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Ground Report | New Delhi: Ukrainians war after Russia; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today reported the death of 137 Ukrainians during the first day of the Russian attack on the country.
“According to preliminary data, unfortunately, we have already lost 137 of our heroes, our citizens, ten of the officers. 316 were injured,” said the president in a new address to the nation. "Today Russia attacked the entire territory of Ukraine. And today our defenders have done a lot," he said.
"The enemy attacks not only military installations, as they claim, but also civilians. They kill people and turn peaceful cities into military targets. This is vile and will never be forgiven," he stressed.
Zelensky also denied that he had left Kyiv. "I am in the capital, my family is also in Ukraine," he stressed.
"According to our information, I am the number one target of the enemy. My family the second. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state," he said. He also said he had data on sabotage groups sent by Russia to Kyiv.
"I ask the Kievites to be careful, to follow the curfew. I remain in the government quarter with all those who are necessary for the work of the central government," he stressed.
Zelensky regretted again that no one has given him a clear answer about Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO. “They left us alone to defend our State. Who is prepared to fight by our side? I do not see anyone. Who is ready to ensure Ukraine's accession to NATO? Everyone is scared,” she stressed.
The Ukrainian president said, after hearing that Moscow - despite the military offensive - still wants to talk about the neutral status of Ukraine so that it does not join NATO, that he is not afraid.
"We are not afraid to talk to Russia. We are not afraid to talk about security guarantees for our state. We are not afraid to talk about neutral status. But will we have security guarantees? Which countries will give them to us?" Zelenski maintained that right now it is necessary to talk about the “end of this invasion” and a “ceasefire”.
The White House spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, condemned Russia on Thursday for "credible" reports that point to a hostage-taking at the Chernobyl power plant in northern Ukraine, whose control would already be under the Armed Forces of Russia.
"We are outraged by credible reports that Russian soldiers are currently holding Chernobyl facility personnel hostage," Psaki told a news conference, adding "it is obviously incredibly alarming."
Thus, he has emphasized that "this illegal and dangerous hostage taking could jeopardize the routine efforts of officials (which are) necessary to maintain and protect nuclear waste facilities."
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