Kyiv Is Still Holding out, and Putin Is Reportedly Furious – Opinion

On Friday, we anticipated the attack main on Kyiv and that it would likely fall.

But it’s day three, and the Ukrainians are still hanging in there, giving Putin far more difficulty than he ever expected, with Russians reportedlytaking heavy losses. Kyiv still stands.

Through this difficult night, we persevered. Good morning. Good morning.

— Anastasiia Lapatina (@lapatina_) February 26, 2022

According to the British Defence Ministry, Reuters reports, they’re under fire but haven’t fallen yet.

“Russian forces have continued their advance on Kyiv with the bulk of their forces now 30 km from the centre of the city,” the defence ministry said in an intelligence update posted on Twitter.

“Russia has yet to gain control of the airspace over Ukraine greatly reducing the effectiveness of the Russian Air Force. Russian casualties are likely to be heavy and greater than anticipated or acknowledged by the Kremlin,” it said.

Kyiv remains under Ukrainian control, as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky refuses to leave his country on the third day of Russia’s invasion. Zelensky has been posting videos from Kyiv, letting his citizens and the world know that he’s still there and standing up for his people. He’s refused the offer from the U.S. to get him out of here and instead has asked for ammo to help him fight.

Не вірте фейкам. pic.twitter.com/wiLqmCuz1p

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2022

You are here. We will not surrender our weapons.

— Simon Vaut (@simonvaut) February 26, 2022

Also, there have been contradicting reports that Turkey may close the Black Sea. If true, this would be a serious move. Zelensky thanks Turkey for the move.

Thank you to my friend, Mr. President🇹🇷 @RTErdogan and the people of 🇹🇷 for their strong support. The ban on the passage of 🇷🇺 warships to the Black Sea and significant military and humanitarian support for 🇺🇦 are extremely important today. The people of 🇺🇦 will never forget that!

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2022

Although Turkey is close to Russia and has supported Ukraine in many ways, it now calls for an end to the conflict. One of the ships that Russia hit in the Black Sea was a Turkish warship, so Turkey can’t be happy about what is happening from Russia. Turkey is part of NATO.

⚡️After failure, Russia is changing tactics, says Ukraine’s Defense Minister.

The attacker had now switched to sabotage, paratroop attacks and said the attack on heavy armor columns was dead.

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) February 26, 2022

According to intel from Riho Terras, a member of the EU Parliament and a former defense minister for Estonia, Putin is furious that it hasn’t gone as quickly or as well as he thought it would.

THREAD 1/7 Intel from a Ukrainian officer about a meeting in Putin’s lair in Urals. To ensure no one flees, Oligarchs gathered there. Putin was furious. He thought the entire war would be simple and that everything could be completed in just 1-4 days. @EPPGroup @general_ben @edwardlucas @politico pic.twitter.com/8AoelUDWM9

— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 26, 2022

2/7 Russians didn’t have a tactical plan. It costs $20 bln/day to wage war. Rockets are only available for 2-3 days and the soldiers use them sparingly. They lack weapons, the Tula and 2 Rotenberg plants can’t physically fulfil the orders for weapons. They can only do what they know: ammo and rifles.

— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 26, 2022

4/7 The Russians must be held off by Ukraine for a minimum of 10 days before they can enter into negotiations. They lack money, weapons and resources. They remain indifferent towards the restrictions.

— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 26, 2022

Terras claimed that Russia was trying to inflict panic on the population. Zelensky, Zelensky, and Terras would then flee to Russia to set up a puppet government for panicked citizens. That doesn’t sound like, if this is true, that Putin has sized the Ukrainians up right — most appear willing to fight to the death and Zelensky is staying put. It seems that this plan was not well thought out.

Reports are circulating that Ukraine might be hitting back against the Russians by hitting an Airbase in Rostov. That’s stunning, if true, and the reporter from Kyiv Independent is calling it “confirmed.”

It is now confirmed — Ukrainian military has delivered a strike on a Russian airfield in Millerovo, Rostov Oblast
A variety of enemy aircraft were also destroyed. pic.twitter.com/xwex4z5ryg

— Illia Ponomarenko (@IAPonomarenko) February 25, 2022

Putin still faces a lot protests in Russia, where thousands are still out on the streets to oppose the invasion. There is also anger around the world.

St Petersburg: Protestors #RussiaSecond night of saying no to war #Ukraine. Protests in Putin’s hometown continue despite mass arrests yesterday, & a ban: pic.twitter.com/VVSeTuWBuS

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) February 25, 2022

It would be a remarkable feat to hold on against much larger numbers and an example of the power and resilience that Ukraine has.

Attention to graphic language (but it is appropriate).

On this pic all directions read “go fuck yourselves”. Except for the one that reads “go fuck yourselves in Russia”. #StandWithUkraine #RussiaGoHome pic.twitter.com/tj9g7jnyRB

— olexander scherba🇺🇦 (@olex_scherba) February 26, 2022