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Russians Close In On Capital Of Kyiv As Ukrainians Push Back; ICRC Warns Of "Worst Case Scenario" For Civilians Trapped In Mariupol; One Dead After Russia Bombs Residential Building Near Kyiv; CNN: Russia Asked China For Military, Economic Help After Invasion. Aired 10-10:30a ET

Aired March 14, 2022 - 10:00   ET

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

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[10:00:17]

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, I'm Erica Hill.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Jim Sciutto. Heavy explosions pulsating across the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv this morning as Ukraine fights desperately to hold off a Russian attempt to surround the capital. This damage we're seeing there apparently caused by a Russian missile intercepted by Ukrainian Air Defense batteries shows you the danger to civilians there. That's not the only sign of Ukraine's continuing resistance.

Satellite images show how Ukrainian forces stopped an attempt by Russian vehicles to cross the Irpin River on this pontoon bridge you see there. All of this fighting unfolding as Ukrainian and Russian officials are meeting for a fourth round of attempted peace talks today.

HILL: This is Ukraine, again, is looking to fend off Russia, not just in the North. The challenges in the south growing more dire by the day. The city of Mariupol, which we've talked about so often now surrounded. New video shows Russian tanks firing at residential buildings there.

And we're also learning Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to address the U.S. Congress this Wednesday. We'll have more on that as we learn what is planned. Meantime, our team is positioned of course across Ukraine to bring you the very latest reporting from the ground. We want to start with CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward, who is in Kyiv, where, Clarissa, when we talked to you last hour, you were saying we could still hear the activity behind you. It's hard for the mic to pick it up as you pointed out, but is it still continuing at this hour?

CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, there's basically been no lead up today, Erica. It's just been a steady stream of thoughts and booms mostly in the distance but a few louder explosions closer by that we believe were the results of that air defense missile system being activated. We also saw if you can pull up this image from my cameraman Scotty McWinnie (ph) of sort of jet and trails across the sky. Not clear if that was a Russian jet trying to escape those missile defense systems or whether there was some kind of what they call a dogfight between a Russian jet and a Ukrainian jet in the sky.

But we could certainly see those contrails across the sky. And we now know that at least one missile interception has resulted in a lot of damage here in Kyiv. No reports yet of civilian casualties, but a city bus was badly damaged. We saw the Kyiv Mayor Klitschko making a video on the scene where he talks about the sort of aftermath of this Russian onslaught on Kyiv.

Also, earlier this morning, an attack on a residential building in a suburb called Obolon. It's not that far from here, it's literally five stops on the metro on the underground system. Remarkably, if you're able to see that video, which shows a huge amount of destruction remarkably, it appears that one person was killed, obviously, could have been a lot worse, and several people injured.

It's important to remind our viewers though, that many people have already fled the city of Kyiv because of the fighting. And because of the sense that the noose is only going to tighten as Russian forces have been pushing to try to take areas around the east of the city. They already control most of the areas around the north, northwest and the west. And the fear is now that they're also going to try and push for the South as well, which could result in Kyiv being completely cut off or besieged.

That hasn't happened yet. But Ukrainian officials firmly believe that that is the objective of Russian forces, Erica.

SCIUTTO: And as they wanted to resistance, we see them become even more ruthless in their attacks, at a concern. CNN International Correspondent Scott McLean, he is in Lviv in the west. Scott, the International Committee of the Red Cross is warning of a worst case scenario for civilians trapped in Mariupol. This is seen some of the worst fighting and frankly, some of the highest death toll among civilians. Are civilians able to get out and how many?

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Finally, Jim, we are starting to see the first signs of people actually being able to leave. So about three hours ago, according to an official in the mayor of Mariupol's office, there was a convoy of about 50 private vehicles that was able to get out of the city through one particular corridor. The mayor's office stressing that while it is easy to get through the checkpoints, they cannot guarantee the safety of the route but for now, it is working.

What is unclear at this stage is, how many more cars may have left and also the status of the aid convoy that is trying to make its way into the city. That convoy not only includes desperately needed aid, but it also includes buses to take people out. And we are talking about a remarkable number of people, the population of the city is some 400,000.

