Ukrainian forces are preparing for new attacks in the east, as Vladimir Putin builds troops there after failures in the capital Kiev. Speaking about the alleged withdrawal of Russian forces from Kyiv and Chernihiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “We know that this is not a withdrawal but the consequences of the expulsion. Ukraine Live News: Russia ‘Shots Its Own Planes’ “But we also see that Russia is now concentrating its forces on new strikes in Donbas and we are preparing for that.” He reacted with skepticism to Russia’s offer during the Istanbul talks to de-escalate the conflict, which is now entering its 36th day. The talks will continue tomorrow, April 1, online. In other developments: • Putin’s adviser too scared to tell the truth about Ukraine • Liz Tras in India urges Monti to condemn Russia Sky team discusses miraculous ambush escape in Kyiv The Ukrainian president also spoke with US President Joe Biden today and told him that US support was “vital”. “I thank the United States for a new $ 1 billion humanitarian aid package and an additional $ 500 million in direct budget support. And I stress that this is a turning point right now,” Zelensky said. Analysts say Russia’s promise to reduce fighting mainly covers areas where it has already lost ground. Reports from a UK spy chief have revealed that frustrated Russian soldiers mistakenly shot down their own plane, while Putin’s advisers are scared to tell him the truth about the situation in Ukraine. Read more: Explain the invasion of Ukraine Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:44 “No sign that Russia is reducing attacks” Bombing around Kyiv Bombing continued in areas around Kyiv, but the city itself has not been bombed, Ukrainian officials said. Presidential Adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said Russia was withdrawing some troops around Kyiv but was moving forces from northern Ukraine to the east in a bid to encircle the country. The mayor of Chernihiv said the attacks in the city had intensified in the last 24 hours, with more than 100,000 people trapped and supplies lasting only a week. The governor of the Chernihiv region, Viacheslav Chaus, said he saw no abandonment overnight. Referring to the Kremlin’s commitment to Tuesday’s peace talks, he said: “Do we believe that? Of course not. “The ‘reduced activity’ in the Chernihiv region was demonstrated by the enemy who carried out strikes on Nizin, including air raids, and struck Chernihiv overnight.” Image: Outside Izyum, a sign reads: “Russian soldier, you were sent to hell” Ukrainian forces still in control of the center of Mariupol – UK Foreign Office Ongoing attacks around Chernihiv have been confirmed by British intelligence. “Despite Russian statements indicating the intended reduction of military activity around Chernihiv, significant Russian bombing and rocket fire continued,” the UK Department of Defense said in a recent statement. “Russian forces continue to hold positions east and west of Kiev despite the withdrawal of a limited number of units. Heavy fighting is likely to take place on the outskirts of the city in the coming days.” It added that the bombing of the southeastern city of Mariupol also continued, a key target of Russian forces. However, Ukrainian forces still control the city center. Follow the Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker Russian forces have occupied half of the strategic port, according to an official. However, the Russian Defense Ministry said it was ready to observe the ceasefire in Mariupol on Thursday. Nearly 5,000 people have been killed in the city, according to the mayor’s office, while another 170,000 have been trapped between the rubble without food, water or electricity. An escort of Ukrainian buses is heading there, according to Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, who said the International Committee of the Red Cross had confirmed that Russia had agreed to open a humanitarian corridor to the besieged city. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:47 Soldiers at Izyum confident of victory Fears that Russia may cut off gas supplies Germany and Austria, meanwhile, are one step closer to reducing gas after launching an emergency plan designed to help them deal with any supply disruptions from Russia. It comes as Russia has demanded that payments for oil and gas be made in rubles by Friday, raising fears of energy shortages and increasing the risk of a recession in Europe. While Western sanctions have largely isolated the Russian economy from world trade, Moscow remains Europe’s largest supplier of gas and oil and is trying to harness that power. Russian President Vladimir Putin has told German Chancellor Olaf Solz that payments could be made in euros and sent to Gazprombank, which will convert the money into rubles, a German government spokesman said.
