The resistance is mobilizing in Kiev, while Russian troops attempt to seize the capital. Since the lightning attack launched by Vladimir Putin on Thursday morning, more than 25,000 weapons have been distributed to civilians by the Ukrainian authorities. Hundreds of thousands of residents of the capital would still be there, many to confront the Russian invader. By dawn on Saturday morning, gunfire and explosions could now be heard inside the city as Russian troops launched their assault.
“Those who wanted to leave left. Those who remain are calm and ready,” says Valentyn Ilchuk. Like many others, the 38-year-old man, who lives in the suburbs of Kiev, sent his family to the shelter in the west of the country from the first Russian bombardments. “But I am going to fight for my country, for my family, for my home,” he says without hesitation.
Violent fighting took place on Friday in the suburbs of Kiev, in particular for the control of a cargo airport which would allow the Russian army to land soldiers on Ukrainian soil en masse. Some reports on Friday reported hundreds of deaths since the start of hostilities. In the evening, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the population that the Russian army would try to seize the capital on the night of Friday to Saturday. Ukraine said on Saturday morning that it had repelled a first attack on Kiev.
” Until the end “
“We cannot lose the capital. I address our defenders, men and women from all fronts: tonight, the enemy will use all his forces to break through our defenses in the meanest, harshest and most inhuman way. Tonight they will try to seize” Kiev, he said in a video address.
But the country is not on the verge of surrender, several Ukrainian deputies said in a common voice during a press briefing organized for the Canadian media on Friday. “Ukrainians will never give up,” said MP Lesya Vasylenko. Ukrainians are stubborn and love freedom. We are ready to defend our country until the end. »
More than 300 Ukrainians joined the Ukrainian Territorial Defense — civilian battalions that will provide the last line of defense — in Kyiv on Friday, MK Yulia Klymenko added. “These are the numbers just for one day. These people are there, with a weapon in their hands or not, and they are waiting for the Russians to enter Kiev. »
In addition to the thousands of weapons distributed by the government, many civilians have hunting weapons. The Ukrainians still present in the capital would number in the hundreds of thousands. “They are there, they are waiting and they are not going to capitulate in any way,” insists MP Klymenko.
As these lines were written, the Ukrainian army, supported by the Ukrainian territorial defense, seemed to have succeeded in slowing the advance of the Russian troops. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has asked all civilians still present in Kiev to inform it of enemy troop movements. “Make Molotov cocktails, neutralize the occupier!” ” he added.
Ukrainian officials have reported at least 137 deaths on their side and claimed hundreds on the Russian side. The Russian authorities have not published any figures and it has not been possible to verify these figures. President Zelensky notably accused the Russian army of “bombing civilian areas” of the capital.
Solidarity
“We know that we have in front of us one of the most powerful armies in the world, mentions Valentyn Ilchuk. But Ukrainians are stubborn. Putin thought he could take the country in a few hours, but Russian soldiers will die here, probably more than us. »
In 2014, the man left as a volunteer in Donbass to fight pro-Russian separatists. “It was predictable that people like me and my friends, who have a military background, are now part of the resistance,” he continues. But what is incredible at the moment is to see thousands of civilians, who have no experience, staying put. »
A vision shared by Kostyantyn Batozsky, who also lives in Kiev. “We are living a nightmare. The unimaginable happened. But people don’t run away. Putin wants us to cry on his knees to ask him to stop, but that won’t happen. »
The political analyst, originally from Donbass, has also sent his family to the west of the country. “But I am staying. There is no other possible option. An atmosphere of solidarity and support is noticeable in Kyiv, he said.
Since the start of the large-scale attack launched by the Russian neighbor, the sound of sirens, explosions and missiles has pierced the daily lives of Ukrainians who live in the country’s major cities. “The most frightening moments are when I go to bed, testifies Kostyantyn Batozsky. When we are in action, we have less time to think. »
lukewarm response
The man says he is convinced that the Zelensky government will not seek to negotiate with the autocratic regime of Vladimir Putin, despite the violence of the attacks launched by Russian troops. “He’s a maniac. He’s a new Hitler. It bombs us and it demands that our country be demilitarized. Seriously? »
In the same breath, he slays the response of Western countries, which he considers too lukewarm. “They are too slow. It took them a day to impose sanctions. Every minute represents a price in human lives,” he said.
Ukrainian MPs gathered in front of Canadian media on Friday also called for a more aggressive response from the West. “This is not a war between Russia and Ukraine. This is a war between an autocratic country and the democratic world, argued MP Yegor Chernev. If Ukraine loses, the West loses. »
MP Maria Ionova, involved in Ukraine’s moves to join NATO and the European Union, called on Canada to push for Ukrainian airspace to be closed, which would slow the Russian attack. She also demanded the exclusion of Russia from the SWIFT international banking exchange system and tougher sanctions, especially against Russian banks. A request shared by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday.
As Kostyantyn Batozsky reminds us emphatically: “In war, you have to choose your side. »
With Agence France-Presse