for march 30th on d, w ah, [000:00:00;00] ah, this is dw news lie from berlin, brush and force is extend their aerial assault as explosions are reported in more ukrainian cities. the city of ne pro it central ukraine has bomb for the 1st time in this war. troops are also edging closer to the capital here. well, hundreds of 1000 from a trapped in the port city of mighty who bull. amid heavy bombardment. after days of shelling and broken cease fires,

some residents of air pin northwest. the keys are finally able to flee. dw corresponded my ts filling has more from the ground a band on russian gas enforced threatened to divide, you leaders, their meeting and per side for a 2nd day to discuss the blocks response to the war in ukraine. plus germany's former chancellor on a surprised trip to moscow gotch router is in the russian capital to talk with his old friend, blood reputed, the german government, as it had no knowledge of the trip. ah, i'm sim, he's almost gone to thank you for joining us. russian forces are extending their air strikes on ukrainian cities a day after high level talks between moscow and he has failed to produce a diplomatic breakthrough emergency services in central ukraine. se civilian

targets in april were hit in the 1st aerial bombardment of the city. russia says it destroy to military airfields in lots and event often keeps. and the kremlin has units unilaterally announced human humanitarian corridors in places including body opal. how he's so me and jennifer, ukraine says civilians are suffering but agreements to evacuate. people have failed multiple times. due to ongoing russian bombardment, now a metro station and the besieged city of had he has become a makeshift shelter for civilians trapped in the fighting. russia says it will establish a humanitarian quarter in the city, ukraine's 2nd largest. most of the 1500000 residents have already fled, hudson, which has been under sustained bombardment. ukrainian authorities say that 40000 people have now been evacuated from 5 different ukrainian cities. but they say russian troops continue to break cease fires, meant to allow more residents to flee in air p northwest of key f. people have been

flying amid heavy bombardment as russian forces advanced on the capital. now a brief pause in shelling has allowed more residence to escape our correspond it matches billing is there. finally, boarding a bus to safety. these refugees have just come out of the fighting zone. northwest of kia. daria has been on the road for hours. you will leave for you, we left everything there and just fled. i don't know whether we will ever be able to come back here. p in a suburb north west of kia has been one of the worst places in this world. cease fires have been agreed and broken time and again, just a few days ago, a family of 4 was killed near this bridge. they were 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 thrashed also, though 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 were flint, the fighting dungy. this the son arrived without

even wearing slippers. some come without a coat. there were some grandmother's. 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 will you call this last year? everybody from our neighbourhood laughed. a plane flew over us, so then it suddenly turned dropped a bomb and everything was on fire. volunteers quickly evacuated us when you're as abruptly as evacuation of peon and other suburbs goes on. the kindergarten braces for more people to arrive in the coming days corresponded alexander phenomena joined us 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 standing in the sun, you would assume it's just a wonderful, beautiful day here in 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 the 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, acknowledge that they were attacking a military airport there. they also attacked the military airport in yvonne of frank, keeps a city southwest in ukraine. and, and this is showing you that the russian forces are into intensifying their efforts to slow the flow of weapons and resources to the front lines across from

the western ukraine. and they're also encircling major cities across ukraine. alexander. so what's your sense? how are you experienced coping under this sustained threat 2 weeks into this war? will it 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 pull 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 their country. but of course, we have to stress that the main task for the ukrainian force is now is to get out those who are trapped in the cities like mo, pull our cities 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 evacuation 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 there are 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, awful beef who have their apartment, their families here and, and they for now, one to, to stay did have use alexander phenomena with the latest there from the if thank you very much. and we can get a round up. now,

some other headlines in the conflict, demonstrators took to the streets of melita, poland, ukraine, to protest the russian invasion and their presence of russian forces in their town . the united nations is warned, aid is desperately needed in places like mili to pull and appeal to moscow to allow for safe passage. humanitarian quarters have come under attack during previously agreed upon and cease fires. ukrainian precedent for loading mister lensky has denied moscow's allegation. that key of 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. and bella was in liter, alexander lucas jenko has arrived in moscow for talks with russian president vladimir putin. lucas jenko has supported puddings invasion, and allowed russian troops to move into ukraine from its territory at a meeting with military officials on thursday. lucas jenko said baller with his

army must prevent any attack on russian forces from the rear in ukraine. smugly did it. you leaders are meeting and 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's dependence on russian fossil fuels. after the 1st day of talks, the block ruled out fast tracking ukrainian membership to the e. u, but welcomed the idea of the country joining the block. this is what's lavine and prime minister janish yansa had to say this morning to days some former saw me. so movie was just a political decisions the most but over the next 4 months saw me this month with food stamps. but this is new worth. so during the last 2 weeks and something was, has changed and to the hotel angel or also milton. let's go right to our correspond

