Russia Ukraine Crisis Live: Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an impassioned address to his nation, warning Russian troops that he will punish those who committed atrocities in Ukraine while the “only quiet place” that awaits them is the grave. “Today is Forgiveness Sunday. But we will not forgive hundreds and hundreds of victims. Thousands and thousands of sufferings. Instead of Forgiveness, there will be a Day of Judgment,” Zelenskyy added.
This came after rescue efforts of civilians came under direct attack by Russian forces, with at least three people getting killed in shelling outside Kyiv. Russian forces were struggling to advance on multiple fronts. The Ukrainian military said it was successfully defending its position in fierce fighting north of Kyiv, the capital, and holding back Russians from the east, where President Vladimir Putin’s forces bogged down in clashes around an airport.
Meanwhile, India’s evacuation efforts have entered a critical stage with all eyes on the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Sum, close to the Russian border, where about 700 Indians, mostly students, are waiting for rescue — the last big group from the country still stranded there. Officials said that a team from the Indian Embassy is stationed in Poltava, a city in central Ukraine, through which they hope to coordinate the safe passage of the students in Sum to the western border.
War had broken out at home just days after his arrival in the Polish city of Wrocław
"I never believed war would start,'' Chornomordenko said, as he checked the GPS position of his arriving family.
Nearby, the U.N. high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Gandi, visited the same Medina border crossing, proclaiming the number of refugees leaving Ukraine the fastest-growing humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. In just 11 days, 1.5 million people had sought safety in neighboring countries.
Just moments after the U.N. official spoke, Chornomordenko's wife and two children made the crossing themselves, in a small white Kia, which Alina had driven across Ukraine from Kyiv, in normal times an eight-hour drive.
He lifted 4-year-old son David onto his shoulders, and cradled the baby, 8-month-old Sofia, in his arms, looking lovingly at the tiny face, murmuring, "so beautiful."
"I am so grateful,'' he said.
Asked if he would return to Ukraine to fight, Chornomordenko said that for now his priority was to find a safe place for his family to stay. He remains worried about his brother, a charity worker, and retired parents back in Kyiv, trading frequent messages with them as he awaited his family.
"I feel pity for the situation. I know it is very difficult for the people that are still there,'' he said.
The number of refugees continued unabated Sunday, even as humanitarian corridors meant to ease the flight of refugees collapsed as quickly as they were agreed upon inside Ukraine.
Gandi said the humanitarian corridors also were critical to allowing basic goods to arrive to those in need and to evacuate the most vulnerable.
"But what is needed really is a cease-fire, the end of hostilities, because that's the only way to stop this tragedy,'' Gandi said.
The sentiments were echoed by Pope Francis, who made a powerful appeal for peace at the Vatican Sunday, imploring "an end to the armed attacks, and that negotiations prevail."
In a highly unusual move, the pontiff said he had dispatched two Cardinals to the war-ravaged country, signaling that the "Holy See is ready to do everything in the service of this peace."
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