting in Kiev. According to a post on the Facebook page of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, heavy fighting is taking place in Vasylkiva.

The military adds that “active fighting” is taking place in the streets of the capital. Reports by Kiev journalists on social media also indicate that real fighting has broken out in the streets. Many describe loud shots and gunfire much closer to the city center.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian armed forces added that their troops had shot down several Russian “enemy targets” during the day and also prevented Russian troops from capturing some of the Ukrainian cities.

5:00 Fighting broke out in the streets of the capital, writes the BBC, referring to a government statement quoted by the Ukrainian news agency Interfax.

“The streets of our city are currently being fought,” the statement said.

The government warns city residents to stay in shelters and stay away from windows or balconies.

4:13 Russia faces strong resistance, claims the British Ministry of Defense. According to him, Ukraine was able to maintain key cities despite repeated attacks by the Russian army.

The ministry’s statement said that Russian forces were occupying the territory from several sides so that they could encircle the capital Kiev, but met with strong resistance from the Ukrainian army.

According to the British Ministry of Defense, Russian forces also landed between the cities of Mariupol and Melitopol in southern Ukraine.

3:45 A military base in Kiev repulsed an attack by Russian troops, the Ukrainian army said on Facebook.

The attack, which the BBC has not yet been able to verify, was to take place on Victory Street.

3:00 Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko called the situation in the city “threatening” and added that Ukrainian soldiers guard bridges and all important access points.

“

Tonight will be the hardest, we must not lose the capital.

“

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine

“Tonight will be the hardest, we must not lose the capital,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a short video before the Russian attack on Kiev began. He added that the fate of the country will be decided tonight.

2:50 The US government has imposed sanctions to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei LavrovaDefense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other members of the Russian Security Council.

According to Sky News, the chief of staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, is on the sanctions list.

Putin, Lavrov and other Russian officials will be banned from traveling to the United States and will also freeze their potential assets in U.S. jurisdiction.

Similar sanctions, namely the freezing of assets for both Putin and Lavrov, announced the European Union on Friday and subsequently Britain, Canada and Australia.

2:45 Ukrainian air defense declares that it managed to shoot down near Kiev two Il-76 cargo planes with Russian paratroopers. It is not known how many paratroopers were on board in total.

2:35 Russian troops enter the city of Melitopol in southeastern Ukraine near Crimea, the DPA agency reported, referring to Russian and Ukrainian sources.

According to the Russian agency RIA Novosti, which refers to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian troops landed in the city of Azov on the Sea of ​​Azov and occupied Melitopol “without any resistance”.

However, the Ukrainian agency Ukrinform claims that the city is surrounded and only a small group of Russian soldiers has entered it.

According to Zaporozhye region governor Oleksandr Staruch, Russian troops entered Melitopol and tried to control critical infrastructure, but were pushed out of the city. He added that the fighting continues near Melitopol.

2:30 The media reports about further explosions in Kiev, as well as fierce fighting in other parts of Ukraine.

A large explosion was heard in the capital near Majdan Square, and several explosions were also reported in the Troješčina district. According to witnesses, artillery fire on Kiev was heard for miles around the city center.

The daily Kyiv Independent also reports on the tough fight near the city’s zoo gardens and heavy machine gun fire and more than 50 explosions in the Šuliavka district.

Fox News foreign correspondent Trey Yingst says the capital is “currently being attacked from several sides”.

Ukraine also reports fighting near the CHP-6 power plant in the Troyshchina district of the capital. The attack could be an attempt to rid the city of electricity. On Kiev’s Victory Street, they again recorded vehicle wrecks and fires.

Heavy fighting was also reported at the airport in Vasylkiva, which is believed to be being used by Russian paratroopers as a springboard for the attack on Kiev.

Ukrainian forces also claim to have successfully repulsed the Russians in the Black Sea city of Mykolaiv.

01:00 Russia has blocked a UN Security Council resolution which was to strongly condemn Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.

The resolution was also to call for an immediate end to the Russian invasion and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.

Eleven countries from the 15-member Security Council voted in favor of the resolution. Russia is expected to veto the resolution, with China, India and United Arab Emirates abstentions.

00:00 The arrival of Allied troops in Slovakia a few days ago seemed like one of the theoretical options for the future, now it has become a matter of the coming days.

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War in Ukraine accelerated the strategic plans of the North Atlantic Alliance. Minister of Foreign Affairs for SaS Ivan Korčok announced on Thursday that ONTO decided to create a so-called advanced defense on the eastern wing of Europe.

Germany was the first to report aid on Slovak territory on Friday evening. German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht announced that one company, or about 150 soldiers, should come.

The contribution will also include the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system.