Ukrainian heroes in fight to death with Russian invaders in Kyiv – inspired by ‘go f**k yourselves’ battle cry
UKRAINIAN heroes were last night locked in a fight to the death with Russian invaders in Kyiv — inspired by soldiers’ “go f*** yourselves” battle cry.
Thirteen border guards were killed by Russian bombs after swearing at a warship which told them to surrender Snake Island south of the mainland.
Their defiance typified the nation’s steadfast spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.
Yesterday I witnessed first hand both the fear and the awe-inspiring courage of the people of Kyiv.
There were few signs of panic among the thousands of refugees ferrying loved ones away from the coming carnage.
But I also saw determination etched on the faces of the men and women who stayed to confront Putin’s evil in this great city.
Soldiers and civilians grabbed weapons and lined up side-by-side on bridges in the capital.
Kyiv mayor and ex-heavyweight boxing champ Vitali Klitschko took up arms alongside his brother and fellow world title holder Wladimir.
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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy stood in the street outside the presidency building to share a video.
He told his nation: “We’re all here. Our military is here. Citizens in society are here. We’re all here defending our independence, our country, and it will stay this way.
“Take power in your own hands,” he urged his soldiers.
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Elsewhere, a soldier blew himself up on a bridge to stop Russians storming in from Crimea.
And a viral video clip showed a fearless man walking up to armoured cars.
In the capital authorities handed out 10,000 assault rifles and 18,000 sub-machine guns to defenders facing down the huge Russian force.
Fierce exchanges erupted through the day five miles north of the city centre as fighters engaged Russians arriving in attack helicopters.
Putin’s elite Spetsnaz troops backed by undercover assassins and armoured vehicles were reported to be locked in gun battles in Kyiv’s suburbs while the main Russian force lay in wait 30 miles north. The UK’s Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt Gen Sir Jim Hockenhull warned Russia would continue its bombardment and encirclement today. He said: “Russian forces continue to advance on two axes towards Kyiv. Their objective is to encircle the capital to secure control of the population and change the regime.”
The pivotal Gostomel airfield near the capital changed hands several times in 36 hours. Russians claimed to have seized it but Ukrainian troops swept in to retake it. The airfield is believed to be so damaged it can only take helicopters and won’t provide the air bridge that Putin craved. Sources said “high net worth individuals” such as the Klitschkos were not fleeing Ukraine and that “political unity” remained strong. Mayor Vitali, 50, tweeted a picture of himself manning a heavy-calibre machine gun.
Asked whether he would join the resistance Vitali said: “I don’t have another choice, I have to do that. I’ll be fighting.” Brother Wladimir, 47, gave the same message. Heavyweight champ Oleksander Usyk also vowed to join comrades battling the Russians. He said: “Friends, we have to stop this war, together.”
Ukrainians were holding defensive positions across roads, bridges and in buildings as the Russians failed to gain significant footholds.
Putin resorted to a crazed appeal to Ukrainians to turn on their “drug-addicted neo-Nazi” leaders or lay down arms and go home. But his forces were reported to be sustaining heavy casualties, with Ukraine claiming to have killed at least 2,800 soldiers.
Western intelligence sources confirmed that Russians were trying to encircle Kyiv but were being beaten back. A security source said: “The Ukrainians have done excellent work taking down bridges to slow them.
“Russia has largely not met its Day One objectives and its battleplan timings are slipping. The conflict is the choice of Putin, this is now not a war of choice, but one of necessity, so he has to win.
“He would resort to any means necessary. If we do end up with significant urban fighting I have a concern for the way Russia would use indiscriminate force.”
Elsewhere generals hailed the sacrifice of Vitaliy Skakun Volodymyrovych for halting Russian tanks at the southern port of Henichesk, a key route from Russian-occupied Crimea.
As Putin’s forces raced towards him, Vitaliy realised he did not have time to set a fuse and get to safety.
The general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces said: “The bridge was mined, but he didn’t manage to get away from there.
“According to his brothers in arms, Vitaliy got in touch with them and said he was going to blow up the bridge. Immediately after an explosion rang out.”
Vitaliy, a military engineer, was hailed by his comrades for significantly slowing the enemy’s advance and allowing his units to regroup. One military official said: “Russian occupiers, know that the ground will burn under your feet!”
A 30-second viral clip showed a mystery man walking up to Russian military vehicles in the south. His fate was unknown.
Earlier Lt Gen Hockenhull said: “Overnight, Russia launched a concerted series of strikes on targets and Kyiv. Rocket launches have been employed in Chernikov and Kharkiv.
“Ukrainian armed forces continue to offer strong resistance, focusing on the defensive key cities.”
Our brave team on the frontline
Nick Parker
VETERAN foreign correspondent has reported from all over the world during his 34 years at The Sun. He covered both Gulf Wars for the paper as well as the conflict in Afghanistan.
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Jerome Starkey
WAR reporter Jerome, 40, has been sending dispatches from front lines for 16 years. His moving reports from Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul last year had readers in tears.
Doug Seeburg
PHOTOGRAPHER Doug, 55, has been brilliantly capturing human scenes in harrowing war zones from Bosnia to Afghanistan since joining The Sun in 1994.
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