ah, ah ah, this is dw news lie from berlin. russian forces extend their aerial assault as explosions are reported in more ukrainian cities. the city of ne pro, in central ukraine is bombed for the 1st time in this war. troops are also which in closer to the capital here, while hundreds of thousands remain trapped in the port city of mighty who both amid heavy bombardment. after days of heavy shelling and broken sea spires, some residents of european west of kia are finally able to flee. dw, my ts brilinta has more from the ground. a ban on russian gas imports threatens to

divide in you leaders there meeting in versailles for a 2nd today to discuss the blocks response to the war in ukraine and the russians, leaving home for refuge in finland. i'm exemptions from other countries and a crackdown on free speech inside russia. people are leaving a country that's becoming more isolated. we go to helsinki. we're a train line is one of the last open roofs out of russia to the ah, i'm see me so much, gunner glad you could join us. russian forces are extending their air strikes on ukrainian cities a day after high level talks between moscow and t have failed to produce a diplomatic breakthrough emergency services in central ukraine. se civilian targets in nitro were hit in the 1st aerial bombardment. the city russia says it

destroyed to military air fields in litski and yvon offline keeps, and the kremlin has unilaterally announced humanitarian corridors and pet places including muddy opal, hockey, sumi and chinese. you crates, us civilians are suffering, but agreements to evacuate. people have failed multiple times, due to the ongoing russian bombardment. ukrainian authorities say that 40000 people have now been evacuated from 5 different ukrainian cities. but they say russian troops continued to break cease fires, meant to allow more residents to flee in air pan northwest a key. if people have been fleeing amid heavy bombardment as russian forces advance on the capital. now a brief pause in shelling has allowed more residence to escape. our correspondence is matea spilling up. he is there finally boarding a bus to safety. these refugees have just come out of the fighting zone northwest of keith. daria has been on the road for hours. you

believe we left everything there and just fled? i don't know whether we will ever be able to come back. you'd peanut suburb north west of kia has been one of the worst hit places in this world. sees fires have been agreed and broken time and again, just a few days ago, a family of 4 was killed near this bridge. there was shelled on their way out of the small town. this is one of the places that had been fought about for days. people have been sitting there trapped waiting for an opportunity to get out, leaving behind what they could not carry with them. people have been fleeing in a hurry. shelling can start again at any moment. some have been walking for many kilometers before being able to cross over the bridge to reach one of the buses.

just the law is thought that was a little, it's difficult and terrifying. the roads are destroyed, there is destroyed military equipment everywhere. dead bodies lie around. we saw all this while walking. it's difficult for everybody, including old women. it's very frightening. watches that us many, i have no idea where to go. next. this kindergarten was closed after the war began . it's now hosting people who have fled to fighting his own chicken. they do not exist. our son arrived without even wearing slippers. some come without a coat. there were some grandmothers. he went out to fetch water and we were evacuated because that lies were under threat. whole retirement homes have been evacuated. the refugees can rest here for a few days. see it when you called last week, everybody from our neighbourhood laughed. a plane flew over awesome. then it

suddenly turned dropped a bomb and everything was on fire. volunteers quickly evacuated us when you're as abruptly as evacuation of a peon and other suburbs goes on. the kindergarten braces for more people to arrive in the coming days. corresponding alexander phenomena. joyce is now from western ukraine from the city of if hi alexandra, tell us what the latest is on the ground or where you are. well, to me, when you see me now sending in the sun, you would assume it's just a wonderful beautiful day. he and the bills, however, we had to seek shelter in a bunker already twice this morning. the 1st, a rate alarm went off about 5 o'clock in the morning. the 2nd one just a short while ago. and we have to say that it's very, very striking. and worrying that the russian forces are now attacking places that

are far away from their main advance. and there were several explosions in lots, a city northwest awful, v for the city that we a city that we visited just a few days ago at the russian defense ministry acknowledged that they were attacking a military airport there. they also attacked a military airport in the van of frank, keeps a city southwest in ukraine and, and this is showing you that the russian forces are into intensifying their efforts to flow, the flow of weapons and resources to the front lines across from the western ukraine. and they're also in circling major cities across ukraine. alexandra. so what's your sense? how are you communions coping under this sustained threat 2 weeks into this war? well, when general, we have to say that, of course everyone is trying to find their own way to cope with the situation. as some people decided to flee the country to leave the county to cross the border to

poland. for example, some people that i've been talking with told me that after what happened in my you, pl. after this horrifying attack on the children's hospital there, they told me that they now feel more determined than ever to fight to fight back to defend at their country. but of course, we have to stress that the main task for the ukrainian forces now is to get out those who are trapped in the cities like mo, pull opportunities under siege. and it's very difficult to get them out. there will be a humanitarian corridors to be open today again, but of course, it depends on whether the russian forces a will stop a firing on those of your creation roots. more than 2000000 people have fled, the country already are people they are in love. if willing to stay or are they also considering leaving it really depends on whom you talking with people who came here from, for instance,

