War in Ukraine: Latest

developments

Ukraine says Russian forces are making a 'rapid retreat' from northern areas around the capital Kyiv and
the city of Chernigiv (AFP/RONALDO SCHEMIDT) (RONALDO SCHEMIDT)
Sat, April 2, 2022, 3:00 AM

Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:

- Ukraine claims control of 'whole Kyiv region' -
Ukraine has regained control of "the whole Kyiv region" after invading
Russian forces retreated from some key towns near the Ukrainian capital,
deputy defence minister Ganna Maliar says.
As it withdraws from northern areas, "Russia is prioritising a different tactic:
falling back on the east and south," according to Ukrainian presidential
adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak.
- 'Mass grave' -
Nearly 300 people have been buried in a mass grave in Bucha, a
commuter town outside Kyiv, its mayor Anatoly Fedoruk says.
The heavily destroyed town's streets are littered with corpses, he tells AFP,
with at least 20 bodies found lying in a single street.
- Mariupol evacuation -
The Red Cross heads to the besieged southern port of Mariupol for a fresh
evacuation effort after it was forced to turn back Friday.
"They are spending the night en route to Mariupol and are yet to reach the
city," a spokesperson says.
Some residents managed to flee the region Friday by taking a convoy of
buses and private cars to Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhia.
- Ukrainian journalist found dead -
Ukrainian photographer Maks Levin has been found dead near Kyiv after
going missing more than two weeks ago, the government says.
"According to preliminary information, unarmed Maxim Levin was killed by
servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces with two shots from small fire
arms," prosecutors say on Telegram.
- Baltic states stop Russian gas imports -
The head of Latvia's natural gas storage operator says the Baltic states
were no longer importing Russian natural gas.
- Ukraine says Russia agrees to Kyiv proposals -
Ukraine's top negotiator in peace talks with Russia says that Moscow had
"verbally" agreed to key Ukrainian proposals, raising hopes that talks to
end fighting are moving forward.
- Ukraine accuses Russia of firing on protesters -
Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Lyudmyla Denisova accuses Russian
forces of opening fire on peaceful demonstrators, injuring four with "severe
burns", in the southern city of Enerhodar occupied by Moscow's forces.
- Russian protesters detained -
Russian police detain 211 people at protests in various cities around the
country against Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, according to OVD-
Info, an NGO.
In the Swiss capital Bern, thousands of people brave a surprise spring
snowstorm to protest against the war.
- Call for ICC to issue Putin arrest warrant -
Veteran war crimes prosecutor Carla Del Ponte calls for the International
Criminal Court to quickly issue an arrest warrant for Russian President
Vladimir Putin over actions in Ukraine.
- Pope urges 'shared response' on refugees -
The number of refugees fleeing Ukraine has passed 4.1 million, the United
Nations says.
Pope Francis calls for "a broad-based and shared response" to "the
growing migration emergency", saying "some countries cannot respond to
the entire problem, while others remain indifferent onlookers".
He adds that he is still considering a visit to Kyiv.
- UN official to visit Moscow, Kyiv -
A top UN official is set to fly to Moscow Sunday, and then on to Kyiv to try
and secure a "humanitarian ceasefire" in Ukraine, says the body's chief
Antonio Guterres.
Both Russia and Ukraine have agreed to meet Martin Griffiths, Under-
Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Guterres says.