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Southern City of Mykolaiv Bombed by Russians; Melitopol Mayor, Ivan Fyodorov, Detained by Russian Forces; DOJ Assembles New Task Force: KleptoCapture Team; Russia Relies on "Dumb" Bombs; Biden Will Not "Fight World War Three"; Russian Airstrikes Hit Dnipro Establishments; Interview with William Cohen, Former Defense Secretary Under President Clinton; Challenges for U.S. Small Businesses Due to Rising Inflation; CNN Hero Travels to Poland to Help Refugees. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired March 11, 2022 - 15:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[15:30:00]

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: In series of messages, the Ukrainian officials says, the bombardment amounted to indiscriminate shooting at civilian targets, including a cafe and an apartment block. Our Nick Paton Walsh has been in that area, in that town over the last several days. We'll continue to be following what is going on there, obviously.

Also, new video shows what appear to be Russian forces arresting the mayor of a Southern Ukrainian city, of Melitopol. Russian forces can be seen dragging away the Mayor, Ivan Fyodorov, from a government building. The prosecutor's office for the Russian Separatist Region of Luhansk says that, they are weighing terrorism charges against the mayor. Fyodorov's detention is the first known instance of Ukrainian political official being detained and investigated by Russia or Russian backed forces since the invasion began.

Now, in the U.S., the Department of Justice is gearing up a new task force to go after Russian oligarchs. The recently formed KleptoCapture Team is designed to investigate oligarchs and the people who operate around them and benefit from them. The move, just another part of the historic international efforts to try to isolate the Russian regime. CNN Justice Correspondent Jessica Schneider joins us now with more in what the KleptoCapture task force will actually be doing. So, who is on this team and what is the Goal?

JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Anderson, what's interesting is that this newly announced task force, it's really showing how serious the U.S. government is going after who they call -- who they're calling, "Enablers of Putin". And, you know, that's because the U.S. has long set in post-sanctions. But the reality is, these wealthy oligarchs are really hard to get it. They hire teams to essentially hide their money. But now what we're seeing is, with the war in Ukraine raging for two weeks now, we're seeing this unprecedented international effort to impose and implement these sanctions.

So, as a result, this new KleptoCapture Task Force, it was just announced out of DOJ last week, and today we learned that dozens of attorneys, and agents, analysts, and translators, they have now been assembled all across the country focused here in Washington. And they're going to be doing two things. They're going to be working to enforce the sanctions that have already been imposed on Russian billionaires. But they'll also be cracking down on the criminal element here that might be lurking. And this is the task force that will target Russians who might be involved in money laundering or bank or wire fraud.

And what's interesting, Anderson, is it won't just be against the oligarchs we've learned. We actually heard from a senior justice department official today, they stressed that prosecutors will be going after people who also assist these oligarchs. Regular people or even financial institutions like banks and cryptocurrency exchanges. Anything that -- where they willfully fail to enforce anti-money laundering policies and allow these oligarchs to move money.

So, really, the task force here going after every facet that might either be involved in criminal activity or trying to evade all of these sanctions that have been imposed so far, Anderson.

COOPER: Would there actually be federal charges or is this just about seizing assets?

SCHNEIDER: Yes. This could be about federal charges. This is not only about sanctions but this is going into criminal investigations. So, it could result in prosecutions on bank and wire fraud and also on money laundering charges. So, this is going to really run the gamut. This is going to be going, maybe, more deeply than U.S. prosecutors have gone before, Anderson.

COOPER: All right. Jessica Schneider, appreciate that. Fascinating to hear. Alisyn and Victor, about this new task force. And Jessica is saying just -- started just about a week ago or so.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN NEWSROOM ANCHOR: Yes. Nearly every day another announcement from the administration on how they're cracking down on Putin and those around him.

Anderson Cooper in Lviv, thank you.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN NEWSROOM ANCHOR: U.S. officials say, Russia is heavily relying on so-called, "dumb bombs" in Ukraine instead of precision guided weapons. And that, of course, is putting civilians at high risk. Why are they doing that? Next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:35:00]

The Russian military is relying heavily on less sophisticated bombs in Ukraine. Though they have many smart bombs, Russians are using, "dumb bombs" which are imprecise and lead to more civilian deaths. So, U.S. defense officials are trying to determine whether Russia's choice of weaponry reveals a military weakness or a methodical plan to use the most brutal inhumane tactics. BLACKWELL: And while the U.S. is watching closely the deteriorating situation, President Biden is emphatic that America will not engage militarily.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, U.S. PRESIDENT: We're showing the strength and will never falter. But, look, the idea that we're going to send in offensive equipment and have planes and tanks and trains going in with American pilots and American crews, just understand and don't kid yourself, no matter what you'll say, that's called, World War III. OK.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Joining us now, Former Defense Secretary under President Clinton, William Cohen. Mr. Secretary, welcome back. There've been some military and diplomatic analysts on this network who said that the President should do a better job of using strategic ambiguity whereas the administration is concerned, that Putin could employ these chemical weapons take nothing off table and maybe use that as a deterrent.