[10:05:21]

And a week or more ago, officials were saying there were some 200,000 people who would very much like to get out of the city. Surely, there are more right now because as you mentioned, Jim, the International Committee of the Red Cross is warning that the situation has become extremely, extremely serious, extremely dire. If people haven't run out of food or water already, they likely will very soon. Stores have been looted long ago.

And remember, the conditions are frigid there and they've been that way for days on end, and they have not had power and they have not had heat. And so you have people who are sheltering in freezing cold basements, hoping to escape the bombs. But even if they can manage to avoid the shelling and the bombs, well, they may not be able to escape the hunger, the disease, the dehydration that these eight organizations are warning of.

Now the Red Cross has pleaded with both sides on the ground to agree to the specifics of the corridor and to stick to their word on whatever exactly has been agreed to. It's been very difficult at this stage to get any clarification on when the two sides have agreed and when they're working unilaterally. We know that last week, last Wednesday, the Russians had agreed to a humanitarian corridor that would have been open for 12 hours that same day, though during that period of time, a hospital was bombed in Mariupol.

One of the women, pregnant women who was taken out of there on a stretcher and photographed by the press, we now know today that she died in the aftermath. The surgeon saying that they attempted an emergency C-section. The child was taken out without vital signs, resuscitation on both the woman and the child failed.

One of the things to quickly mention here, Jim, is that obviously we're hearing Lviv and it seems like a world away from where Clarissa is certainly away for Mariupol. People are out enjoying the sunshine today. But as the bombs start to migrate west, a lot of people are now having second thoughts about whether they should stay or if they should go.

SCIUTTO: And we see, we were showing pictures from Mariupol there, Scott, that showed civilian buildings burning in Mariupol. When Russian officials say they are not targeting civilians, those statements demonstrably false.

Scott McLean in Lviv, Clarissa ward in Kyiv, thanks so much. So joining me now to discuss is Sviatoslav Yurash, he is a member of the Ukrainian Parliament. We should note he's joined the Ukrainian army now vowing to fight against Russia until the very end. Sviatoslav, thank you for joining us. We appreciate it this morning.

I know that yesterday you visited Irpin, this neighborhood just outside the capital Kyiv scene of some very fierce fighting. Did you see the Ukrainian military able to hold off the Russian advanced there?

SVIATOSLAV YURASH, MEMBER, UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT: They have repulsed the Russians. Russians are trying. They've been (INAUDIBLE) almost every day now. I'm not sure (INAUDIBLE) the Russian (INAUDIBLE) unable to city. The point here is our forces have been taking Irpin back time and time again. And that's why the police have an immense level of fighting happening right now.

I'm right down in different town here region. And basically fighting is raging all over Kyiv. Because Russians want to kind of supply lines badly, but they are unable to.

SCIUTTO: They are unable to so you're still seeing U.S.-NATO weapons getting to Ukrainian forces?

YURASH: We are seeing supplies getting in. I can verify exactly what weapons. how many. The reality is that in this -- at this moment, different people doing different things. I am at the moment, unloading humanitarian supplies to various civilians who are trapped in the crossfire. But again, there are many people who are working with those weapons and they appreciate them immense work, like magic against the Russian dank columns which are destroying my country killing my people.

SCIUTTO: Do you have any doubt that the Russian military is deliberately, intentionally targeting civilians?

YURASH: Right in front of me that is house was destroyed by shell, which having no absolutely none of (INAUDIBLE) significance, and their family tree was not killed but they were badly moved (INAUDIBLE). That house didn't have anybody in that who was willing to (INAUDIBLE) military sense of any sort. But the girl cannot walk and will not be able to as I was told by the village out there right now.

And again, this season just here in Kyiv region. They are everywhere. Since somebody will tell you, that's almost within every single frame.

[10:10:02]

Russians are killing our people because no we're not people submit. But we will tell them it's our defiance. Defiance which shall again (INAUDIBLE), no matter what.

SCIUTTO: In terms of Western support, U.S. and NATO military support for Ukraine, as you know, it has been taken off the table to have a no-fly zone. The MiGs from Poland now off the table as well. What I hear from U.S. military officials is that the real focus should be on air defense systems, perhaps more elaborate, mobile defense systems that are there right now. Do you agree with that assessment that that's the thing Ukraine needs most or do you need more?