the central or eastern part of the country. people who had to hide with their children for days in their sellers or holes. people who as cape the russian artillery fire, they normally would say, we need to get out. we need to leave the country. but of course there are residents of believe who have their apartment, their families here and, and they for now wanted to stay d, w. alexander phenomena with the latest there from the if thank you very much. any kind. let's get a round up of some other headlines and the conflict russian president vladimir putin has advocated sending volunteers from abroad to fight against ukrainian forces during a meeting of his country security council, russian defense minister, sergei, chicago said there are 16000 volunteers in the middle east, ready to fight alongside russian troops. u. s. official said these could include syrian recruits, skilled in urban combat,

ukrainian president followed him. your salons can, he has denied moscow's allegation that he has is preparing a chemical or biological weapons attack. the un security council is meeting today to discuss the accusation upon russia's request. the u. s. is warning that moscow was making the allegation, as it prepares to use such weapons in ukraine's. demonstrators took to the streets of medley to pole in ukraine to protest the russian invasion, and the presence of russian forces in their town. the united nations is warned, aid is desperately needed in places likely to pull. and they appeal to moscow to allow for safe mass passage. humanitarian quarters have come under attack during previous agreed upon cease fires. you leaders are meeting of france for a 2nd day of talks on the blocks response to the invasion of ukraine. major topics on the agenda, our defense spending and europe dependence on russian fossil fuels. after the 1st day of talk, the block rolled out fast tracking

a ukrainian membership to the you. but welcome the idea of the country joining the blog. this is what slovenia and prime minister janish yontsa had to say this morning. today's some form of solving. so you just take political decisions, most probably next for most, solving this month with food stamps. but this is new worth. so during the last 2 weeks and something cold has changed and 3 ho trains more also, but not enough. let's go right to our correspond popular vessel who is at that summit in versailles, barbara, we heard this lavine and prime minister there. say we have changed, but not enough. what do you think that means? that means that you has in the 1st instant directed quickly and has erected better and more unified. about 2 weeks ago when the boy started,

then many had thought. but since then, it seems to be slowing down and further sanctions for instance, are stalling. and that is what east he's talking about. many eastern european prime ministers in leaders are disappointed about what happened last night that the you was not willing to send a stronger signal that they could become members of the you, it to ukraine. it would have been symbolic that is clear. they can become members, right. at the moment they're at war, but it would just mean is psychological boost for, for perhaps. and so that is really what many here are criticising. say that the more northern and, and sort of careful shopkeeper mentality of some older member states has prevailed in the battle that had been fought last night about this membership question. another big topic they've been discussing is dependent on russian oil and gas. and we know that hungry is that victor urban is already said. a full ban on russia is out of the question. how divided our member states on this issue?

they are divided into pretty much the same manner then on the membership question is the same division that runs between mostly eastern and western european member states. we also determine chance a lot of short, sir, just a little while ago say yes, we can't really get rid of russian oil and gas because the economic consequences would be to dire. we have to think about our own economies. he's not the only one who talks like that and does so we will see the same problem. now the are discussing today of course, how they can phase out russian gas as quickly as possible. they want to get rid of 2 3rd of it till the end of the year, by all means. now that is the pathway that, of course, will it politically in the end, make the more independent from russia. but in the short term, it doesn't achieve anything. it's not helping ukraine, and it's not going to help or european consumers, of course, who are already having problems was rising prices. so if they are in

a difficult position clearly, but it seems that at the moment there is no will and no appetite to sort of go further against russia. despite those divisions. barbara, there is unity on continuing to support ukraine. so what can you tell us about military and humanitarian aid? yet the chief diplomat of the e. u at joseph burrell, he announced that he wants another 500000000 euro for military aid for ukraine. and that is pretty much undisputed because it's not a question of money. it seems that many leaders might very quietly when they get home at night, have a bad conscience about that. they feel they can't do more, that they can do more against this war, that they really feel that they are at the end of their possibilities. so they will give money as much as needed. they will of course, give all the humanitarian aid they can at the problem is more of one of logistics.

