Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said goodbye to European leaders, telling them that “this might be the last time you see me alive”.

It came as Russian media reported Zelensky had fled Ukraine.

The 44-year-old leader made the chilling warning in a video call with EU leaders, just before he publicly stated he was Russia’s “target number one”

Despite his reported warning, Mr Zelensky made a defiant video hours later Friday, appearing with four key cabinet members in the darkened streets of Kyiv.

Explosions in Ukraine

Multiple explosions have been heard in Kyiv, where air raid sirens are currently blaring throughout the capital.

Residents say there were between three and five large blasts in the vicinity of the Ukrainian capital. The air raid sirens were heard on news channels.

As the sirens and explosions sounded in Kyiv, local Pryamyy TV interrupted programming with the message: “We will be back after the air raid warning is over.” See the screenshot below.

Explosions have also reportedly been heard in Donetsk, the breakaway region in eastern Ukrainian.

Verified video appears to show fighting in the southern Ukrainian city of Melitopol. 

Reports say the footage shows the cancer treatment department of a hospital being hit by an explosive. 

Though the embedded tweet below blames “the occupiers”, it is not confirmed who fired the weapon.