Kyiv’s mayor stated that the city had been surrounded by the Russian military.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko initially claimed that the city was surrounded and that they are no longer able to evacuate civilians from the city, only to deny the claim later.
“We can’t do that, because all ways are blocked,” Klitschko told the Associated Press on Sunday. “Right now we are encircled.”
ZELENSKY SKEPTICAL BUT WILLING TO TRY PEACE TALKS WITH RUSSIA
Kyiv’s mayor says the city is now completely surrounded and all exits blocked by Russian troops. No way to evacuate civilians.
Siege begins. pic.twitter.com/eND142bcuR
— Polina Ivanova (@polinaivanovva) February 27, 2022
A spokesperson for Klitschko later denied that Kyiv was encircled, reported the Kyiv Independent. This statement is “a lie and a manipulation,” according to the spokesperson.
Klitschko also confirmed that nine civilians had died so far, including one child. There is also a curfew that will extend through Monday morning. The curfew states that any unauthorized individual found outside during curfew could be considered a saboteur, with Klitschko saying that the city had killed six Russian “saboteurs” as of Saturday night.
The Ukrainian mayor also expressed concerns about food and water. “We are at the border of a humanitarian catastrophe,” he said. “Right now, we have electricity, right now, we have water and heating in our houses. But the infrastructure is destroyed to deliver the food and medication.”
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But that did not stop him from attempting to rally his constituents. “That’s why the message for everyone is: Support Ukraine together … We are strong,” he said. “Every Ukrainian is proud to be independent, proud to be Ukrainian, and we are proud to have our own country.”
The mayor of Kyiv attracted attention on Thursday when he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that he would fight alongside the city’s residents and soldiers in an attempt to keep the city protected.
“I don’t have another choice,” the former world heavyweight champion said. “I have to do that. I will be fighting.”
European officials expressed concern about Putin’s actions against Kyiv. However, they argued that it will be a notable victory if Kyiv can survive the invasion until Monday.
