Won't lay down weapons, will protect Ukraine: Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday refuted reports that the country's army will disarm and evacuate.

"We will not lay down any weapons, we believe in our army and our country. We will protect it. Glory to Ukraine!" Zelensky said, noting that he did not leave Kyiv, which was under heavy shelling overnight, Xinhua news agency reported.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that at least 35 Kyiv residents, including two children, were injured in clashes with Russian forces or shelling.

According to Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko, 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed in Russia's operation against Ukraine.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Facebook that Ukraine shot down a Russian transport plane IL-76 near Vasylkiv town in Kyiv.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

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