Russia-Ukraine Live News: Zelenskyy prepares for ‘tough battle’ | Russo-Ukrainian War
- In the Ukrainian town of Barkinkove, just west of Kramatorsk, where a missile hit a crowded train station with evacuees on Friday, volunteers arm themselves to join the front line against Russian troops expected to regroup in the east of Ukraine.
- The death toll in the Kramatorsk train station bombing has risen to 52. Russia denies responsibility, saying the missiles responsible for the attack were only used by the Ukrainian military.
- Ukraine says more than 4,500 people have been evacuated from its cities through humanitarian corridors.
- YouTube has blocked Duma TV which broadcasts from the lower house of the Russian parliament.
Here are the latest updates:
Ukrainian-Chilean families demonstrate in Santiago
Dozens of people gathered outside the Russian embassy in Santiago to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with protesters – including Ukrainian residents of Chile – unfurling a large banner in the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
Some lay back, clutching stuffed animals to honor child victims of war. A large banner read: “Stay with Ukraine”.
“We are doing everything we can to help my people,” said Alina Prus, a Ukrainian residing in Chile. “Being here for many of us is a very emotional situation. Many of us have families who now experience the horror of what war means.
Third prisoner exchange in progress
According to kyiv, 26 Ukrainians are returning home after a prisoner exchange with Russia.
“By the order of President Zelenskyy, the third prisoner exchange took place. Twelve of our servicemen are returning home, including a female officer,” Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Telegram.
Fourteen civilians, including nine women, were also on their way back, she added.
Zelenskyy: ‘It is important to stop this war’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was determined to push for peace as he renewed his call for countries to send more weapons ahead of an expected upsurge in fighting in the east of the country.
He made the comments in an interview with The Associated Press a day after at least 52 people were killed during a strike at a train station in the eastern city of Kramatorsk.
“Nobody wants to negotiate with a person or people who have tortured this nation. Everything is understandable. And as a man, as a father, I understand that very well,” Zelenskyy said. But “we don’t want to lose opportunities, if we have any, for a diplomatic solution.”
“We have to fight, but fight for life. You can’t fight for dust when there’s nothing and nobody. That is why it is important to stop this war,” he said.
Displaced Ukrainian football club opens tour
Ukrainian football club Shakhtar Donetsk has opened a series of charity matches as part of a government-backed “Global Tour for Peace”, featuring the names of heavily bombed cities on its shirts.
The club’s tour aims to raise funds for the Ukrainian army in the war against Russia, and also to help Ukrainian refugees displaced by the war.
His first match on Saturday was a 1-0 loss to Greek league leaders Olympiakos.
Football clubs across Europe have offered to play matches against Ukrainian clubs and welcome young players after Russia invaded in February.
Residents of kyiv suburbs line up to eat
Civilians left behind in Bucha queue for food donated by the local church in the scarred suburb of kyiv where Ukrainian forces and journalists have reported evidence of war crimes after Russian troops withdrew.
Volunteer Petro Denysyuk told The Associated Press that he and other church friends have started providing food, with a wide range of staple foods and hot meals.
“We got together with the young people from our church and prepared food for the needy,” Denysyuk said. “We made pilaf, boiled eggs, prepared meat, sausages, noodles.”
Russia’s ‘imperial illusions’ must be defeated (Ukraine)
Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said President Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not meet until the country defeats Russia in the east, which would strengthen its negotiating position.
“We are paying a very high price. But Russia must get rid of its imperial illusions,” he said, according to the Interfax Ukraine news agency.
Ukrainian officials have urged civilians in the east of the country to flee. On Friday, officials said more than 50 people were killed in a missile strike on a railway station in the town of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, where thousands had gathered to evacuate.
‘Never again bullied,’ says UK PM, offering arms
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered financial and military support during a surprise visit to Ukraine.
At a meeting in Kyiv, Johnson told President Zelenskyy that Britain would provide armored vehicles and anti-ship missile systems, as well as additional support for World Bank loans.
The support aims to ensure that “Ukraine will never again be bullied, will never be blackmailed again, will never be threatened in the same way again,” Johnson said.
“Hard battle” ahead, warns Ukrainian president
Ukraine is ready for a fierce battle with Russian forces amassed in the east of the country, Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader met Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Kyiv, warning at a joint press conference as the threat to the capital had receded, it was rising in the east.
“It will be an uphill battle, we believe in this fight and in our victory. We are ready to fight simultaneously and seek diplomatic means to end this war,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine says 4,532 people have been evacuated from cities
A total of 4,532 people were evacuated from Ukrainian towns through humanitarian corridors on Saturday, fewer than the 6,665 who escaped on Friday, according to a senior official.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, made the announcement in an online message.
Five dead in bombing in eastern Ukraine, says Donetsk governor
Russian shelling killed five civilians and injured five others in two towns in eastern Ukraine, the local governor said on Telegram.
“Today five people were killed after Russian shelling in the Donetsk region,” Donetsk Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Telegram. Four of them died in the town of Vuhledar and one in the town of Novomykhalivka, he added.
YouTube blocks Russian parliament channel
YouTube has blocked Duma TV which broadcasts from Russia’s lower house of parliament, prompting an angry backlash from officials who said the world’s most popular streaming service could face restrictions in response.
On Saturday, a message on YouTube stated that the Douma channel had been “closed for violating YouTube’s terms of service”.
YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc’s GOOGL.O, came under pressure from Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor and officials were quick to respond.
Find the news of April 9 here.