News Wrap: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warns of Russian escalation in war

Geoff Bennett:

Good evening. It's great to be with you. And we start tonight in Ukraine where the war there nears its six month mark. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns that the fighting could escalate this week, and he's calling for strength as the country prepares for Ukrainian Independence Day.

On the streets of Kyiv, this weekend, the burnt out remains of Russian tanks and battalion vehicles, Ukrainian civilians defiant and proud snapping pictures on their cell phones so close to these weapons of war they can touch them.

Irina Tupolenko, Kyiv Resident (through translator):

It is very beautiful that we made such an exhibition. It raises morale very much.

Geoff Bennett:

On the streets outside of Moscow, a vivid act of violence unusual for the Russian capital. Forensic investigators comb through debris today after a car bomb detonated late last night killing the daughter of a Putin ally. Russian officials blame Ukraine for the attack, but Ukrainian officials deny any involvement.

Elsewhere in Nikopol down the river from Europe's largest nuclear power plant residents clear rubble and sweep up debris. Russia has accused Ukraine of new shelling dangerously close to the Zaporizhzhia plant, stoking fears of a nuclear meltdown.

Ludmila Fedotova, Refugee from Zaporizhzhia (through translator): I'm worried about there being a leak because there's fighting going on there. We don't know exactly what's going on.

Geoff Bennett:

Meantime, in the eastern Donbas, where much of the fighting in Ukraine has been concentrated, residents endured more shelling leaving entire blocks in ruins.

Valentyna, Bakhmut resident (through translator):

When they don't shoot, it's like the calm before the storm. And we wait for something to happen at any moment. That's how we're living now.

Geoff Bennett:

As the country looks ahead to its Independence Day, Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns of more fighting to come.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (through translator): We should be aware that this week, Russia may try to do something particularly nasty, something particularly cruel, such as our enemy.

Geoff Bennett:

A country bracing for the worst as it continues fighting for its freedom.

And in today's other headlines, a federal appeals court has granted Republican Senator Lindsey Graham temporary reprieve from testifying before a special grand jury in Atlanta on Tuesday. Graham's testimony as part of the Fulton County District Attorney's investigation into former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. A lower court will now look at whether Graham should be exempt from answering certain questions.

And First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden has ended her isolation from COVID after receiving too negative COVID tests. The First Lady spent the last five days isolating in South Carolina where the Biden's were on vacation. She reportedly only ever experienced mild symptoms. She'll now join President Biden in Delaware for the rest of their summer vacation.

And still to come on "PBS News Weekend," parents fight to have their son buried at Arlington National Cemetery. And the anxiety of returning to in-person learning during a pandemic.