UPDATE
Kyiv is still in Ukrainian control after a vicious night of fighting:
Zelensky's briefing: "We survived (the night). And we are successfully fighting off the enemy attacks." pic.twitter.com/ZGpoczTePN
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) February 26, 2022
There are some hopeful reports out of Ukraine that discussions of a possible cease-fire are taking place:
NEWS: Ukraine discussing with Russia a place and time for talks about a cease-fire and peace, Bloomberg’s @DarynaKrasno reports. Zelenskiy’s spokesman, Serhiy Nykyforov:
“The sides are holding consultations.”— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) February 25, 2022
But Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also warned that Russia was preparing to “storm” Kyiv tonight:
Zelenskyy appealed for a cease-fire and warned that multiple cities were under attack. “This night they will storm,” he said. US defense officials believe a Russian offensive that has encountered resistance is proceeding slower than Moscow had envisioned. https://t.co/mHWVFjP7KL
— Eric Tucker (@etuckerAP) February 25, 2022
What an amazing video:
WATCH: “This night they will storm,” Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelenskyy warns multiple cities are under Russian attacks. https://t.co/krIGFEncKq pic.twitter.com/6CfXWdb8Kw
— WIBW (@wibw) February 26, 2022
“The fate of Ukraine is being decided right now. The night will be hard, very hard, but there will be a morning,” he said:
Zelensky warns Russia will storm Kyiv tonight in “vile, cruel and inhuman” fashion.
“We have to persevere tonight. The fate of Ukraine is being decided right now. The night will be hard, very hard, but there will be a morning, pic.twitter.com/8bioVWKDaA
— max seddon (@maxseddon) February 25, 2022
He also reportedly told EU leaders that “this might be the last time you see me alive”:
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emerged as a potent symbol of Ukrainian defiance, using shame to demand help from the rest of the world. “This might be the last time you see me alive," he told EU leaders on a video call yesterday. 🇺🇦#StandWithUkraine
— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) February 25, 2022
Heavy fighting is being reported in Kyiv right now:
More video from Kyiv, where heavy fighting is happening now – NEXTA pic.twitter.com/NTaLekLlGj
— BNO News (@BNONews) February 26, 2022
Heavy fighting going on in capital #Kyiv right now. Explosions & machine gun can be heard. pic.twitter.com/Wxb3h2mNUl
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) February 26, 2022
It's 0331 in Central Kyiv, and the sounds of blasts are becoming more regular, along with the clear sound of gunfire
— Thomas Newton (@SkyTNewton) February 26, 2022
And now we wait to see what this map looks like in the morning:
A look at Russian-held territory in Ukraine as of Friday: https://t.co/yQ72GWTUVk pic.twitter.com/QSzvNsVBO7
— John Muyskens (@JohnMuyskens) February 26, 2022
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