Russian forces escalate attacks on Eastern Ukraine

Judy Woodruff:

The Russian offensive in Eastern Ukraine took shape today, as Moscow pushed more troops into the Donbass region against dug-in Ukrainian forces. The U.S. says that it believes this latest Russian action is a prelude to an even larger offensive to come.

And, in the coming days, President Biden is expected to announce another military aid package similar in size to the $800 million in weapons the U.S. pledged last week.

Meantime the United Nations secretary-general call for a four-day truce to observe Orthodox Easter celebrated in both Ukraine and Russia and to get aid to desperate people suffering under the Russian onslaught.

Stephanie Sy begins our coverage.

Stephanie Sy:

As air raid sirens blare, those who remain in Slovyansk, a city in the Donbass, go about their day. Many have already left, but coffee shop owner Ivan chose to stay, his faith in the Ukrainian army unshaken.

Ivan, Coffee Shop Owner (through translator):

We were actually prepared for this. We believe in our army and our victory and that the combat operations won't reach Slovyansk. We will stay here until the very last moment.

Stephanie Sy:

While those combat operations have not yet struck Slovyansk, a Russian missile attack less than 10 miles away in Kramatorsk killed at least one person today.

It's part of Russia's fresh offensive to seize the Donbass region in Eastern Ukraine, an area Moscow-backed separatists have been trying to capture for the past eight years. As the assault unfolded overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remained defiant.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (through translator):

No matter how many Russian soldiers are driven there, we will fight. We will defend ourselves.

Stephanie Sy:

Local officials have urged residents to evacuate, but, for the third day in a row, no agreement was struck to open humanitarian corridors.

In this front-line village, the vulnerable and elderly bear the brunt of the hardship. Gregory is being evacuated by workers at his hospice. Too weak to move by himself, he thanks those who helped him escape.

Evgeniy Tkachov, Humanitarian Worker (through translator):

The main difficulty is that people who can't move had to be evacuated, very ill people who are living their final days or weeks or months.

Stephanie Sy:

In the first day of Russia's new assault, Russian forces have taken full control of Kreminna, a sign Moscow is planning a larger offensive in the Donbass region.

But a senior U.S. defense official today said the key port city of Mariupol is still contested, and Ukrainian soldiers are not willing to give it up. Officials said today Russia is still bombarding the city's Azovstal steel plant, where the last Ukrainian defenders are holding out. They have refused another Russian call to surrender.

Inside the plant, Ukraine says no fewer than 1,000 civilians are also hiding.

Woman (through translator):

My youngest child cries at everything. He and the oldest one are starting to get depression. It's been really frightening lately even to go out of the bunker to use the toilet.

Stephanie Sy:

Russia's Defense Ministry said today it struck over 1,000 military targets across Ukraine. But civilian areas are not spared. Last Saturday, a Russian rocket barrage hit a residential area of Kharkiv. The attack also destroyed facilities being used by the World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that's provided millions of meals for Ukrainians that can't leave.

Nate Mook, CEO, World Central Kitchen:

As you can see, tremendous amount of damage.

Stephanie Sy:

A day after the assault, Nate Mook, the nonprofit's CEO, gave an inside look at the wreckage. He said four of his staff were wounded. I spoke with him today.

Nate Mook:

There was just complete carnage. Pieces of cars were in trees. It was a big strike.

And those staff members now — those staff members are now out of the hospital and recovering. There's definitely been an increase in the attacks here in Kharkiv. Even last night, it was constant shelling all throughout the night. You're just hearing the booms, the booms., They shake you inside.

Stephanie Sy:

The organization has already set up at a different kitchen in Kharkiv so it can continue its mission. This one is underground.

Nate Mook:

This is a city that is quiet because so many people have left. But there are still a lot of people here stuck here and, in many cases, unable to leave because of mobility issues, they don't have vehicles, they don't have money to do so.

In these villages and towns all around Kharkiv, the World Central Kitchen team, our local partners are a critical lifeline to families in these communities

Stephanie Sy:

So, even after this carnage that you witnessed right next to one of your operating restaurants, still not shaken from your mission, it sounds like?

Nate Mook:

What keeps me going is all of the Ukrainians that I'm surrounded by, their strength and resilience to keep going, the fact that some of those injured staff told me they are ready to jump right back in and get back to work. That really keeps us going.

Stephanie Sy:

Meanwhile, in the capital, Kyiv residents line up to get their hands on a new stamp that shows a Ukrainian soldier flipping off a Russian warship.

It depicts a moment of defiance from earlier in the war and a Russian ship that Ukrainians apparently sunk last week. The confidence of those moments has persisted.

Tatyana Kuminskaya, Kyiv Resident (through translator):

I have got the feeling that we are going to win. I don't know why, but this feeling doesn't go away, the feeling that we will get our victory.

For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Stephanie Sy.