A good five weeks after the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian army claims to have regained full military control over the region around the capital Kyiv. “Irpin, Bucha and Hostomel and the entire Kyiv region – liberated from the enemy,” wrote Deputy Defense Minister Anna Maljar on Twitter on Saturday evening. In Bucha, Ukrainian troops encountered scenes of horror.
Presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych also reported on the Russian retreat in the north-west of the metropolis. More than 30 villages have been recaptured around Kyiv, he said.
Kiev’s presidential adviser: Many dead civilians in Bucha
Dozens of dead civilians were discovered by Ukrainian troops in the recaptured town of Bucha, northwest of Kyiv. Many of them were shot dead by Russian soldiers, Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podoliak tweeted. “They were not in the military, they had no weapons, they posed no threat,” he wrote. “How many such cases are happening in the occupied territories right now?”
A photo that Podoliak shared in his tweet showed shot dead men, one of whom had his hands tied behind his back. The authenticity of the image could not be independently verified. Other reports by Ukrainian media about alleged atrocities by Russian soldiers could not be independently verified or confirmed. Meanwhile, around 280 civilians were buried in a mass grave in Bucha. The bodies could not be buried during the Russian occupation, according to the “Ukrayinksa Pravda” from the administration.
Zelensky expects Russian attacks in the east and south
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy now expects fierce Russian attacks in the east and south. «What is the aim of the Russian army? They want to conquer both the Donbass and southern Ukraine, »said Zelensky in a video message on Sunday night. «And what is our goal? We want to protect ourselves, our freedom, our country and our people.” In order to counteract the Russian plans, the defense of the Ukrainian armed forces in an easterly direction will be strengthened. “And knowing full well that the enemy has reserves to increase the pressure.”
In an interview with the broadcaster CNN, US intelligence experts suspected that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aiming for success in eastern Ukraine by early May at the latest, in order to publicize this at the Victory Parade on May 9th – the annual celebrations of the end of the Second World War to celebrate.
Hundreds manage to escape from embattled cities
Refugees board buses in Mariupol. (April 1, 2022)
AFP
According to the government in Kyiv, hundreds of people managed to escape from embattled cities. 765 civilians left the port city of Mariupol in the south-east in their own vehicles, Deputy Prime Minister Irina Wereschuk said via Telegram. Almost 500 civilians fled the city of Berdyansk. The goal of the people from both cities is Zaporizhia. In addition, ten buses started in Berdyansk. The evacuation should continue there on Sunday, Vereshchuk said.
For Sunday, the Russian military planned an escape corridor for foreign citizens from the embattled Mariupol and the Russian-occupied port city of Berdyansk, also on the Azov Sea. The foreigners, mostly crew members from blocked cargo ships in the two ports, could reach safety by land either via Crimea or into Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine’s chief negotiator: Meeting Zelenskis with Putin possible
After weeks of negotiations between representatives of Russia and Ukraine to end the war, the first positive signals are emerging from Kiev’s point of view. The Ukrainian chief negotiator David Arakhamija spoke on state television of a possible meeting between Zelenskiy and Kremlin chief Putin in the near future. Should it come about, it will probably be held in Turkey, either in Ankara or Istanbul. Zelensky has repeatedly called for direct talks with Putin. The Kremlin has so far rejected this, pointing out that Putin is demanding a concrete basis – in the sense of completed preliminary negotiations – for this meeting.
London pledges further support to Ukraine
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised Ukrainian President Zelensky further support in the fight against the Russian army. “A very noticeable support,” said Selenski. “We talked about new support for Ukraine’s defense, a new package,” the Ukrainian leader summarized the conversation with Johnson. But he did not give any details. Downing Street reported that Johnson had “pledged support for the defense effort”.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
AFP
Moscow: Military airfield attacked in Poltava region
According to its own account, the Russian military attacked a military airfield in the central Poltava region of Ukraine. Attack helicopters and aircraft were destroyed, the Ministry of Defense said in Moscow. In addition, depots for fuel and weapons were hit. Armored vehicles, ammunition and fuel tanks were also destroyed near the train stations in Lozova and Pavlohrad. This information has not been independently verified.
Poland’s deputy prime minister open to American nuclear weapons
Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said he was open to American nuclear weapons being stationed in his country in view of the war. “If the Americans asked us to store US nuclear weapons in Poland, we would be open to that. It would significantly increase deterrence towards Moscow,” he told the “Welt am Sonntag”.
That’s going to be important today
International diplomatic efforts to end the war continue.