[000:00:00;00] ah, ah ah, this is dw news live from berlin tonight, the mounting evidence pointing to russian war crimes in ukraine. investigators are exuding bodies from mass graves, allegedly left behind by russian soldiers. the international criminal court says the whole country is a crime scene and u. s. president by says this is jennifer also coming up tonight, a plea from ukraine's president send us tanks to help us avoid an endless blood

bath. and germany is now facing criticism for not sending help fast enough. and finland says it will decide soon on applying for nato membership. public support for joining nato have surged since russia invaded ukraine. ah, i bring gov is good to have you with us on this wednesday. there is growing evidence that russia is committing war crimes in ukraine. you as president joe biden has described vladimir putin's war as a genocide of the ukrainian people. and the chief prosecutor of the international criminal court says that ukraine is a crime scene. he made the comment while visiting the town of butcher near keep where hundreds of civilians were found dead after russian forces withdrew. russia dismisses it as fake or staged, but evidence is mounting of woe,

crimes committed by russian troops in ukraine. a 2nd mass grave has been excavated in boucher investigators say it contained 40 to 60 bodies less than a week ago. 57 bodies were exhumed from another mass grave in the town near key. if this and news of other atrocities lead president joe biden, to break or to bu and accused the criminal directly of genocide, i call that genocide is become clear, clear that brooded finer, white above the idea of the baby brain. mama, the evidence of mary livermore last week, the more evidence coming out of literally all of the rushes have done in ukraine in a press conference with reporters kremlin spokesman dmitri bess. gov rejected the accusation and said washington's past means it has no right to make such judgments . or good you any squished,

you mean if only of her glee categorically disagree and consider this kind of effort to distort the situation unacceptable her. kimberly moreover, as we said before, emma, this is hardly acceptable from a president of the united states, a country that has committed well known crimes. in recent times, yanna kitchena and marie emily. she stood the sudden port city of matthew paul was long. the focus of the fighting, now the besieged city has been largely destroyed. ukraine accuses the kremlin of using chemical weapons there. but president zalinski admitted it is difficult to verify the claim while the city is under siege. mario paused. mer, said russia was doing all it could to destroy the evidence of atrocities. in the house intelligence has confirmed to day that 13 mo, bile crematory, i have arrived in the city and are being prepared to get rid of the evidence of war

crimes committed by the russian federation in the city. as russia apparently prepares to shift its military focus to the east of ukraine, there are fears many places in that region could suffer the same fate. as matter you, paul. artless grenette are corresponded alexander phenomena she is in keith to night . good evening to you, alexandra. we know that the ukrainian military is saying that russian horses are now ready to attack the doe nest and here san regents. what more can you tell us? while the going in government has been bracing for a major russian offensive for in the eastern and south eastern part of the country, warning that russia was semester, their troops down there are moving them into towards, to strategically important city of ian. and apparently there's harassment now is that russia is ready and of course everyone here understands that this is a pivotal moment as and as sudden the battlefield shifts their weapons that the

ukrainian forces are and wanting are needing are also changing. and so that is why perhaps we saw a very strong address from the ukranian president to day he urge western leaders to provide ukraine with heavy weapons with tanks, armored vehicles, air defense systems, of course, and combat jazz to protect civilians and ukrainian forces from russian messiah and airstrikes. alexander the mayor of mario poll says that war crimes committed by russian forces in his city are being covered up a. what more can you tell us? especially knowing that it's impossible to verify any claims at the moment inside mario pope. yeah, that's it's true, we are not on the ground in mar, you pole. so that is why it's so difficult to verify any claims that according to the mayor,

up to $20000.00 civilians were killed him or you pull. and he accused russia to day of trying to cover up their crimes. they're saying that they brought in mol, dial cream, atoria to get rid of the bodies, as i said, difficult to verify it. and the moment, however, we have to say that the ukranian government has been warning that something like that could happen. they fear that after what happened in boucher and borrowed younger after the world was so shocked by the apparent war crimes committed to allegedly coveted by the russian army that to the russian forces could try to to, to cover up her. their crimes did abuse alexander phenomena with the ladies to night from keep alexander. thank you. oh, our reporter joe door. roy has taken a closer look at the latest military movements in ukraine. well, just a few weeks ago, russian forces were close to encircling the ukrainian capital keith. but in recent days,

