President Zelenskyy Says He's Not Afraid In Brave Message From Palace
As bombs rain down on the Ukrainian capital, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shared a video online that proves he is working from his office in Kyiv.
While many world leaders would hole-up in a bunker and lead from there, Zelenskyy is adamant that he will not leave the capital until the Russian invasion is over.
In a bold video shot from his Bankova Street office, the Ukrainian leader said he will stay for 'as long as necessary' and that his team is by his side.
Zelenskiy with another video from his office in the heart of Kyiv.
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) March 7, 2022
Not many presidents would still be there and not in a bunker, on the 12th day of an invasion, with multiple intelligence reports of hit squads out to get him.
His resilience is proving hugely inspiring here. pic.twitter.com/RCa8dnf8jS
Previous media reports had suggested that Zelenskyy had gone into hiding, but he has well and truly quashed that notion.
"Our office, Monday evening," the Ukrainian leader can be heard saying in the video.
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"We get used to saying that Monday is a tough day. We have a war in the country, so every day is Monday."
Zelenskyy can be seen marching through the corridors before sitting behind his desk to issue a clear message: he isn't going anywhere.
"I am staying here in Kyiv, on Bankova street. I am not afraid of anyone. And I will stay as long as it takes to win our patriotic war."
"Today, a family of four, parents and two children, were killed in Irpin as they were trying to leave the city," #Zelensky said. "We will not forgive. We will not forget." #PrayForPeace #PrayingForUkraine pic.twitter.com/1wSTe4iQ66
— EqualSide (@EqualSide) March 7, 2022
The Ukrainian President's brazen comments come after Russian troops launched attacks on Kyiv's surrounding suburbs.
Yesterday (March 6), Russian forces attacked Irpin, which is located 25 kilometres northwest of Kyiv.
Eight people were killed as they were trying to escape the attack, including a mother and her two children.
In a TV broadcast aired later than evening, a solemn Zelenskyy vowed that they would 'not forgive' and 'not forget' the deaths of his people.
Spent the day in Irpin, 16 miles from Kyiv. Thousands of civilians have fled over rubble, a river, then under a blown-up bridge to escape Russian bombardment. Met an elderly woman… alone, using a walking stick, clutching railings for support. She said she had escaped “hell” pic.twitter.com/e0hGyt59V1
— Rohit Kachroo (@RohitKachrooITV) March 7, 2022
According to a report by The Independent, the eight people who were killed had been trying to cross a damaged bridge to get to safety when they were hit by mortar shells.
In his public broadcast, Zelenskyy's aired his disgust at the deaths of his people.
"A family was killed in [Irpin] today. A man, a woman and two children. Right on the road. … When they were just trying to get out of town. To escape. The whole family. How many such families have died in Ukraine," he said.
"We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will punish everyone who committed atrocities in this war. On our land. We will find every bastard.
"Which shot at our cities, our people. Which bombed our land. Which launched rockets. Which gave the order and pressed ‘start'.
"There will be no quiet place on this Earth for you. Except for the grave."
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.
Rachel Lang