Ukraine approaches ICJ against Russia

6 babies born in Ukraine’s bomb shelters

Twins were born to the sound of sirens in Kyiv on Sunday and were seen as beacons of hope by hundreds, who were huddled in a bunker where they entered the world which has been torn apart by adults.

Kyiv to be under a strict curfew until Monday as Russian troops advance

Image: UNI

Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, has extended a citywide curfew until Monday (Feb 28) morning as Russian troops advance on the capital.

The curfew, which had earlier been set to run till Sunday, will run from 5 pm to 8 am local time till Monday nightly "for more effective defense of the capital and the security of its inhabitants."

The local civil administration in the latest order, has prohibited the residents from all movement of vehicles except for those with special passes.

“We remind you that all civilians who will be on the street during the curfew will be considered as members of the enemy's sabotage and reconnaissance groups," the order read.

“In case of air alarm, follow to the nearest shelter. Metro stations operate in shelter mode. If necessary, the seals can be lowered at the stations,” it added.

Russian defence ministry says it launched missiles overnight, without targeting residents

Image: Ukrainian Interior Ministry

The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday it launched cruise missile strikes overnight against targets in Ukraine. But the ministry claimed it exclusively targeted Ukraine's military infrastructure, not the residents, as photos and videos emerged of a residential high-rise near Kyiv's second airport that was struck by a missile or rocket fire early Saturday.

Spokesperson of the Russian Defence Ministry, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, said in a video statement, "During the night, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a strike with long-range precision weapons using air- and sea-launched cruise missiles against Ukrainian military infrastructure facilities."

"I emphasize once again that the fire is directed only on the objects of the military infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, excluding damage to residential and social infrastructure," the spokesman said.

The Russian ministry statement also claimed units of Russia's armed forces had taken control over the city of Melitopol in southeastern Ukraine.

Images shared by Ukrainian Interior Ministry show residents being evacuated from damaged apartment building

Image: Ukrainian Interior Ministry 

Ukraine's Interior Ministry has released images and footage which show emergency workers helping evacuate residents from an apartment building in Kyiv that was damaged early Saturday after being struck by missile or rocket fire.

Earlier, the country's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv had survived another night under attacks by Russian forces, missiles and rocket fires.

He said a residential building near Kyiv's second airport was struck by a missile or rocket fire early Saturday.

The photos and videos shared by Ukraine's Interior Ministry show the sidewalk below the building is littered with debris, and some windows on the bottom few floors appear smashed, with similar damage on adjacent low rooftops.

Image: Ukrainian Interior Ministry

The photos and footage show rescuers carrying a woman away from the scene.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said the extent of casualties in the building strike is still unknown.

Situation in and around Kyiv is 'under control': Ukrainian presidential adviser

Senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Myhailo Podoliak, said early Saturday that Russian troops had tried to "bring the maximum amount of equipment into the city of Kyiv, but the situation in suburbs and outskirts of the capital is currently under control.

Speaking on Ukrainian television, Podoliak said there were "separate sabotage and reconnaissance groups" in the city, but that police and territorial self-defense units "are actively working against them."

In the early hours of Saturday, there were reports of battle on the streets, gunfire was heard near the city centre before dawn, after several hours of loud explosions in and around the capital, following which the Ukrainian Interior Ministry had urged the citizens to seek shelter and stay indoors.

Kyiv survived another night under attacks by Russian ground forces, missiles: Ukrainian Foreign Minister

Image tweeted by Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv, the capital, has witnessed another night of intense attack by Russian forces as the capital was reportedly hit by multiple missiles during the wee hours of Saturday.

According to reports, a residential building near Kyiv's second airport was struck by a missile or rocket fire early Saturday.

Footages and images of the building shared in social media show the outer walls of several apartment units appear blown out entirely, the interiors blackened and debris hanging loose. Smoke is still hanging in the air.

"Kyiv, our splendid, peaceful city, survived another night under attacks by Russian ground forces, missiles. One of them has hit a residential apartment in Kyiv," Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet.

"I demand the world: fully isolate Russia, expel ambassadors, oil embargo, ruin its economy," he added.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said emergency services have arrived at the scene, but the extent of casualties is still unknown.

We are not putting down arms: Ukrainian President

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a new video posted on Twitter on Saturday morning, denied any reports of Ukraine laying down its weapons.

"I am here. We are not putting down arms. We will be defending our country, because our weapon is truth, and our truth is that this is our land, our country, our children, and we will defend all of this," the Ukrainian President said in the video titled "Do not believe the fakes."

"That is it. That's all I wanted to tell you. Glory to Ukraine," he added.

In a separate tweet, Zelensky said "a new day on the diplomatic frontline began with a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron."

"Weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine. The anti-war coalition is working," he said.

"It is a crucial moment to close the long-standing discussion once and for all and decide on Ukraine's membership in the European Union (EU)," Zelensky said in another tweet.

"Discussed with European Council President Charles Michel further effective assistance and the heroic struggle of Ukrainians for their free future," his tweet read.