The day of the war at a glance
Mariupol fights “to the end” – Zelenskyj calls on Biden to visit Kyiv
04/17/2022, 10:06 p.m
Russia is threatening the remaining Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol with annihilation if they do not surrender by noon. But the Ukrainians let the ultimatum pass. The Ukrainian soldiers would “fight to the end,” says Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal. According to him, the city has not fallen. The Russian armed forces respond to the expired ultimatum with rocket and bomb attacks on the port city. There are also airstrikes in Kharkov and near the capital Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Russia confirms the death of another general. In Germany, the dispute between the Ukrainian ambassador Melnyk and ex-Foreign Minister Gabriel is entering the next round. And in the Vatican, in his Easter message, Pope Francis calls for peace for the “suffering Ukraine”.
Ukraine reports more rocket attacks on Mariupol
The battle for the besieged southern Ukrainian port of Mariupol continues even after a Russian ultimatum expired. The Ukrainian General Staff reported Russian rocket and bomb attacks on the city, which used to have a population of more than 400,000. Attempts have been made to attack, especially in the vicinity of the port and the Azovstal steelworks. Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal told US broadcaster ABC that the city had not fallen. The Ukrainian soldiers would “fight to the end” in Mariupol.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba reported on the US broadcaster CBS that their own troops were “basically surrounded” by Russian troops who wanted to level Mariupol to the ground. Literally, Kuleba said, “The city no longer exists.” Russia had previously threatened Ukrainian troops in Mariupol with annihilation. According to Russian information, the units are said to have entrenched themselves in the steelworks. The Ukrainians ignored an ultimatum to lay down their arms and surrender by Sunday noon.
Kharkiv under fire, rocket attack near Kyiv
According to rescue workers, at least five people were killed and 13 others injured in a series of rocket attacks in the city of Kharkov near the Russian border. As a result of the attacks, several fires broke out in residential areas in central Kharkiv, causing roofs to collapse.
According to the Russian army, the Russian army destroyed an ammunition factory in the town of Brovary near the capital Kyiv. It was the third such attack in the Ukrainian capital region since Friday. Parts of the infrastructure were also hit in the attack.
Another Russian general killed
Russia has confirmed the death of another general. Major General Vladimir Frolov, deputy commander of the Eighth Army, was buried with military honors in Saint Petersburg on Saturday, Russian state media reported. Ukrainian media now report that a total of eight Russian generals have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. So far, Russia has only confirmed the death of the deputy commander of the 41st Army, Andrei Sukhovetsky.
You can read all further developments in our live ticker.
Melnyk hands out against Gabriel
The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, reacted with outrage to a guest article by Sigmar Gabriel in “Spiegel”, in which the former foreign minister accused the diplomat of using “conspiracy theories” to discredit Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
In a tweet, Melnyk showed excerpts from Russian media reporting on Gabriel’s statements. He wrote: “Well, now you even get applause from the old confidants from Moscow! All Russian propaganda slingers praise your narrative about Ukrainian ‘conspiracy theories’ in the highest tones. Old friendship never rusts. Bullseye for Easter.”
Zelenskyj calls on Biden to visit Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on US President Joe Biden to visit Ukraine. “I think he’s the leader of the United States and that’s why he should come and see it,” Zelenskyy said in an interview with CNN. It is of course Biden’s decision and depends on the security situation, said Zelenskyj. But he assumes that Biden will come. US media had reported that the US government was considering possibly sending Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin or Secretary of State Antony Blinken to visit Ukraine. Biden is reportedly unlikely to travel to Ukraine himself. Read more about it here.
Pope prays for Ukraine
In his Easter message, Pope Francis called for peace for the “suffering Ukraine”. “We have seen too much bloodshed, too much violence,” he said in his traditional address to around 50,000 believers in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. “Stop flexing your muscles while people suffer.”
The pontiff called on everyone to work for peace and also addressed heads of state and government directly. “Those responsible for the nations should listen to the people’s cry for peace,” he warned. Ukraine suffered so much from the violence and destruction of the cruel and senseless war into which it was drawn.
Medvedev warns Europeans of their own insolvency – and Ukrainian refugees
Russia’s ex-president Dmitry Medvedev warned Europe that if his country defaulted, it would find itself in serious economic difficulties. “Russia’s insolvency could become Europe’s insolvency,” the deputy chief of the Russian Security Council wrote on Telegram. At the same time, he accused EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of wanting to bankrupt his country. That is the “secret intention of the masochists from Brussels”.
Medvedev also warned the Europeans of further consequences of the sanctions imposed on his country because of the war of aggression against Ukraine. As examples he cited hyperinflation, which then “can no longer be blamed on the bad Russians,” and a shortage of basic necessities. The large number of refugees from Ukraine could also result in a “wave of violent crimes”.
Poland’s border guards: More entries into Ukraine than exits
On Saturday, Poland’s border guards counted more people entering Ukraine than leaving the neighboring country to the east. Around 22,000 people had left Poland for Ukraine, the border guard said on Twitter on Sunday. In contrast, 19,200 people came to Poland from Ukraine in the same period – almost a quarter less than the day before. According to the authorities, the majority of those returning to Ukraine were Ukrainian citizens. They mostly travel to areas that the Ukrainian army has recaptured.
According to the UN, more than 2.8 million people have fled to safety in neighboring Poland since the Russian attack on Ukraine began. In total, more than 4.8 of the former 44 million inhabitants have already left the country.