[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As Russian forces are reportedly pushing back Ukrainian troops on all fronts and advancing toward Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his intention to remain in the capital city and resist until the end.
On the 25th (local time), President Zelensky stated in a national address, "I will not leave Kyiv and am staying in the government district along with others. My family is also staying with me." He emphasized, "According to our intelligence, the enemy has designated me as target number one and my family as target number two. They want to politically destroy Ukraine by eliminating the head of state."
Earlier, Russian forces reportedly bombed all Ukrainian air defense systems and key military facilities the previous day and are hastening their advance toward Kyiv. According to CNN, senior officials from the Joe Biden administration said during a House briefing that "Russian armored units advancing from the Belarus border area have come within just 20 miles (approximately 32 km) of Kyiv," and "units advancing from eastern and southern Russia are also moving toward Kyiv with the aim of overthrowing the Ukrainian government, and although they are still some distance away, they will soon encircle Kyiv."
It is presumed that Russian forces intend to encircle and occupy Kyiv to establish a pro-Russian puppet regime in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated at a press conference that "I am confident that Russian President Vladimir Putin's goal is to overthrow the Ukrainian government."
Meanwhile, the Biden administration in the United States has confirmed that it is tracking President Zelensky's whereabouts. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "The Biden administration is in contact with him." It is also reported that additional military aid plans for Ukraine are being discussed within U.S. political circles.
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