Ukrainians defy Russian surrender demand in Mariupol on 'Easter of war', World News

Picture This: Ukraine’s Still Fighting Back in Mariupol

Ukrainian troops were putting all their cards on the table after Moscow tossed them a midnight ultimatum: “Lay down your weapons by dawn, or we’ll take the city.” But the locals had other plans.

Practical Surprise: The City Holds Out

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal live‑streamed the news to ABC’s This Week program, quipping that Mariupol “still hasn’t fallen.” He stressed the defenders are holding tiny pockets of the southeastern stronghold—though the Russians claim most of the urban area is under their control, with stubborn Ukrainian fighters lingering in the big Azovsteel plant by the Sea of Azov.

Why Mariupol is the Sweet Spot

It’s the main port of the Donbas—think of it as a lifeline that keeps the east and Crimea (the 2014 annexation) connected.
Its capture would let Russia rule a coastal frontier untouched since World War II.
Winning it would make the Russian army look like a cargo ship in the West.

After a hard‑fought failure to take the northern cities, the Russian forces shifted gears, amping up the pressure on the Donbas. Meanwhile, they’re still firing long‑range rockets at Kyiv and other targets. This is the war’s new “focus” on that Eastern super‑state.

It’s All About Home‑Ground and Money

So far, the war has swelled Ukraine’s budget deficit to around $5 billion a month (≈ $6.8 billion). Prime Minister Shmyhal roundly asked Western allies to pad that gap.

Zelensky’s tweet about a chat with IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva underlined that this financial lift is “essential to lay the foundations for rebuilding a modern competitive #Ukraine.”
In a recent Telegram post, the President flashed photos of a city in the shape of a WWII‑era ruin, declaring the occupiers will brick‑to‑brick account for everything they’ve done.

Short Lived, Long‑Term

Despite a staggering four million Ukrainian refugees and the cities in tatters, the nation’s resilience shines bright. Ask any soldier or citizen, and you’ll hear stories of grit, laughter, and the stubborn will to keep moving forward—no matter how hard it is.

‘Cruel and senseless war’

Pope Francis & the Call for a Calm in Ukraine

Picture this: a simple Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the bells pealing, and suddenly the image of a war-torn country floods the mind. Pope Francis, with his warm smile, cuts to the chase and says, “Stop the slaughter, please.” He calls it an Easter of war, and we can’t help but feel the weight of his words.

The Pope’s Plea

“May there be peace for war‑torn Ukraine, so sorely tried by the violence and destruction of the cruel and senseless war into which it was dragged.”
While he refrains from naming Russia outright, the implication never slips through the needle.

Snapshots from the Front

On Saturday, President Zelenskiy hammered home that Russia was “deliberately trying to destroy everyone” in Mariupol. Meanwhile, Russian officials are quietly saying, “All who lay down their arms are guaranteed their lives will be spared.”

But, like any good mystery, the numbers remain murky. Satellite images show smoke and fire at the Azovstal steelworks, and yet we’re not certain how many defenders it shelters.

The Azovstal Steelworks

Picture this: a massive industrial maze with tracks, tunnels, and blast furnaces. It’s become the fortress town of Mariupol’s outnumbered defenders.

The Human Edge

“International intervention is needed,” says a representative of the Azov forces—once marked far‑right and now part of Ukraine’s National Guard. He’s calling for help – not just for soldiers, but the civilians, and the little ones, who are riding the steelworks’ back like a last‑stand train.

Numbers on the Table

Russia claims over 4,000 Ukrainian soldiers lost in Mariupol; Kyiv’s estimates are stingier, between 2,500 and 3,000.
Both sides keep battling the truth, while international agencies can’t verify either side.

The Bigger Picture

Russia’s textbook calls it a “special military operation” aimed at demilitarising Ukraine and purging “dangerous nationalists.” The West and Kyiv label it unprovoked aggression, and the world watches, holding its breath.