it has to be brought in by trucks, rumania, all poland, which is getting increasingly difficult. and of course they are welcoming the refugees. 2.5000000 have come as of today and more will follow everyone knows that and it's a big task to take care of them all. so they, they really coin from, they want to do that. but it, we're getting stronger and being harder against russia. it's not on the table right now. barbara hazel in verse, i for us. good to talk to you. former german chancellor gerhard schroeder has traveled to moscow to meet with letty. mere putin should is known to be a close friend of the russian president and is on the board of the state owned energy. giant ra snapped shut up, has been under increasing pressure to cut his ties with russia. the german government says it had no prior knowledge of his trip. saw yawn shrewd, akin pausing for peace with the kremlin looming in the background. welcome to the

world of cryptic instagram diplomacy, the wife of ex german chancellor. gerhard shrewd up posted the image on her social media account, seemingly confirming reports. her husband was on a solo diplomatic mission to purchase a palace, guinea of the ukrainian side, asked gertrude, or to try and do the bridge to to let him, he couldn't. and to try to negotiate bart parsley conditions for a cease fire or, or something similar. news of the visit caught the german government by surprise. attending a summit in france, the current german chancellor distance himself from the outreach. i don't want to comment, he told reporters or 2 of the community. even those with intruders party who have called on him to cut ties to russia, and his ally vladimir putin admit the all efforts to reach the russian president are worthwhile. isak mazel alice was hoofed god,

let me put it this week. anything that helps to end this terrible war as welcome, as we will see in the next few hours and days whether this one is in any case. i think that the talks that have just been started under ongoing our sensible dish. trustable asthma of us, one of dickerson with through to himself, yet to comment. it is unclear to what extent, if any, his visit is aimed at brokering piece we have our chief political correspondent, melinda crane with us now. hi, melinda. what do you make of this, that rogue at piece mission by germany's ex chancellor? while rogue is definitely the operative word in that question, the german government spokesman has just confirmed this morning that the government was not consulted or even informed, and that they will not comment. and it's evident that they are seeking to distance themselves. that in fact has been going on now for some time since the former chancellor is very much under harsh criticism for sustaining his connections to

russian energy giants. now some countries have rules against diplomatic initiatives by private persons germany doesn't, but certainly this piece mission by the former chancellor raises ethical and possibly also legal questions giving the blurring of lines between his role as a lobbyist forecast problem was nifty. and his role as former chancellor private citizen. and just how unusual the whole affair is, is confirmed by that photo posted yesterday on instagram showed his wife. how likely is it that he can achieve anything? well, i think the s p d politicians have commented and others as well including the austrian chancellor are right when they say that any initiative they could deliver some humanitarian cease fire or other progress is welcome. but given how little the piece talks in bella roof and a high level meeting yesterday and turkey has achieved, it's very hard to imagine a different outcome here. and perhaps the most relevant question is what this will achieve for former chancellor schroeder because he has been under very harsh attack

. and undoubtedly this mission is intended to help redeem him. or chief political correspondent melinda crane. thank you very much. the numbers ukrainians that have fled, the fighting has reached 2500000. according to the u. n's refugee agency, more than a 100000 of them had traveled to germany and many of headed to berlin. the city says it is struggling to cope with a growing number of ukrainian refugees. officials want the federal government to help relocate thousands of people to other parts of the country. thousands arrive every day. traumatized exhausted. glad to be safe. what's hidden? because no law and people tried to help us and that i had all hell, what can he door? and just as a avid yvonne help and the evan yvonne, i told katy about us, so it's ok among the good samaritans, this police officer who bid farewell to

a family of 4 whom she opened her home to um, you know, the guy that the family was supposed to go to mac the berg last night, where they had been assigned to and after they had to long days hanging around, i couldn't see them going to mike de berg again in the evening. so the slate with me for a night. a no, they're continuing on whether or not not as well as the refugees offers of help keep coming to before set up the oceans on the run up. we already gave money in donation one job and yes, now we have consulted again and we said that because we have an upper floor with a guest room and a private bathroom. we were happy to make this available. the need is so great and seeing this people who taught rending out some real blige. i'm good at me. maybe we'll be there one day and we'll need a hand and someone will help pause. you have to stick together,

being on my muscle to them home for germany. bear lynn has been at the face of this . exit is no official. she, they're running out of space. the mayor says, no one can know how many will come if wilson and as we knew on the 1st day when the attacks began, that we would have a very large movement of refugees feel that many people would also arrive here in berlin. we have not yet as a for sure how many the will be high does not need to have that 5 extra accommodation centers will be set up in the capital. but officials are calling on the federal government to help transfer refugees to other parts of the country. it's not just ukrainians fleeing russians are leaving their country as well. some say they're leaving due to new western sanctions, but others worry about their countries cracked down on free speech and growing isolation with many flights out of the country. no longer taking off. many russians are heading to finland by other means, ah,

another train bringing people to safety. but the passengers and board this one, a russian rather than ukrainian, with no flights to western europe, trains on this route from st. petersburg to the finished capital. helsinki had been booked out for days. those leaving want to watch developments in their home country from the safety of abroad. and other things goal worth. i will susan to find the front to where i can stay for more time. this is one of the few remaining routes from russia to the you, for many their last chance to escape the impact of western sanctions and the growing repression. thousands have already arrived. the finish re weighs have therefore decided to extend the time table between st. petersburg and hesitated