[15:40:00]

Do you think it was wise for the President to say, the U.S. will not come in with military equipment with that possibility still out there?

WILLIAM COHEN, FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY UNDER PRES. CLINTON: Well, something not quite contradictory but the President said, if Putin were to use chemical weapons or biological weapons, he would be met with very, very serious response. He left that vague. That could include an American response. But I think he is wise to leaf it vague for the time being. I don't think he wants to throw a red line specifically because then he might be forced to react to it. I think he's left himself some room here in the future, even though he said, under no circumstances will the United States be engaged in warfare with Russia.

That could change. That could change with a missile striking any one of our NATO allies are getting closer to the borders where our allies are. And it could be possible they hit us by mistake or intent and then we're into it. I think President Biden is right to try to insist that we do everything possible to avoid going into World War III.

CAMEROTA: I mean, is there any gray between those two things, between not engaging militarily and World War III?

COHEN: Well, there is. Right now, I think we are accelerating the develop -- the deployment of weapons that can really wreak havoc with the Russians. We're taking down their -- some of their aircraft. We're taking down their armor on the ground. We are accelerating our deployment of equipment that is devastating, I think, the Russian military.

CAMEROTA: But when you say, we're taking down their aircraft, you mean the Ukrainians are using some stinger weapons to do that? COHEN: Yes. And I would hope that we would also deploy the armed UAV's, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles that are armed and capable of striking targets below. Certainly they're -- I think they're doing that now but more of that needs to be done. So, they will have, in fact, a form of air cover against either, mobile forces moving toward them on the ground and that will be important to them.

BLACKWELL: On weapons, let's stay here for a second. There seems to be this disconnect between what the Ukrainians are asking for and what the pentagon says they need. President Zelenskyy says, they need a no- fly zone, they need jets. The Pentagon says that, most of the attacks are coming from the ground and the sort is -- that are flying are coming from over Russian territories. So, what explains that disconnect?

COHEN: Well, I don't think that disconnect, as far as the military intelligence is concerned -- the U.S. intelligence, I should say. Looking at it, predicting where the Russian troops are going, what they're firing, where they're firing from. So, I think we have a pretty good understanding of what the attack mode is from the Russian side. I think president Zelenskyy is saying, give me everything you can, so I can go up and take them on in the air, even though the basic attack is coming from the ground.

CAMEROTA: And, Secretary Cohen, the fact that they're using these so- called, "dumb bombs," can't we conclude it's because they don't care about precision? They're taking out maternity hospitals, they're taking out kindergartens. That -- that's -- it's not that they can't access their smart bombs, they don't care about the civilian deaths.

COHEN: They don't care about civilian deaths. This may be a cost saving measure on their part thinking they're going to save the precision guided munitions if they have to go to war with the United States. But secondly, I don't know how much longer we can debate this issue as to whether they're creating and conducting war crimes. By dropping "dumb bombs," you are, in fact, using a weapon of terror. You are terrifying -- terrorizing everyone on the ground with their power and their inaccuracy.

The ICC, the International Criminal Court saying, we have to be very careful here. We have to show intent. How much intent do you have to show when you're dropping a bomb that will kill hundreds on the ground? Without precision, without care. Now, President Putin, in the past had been shown as a father figure who likes to rub the bellies of babies. Well, he's killing babies now with artillery shells and weapons. He is a baby killer, child killer, and needs to be labeled as such before the International Criminal Court saying, this is crime against humanity. You're killing children and you're doing it deliberately. There's no ambiguity about your intent here. You can't say, oh, I'm sorry I dropped this stupid bomb, this "dumb bomb." I had no idea it would spread so far. We're just trying to kill a couple of those people on the ground. I had no idea it would kill all those innocent babies.

Now, I think that the case is clear. He should be indited as a war criminal and treated as, what we used to call, a PIFWC, Person Indited for War Crimes.

[15:45:00]

And be treated as such going forward. And that applies to his generals as well who can't say, well, we had no idea we're causing this much damage, we're killing this many people.

CAMEROTA: Former Secretary Defense William Cohen, we really appreciate talking to you.

COHEN: Thank you.

BLACKWELL: Our soaring inflation has put tremendous financial pressure on families and small businesses. We'll take you to one of the hardest hit cities. Next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:50:00]

You know this, gas prices are skyrocketing, rents are escalating, and consumer goods down to the basics, like, food, they cost more.

