Nicolas Tonev 2:42 p.m., February 28, 2022
While the Russian offensive is concentrated on Kiev to bring down the government of Volodymyr Zelensky, the whole country begins to barricade itself against the advance of Russian troops.
A patriotic impulse reinforced by the arrival of many Ukrainians who return to the country to fight and support their army.
Europe 1 went to Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine is in its fifth day.
A first assessment of the United Nations published Monday morning, more than 100 civilians killed in the fighting.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says it fears a much higher real toll, which also pushes the Ukrainian president to a new declaration, as he has done every day since the start of the conflict: "Lay down your arms, leave from here, don't believe your commanders, don't believe your propagandists, just save your lives."
Ukrainians ready to do anything to defend their country
A statement by the President of Ukraine that took place just before the start of the first talks.
Two delegations, one Russian, the other Ukrainian, have been talking to each other for a few minutes at the Ukraine-Belarus border.
A ceasefire is on the table and Kiev has warned that no capitulation is possible, which reflects the demonstration of courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, determined to defend themselves, to resist the Russian offensive.
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Kiev has still not fallen and sieges are settling around the major cities of Ukraine.
On the spot, some Ukrainians are committed to the front and are ready to do anything to defend the homeland.
Bulletproof vests, Kalashnikov slung over his shoulder, the soldier makes his way, greets the passengers of the bus, the first checkpoint under the surveillance of the officer.
"Why the checkpoint? Well there is a city, an airport, so we check everything, people, luggage and if you talk to me about Russians, that's something else," he says.
"Classified information, but we're not here to say anything."
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Military installations, anti-tank obstacles lined up, ready to serve, shelters built along the roads in cities with sandbags by civilians, everything is good for barricading Ukraine.
There is no lack of volunteers, as in this bus, precisely, with Xenia, who is returning from France: "All the buses come back full, me, if they don't give me a weapon, I will build shelters, I will cook, I I will help as I can."
The Russian attack, an idiocy
For his part, Sacha returns from Poland.
"I am a reserve captain, I will be very happy to be engaged and to take up arms again," he confides.
He tells the same motivation, the family, the country, the idiocy of this Russian attack.
On arrival at their destination, the driver's emotional message to his passengers: "Dear all, please remember that nothing matters, except to stay alive for you and for the Ukraine."