"We held our position and successfully repelled enemy attacks. Fighting continues in many cities and regions of the country, but... it is our army that controls Kiev and the main cities around the capital," Zelensky said in a video posted on Facebook.

On Thursday, Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine, with ground forces and bombing targets in several cities, which has already caused at least 198 deaths, including civilians, and more than 1,100 wounded, in Ukrainian territory, according to Kiev. The UN has reported 120,000 displaced since the first day of fighting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the "special military operation" in Ukraine aims to demilitarize the neighbouring country and that it was the only way for the country to defend itself, with the Kremlin specifying that the offensive will last as long as necessary.

The attack was condemned by the international community in general and led to emergency meetings of several governments, including the Portuguese, and of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the EU and the UN Security Council, with mass sanctions being approved against the Russia.