Ukrainian President Zelensky defiant as Russians close in on Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has remained defiant as Russian attacks continue in the country’s capital of Kyiv.

The Ukrainian leader has released a number of videos on social media addressing his citizens to assure them that he has no plans to leave the country. The latest Zelensky video was posted on Saturday morning. Speaking outside Gorodetsky House, a building opposite the presidential office in Kyiv, Zelensky said: “Good morning, everybody. Do not believe fake news. I am here. We will not lay down our weapons. We will defend our country. Our weapons are our strength.” He added: “This is our land. Our country. Our children. We will protect all of them.”

From the streets of Kyiv, Zelensky posted a similar video to social media on Wednesday. He promised to “protect independence” amid Russia’s invasion, which has seen forces pound the capital with airstrikes for three days.

Meanwhile, according to a tweet made by the Ukrainian embassy in the U.K., Zelensky turned down an offer of an evacuation flight from the U.S. government, telling the Biden administration that he needs “ammunition, not a ride.”

Zelensky said he has remained in Kyiv as Russia continues its attack on the city. The president said on Friday that he was “target No. 1” for Russian forces that were advancing on Kyiv.

Reports have suggested that the Kremlin’s plans are to overthrow the Ukrainian government and install a pro-Russian leadership. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for Ukrainian military forces to overthrow their own government. In a recorded address before meeting with the Russian Security Council, Putin said that Ukrainians need to “take power into your own hands" and overthrow the "neo-Nazis," Politico reported. "It seems that it will be easier for us to come to an agreement than with this gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis who occupied Kyiv and took the entire Ukrainian people hostage," Putin reportedly said.

The Putin comments echo his previous “Nazi” claims, which are refuted by the facts: Zelensky, who was democratically elected to office in 2019, is Jewish.