Ukraine strikes back at Russian forces in Kyiv

Ukrainians are fighting back at invading Russian forces with everything they have, with many willing to pick up guns and shoot. WARNING: Graphic

Courageous Ukrainians are striking back at invading Russian forces with everything they have, shooting down helicopters, blowing up tanks and capturing troops in the first days of fighting with the superpower.

As the capital Kyiv came under siege its residents vowed to go out and fight and do whatever it takes to defend their city and their homeland.

Some television channels and radio stations are giving citizens instructions on how to make Molotov cocktails to defend their own homes.

Ukrainian Member of parliament Kira Rudick said in a television interviews she was “armed and ready to fight”.

“I was asked why did I get myself a Kalashnikov…and is it scary to hold a gun? Yes, it is scary, but #Putin’s soldiers are worse, Ms Rudik tweeted.

Smoke and flames are seen billowing over Kyiv's Victory Ave in the west of the city, near the zoo. Picture: Reuters

Gutsy Ukrainian citizens like Kira Rudik defend their country. Picture: Twitter

“This is our new reality. We are not leaving this our city and this is our country,” said Ms Rudik, the leader of the Golos party.

Ms Rudik said her parliamentary member colleagues are also pledging to fight.

“We will fire guns if we have to. To protect what we love, to protect our soil, to protect our country.”

Armed civilian volunteers stand alert on a street in Kyiv. Picture: AFP

Volunteers, one holding an AK-47 rifle, protect a main road leading into Kyiv. Picture: AFP

Residents attend an open training organised for civilians by war veterans and volunteers who teach the basic weapons handling and first aid on one of Kiyv's city beaches. Picture: AFP

Her comments came as the military reportedly distributed 15,000 guns and explosives to ordinary citizens in an effort to strengthen resistance and thousands of men have rushed to enlist to fight.

The chief commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, Valery Zaluzhny, has said the country’s air defence forces had around midnight on Friday shot down a Russian Ilyushin-76 paratrooper plane south of Kyiv near the town of Vasylkiv.

a damaged helicopter after the Ukraine Army announces that two Russian helicopters were shot down in the town of Gostomel in Kyiv, Ukraine. Picture: AFP

“Our air defence forces shot down an IL-76 with enemy paratroopers in the region of Vasylkiv,” Zaluzhny said in a Facebook post.

Military claims by Ukraine or Russian cannot be independently verified.

Ukrainian troops also claim to have shot down five Russian helicopters, destroyed dozens of tanks as they bravely fight back against Russia which has far superior military and air force.

A Ukrainian military medic approaches the bodies of Russian servicemen wearing a Ukrainian service uniform lying beside and inside a vehicle after they were shot during a skirmish in Kyiv. Picture: AFP

Ukrainian servicemen ride on tanks towards the front line with Russian forces in the Luhansk region of Ukraine. Picture: AFP

Ukrainian forces claim At least 15 T-72 tanks were destroyed or damaged by their forces

using the Javelin PTRK, an American antitank missile, nearly Glukhov in the country’s east.

Ukrainian forces have claimed to have shot down at least four Russian KA-52 Alligator Attack helicopters during a battle for the Gostomel air base.

A fifth helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing at the field under heavy fire.

As a squadron of 20 Russian helicopters pounded the runway of the air base’s runway ground forces launched a fightback, moving in to retake the air field as jets streaking over the city, shooting down the Russian helicopters

Video footage has revealed street battles in Kyiv’s northern Obolon district, with citizens launching a gunfire attack against Russian military vehicles attempting to enter the area.