the military map has been re drawn. the knots are about to show you come from british defense intelligence. and here we can see the territory that was controlled by russia up until late march, that was a month into the invasion. you can see the focus there around keith. but in early april, russia pulled back its northern groups, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, british intelligence as those forces and now being re deployed to ukraine's 8th as part of a push to take full control of the don bass region. here's some of what's happened there in recent days. there has been intensified shelling on the city of cock heave . satellite images have spotted a russian troop build up near is u m. there's been a push towards commer told. that's the city where a missile strike killed almost 60 civilians last week. russia also attacked an airport near denise pro, and they are close to encircling the city of mario pole, which would give russia full control along the coast of the sea of as off will. now

ukraine is also concerned about possible movements in the area of trans mystery. now that is a breakaway region in moldova, that is aligned with russia. and now ukraine says it is concerned that russian forces stationed there, along with local palin paramilitary, could potentially invade from the west. and in circle odessa, another sign of the latest news strategy. the u. s. says that russia has appointed a new war commander general. alexander devona calls he headed the russian forces in syria in 2050, where he over. so a brutal campaign of bombing cities into submission and in the latest ukraine invasion, he's been the district commander of the southeast region. his promotion is being site seen as another sign that russia is now making the se it's key target instead of q. but how effective will this new strategy be? well, according to some u. s. analysts rushes combat capability is being greatly exaggerated. many of its units a badly damaged and being patched together without much training. russia is also

believe to be trying to recruit hundreds of thousands of new soldiers assigned that despite their setbacks, they are ready for a protracted war. that was jo, void reporting there are for more i want to bring it. now. if a brief pull to you, he's a senior fellow for defense policy at the international institute for strategic studies in brussels for breach. it's good to see you again. let's talk about this stephanie, this general devora nichol. he's now the central war commander for vladimir putin. does having him in this position, does it make a difference? and what does it tell us about vladimir putin se thinking well, i think you said you bought what has been missing so fine. the russian military operation, which was a better coordination between the different components, the, the land, the air components. and i think they did, this is an attempt to bring some kind of discipline into how the different forces

are being used. so that, that however, should not be read as this is really a huge boost because i clearly like your report, i said earlier, the russian forces have significant gaps both in terms of capabilities, but also in terms of a soldier's. and even if you come in there is no going to fix that easy. and despite all of this, if there is a new attack coming from russia on the eastern part of ukraine, is it, within the realm of possibility that you created forces will be able to repel russian forces. i mean, it's hard to say because we don't have all the data points on the state of the ukrainian forces for obvious reasons. but what, what is, what i can tell you is that the, for see the ukrainian forces that have been deployed on the eastern dumbass among the best units. they ever had some casualties and they have lost some,

some capabilities. and then we need to be replenished. that these are among the best you create and fight as you can get so. so i think there's a good chance provided, provided that the western allies, especially germany and others, are willing to deliver the kind of heavy capabilities that they will need to sustain the russian pressure. president zelinski, he is worried about incursions from that trans mystery. an area of neighboring mall dover, if c right to be concerned about incursions. coming from this little strip of land i think is right to become son, that the russians we try everything to divert the ukrainian forces away from the central front, which seems to be now he cruising li, the eastern dumbass. however, when you know, the kind of forces that are present interesting history are so called russian peacekeepers. i doubt about the combat readiness and the capacity to really face

ukrainian force is however, all this is really an important price for, for the russian. because that would be the, the ultimate land breach from both russia to trust. nice trio, so the russian by want to put it in 5. but again, i'm not. so the units that are present interest history. i really capital defense analysts for preschool t with the international institute of allergic studies in brussels for free 3. appreciate your time and your insights. thank you. pleasure. kiva has said that it would welcome a visit from german transfer. oh sholtes, after apparently snubbing german president frank bolter stein meyer yesterday, who holds a largely ceremonial role. now german politicians, they have voiced their shock after the ukrainian leadership, allegedly rejected. stein meyers offered to visit the country along with poland, president and the leaders of lithuania, lethia, and estonia, ukrainian president of oldham is zalinski said that he has not been officially

approached over a visit by the german president. joining me now from keith is the former ukrainian foreign minister. pablo clim can it's good to have you on the show. mister climpson. according to president zalinski, the german president did not make contact regarding a visit. now that would be a breach of protocol to say the least, but that is not what this snub is really all about. is it good evening what, what times are normally not about protocol? so fundamentally, it's not about to stand meyer himself i, he's definitely not more pro russian who's ends that majority of social democracy, democrats, or the general political reality. it's moy vow with