CAMEROTA: Rising inflation is hitting all Americans. CNN's Senior National Correspondent Ed Lavandera has more.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): For a cold, hard lesson on inflation, step into the refrigerator where Karina Gudino Wollangk stores the food supplies she just bought for her pop- up food stand business in Phoenix, Arizona.

KARINA GUDINO WOLLANGK, OWNER, DOWN TO GET TACOS: So, usually, it would be -- the boneless would be about $1 a pound. Right now, it's $1.84 a pound. This cheese used to be $9. Right now, it's on -- it's like $14.56.

LAVANDERA (voiceover): Two years ago, Karina opened up "Down to Get Tacos." Catering special events. Inflation has up-ended her business.

LAVANDERA (on camera): Have there been events where you just lost money?

WOLLANGK: Oh, 100 percent. So, these are from today --

LAVANDERA (voiceover): As we look over some of the weeks' receipts, Karina explains the hardest impact of inflation on a small business owner is how unpredictable her world has become. The demand for her business is there. Everything else is a nightmare.

LAVANDERA (on camera): And that makes it hard for someone like you to run your business?

WOLLANGK: Correct. It makes it unbelievably difficult for us to predict any pricing. I can't even say, I'm going to charge you a certain price right now because in three days, it's probably bound to change. You know?

LAVANDERA (on camera): Right.

WOLLANGK: And it's never for the better.

LAVANDERA (voiceover): Phoenix, Arizona has one of the highest inflation rates in the country. The latest statistics show, it's three percentage points higher than the national average for cities. And that makes life harder for people living on fixed incomes like Jerreldine Spencer.

JERRELDINE SPENCER, ARIZONA RESIDENT: This was the first one I ever did.

LAVANDERA (voiceover): as she shows us her painting skills, Geraldine tells us she lives on $1,700 a month in social security. She says, she pays $600 in rent and at least $300 a month pays for needed kidney and blood pressure medications. The rest of her bills like home utilities, car fuel, and groceries she finds depressing.

LAVANDERA (on camera): How hard is it living on a fixed income?

SPENCER: It is hard. And I feel so sorry for my friends that just don't have this kind of money as much as I do because they're much worse off their meat.

KATIA SCHVARTZ, PHOENIX RESIDENT: So, my commute is about a block and a half. This is real nice.

LAVANDERA (on camera): So, you can walk to work?

SCHVARTZ: I walk to work.

LAVANDERA (on camera): You're getting --

SCHVARTZ: It's the best.

LAVANDERA (on camera): That's a cheap gas bill.

SCHVARTZ: I love it.

LAVANDERA (voiceover): The walk home from the ceramics shop where Katia Schvartz works might save her money on gas.

SCHVARTZ: This is my humble abode.

LAVANDERA (voiceover): But the nights after work are filled with dread searching for a new place to live. In four months, Katia's rent for this 300 square foot apartment is going to jump from $670 a month to just over $1,000. She says, her paycheck won't cover it.

SCHVARTZ: I would consider living in my car, yes, I would. Though my sister would never allow it. LAVANDERA (voiceover): Phoenix home prices have skyrocketed in the last year. Apartments Katia can afford are so far away that paying to gas up her car would then be too much.

LAVANDERA (on camera): I would imagine that battling this at this stage in your life is --

SCHVARTZ: It's really hard. It's really hard. It's -- it makes me feel useless. Like, I'm not doing enough.

LAVANDERA (on camera): Are you worried that --

LAVANDERA (voiceover): Katia says, she's at stage one panic levels, and the thought of what happens next makes her quiver.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Phoenix, Arizona.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Not knowing where you're going to live is horrible.

We also have breaking news out of Ukraine. A Russian bombardment is underway in Mykolaiv. So, we have more coverage for you ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:55:00]

Millions of people already forced to flee Ukraine.

BLACKWELL: And CNN Hero Aaron Jackson traveled from Florida to Poland to help.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AARON JACKSON, CNN HERO: When I got to the border, I didn't, like, really know what to expect. I saw roughly anywhere between 1,000 and 1,500 refugees living in cots. I stumbled upon a little child playing with a toy. This family, they're from the Congo. They've been living in Ukraine now for roughly 12 years. And the father, he had seen a bomb drop very close to his house. They told me that they had no money, that they had nowhere to go. We put them in a cab and moved them into a hotel.

We're getting them settled in.

It is really complex finding any sort of housing. I found an apartment that was for rent and we secured it for one year.

What do you think?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Very good.

JACKSON: To get this family in, and you know, to see the child jumping on the bed and just --

[16:00:00]