YURASH: We need so many, much more. Again, we are finding a second biggest military in the world. We need all the bits of support we can get our hands on. The fact of the matter is no-fly zone and all those other steps will be reconsidered. And as more of this imagery comes into the western TV studios that will show them with no they will realize what disaster Russia is right now perpetrating in Ukraine and what absolute criminal activity it is doing to our people.

And you will lead us, I will have to reconsider. And I hope they will do that sooner rather than later because many more people die as the result of their decision not to have a no-fly zone in Ukraine.

SCIUTTO: Ukrainian and Russian officials are meeting periodically. They're meeting again today to discuss peace. Do you consider those talks real, good faith talks? Or do you believe Russia is just playing a delay game here while it continues to advance?

YURASH: We have seen as every single time Russians agree documented in corridor. They broke that agreement that shell civilians were traveling out of the besieged city. So we have seen Russians basically try and claim, it does negotiations are capitulation or we shall not give it to them.

So the point here is again, as Russia understand, not just sees Ukraine, it will get more down to earth and its claims to the peace process. But again, our president from the very beginning, has stressed the point about peace and need for peace negotiations, which you are trying to hold with us is for Russia, instead of following up on that as watch the fall down the nation. So you it see yourself.

SCIUTTO: Do you every see Ukraine giving up, giving in to Russia's demands?

YURASH: We have generations and generations of Ukrainians who are fighting for liberty and different aggressors. And when the end of the day, we (INAUDIBLE) and stayed. So in the situation right now, I do not see us giving up the sacrifice of our ancestors against the Russia threat, which is however huge it is. Again, it is nothing compared to what they faced, because again, if generations in the past might fall in or survive Putin.

SCIUTTO: Sviatoslav, I know you're taking your own personal risks. In this defense. We here at CNN, we wish you the best of luck in your own safety.

YURASH: Thank you very much.

SCIUTTO: Sviatoslav Yurash, a member of Ukrainian Parliament.

Still to come this hour, a senior U.S. official tells me that Russia has now asked China for military assistance in Ukraine also economic assistance. We're going to discuss with General George Joulwan, a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander. Also, as millions of Ukrainians have already fled Russia's invasion, Ukrainian-Americans are calling on President Biden to allow their loved ones, those refugees now to enter the U.S.

HILL: Also ahead, showing support for Ukraine. Large crowds as you see here gathering in cities across Europe to protest Russia's invasion.

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[10:18:23]

SCIUTTO: As Russia expands its military assault all the way to Western Ukraine close to the border with Poland, and also attempts to close in on the capital Kyiv, a senior U.S. official tells me Russia has now asked China for military assistance there. Moscow is requesting includes military drones. They're also asking for an economic help as well.

HILL: Let's bring in now CNN National Security Correspondent, Kylie Atwood at the State Department. And what is China saying about all this, Kylie?

SCIUTTO: Yes.

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, listen, China is saying that they don't know what we're talking about with our reporting here. A Chinese Embassy spokesperson saying that they've never heard of this request, of course, also going on to say that China wants to deescalate this situation. They don't want to see this crisis in Ukraine grow any further.

But of course, if they were to provide assistance to Russia for this invasion, it would make the situation on the ground even worse. It could potentially up end the control that Ukrainians still are holding on to in parts of the country. And the timing of this request from Russia is significant because it didn't come before this invasion began. It came after they had already begun the invasion.

And we don't know exactly what prompted it. But our reporting is that they have run into logistical challenges. They have had fuel shortages and the like as they have carried out this invasion into Ukraine.

Now, listen to what the National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said about the consequences that China would face if they did provide the support to Russia.

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JAKE SULLIVAN, WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: We are communicating directly privately to Beijing, that there will absolutely be consequences for large scale sanctions, evasion efforts or support to Russia to backfill them.

[10:20:09]

We will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country anywhere in the world.