As the Pope’s message echoes across the halls of St. Peter’s, the world’s narrative hangs like a theater curtain, hoping for a quieter, peaceful act. Until then, may that mantra that Kiev’s soldiers, and the civilians in the steelworks, keep absorbing the hope that there’s a final end in sight—so the drama can truly hit the close.

People Inside Azovstal Worried About Russian Exit Promises

The Azov spokesperson, speaking to Reuters, told the world that civilians caught inside the plant are scared that Russia’s assurances for their escape might just be empty words.

Is Anyone Really Inside?

It’s still unclear whether a large number of civilians are actually taking shelter there. Reuters couldn’t confirm how many people are actually trapped inside.

Napkin‑Scale Talks: Ukraine vs. Russia

Since the war’s outbreak, Ukraine and Russia have been going back and forth over the same deal for months.
Both sides have tried talking, but the talks keep dissolving like a bad napkin… only to come back again.

7:00 PM on Sunday: Kuleba’s Reality Check

At 7 p.m. Sunday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba appeared on CBS News and spoke plainly: the situation in Mariupol looks “dire.” He added that if negotiations ever touch that spot, it could be a real “red line” that might blow up talks.

Feel the Tension

With civilians on one side of a barricade and diplomatic talks on the other, the stakes are high. The hope is that those inside can breathe, and that the two nations can find common ground before the entire city turns into a bombed‑out backdrop.

Nationwide attacks

Ukraine’s Daily Drama: From Airborne Hits to Easter Bells

Sunday’s news walk-through is a roller‑coaster of Russian strikes, emergency responses, and a touch of hope—just in time for the Orthodox Easter celebration.

Moscow’s Missiles Meet Kyiv’s Defenses

Kyiv’s Explosion – A local report claimed a blast in the capital, but deputy mayor Mykola Povoroznyk countered that air‑defence systems were on point, keeping the city safe.
Brovary Under Fire – The mayor of the nearby town announced a missile hit that damaged key infrastructure.
Ammo Factory Casualties – The Russian side described a damaged ammunition plant close to Kyiv, as reported by the RIA news agency.

Kharkiv: A Town in Turmoil

Ukraine’s second‑biggest city has felt the brunt of bombardments:

Three casualties and thirteen injuries according to Suspilne.
A Reuters correspondent heard a rapid succession of explosions and spotted missile debris.
President Zelenskiy blasted the attacks: “This is deliberate terror—mortars, artillery on ordinary homes and civilians!”

Aftermath in the East: Salvaging the Scorching Landscape

Cleanup crews are still grappling with the fallout:

In Okhtyrka, human‑rights ombudswoman declared most high‑rises “unfit for occupation” after Russian troops withdrew.
In Borodyanka, state emergency services recovered 41 bodies amid the devastation.

Hope in the Hard Times: Bucha’s Easter Prayer

While millions gear up for Orthodox Easter next Sunday, a quiet moment unfolded in Bucha:

Around 50 residents attended a church service, holding pussy willows and offering prayers for the victims of the alleged massacre.

So, as the world watches—”Everything else feels like a headline, but hope still clings to Sunday hymns,” whispers the local chaplain, as the bells ring on.

Russia Refuses to Admit Civilian Harm, Calls Bucha Photos Lies

Evgeniya Lebedko says, “I just prayed today to stop crying. We survived these horrors and we are constantly crying,” after a church service.

Even as Mariupol fights on, Ukraine keeps the fire in Donetsk and Luhansk under control

While the war in Mariupol keeps the unrest alive, Ukrainians are holding back Russian forces in the Donbas. Those regions were already split by Russian‑backed separatists even before the invasion.

Police report: 13 settlements hit, 2 civilians dead

Russian forces opened fire on 13 Ukrainian‑held settlements in Donetsk in the last 24 hours.
Two civilians lost their lives.

Meanwhile, the US is adding more military aid, providing $1 billion in extra support and heavy weapons.

Ukrainians defy Russian surrender demand in Mariupol on 'Easter of war', World News