Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that continued Russian aggression against his country showed that sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West were not enough.
Zelenskyy said the world was continuing to observe what was going on in Ukraine after its capital Kyiv and other parts of the country were struck by Russian missiles in the early hours of Friday.
Addressing the Russian population in Russian at the end of a televised speech, Zelenskyy said the bombing of Kyiv was reminiscent of Nazi Germany's attacks during World War Two.
"This is reminiscent of 1941," Zelenskyy said.
"To all the citizens of the Russian Federation who went out to protest, I want to say: we see you. This means you heard us. This means you are starting to believe us. Fight for us, fight against the war."
Hundreds were detained across Russian cities on Thursday after taking part in protests after Moscow launched a massive military operation against Ukraine.
A senior Ukrainian official said Russian forces would enter areas just outside Kyiv later on Friday.
Zelenskyy also railed against the Russian troops.
"They say that civilian objects are not a target for them. But this is another lie of theirs. In reality, they do not distinguish between areas in which they operate," Zelenskyy said.
"Ukrainian air defense systems are defending our skies," he said. "Ukrainians are demonstrating heroism."
At least 137 "heroes" were killed during the first day of fighting, Zelenskyy had said on Thursday, as he called up conscripts and reservists nationwide.
Zelenskyy said there was now a "new iron curtain" between Russia and the rest of the world, adding in a later speech his nation had been "left alone."
"Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don't see anyone."
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