only those with a valid e visa are allowed to travel. people like this young woman who left the finland the day off to the russian invasion of ukraine began. she does not want to be recognized and says she is devastated by events in ukraine and crying and not sleeping, seen it chance it's all started. that's how i feel it. i'm pretty sure that i am then going back. i'm not sure if i will be able to leave them, but this fear, ah, this fear of landing in prison for one's opinion, is leading more and more russians to flee that country on the train to helsinki. and we have our colleague, natalia, small and saver with us until recently,

she was a correspondent for des, russian service in moscow that was before russian authorities close down dw moscow bureau. natalia, thanks so much for joining us. you're now here in berlin. did you have a choice or did you feel like you had to leave russia? and so after our bureau was closed, but especially after the war has started and have been you and laws and new things happening with the freedom of speech in russia. it became practically impossible or very difficult to work as a journalist. and in the beginning journalist when we're asked to urge to only use official information when reporting and what have happening in the ukraine. so effectively banned from using the world war or invasion have to call a special operation. then a couple of days there, general prosecutor reminded that any work for in state in this occasion would also can cause in fines or even time in prison. so it was really, really difficult for us to stay. so obviously i wouldn't get out of the country,

but situation developed in the way that i kind of had to leave it possible for you to stay. what about other people, you know, are they planning to leave? have they already left? i think now we're seeing and many russians wouldn't. how many, but definitely solvents leaving russia. some are feeling the possibility of introduction of martial law and that they have to go to the whether they don't support others, fear the crackdown and repressions and journalist, but also an activist and politicians. and they're also just people who was land likes have been ruined because their businesses or their and you know, the work, the jobs don't exist anymore. so in this, in this fear and uncertainty, a lot of people decided to leave the country. yeah. we know the sanctions are hitting the economy really hard. we saw this report of people finding this route to finland. how difficult is it for russians to leave right now? well, it is very difficult and they're not so many options to leave a plane. you can leave for, for instance,

to istanbul or to i media or to then you can go to georgia and actually sell the countries. a lot of people are heading to because to go to finland on to other european countries. you require visa and not a lot of fashions have it so a lot of people are to fly out to get a final, to stumble and then continue from there. but also the price of this flight are really expensive and not everyone can afford this. and also just to gets and just decide to leave right now from one day to another. this is a big decision. people have families will have more interest people have at so it is really, really hard. and also once you get out there, what are you going to do? because russians, russian cars with visa, mastercard, on work and road. so you'll have to get a lot of cash. you can only get $10000.00 right now out of the country. so there's a lot of practical decisions to be made. it, when people have to leave, maybe can tell us a bit more about the mood in the country before you left. it's hard for us to gauge from over here, but how much support do you think there was for this war or, and how much opposition?

it is really hard to grasp, but we're think especially in dissertation, many are shocked and still trying to grasp what's happening. i think there was also part of their populations to hasn't understand fully what's going on there. we've seen protest happening on the street. so there is a lot of discontent with what's happening. but obviously not all the people who are against the war are so brave and take it to the streets actually. and there are some polls and being carried out in recent days. we don't really, we can't really trust this polls very much because on this, in the situation when authoritarians state of the war and polls are very misleading . but even in these polls, it's governmental polls. they show from 50 to 70 percent of support for ongoing mil to operation, not the war. it's how they framed. but even in this balls, what we're seeing is that people who are younger and who use social media and internet to get the information are less likely to support what's happening there. ok, very interesting. natalia is more deborah, our colleague who was worship working for

d w's russian service in moscow. thanks so much for sharing your insights with us today. thank you. and that wraps up our news shall show at this hour. thanks everyone for watching from all of us room berlin with with

to the point with clear positions international perspective on the west coast, fired out one solver with economic sanctions or another in an effort to stop hooton's war on ukraine calls for tougher action are growing louder liquid sanctions cripples the global economy. find out on to the point. to the point with d. w. cutting off the money russian only got many of the whole to

close times to view your protein stair angleton. send this outside darrell the country. now russians war in ukraine has government 3 lax rules on for investment. why sanctions from the financial sector might be the strongest weapon in the fight against the russian regime to learn a business special. in 60 minutes long a, d, w o. every day counts for us and for our planet with global ideas is on its way to bring you more conservation. how do we make cities, reader, how can we protect habitat,

what to do with all our ways? we can make a difference by choosing smart, new solutions over staying said in our ways global ideas. environmental series included $3000.00 on d, w, and online united as rarely before the west has fired off one salvo of economic sanctions after another. in response to vladimir putin, an attack on ukraine. sending the rubel plummeting and citizens rushing to withdraw their savings from russian facts. so far that has prompted no let up in the fighting. now the united states are upping the pressure. banning oil imports from russia cause for europe to follow suit are growing louder. the countries like germany, fear that could harm citizens and industry. yet that pain could.