They Held the Line: Ukrainians in Kyiv Hold Out Against Hellacious Russian Assault
I will say this about the Ukrainians. They’re holding out. They’re putting up a tenacious fight against their Russian invaders. It was something Moscow was not expecting. Vladimir Putin has the better military, but they’re struggling in achieving their objectives. Kyiv was projected to be surrounded by Russian forces by this time. At one point this week, they were only a mere 20 miles from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv which was already being bombed.
Last night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was clear that last night was a fight for the nation. they needed to keep Kyiv, but it was going to be difficult as the full might of Russia’s war machine was going to be unleashed upon the city. The nation has been virtually mustered. Citizens can carry firearms in public for the national defense. All males 18-60 cannot leave. Martial law has been declared. The people are ready to fight with whatever means available. Ukrainian soldiers were teaching civilians how to make Molotov cocktails prior to the Russian assault. Russian troops reached the outskirts of the city yesterday evening and fighting did break out in the streets reportedly.
Russian forces are closing in on Kyiv. Intense fighting ongoing. pic.twitter.com/OfnOZtOMYf
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) February 26, 2022
The Ukrainians held the line. The city remains in their hands. Zelensky had rebuffed an American offer of an evacuation—he was in the city during the assault—adding that he needed ammunition, not a ride (via NBC News):
