As Russian forces attempt to close in on Kyiv after a barrage of airstrikes on cities and military bases, Ukraine's president, Volodimir Zelensky, has rejected US President Joe Biden's offer to be evacuated out of the capital.
According to a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation, 'The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.'
'This night they will launch an assault,' Zelensky said in a televised speech earlier. To break our defence, the enemy will use all of their power on all fronts. We'll have to hold our ground tonight. Ukraine's fate is being decided right now.'
According to two American security officials, a second Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane was shot down near Bila Tserkva, 50 miles south of Kyiv, on Friday.
The meeting between Biden and Zelensky comes after a video surfaced of him drinking coffee with his men in his military tent.
I'm not looking for a ride; I'm looking for ammunition!
According to US security officials, Zelensky, who was a comedian and actor three years ago, personally coordinated the defence of Kyiv from his military tent.
As of press time, Biden had authorised the release of $350 million in military aid to Ukraine, and France and Poland had agreed to send ammunition and defence systems to Ukraine.