popular vessel who is at that summit in versailles, barbara. we heard this lavine in 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 reacted better and more unified. about 2 weeks ago when the war 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 a members of the you, to ukraine. it would have been a 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 euro 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 christian. another big topic they've been discussing is dependence. 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. it's the same division that runs between mostly eastern and western european member states. we also determine chance a lot of shult 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, may 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 the european consumers, of course, who are ready are 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 sorta 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, and uses at 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. and 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're 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. and the problem is more of one of logistics . it has to be brought in by trucks, rumania, 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 they're getting stronger and being harder against russia. it's not on the table right now. prevail in versailles for us. good to talk to you. former german chancellor gerhard schroeder has travelled to moscow to meet with, letting me put him shudder is known to be

a close friend of the russian president. and he is on the board of the state owned energy giant. ross nath hood who has been under increasing pressure to cut his ties with russia. the german government says it had no prior knowledge of suitors. trip . saw your intruder, kim, 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. beginning of the ukrainian side asked gach food or to try and build a bridge to, to let me couldn't. and to try to negotiate by possibly conditions for a ceasefire 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 were doing some good. 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 worth while isak muzzle. alice was hoofed god. let me put it this way. anything that helped to end this terrible war is welcome. we will see in the next few hours and days whether this worries. in any case, i think that the talks that have just been started and are ongoing. our sensibilities foster, most of us, one of dickerson withdrew 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 a rogue piece mission by germany's ex chancellor? well, 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. forecasts problem was nifty, and his roles is 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 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, linda crane. thank you very much. ukrainians are not the only ones fleeing since the conflict began. russians are also leaving their country. some say they are leaving due to new western sanctions, but others worry about their country's crackdown 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 meets. ah, another train bringing people to safety but the passengers and bold, 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 have been booked out for days. those leaving want to watch developments in their home country from the safety of abroad and the things grow worse, i will make the decision to find the transfer where i can stay for more time. this is one of the few remaining roots from russia to the you, for many their last chance to escape the impact of west on 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. i'm crying and not sleeping, seen it since it's all started. that's how i feel it. i'm pretty sure that i'm 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 the country on the train to helsinki. and we have our colleague, natalia, small and saver with us until recently, she was a correspondent for d w's russian service in moscow. that was before russian authorities close down dw

in 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 on 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 they're 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 won't get out of the country, but situation are 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 know how many, but definitely solvents leaving russia. some are feeling a 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 journalist, but also an activist and politicians. and they're also just people who was land lives 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 i 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 so 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, i really expensive and not everyone can afford this. and also just to get 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 really think, especially in dissertation,

many are shocked and still trying to grasp what's happening. i think there is also part of their populations to haven'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 some brave and take it to the streets actually. and there are some polls being carried out in recent days. we don't really, we can't really trust this pulse very much because of this in the situation when other than 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 military 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 about our colleague who was worship working for d w russian service in moscow. thanks so much for sharing your insights with us today. thank you. now, teenage wrestler,

deanna lots is among the hundreds of thousands of people who fled the war and ukraine. she is now in berlin after a german coach welcomed her family. for now she was safe and training with his club . the war in ukraine has turned diana, lots, life upside down. the wrestler had to flee a home town in liveth yep. was, and i say i woke up to another air raid siren and we were supposed to hide in an air raid shelter john e. so i got out all over the pavilion. i looked at my phone and saw a message from marco, is it on the form? got a good one. i read it was going up and it was completely unexpected. yet you thought i was so happy to call them in your book? those it is a pretty yellow german coach. ma command said picked up diana and her family at the ukrainian border. he brought them to berlin and let them stay in his office.

one won't meet that door. my dad couldn't come with us, but the horse because he went to war to defend ukraine. what is a shadow green? i'm really worried about my dad. yes, i'm scared. who died yesterday? and 2019 diana, one bronze at the under 15 european championship. she hopes to compete at the olympic sunday. what you and i want in an empty gold medal to be an olympic champion, and to go down in history so that everyone will know me what to say. i want the water and soon and that ukraine will defeat russia. russia should give battle every thing it took from us in whitmore. this is a brawler. i really want to return home to ukraine or to live if to see all my dear people. the coach us watch to see me bliss can a day in the day i,

her coaches in ukraine have enlisted in the army. diana doesn't know how long chastain berlin for now. training is the only thing she has left. we have more of dana story this weekend on sports life pure, and d, w. coming up next london's dirty money. how the city became the place to be for russian oligarchy. rob watts has the details on dw business fisher. ah ah ah ah

ah ah ah ah ah, shutting off the money russian ali as many as who holds close ties to flood uti, have long popped stare in, gotten from this outside their own country. now russia's war in ukraine has government. 3 lax rules on foreign investment. why sanction from the financial sector might be the strongest weapon in the fight against the russian regime. a

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