Good morning. The battle for Kyiv is intensifying, with Russian troops bearing down on the heart of Ukraine’s capital. But the Ukrainians are holding their positions for now.
This morning, the Ukrainian army said it had repelled a Russian attack on one of Kyiv’s main avenues.
Here are five key developments overnight:
1.UK will support Ukrainian resistance
James Heappey, the armed forces minister, has said this morning that the UK is looking to continue its supply of weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Mr Heappey said that Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, had chaired a donors conference on Friday with 25 nations, some of whom pledged to send arms and other aid.
“We know what the Ukrainians want. We are doing our best to get it to them,” he told Sky News.
It is believed that the assistance includes lethal aid, such as ammunition, anti-tank weapons and anti-air weapons, and non-lethal aid such as medical supplies.
Mr Heappey said the Government was working on plans to support a resistance movement and a Ukrainian government in exile if Kyiv does fall.
“That is a decision for the National Security Council to take but it is something that the Prime Minister has asked us in the Ministry of Defence to look at and plan for,” he said.
2. I need ammunition, not a way out, Zelensky tells US
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has shot a defiant selfie video in which he pledges to stay in Kyiv and fight.
“I am here. We will not lay down any weapons. We will defend our state, because our weapons are our truth,” he declared, denouncing as disinformation claims that he had surrendered or fled.
Wearing olive green military-style clothing and looking tired but determined, he declared: “Our truth is that this is our land, our country, our children and we will protect all of this. This is what I wanted to tell you. Glory to Ukraine!”
Mr Zelensky had been asked to evacuate at the behest of the US government, but turned down their offer, telling America: “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride”.