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ATWOOD: Now, Jake Sullivan is meeting today with his Chinese counterpart in Rome. The White House said they'd been working on getting that meeting scheduled for some time, there aren't deliverables expected. But rest assured that the United States will make very clear to China in that meeting what these consequences would look like if they choose to divide up the world and join Russia in supporting them in this horrific invasion into Ukraine. Guys?

HILL: Kylie Atwood, appreciate it this morning. Kylie, thank you.

Joining us now to discuss retired Army General Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander George Darwin. General, good to have you. This as we look at what is happening here and this reporting from Jim and from Kylie, about Russia reaching out to China, the request that happened as Kylie pointed out after the invasion began. Is this further evidence about Russia becoming perhaps more desperate in this attempt to overtake Ukraine?

GEORGE DARWIN JOULWAN (RET.), FORMER NATO SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER: To a point yes, and I think they will do all they can to make sure that Ukraine does not win or or prosper in this endeavor. And China can make a difference.

SCIUTTO: Let me ask you this then China's calculations here because to date, they've walked something of a fine line, reaffirming their friendship, if you want to call it that, with Russia, abstaining on the U.N. Security Council on the invasion of Ukraine. But offering other support, including spreading disinformation that Russia has been spreading. Where do you see China coming down on this request?

JOULWAN: It's going to be interesting. Some years ago, when I was in (INAUDIBLE), I was asked about from foreign minister of Russia, why are we expanding to the east. And I say that your thread is at NATO, we're securing your western flank. Your enemies are China and to the south in the transcaucasus. And he said when the generals get to be so smart.

So they've had animosity and problems with China for a lot of years. So I'm -- I think this is a Hail Mary, and therefore to get more assistance.

HILL: Interesting, you know, Jim just pointed out that the disinformation that China is helping Russia with, right? And part of that is China pushing this Russian disinformation that Ukraine is, you know, asking the U.S. to clarify its biological activities in the country. When you hear disinformation like that, does it raise some concerns for you about what Russia could perhaps be planning when it comes to chemical and biological weapons?

JOULWAN: Yes, I'm very concerned about what's happened to the nuclear reactors inside Ukraine. We've had some experience because of Chernobyl. But I'm -- just don't know who that benefits because the eruptions error could affect the Russia as well as the Scandinavian countries, et cetera.

SCIUTTO: As you know, there's a very public debate here in the U.S. about the degree not whether the .U.S should military support Ukraine, it is, but the degree of that support thing, such a no fly zone off the table, there was a lot of tension to these MiGs from Poland. I've been told by U.S. military officials that Ukraine to date is not aggressively using the MiGs that they have on the ground. So they question the material effects of that step. But do you believe the U.S. is giving enough military assistance to also avoid a direct conflict with Russian forces?

JOULWAN: I know. I spoke -- they wanted this with Wolf, but I talked about an air cap or a no-fly zone over Ukraine. And doesn't she seem to be much support for that. But I really think that would help. Whether we can get them, the fighter jets they need in order to defend themselves, I think that's going to take too much time. I think we've got to get Ukraine I think in some sort of counter attack or aggressive posture here to slow down even more the Russian movement.

HILL: President Zelenskyy we've learned set to address Congress Wednesday morning. Is there anything you think he could say that would change that level of support right now?

JOULWAN: I think it's all the things they needed. I -- you should understand that Ukraine has been trying to be a member of NATO for the last 10 to 12 years. And that to me, would have been the answer to what's going on now, I think.

[10:25:16]

And so, I think the more support we can give politically, diplomatically, economically and militarily to Ukraine is important. But the juggernaut that's coming out and from Russia will do what, what the intended, which is going to be really pulverized bunch of leads.

SCIUTTO: I will say when I cross from Ukraine to Poland over the weekend, and you see, well, the Russian forces are in Ukraine, they're not in Poland, a NATO ally, you can understand that 10-year push, as you said, General, there by Ukraine to join NATO and get that protection.

General George Joulwan, thanks so much for joining us.

JOULWAN: Sure. Thanks, Jim.

HILL: Coming up, as Russian troops drive toward the major port city of Odessa on Ukraine southern coast, the city is preparing for war. We're going to speak with the head of the Odessa humanitarian volunteer center, that's next.

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