Volodymyr Zelensky: It’s Saturday today but it means nothing. It does not matter what is on the clock or in the calendar until we win

Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday urged US senators to impose a no-fly zone as the Russian invasion force tightened the noose on his country.

The Ukrainian president spent the day rallying support at home and around the world as he called for tougher sanctions and more aid from the West.

In what one senator, Steve Daines, described as a call he would never forget, Zelensky spoke on video to US senators to plead for military aid, a ban on Russian oil sales, and the suspension of Visa and MasterCard services inside Russia.

Zelensky also repeated his call for a no-fly zone above Ukraine to prevent bombing by the Russian air force, and reportedly warned senators that Poland and Lithuania will become targets for the Kremlin if Nato and EU powers don’t act now.

In response, Russian president Vladimir Putin warned any third-party declaration of a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be taken as participation in the conflict there. Nato has already claimed enforcing a no-fly zone, which would bar all unauthorised aircraft from flying over Ukraine, could provoke widespread war in Europe.

But as the US and other Nato members send weapons to aid Ukraine resistance, the conflict is already drawing in countries far beyond the country’s borders and the former commander of operations for the Royal Air Force criticised the decision to take a no-fly zone “off the table”.

© Ukrainian Presidency Press Offic/ZUMA Press Wire Service/Shutterstock

Air Marshal Greg Bagwell believes categorically ruling out the restriction is a gift to Putin, claiming it means the Kremlin can continue bombing without fear of being directly challenged. “I completely recognise all the limitations, all the risks, all the potential pitfalls of any action, let alone a no-fly zone. But why take it off the table? It just makes the job of the bad guy easier,” he said.

Those defending the move say a no-fly zone could mean Nato planes being forced to shoot down Russian aircraft, risking a global conflagration.

Addressing Ukrainians yesterday, Zelensky said the country needed support but would not rest until the Russians were defeated. The president, who has become the face of Ukrainian resistance worldwide, said: “Today is Saturday but it means nothing. Our country doesn’t have weekends any more. It doesn’t matter what’s on the clock or in the calendar. And it will be this way until we win.”

In a video message, the former actor also addressed anti-war protesters across Europe who had gathered in their thousands, telling them: “If we fall, you will fall.”

Inna Sovsun, a Ukrainian MP and deputy leader of the Holos Party, said Ukraine could not defend itself on its own. She said: “What they’re doing right now is terrible, they’re killing Ukrainians from the air.

“This narrative that we are hearing from the West – there will be a way for a diplomatic solution – what diplomatic solution? They are throwing bombs on our heads.”

Zelensky had earlier branded Nato “weak” and said members were showing a lack of unity.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said a no-fly zone could also benefit the Russians as it would prevent the Ukrainians from using their military jets.

He said Putin’s troops could still reach cities with long-range artillery and missiles. In the face of criticism, Nato said it was “more united, more determined, and stronger than ever”.

Zelensky said Ukrainian forces were holding key cities in the central and south-eastern part of the country, while the Russians were trying to block and keep encircled Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv and Sumy.

US Congressional leaders say they are working on a huge financial package worth around $10 billion in lethal aid to Ukraine, with fighter jets potentially sent via a third country.

In the meantime, Russia is facing yet further stresses on its economy as more companies close operations within its borders.

Yesterday, Spanish fashion retailer Inditex, which owns the Zara chain, said it would close all of its 502 stores in Russia, and stop online sales. Paypal and Samsung also suspended trading there. A host of French luxury firms, meanwhile, have temporarily shut shops in Russia.

LVMH, which owns such brands as Christian Dior, Givenchy and Bulgari among others, will close its 124 boutiques in the country today.

Kering, which is home to Gucci and Saint Laurent, has closed its two shops, while Birkin bags maker Hermes and Swiss Cartier owner Richemont have done the same, as have Chanel, and Kering. Apple, H&M and Ikea have already stopped selling there.

Oil giant Shell was in the firing line, however, as Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba criticised the firm for buying oil from Russia. He tweeted: “Doesn’t Russian oil smell of Ukrainian blood for you?”

New legislation in the UK designed to strengthen powers to counter illicit Russian finances seeping into the country will also get its second reading in Westminster on Tuesday.

It would create a register of overseas ownership of UK land and property, aiming to put an end to complex Russian shell companies buying up assets.

The measures have seen super yachts owned by Putin’s billionaire Russian associates, such as Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, scramble for safe havens such as the Caribbean.

The moves came as Labour leader Keir Starmer said the UK had to do more to target oligarchs and remove their money and influence from British politics.

Addressing the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow, he said Putin was “afraid of everything that we are most proud of” and said the invasion was an “affront to the values of this country”.

Heightened awareness saw UK refinery workers refuse to deal with a German ship carrying Russian oil which moored at Stanlow Oil Refinery near Liverpool.

Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, has cancelled nearly all international flights from Tuesday due to what it called “additional circumstances” affecting operations. The action came after Russian-owned aircraft were left unable to operate many routes after EU, UK, US and Canada banned Russian airlines from their airspace.

In total, more than £85m has been raised in the UK to provide help for Ukraine with charities ramping up operations to assist refugees and those within Ukraine.

Assassination bid

Fears are mounting that undercover hit squads hunting Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv will escalate their efforts in the days ahead after the failure of attempted assassinations.

The Ukrainian president has reportedly survived three attempts on his life after his inner circle were allegedly tipped off by anti-war elements within Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

The Kremlin hopes the death of the 44-year-old leader would demoralise Ukrainians, prompting them to end their fierce resistance.

Zelensky, who has armed guards and is constantly changing his location, is being targeted by at least two hit squads; mercenaries of the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group and Chechen special forces. On February 26 an attempt on Zelensky’s life was foiled on the outskirts of Kyiv when Chechen assassins were killed before they could reach the president.

Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, told Ukrainian TV channels that Russian spies had tipped them off about the planned assassination.

Ukrainian officials claim the information that led to the deaths of the Chechens came from disgruntled agents in the FSB who oppose the invasion.

Wagner mercenaries have carried out their own attempts to assassinate Zelensky. Around 400 of the group are thought to be embedded in Kyiv, tracking the activities of 24 high-profile Ukrainian targets.

The group were told to await the arrival of the Russian special forces – the Spetsnaz – to provide them with a secure corridor out of Kyiv once the assassinations had been completed but are under pressure to act after the approaching military convoy stalled.