disappointment. and i would even say frustration i evolved serves at geminus or all, and especially geminus leadership e and i helped him ukraine along and it's about sanctions. and it's about gentlemen stop on his not to do more on oil and gas. it's the next big issue. and it could really change share their reality and bush ration. and of course it's about military assistance. it's all about considerations. and 3, i volunteer and cong, connect to his rash and stability considerations. mister, we could have done. so let me, if i could just ask you, are you as of as a former ukrainian foreign minister? what would you advise mister zelinski to do? right now, ukraine needs help from germany. ukraine wants germany to say yes to an embargo of

russian oil and natural gas. what's the best way to get germany to do what ukraine wants it to do? your gans a gem, chancellor. you get serves at jan when spotted dijon. so choose zip places where the russians say gun meet the acts of genocide, lag butcher. because if walters and i have been seen by everybody in the world, simply to get this idea incredible emotion. and it's not about politics, it's about him morally, reality. and so just see wards irrational, would like to do is wholly agree. it's not about their story, it symbolic extension of ukraine. and thou was thank home because william openly called nasa and you russia. so give a real emotion, ginger germans, politicians, or when you, when you look at the german political class, me, what do you see? do you see

a group of politicians who are complicit in enabling vladimir putin to create his war machine and to attack ukraine? yes, just a really kind of perception in ukraine garza russia has been doing a lot of my sale and gas and oil to germany and germany's 40 percent abandoned her on normally, russian gas doing nason in ols this year, said despite her off all our warnings, i personally want serves a gemini gallon when hundreds of times saying literally in my career, but nothing has been done and it's, it shall have the fundamental point. why would you is still able to fight the real war against ukraine and nurse to him to our has not been from the very beginning

kind of economic issue. it was the security issue from the very beginning. it's now clear. yeah. for me, ukrainian foreign minister pablo clinton. mr. clinton, we appreciate your time and we appreciate you sharing your insights tonight. thank you. good to be with you. all. as we've heard, ukraine's president of all of his zalinski is plein for more heavy weapons to be sent to his country to help his forces defend themselves against russia, saying that without them the war will be and endless blood bath. you as president joe biden has announced $800000000.00, new military assistance, including artillery and helicopters. keith is also looking for help from germany, but will ukraine be disappointed? in january, russian troops were preparing for war, while ukraine begged allies to send weapons. but germany said at history, men to kick off a helmets,

not arms yonder. so we check immediately that and we'll deliver 5000 homeless, t crane as a clear signal that we are on your science. i thought it was supposed to be a gesture of good will, but it went down like a bad joke. then vladimir putin gave the order to the attack as tens of thousands protested in berlin. the german chancellor left it the weapons ban, siting anew reality under guests and then shooting. we decided yesterday that germany will supply ukraine with weapons to defend themselves. the u turn saw germany sent thousands of anti tank and missile defense weapons. but as the war groaned on the coals for germany to send more dead, so to ukraine's president implored the german parliament between my dinner supporters threw me to keep the peace in support ever ukrainian.

stop the war, help us. stop it, double mercy, now ye zip in it. the horrors of boucher were not stopped. nor rama set to cushions and a legit torture evidence of potential russian war crimes undergoing pressure. berlin is now exploring ways to get old tanks like these on to ukrainian battle fields. german arms, group, rhine natal, says the 1st batch could be delivered within weeks for a delegation of senior politicians visiting ukraine. they can't come soon enough that we need to clarify which weapons the ukranian army can use. it is this important so that they don't get equipment which requires a lot of training. and we have to clarify this quickly because the weapons have to come. now if often listen gets here to help. the main issue is of course the people dying in ukraine. the costs of inaction are getting higher and higher. that is why we can only call on the chancellor stood putting on the brakes at last and give us

the go ahead. before from helmet to tanks, it's been a $180.00 and defense policy for germany. for ukraine. it may come too late or let's get more of this now from our political correspondence. benjamin alvarez, a group of going to see you, benjamin. we just heard lawmakers from within the governments coalition demanding the delivery of weapons. will this happen now? as you can see, brand a, the frustration is drawing also within the government is not just the position demanding clear action by the government criticizing a the reluctance by all of scholes. also to sent this heavy weapons that even he's a foreign minister and eliana bab oak pledged for earlier this week and ask other european countries to do that. and of course the pressure is growing for them to take a clear stands. i mean, there has been this whole discussion also about the german president that has

