On the third day of Russian military attacks on Ukraine, Russian forces have besieged the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. After a barrage of air strikes on cities and military bases around the country and a huge influx of troops, many people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries. Many have stayed behind to fight.
As Russian Attacks On Ukraine Intensify, Thousands Flee And Thousands Fight Back
- By RFE/RL
![Bodies of Russian servicemen, wearing Ukrainian uniforms, inside and beside a vehicle. They were shot during a skirmish in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on February 25.](https://gdb.rferl.org/08600000-0a00-0242-5051-08d9f873df4a_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
1
Bodies of Russian servicemen, wearing Ukrainian uniforms, inside and beside a vehicle. They were shot during a skirmish in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on February 25.
![At Medyka, Poland, a family crosses the border on February 25 after fleeing the fighting.](https://gdb.rferl.org/08600000-0a00-0242-9f8f-08d9f926552b_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
2
At Medyka, Poland, a family crosses the border on February 25 after fleeing the fighting.
![A woman walks in front of a damaged residential building in Kyiv, where a military shell is thought to have hit on February 25.](https://gdb.rferl.org/c4160000-0aff-0242-1183-08d9f849e473_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
3
A woman walks in front of a damaged residential building in Kyiv, where a military shell is thought to have hit on February 25.
![Ukrainian servicemen walk past a sign reading "I Love Ukraine" at Independence Square in Kyiv, the site of large protests in 2014 that led to the ouster of pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych.](https://gdb.rferl.org/08600000-0a00-0242-6ff7-08d9f8a7fe73_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
4
Ukrainian servicemen walk past a sign reading "I Love Ukraine" at Independence Square in Kyiv, the site of large protests in 2014 that led to the ouster of pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych.
![A Ukrainian soldier inspects fragments of a downed aircraft in Kyiv on February 25.](https://gdb.rferl.org/08600000-0a00-0242-ead3-08d9f8724394_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
5
A Ukrainian soldier inspects fragments of a downed aircraft in Kyiv on February 25.
![Ukrainian soldiers help a woman and children cross the border into Baia Mare, Romania, on February 26.](https://gdb.rferl.org/084a0000-0a00-0242-9dae-08d9f918dea4_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
6
Ukrainian soldiers help a woman and children cross the border into Baia Mare, Romania, on February 26.
![People inside an air-raid shelter in Kyiv on February 25.](https://gdb.rferl.org/c4160000-0aff-0242-6e07-08d9f84a0d29_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
7
People inside an air-raid shelter in Kyiv on February 25.
![Empty shelves in a Kyiv supermarket.](https://gdb.rferl.org/08600000-0a00-0242-f072-08d9f9060715_w1024_q10_s.jpeg)
8
Empty shelves in a Kyiv supermarket.
![A woman feeds a child as people fleeing Ukraine arrive in Slovakia on February 25.](https://gdb.rferl.org/084a0000-0a00-0242-a08a-08d9f872052e_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
9
A woman feeds a child as people fleeing Ukraine arrive in Slovakia on February 25.
![After a night of fighting, Ukrainian servicemen and first responders stand near a damaged vehicle in Kyiv on February 26.](https://gdb.rferl.org/97b44f6d-53e1-433d-a794-3bf21c61f010_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
10
After a night of fighting, Ukrainian servicemen and first responders stand near a damaged vehicle in Kyiv on February 26.
![Ukrainian service members rest on the morning of February 26.](https://gdb.rferl.org/084a0000-0a00-0242-a0e7-08d9f90d6d59_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
11
Ukrainian service members rest on the morning of February 26.
![An apartment building damaged by a missile strike in Kyiv on February 26.](https://gdb.rferl.org/08600000-0a00-0242-6c44-08d9f8fb7421_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
12
An apartment building damaged by a missile strike in Kyiv on February 26.
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy issued a video message early on February 26 from Kyiv. He said there will be no Ukrainian capitulation. ](https://gdb.rferl.org/084a0000-0a00-0242-7419-08d9f8fad6c9_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
13
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy issued a video message early on February 26 from Kyiv. He said there will be no Ukrainian capitulation.
![Medical personnel transport a wounded woman to an ambulance after the recent shelling.](https://gdb.rferl.org/084a0000-0a00-0242-1bdf-08d9f8fad526_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
14
Medical personnel transport a wounded woman to an ambulance after the recent shelling.
![Firefighters extinguish a fire at an apartment building in Kyiv.](https://gdb.rferl.org/084a0000-0a00-0242-c48b-08d9f8fe6b88_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
15
Firefighters extinguish a fire at an apartment building in Kyiv.
![Paramedics take cover in Kyiv as an air-raid siren sounds on February 26.](https://gdb.rferl.org/084a0000-0a00-0242-6133-08d9f90d6ce1_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
16
Paramedics take cover in Kyiv as an air-raid siren sounds on February 26.
![What's left of a residential building in Kyiv after it was hit by shelling.](https://gdb.rferl.org/08600000-0a00-0242-4851-08d9f9294400_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
17
What's left of a residential building in Kyiv after it was hit by shelling.