Ukraine: Zelensky Refuses US Evacuation Offer As He Continues Fight Against Russian Invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly turned down an offer from the US to help him evacuate.

On Thursday, February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine marking the start of an invasion.

Zelensky has since taken to Twitter this morning, February 26, to deny that the country is 'lay[ing] down [its] arms' and stating that he will 'continue to defend [the] state'.

According to BBC reporter James Waterhouse, in response to help from the US to evacuate the president said: 'I need ammunition, not a ride.'

In a recent video posted to Twitter, Zelensky also warned against the reporting of inaccurate news. He said: 'This is our land, our country, our kids, and we will defend them.'

In a later post he wrote: 'A new day on the diplomatic frontline began with a conversation with @EmmanuelMacron. Weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine. The anti-war coalition is working!'

He also said: 'Ukraine is fighting the invader with weapons in hands, defending its freedom and European future. Discussed with @vonderleyen effective assistance to our country from EU in this heroic struggle. I believe that the #EU also chooses Ukraine.'

'This is the beginning of a new page in the history of our states... #MarioDraghi in a phone conversation supported Russia's disconnection from SWIFT, the provision of defense assistance. Ukraine must become part of the #EU,' Zelensky wrote.

A high-rise apartment block has been the latest target of the invasion, with images having revealed the devastation of at least five floors.

Following a series of missile attacks, Major General Igor Konashenkov of Russia's Defence Ministry claimed long-range Kalibr cruise missiles have struck.

However, the number of casualties from the attack is still 'being specified', MailOnline reports.

According to Konashenkov, since the invasion first began on Thursday, 821 of Ukraine's military facilities have been hit, as well as 19 command facilities and 14 air bases.

A total of seven warplanes, seven helicopters, nine drones, eight military vessels, 14 air bases, 19 commanding facilities, 24 air defence missile systems and 87 tanks have also reportedly been destroyed.

While Russia's attempt to take over a military air base in the south has allegedly been stopped, Konashenkov has stated that the city of Melitopol, located in the south, has been taken over by Russia. However, these reports were dismissed by British armed forces minister James Heappey, who said, 'Even Melitopol, which the Russians are claiming to have taken but we can't see anything to substantiate that, are all still in Ukrainian hands,' Reuters reports.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information 

Topics: Ukraine, Russia, Vladimir Putin

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.