Ukrainians Brace For Another Night Of Street Fighting In Kyiv

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Kyiv residents braced Saturday for another night sheltering underground, as Russian troops closed in on Ukraines capital and skirmishes were reported on the outskirts. Ukraines leader, meanwhile, vowed to continue fighting the Russian assault as he appealed for more outside help.

The real fighting for Kyiv is ongoing, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message in which he accused Russia of hitting infrastructure and civilian targets.

We will win, he said.

Dont believe the fakes, Zelensky says, dismissing rumors he had fled or ordered Ukraine to surrender. Hes talking a walk around Kyivs government district and vowing to keep on fighting. https://t.co/8ZOQnXeGKq

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Dont believe the fakes, Zelensky says, dismissing rumors he had fled or ordered Ukraine to surrender. Hes talking a walk around Kyivs government district and vowing to keep on fighting. https://t.co/8ZOQnXeGKq
max seddon (@maxseddon) February 26, 2022

Central Kyiv appeared quiet on Saturday , though sporadic gunfire could be heard. And fighting on the citys outskirts suggested that small Russian units were trying to clear a path for the main forces. Britain and the U.S. said the bulk of Russian forces were 19 miles (30 kilometers) from the center of the city.

As Russian troops pressed their offensive with small groups of troops reported inside Kyiv, the citys mayor, Vitali Klitschko, extended an overnight curfew to run from 5 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. on Monday, saying any civilians out past curfew will be considered members of the enemys sabotage and reconnaissance groups.

Russia claims its assault on Ukraine is aimed only at military targets, but bridges, schools and residential neighborhoods have been hit since the invasion began Thursday with air and missile strikes and Russian troops entering Ukraine from the north, east and south.

Ukraines health minister reported Saturday that 198 people, including three children, had been killed and more than 1,000 others had been wounded during Europes largest land war since World War II. It was unclear whether those figures included both military and civilian casualties.

In Kyiv, a missile struck a high-rise apartment building in the southwestern outskirts near one of the citys two passenger airports, leaving a jagged hole of ravaged apartments over several floors. A rescue worker said six civilians were injured.

The conflict has driven thousands of Ukrainians from their homes in search of safety. U.N. officials said more than 120,000 Ukrainians had left the country for Poland, Moldova and other neighboring nations.

Zelenskyy reiterated his openness to talks with Russia in a video message Saturday, saying he welcomed an offer from the leaders of Turkey and Azerbaijan to organize diplomatic efforts, which so far have faltered. A day earlier, Zelenskyy offered to negotiate a key Russian demand: to abandon its ambitions of joining NATO.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine after he spent weeks denying thats what he intended, all the while building up a force of almost 200,000 troops along the countries borders. He claims the West has failed to take seriously Russias security concerns about NATO, the Western military alliance that Ukraine aspires to join. But he has also expressed scorn about Ukraines right to exist as an independent state.