Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared Thursday morning that the government would give weapons to anyone who wanted to defend the country against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared Thursday morning that the government would give weapons to anyone who wanted to defend the country against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country. Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2022
Zelenskyy also said they would lift sanctions on all citizens who are willing to be part of the territorial defense.
A US Senior Defense Official gave a briefing to reporters Thursday morning. “What we are seeing are initial phases of a large-scale invasion. How long, how far, we don’t know.” The official said the US is tracking three points of invasion: from Crimea in south and from Belarus in North and NE.
Putin has NOT yet sent all of the forces amassed around Ukraine, senior defense official says, warning this is very early. US has not been surprised by last 24 hrs, but does not know how far Putin will go.
— Kevin Baron (@DefenseBaron) February 24, 2022
As the call for civilians to defend themselves goes out, fighting has reached Hostomel which is less than 10 miles from Kyiv.
Fighting near Hostomel Airport near #Kyiv (via @Novynarnia) pic.twitter.com/uPbsHwr9PT
— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) February 24, 2022
Though massively disadvantaged, Ukrainian forces are fighting back. Footage shows at least one Russian helicopter being shot down and multiple Russian soldiers being taken prisoner.