'Stand With Ukraine' Rally Planned Saturday In Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA — As Russian troops close in on the capital of Kyiv on Saturday, a rally is planned in downtown Atlanta in support of Ukraine and its people.

Organized by the Ukrainian Community of Atlanta, the rally will be held at the corner of Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive. It starts at 11 a.m. and will last about one hour.

More details are available online.

Russia claims its assault on Ukraine is aimed only at military targets, but bridges, schools and residential neighborhoods have been hit since the invasion began Thursday with air and missile strikes and Russian troops entering Ukraine from the north, east and south.

Kyiv residents braced Saturday for another night sheltering underground, as Russian troops closed in on Ukraine's capital and skirmishes were reported on the outskirts.

Ukraine’s health minister reported Saturday that 198 people, including three children, have been killed since Russia launched its unprovoked attack on the democratic country. More than 1,000 others have been wounded during Europe’s largest land war since World War II. It's unclear whether the figure included both military and civilian casualties.

The United Nations said more than 150,000 Ukrainians had fled for Poland, Moldova and other neighboring countries and warned the number could grow to 4 million if fighting escalates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.