The night of the war at a glance
USA: Putin wants “success” by May – Russia attacks military airfield
4/3/2022 6:22 am
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 – freed from the enemy,” Deputy Defense Minister Anna Maljar wrote on Twitter. In Bucha, Ukrainian troops encountered scenes of horror. Presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych also reported on the withdrawal of the Russians 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 weren’t in the military, they didn’t have guns, 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.
Zelenskyj expects Russian attacks in the east and south
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy now expects violent Russian attacks in the east and south. “What is the goal of the Russian army? They want to conquer both the Donbass and the south of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in a video message at 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 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 9 – the annual celebrations marking the end of World War II to celebrate.
Hundreds manage to escape from embattled cities
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 Zelenskyjs 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 Zelensky and Kremlin chief Putin in the near future. Should it come about, it will probably be held in Turkey, either in Ankara or Istanbul. Zelenskyj 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.
Kazakhstan and Russia demand neutrality of Ukraine
Kazakhstan’s head of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Putin agree that a neutral and nuclear-weapon-free Ukraine is of crucial importance for an agreement. In a telephone call, Putin informed Tokayev about the progress in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
London pledges further support to Ukraine
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised Ukrainian President Zelenskyy further support in the fight against the Russian army. “A very noticeable support,” said Zelenskyj. “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 said Johnson had “pledged support for the defense effort”.
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 could not be independently verified.
Kyiv reports declining intensity of Russian airstrikes
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces says the intensity of Russian air and missile attacks is decreasing. In addition, Moscow continues to withdraw units from northern Ukraine. In a Facebook post, he says Russian forces were laying mines on roads and in some settlements.
Poland’s deputy prime minister open to American nuclear weapons
Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski is open to the stationing of American nuclear weapons in his country. “If the Americans asked us to store US nuclear weapons in Poland, we would be open to it. It would significantly increase deterrence against Moscow,” the national conservative politician told Welt am Sonntag. At the moment this question does not arise, “but that may change soon”. The initiative should come from the Americans, he said. But in principle it makes sense to extend nuclear sharing to NATO’s eastern flank.
That’s going to be important today
- International diplomatic efforts to end the war continue.
You can read all further developments in our live ticker on the Ukraine war.