President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine denies rumors that he has fled Ukraine by posting a video of himself and his crew in Kyiv, saying, "We're right here. We're defending Ukraine."

Residents of the capital are getting ready for Russian forces to push additional into town as residential buildings have been hit by shelling early Friday morning, and there have been stories of "heavy combating within the northern districts of Kyiv".

President Zelenskyy, in his video which he posted on Twitter, introduced that he, together with a number of members of his crew, together with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, was nonetheless in Kyiv, regardless of rumors from Russian media retailers that he had fled.

"The President is right here," Zelenskyy mentioned. "And we're right here. We're all right here defending our Independence, our state. It is going to proceed to be so. Glory to our defenders! Glory to Ukraine!"

His message acquired an outpour of assist, as individuals on Twitter commend Zelenskyy's resolution to remain.

"He can be the place his individuals are, At All Instances," mentioned one Twitter person.

One other wrote, "We salute you and assist you sir. We're behind you."

Extra Ukrainian leaders are rallying to take up arms and shield their nation. Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenkospoke to CNN wielding an AK-47 and promised that he can be on the streets of Kyiv combating for his nation.

When requested how lengthy he believed Ukraine will have the ability to maintain out, Poroshenko mentioned, "Ceaselessly, I believe Putin won't ever catch Ukraine, irrespective of what number of troopers, missiles or nuclear weapons he has. We Ukrainians are free individuals with an amazing European future."

A member of the Ukrainian parliament, Oleksiy Honcharenko, advised CNN that he had determined to face and battle as properly and even went to police headquarters to get a gun.

"I am not an expert soldier in any respect, however I can try to I can do my greatest and I'll do it if Russian forces enter Kyiv," Honcharenko mentioned.

There are additional stories that civilians are additionally rallying within the metropolis, as Radio Free Europe reported that on the streets of Kyiv, armed Ukrainians in civilian garments have been "carrying AK-47s and, in a single case, an RPG."

And the Ukrainian Ministry of Protection posted on social media, "We urge residents to tell us of troop actions, to make Molotov cocktails, and neutralize the enemy."

In Obolon, the enemy DRG. We ask residents to tell concerning the motion of apparatus! Make Molotov cocktails, neutralize the occupier! Peaceable residents - watch out! Don't go away the home!

Ukraine's parliament voted on Wednesday to approve a regulation that gave residents the precise to bear arms, mere hours earlier than Russia's assault, in response to a Reuters report.

U.S. officers advised CNN that they feared Kyiv might fall beneath Russian management inside days.

For reside updates on Ukraine-Russia battle, click on right here.

UKRAINE-LITHUANIA-POLAND-DIPLOMACY
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video of himself and his crew in Kyiv, squashing rumors that he had fled as Russian troops transfer additional into town. On this picture, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press convention together with his counterparts from Lithuania and Poland following their talks in Kyiv on February 23, 2022. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP through Getty Photographs

UPDATE 5:06 P.M. ET: This text's headline was up to date from squashed to quashed.