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 Saturday.
– Mariupol evacuation –
The Red Cross heads to the 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.
– 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 Saturday 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.
