Zelensky remains defiant, urges Ukrainians to fight back as Putin threatens country’s statehood

Russia continued its assault on Ukraine Sunday morning on the 11th day of its invasion, a day after a temporary ceasefire fell apart and Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened Ukrainian statehood.

Putin once again blamed Ukraine leaders for Russia’s violent invasion, threatening on Saturday that if they “continue to do what they are doing, they are calling into question the future of Ukrainian statehood.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remained defiant, urging Ukrainians to pick up arms to fight back against Russian invaders.

“It is a special kind of heroism — to protest when your city is occupied,” Zelenskyy said. “Ukrainians in all of our cities that the enemy has entered — go on the offensive! You should take to the streets! You should fight!”

Thousands of people took to the streets to protest in Ukrainian cities occupied by Russian forces, including Kherson, a city in southern Ukraine. The city, which has a population of nearly 300,000, was the first to fall to Russian troops on March 2.

The UN reported that more than 1.5 million Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes as bombs continue to rain down on encircled cities.