KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s president stated on Friday that his country was left to battle Russia on its own after the Kremlin launched a massive invasion that murdered 130 Ukrainians in the first day.
“We have been left alone to defend our state,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address to the nation after midnight.
“Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don’t see anyone. Who is ready to give Ukraine a guarantee of NATO membership? Everyone is afraid,” he added.
According to Zelensky, 137 Ukrainians, both military and civilians, have been dead since the attack began early Thursday.
He said another 316 had been wounded.
Zelensky also claimed that Russian “sabotage groups” had invaded the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and asked residents to remain alert and adhere to a curfew.
The president stated that despite Russia identifying him as “target number one,” he and his family stayed in Ukraine.
“They want to destroy Ukraine politically by taking down the head of state,” Zelensky said.