overshadowed the discussions on weapon near deliveries. but as we've just heard from the former ukranian at foreign minister, there is frustration not just on the government, but on the whole. in german politicians to get out of this bubble and to see what can be done. now. now are these the ones that the ukrainians are asking for? and why is chancellor sholtes? why does he seem so reluctant to send them ukrainian presidents? lensky posted a video today on twitter, where he sat, that heavy artillery ahmed vehicles at defense system and come, but at christ on needed, saying that nobody will stop russia except ukraine with heavy weapons. but defense minister lambert who just saw her in that report, said that there is a reason why the german government is not saying which weapons they ascending due to the security concerns. he said that the enemy is always listening so that they

know what weapons they will get and what weapons they could deliver. and that something that edge of intensely what sholtes defended again today in an interview what he referred to as franklin austin, my a. so the, to the proposed trip by the german president. but he defended what germany has been doing, saying the germany had to live at weapons is doing and will continue to do that as well. but of course, the big question is here, if these weapons will arrive soon enough and what kind, what type of weapons will germany sent to ukraine? g w's, benjamin elbows gruber with police light from here in berlin. benjamin. thank you. ukraine has captured the man considered to be russian president. putin's closest ally inside the country. his name is victor bed bed. chuck gradient special forces arrested him in an operation that they described as lightning fast and dangerous. but bed shook was already facing treason charges. when he escaped house arrest

earlier this year, he could now be turned over to russia in a possible prisoner swamp. a once high profile politician, now ukraine's most high profile prisoner president val odom, is the lensky released pictures of victor met. that shook in handcuffs as he announced the news of the arrest. last month, the ukrainian government suspended, medford chuck's opposition political movement. he had taken an anti e u stance and wanted close the ties to russia. in january, the u. s. put him under sanctions, accusing him of plotting to replace to lensky in the wake of a russian invasion. he was evidently very close to the russian precedent. he even claimed putin as his daughter's godfather. med that shook had grown rich from russian oil interests. and his closeness to the kremlin, he enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, adding a luxury yacht, last year or authorities open to treason case against him. but ukrainian officials

say he managed to escape house arrest soon after the russian invasion. now president zalinski is suggesting that the captured med, that shook, could be handed over to russia in exchange for ukrainian prisoners of war. finland's prime minister says that her country will decide within weeks yes or no to applying to join nato. now public opinion in finland, also in sweden, on membership. benito has changed dramatically since the start of the russian invasion of ukraine. russia has warned both countries against joining the western military alliance. their joint appearance demonstrates neighborliness, but will sweden and finland heads of government, both move toward nato membership. that's the main question being addressed at today's meeting. and stockholm we have to really think through what is best for sweden and our security and our peace in this new situation. and of course,

what is happening and the discussion of finland is important for us to follow. therefore, we need to have a very close contact. this is a completely new security situation for finland and sweden. until now the countries have been neutral viewing themselves as negotiators between east and west. but the war in ukraine has changed all that, including their attitude to nato, or there's no other way to have security guarantees done under nato's deterrence, uncommon, defense ass guaranteed by natives. article 5, the mood has shifted in both countries. more and more people now support nato membership. the misson walk out on, i've changed my mind over the last month on a finland, cannot defend itself alone. it looked very am is good, yvonne, it would be safer for us swedes to join, yet we should do so as quickly as possible. finland plans to decide in the coming weeks. sweden probably by summer. oh,

russia says any expansion of made out will have negative consequences. so you're watching the w news. as a reminder of our top story, the international criminal court top prosecutor says that ukraine is a crime, see that after visiting the town of gucci or investigators, or is zooming bodies from mass graves to document possible evidence of war cry. he was president, joe biden has called russians, wharton, you grade jettas off. i'll be back at the top of the hour with more world news followed by the day for now, i'll leave you with these pictures of cherry trees in bloom in south korea and japan. ah ah ah ah

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with who into the conflict zone with sebastian fresh allegations with russian forces murder, ukrainian, civilians outside care have rapidly found their way through the un general assembly . because russia really care what the world thinks about the invasion. my guess

this week for moscow was perform a deputy for a minister under a few other conflicts on next. on d, w with what does more do to people are hatred and violence inherited from generation to generation and award winning documentary searches for answers. for 2 years, the author accompanies a cell of fist family in more than syria insights into the isolated world of radical islamists and into

a spiral of violets without end. with a film about family, faith, masculinity, of fathers and sons, stuart's april 16th on d. w. fresh allegations of russian forces murdered, ukrainian civilians outside key f have rapidly found their way to the un general assembly. 93 countries voted to suspend russia from the un human rights council. a humiliating move of moscow immediately condemned as illegitimate and politically motivated. but as russia really care what the world thinks about its invasion, my guess this week from moscow is a former deputy foreign minister. i'm very few other of,