The following are the latest updates: 23 minutes ago (02:51 GMT)
Ukrainian-Chilean families protest in Santiago
Dozens of people have gathered in front of the Russian embassy in Santiago to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with protesters – including Ukrainians in Chile – unfurling a large banner in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Some lay down, holding stuffed animals to honor the child victims of the war. A large banner read: “Stand with Ukraine.” “We are doing everything possible to help my people,” said Alina Prus, a Ukrainian resident of Chile. “Being here is a very emotional state for many of us. “Many of us have families who are now living in horror of what war means.” A boy holds the Ukrainian flag during an anti-war demonstration in Santiago [File: Pablo Sanhueza/Reuters] 58 minutes ago (02:16 GMT)
The third exchange of prisoners is in progress
Kyiv says 26 Ukrainians are returning home after an exchange of prisoners with Russia. “By order of President Zelensky, the third exchange of prisoners took place. “Twelve of our soldiers are returning home, including a female officer,” Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk told the Telegram. Fourteen civilians, including nine women, were also on their way home, he added. 2 hours ago (01:15 GMT)
Zelensky: “It is important to stop this war”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he has pledged to push for peace as he renewed his call for countries to send more weapons in anticipation of an expected escalation of fighting in the east of the country. He made the remarks in an interview with the Associated Press a day after at least 52 people were killed in an attack on a train station in the eastern city of Kramatorsk. “No one wants to negotiate with an individual or with people who have tortured this nation. It’s all understandable. “And as a man, as a father, I understand that very well,” said Zelenskyy. But “we do not want to miss opportunities, if we have them, for a diplomatic solution.” “We have to fight, but we have to fight for life. You can not fight for dust when there is nothing and there are no people. “That’s why it’s important to end this war.” 3 hours ago (00:30 GMT)
The displaced Ukrainian football team opens a tour
The Ukrainian football club, Shakhtar Donetsk, has launched a series of charity events on a government-sponsored “World Peace Tour”, bearing the names of heavily bombed cities. The club’s tour aims to raise money for the Ukrainian army in the war against Russia and also to help Ukrainian refugees displaced by the war. Her first game on Saturday was the 1-0 defeat by the champion in the Greek championship Olympiakos. Football clubs across Europe have offered to play games against Ukrainian clubs and host new players following the Russian invasion in February. The match between Olympiacos and Shakhtar Donetsk was held at the Karaiskaki Stadium in Piraeus. [Louiza Vradi/Reuters] 4 hours ago (23:41 GMT)
Residents of the Kiev suburb queue for food
Civilians staying in Butsa are queuing for food donated by the local church in the devastated suburb of Kiev, where Ukrainian forces and journalists have reported war crimes following the departure of Russian troops. Volunteer Petro Denysyuk told the Associated Press that he and church friends began providing food, with a wide variety of staple foods and hot meals. “We gathered with the young people from our church and prepared food for the needy,” Denisyuk said. “We prepared pilaf, boiled eggs, we prepared meat, sausages, noodles.” 4 hours ago (23:15 GMT)
Russia’s “imperial illusions” must be defeated: Ukraine
Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak says President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not meet until after the country defeats Russia in the east, which would strengthen its negotiating position. “We are paying a very high price. “But Russia must get rid of its imperial illusions,” he was quoted as saying by Ukraine’s Interfax news agency. Ukrainian officials have urged citizens in the east of the country to leave. On Friday, officials said more than 50 people had been killed in a rocket attack on a train station in the Donetsk region of Kramatorsk, where thousands of people had gathered to flee. 5 hours ago (22:38 GMT)
“Never bullying again,” says UK prime minister, offering weapons
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered financial and military support during a surprise visit to Ukraine. At a meeting in Kyiv, Johnson told President Zelensky that Britain would provide armored vehicles and anti-ship missile systems, along with additional support for World Bank loans. The support aims to ensure that “Ukraine can never be intimidated again, it will never be blackmailed again, it will never be threatened again in the same way,” Johnson said. 5 hours ago (22:38 GMT)
A “tough battle” is coming, warns the Ukrainian president
Ukraine is ready for a fierce battle with Russian forces concentrated in the east of the country, Zelensky said. The Ukrainian leader met with Austrian Chancellor Carl Nehammer in Kyiv, warning in a joint press conference that while the threat to the capital had receded, it was growing in the east. “This will be a tough battle, we believe in this fight and our victory. “We are ready to fight at the same time and look for diplomatic ways to put an end to this war,” Zelenski said. 6 hours ago (20:55 GMT)
Ukraine says 4,532 people have been evacuated from the cities
A total of 4,532 people were evacuated from Ukrainian cities via humanitarian corridors on Saturday, less than the 6,665 who escaped on Friday, according to a senior official. Kirill Tymoshenko, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, made the announcement in an online post. 7 hours ago (20:41 GMT)
Five killed in bombings in eastern Ukraine: Governor of Donetsk
The Russian bombing killed five civilians and wounded five others in two cities in eastern Ukraine, the local governor told the Telegram. “Today, five people have been killed in Russian bombings in the Donetsk region,” Donetsk Governor Pavlo Kirilenko told the Telegram. Four of them died in the town of Vuhledar and one in the town of Novomykhalivka, he added. 7 hours ago (20:30 GMT)
YouTube blocks Russian parliament channel
YouTube has blocked Duma TV, which broadcasts from Russia’s lower house, prompting an angry response from officials who said the world’s most popular streaming service could face restrictions in response. On Saturday, a YouTube message said the Duma channel had been “terminated for violating YouTube’s Terms of Service.” YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc. GOOGL.O, came under pressure from Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor, and officials were quick to respond. Find the news from April 9 here.
