More than 100,000 Ukrainians flee to Poland as others take up arms

Synopsis

Ukrainian forces have been actively defending against Russian assaults on the outskirts of Kiev. Authorities urge citizens to take up arms, distributing weapons to residents. The Ukrainian army reports repelling an assault on a military base in the capital. Meanwhile, Russia claims to have launched a barrage of cruise missiles and rockets targeting Ukraine. An early morning missile strike hits a residential block in Kiev, causing significant damage and injuries, although no deaths have been reported. Many civilians are now sheltering in basements or fleeing towards Ukraine's western borders, with over 100,000 crossing into Poland this week in search of safety. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calls for the European Union to fast track Ukraine's membership, citing the destruction of residential buildings as evidence of the need for international support. Despite the chaos, Ukrainian forces have been claiming success in repelling the Russian advance, while both countries engage in a propaganda battle amidst the ongoing conflict.