Ukraine 'left alone' to fight Russia: President Zelensky

Kyiv: Ukraine's president said Friday his country had been left on its own to fight Russia after the Kremlin launched a large-scale invasion that killed 130 Ukrainians in the first day.

"We have been left alone to defend our state," Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address to the nation after midnight. 

"Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don't see anyone. Who is ready to give Ukraine a guarantee of NATO membership? Everyone is afraid," he added. 

Zelensky said that 137 Ukrainians, both military personnel and civilians, had been killed since the start of the attack early Thursday.

Another 316 had been wounded, he said.

Zelensky also said that Russian "sabotage groups" had entered the capital Kyiv, and urged the city's citizens to remain vigilant and observe a curfew. 

The president added that he and his family remained in Ukraine, despite Russia identifying him as "target number one". 

"They want to destroy Ukraine politically by taking down the head of state," Zelensky said.

Early Friday, two loud blasts were heard in the centre of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, a day after Russian troops launched an invasion of its Western-backed neighbour.

Russian missiles and shelling rained down on Ukrainian cities on Thursday after President Vladimir Putin unleashed a full-scale ground invasion and air assault, forcing civilians to shelter on metro systems.

Invading Russian forces pressed deep into Ukraine as deadly battles reached the outskirts of Kyiv and the West responded with punishing sanctions.

On Thursday, Russia’s paratroopers wrested control of the Gostomel airfield, on the northwestern outskirts of Kyiv, after swooping in with helicopters and jets from the direction of Belarus.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Friday that Russian "sabotage groups" have entered Kyiv and urged citizens to remain vigilant.

SOURCE: AFP