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Cities in Ukraine Seeing More Missile Attacks; Courageous Men Travel Back to Ukraine; Putin Underestimated Ukraine's Strength; Brave Employee Protested on Live TV; U.S. Warns China of Tough Sanctions; Russia Continue With its Attacks in Ukraine; NATO Leaders to Meet in Brussels; Web Site Set to Find Shelter for Refugees; Russia Responsible for War Crimes; American Journalist Killed in Ukraine; COVID-19 Infections Spike Again in China. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired March 15, 2022 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:00]

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HALA GORANI, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, and welcome to our viewers around the world and in the United States this hour. I'm Hala Gorani coming to you live from Lviv in Ukraine.

Russian forces are inching closer to the capitol of Kyiv with a new barrage of shelling just outside the city. Ukraine says a private home and apartment building in two Kyiv neighborhoods were hit today. At least one person was wounded and taken to the hospital when the ten- story apartment block caught fire. Emergency crews were able to quickly put out the fire at the private home and no one there thankfully was hurt.

A senior U.S. defense official says Russia's ground forces in Ukraine are largely stalled. So, Moscow is turning more and more to air strikes and rocket launches. Ukrainian authorities report one person was killed in a strike on a residential building near Kyiv on Monday. This video dramatic surveillance footage shows the moment of impact. The city's mayor, Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir visited the scene.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO, KYIV BRIGADE OF UKRAINIAN DEFENSE FORCE: That's what Russian war against the civilians look like. Destroyed buildings, destroyed infrastructure. City bus just got hit by a rocket. Lives are getting lost. There's the war that Russia started.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: Well, authorities say three people wounded in the attack were taken to the hospital, emergency crews had to rescue more than a dozen people. And an apparent missile strike hit the city of Donetsk in the east, in the east of the country killing a number of people. The region is held by Russian backed separatists who blame Ukrainian fighters for this attack. In southern Ukraine the port city of Mariupol is in shambles. Drone

video released on Monday shows plumes of thick black smoke rising from an industrial area. You can also see a supermarket gutted by fire and more smoke from an apartment complex.

And a heartbreaking update to an attack we reported on last week. The woman in this photo being carried out of a Mariupol maternity hospital after a Russian strike has now died. Efforts to save her baby through an emergency caesarean section were also unsuccessful.

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the Russian military will be ultimately be held responsible for war crimes. He posted these comments online and directed some of them at Russian soldiers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE (through translator): But why should you do? What for? I know that you want to survive. We hear your conversations in the intercepts. We hear what you really think about this senseless war, about this disgrace and about your state. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I give you a chance. A chance to survive. If you surrender to our forces, we will treat you the way people are supposed to be treated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: Well, Ukraine says Russian forces are trying to surround Mykolaiv, but so far, they have been held back. Heavy fighting has hammered the city in southern Ukraine on a near constant basis.

CNN's Nick Paton Walsh shows us the situation on the ground in Mykolaiv. First though, I want to warn you that his report contains graphic images.

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR: Yes, we've seen during the night behind me the sky occasionally light up from the continued rocket fires that go back and forth between the two sides here as Russia it seems is trying to move to the north of the strategic port and essentially encircle it. Like we have seen in Mariupol further to the east. That will be deeply chilling for the third largest city in Ukraine, Odessa which would be their next target.

For the people living here behind me, it results in a daily barrage of rockets that seem to randomly hit anywhere frankly. Yesterday, Sunday, our time, it was when we saw the bodies of nine individuals outside a supermarket who had been hit by perhaps a stray rocket or perhaps deliberate targeting or civilian areas. So hard to tell when we see so regularly rocket slam into residential areas.

Their bodies lying outside a supermarket. The glass shattered there. And I spoke to the recently made widow of one of the men who died there who as injured as she was herself describe seeing her husband his head so heavily damaged and describing how they have been there buying supplies for the wake of their daughter who had also recently died as well. [03:05:05]

That's the kind of compound trauma that we're seeing among civilians here in Mykolaiv. And we saw today the volume of ambulances is whizzing around. It is quite extraordinary to see a population trembling frankly with the kind of heavy shelling that we're seeing at this stage.

The question really is how is the balance of power between the two militaries around it. There seem to be claims again from the Ukrainians that they've managed to clear some roads. But there's also fears of potentially that Russia is moving back in at some point. This is so vital for Russia's project for the south here for control of the Black Sea coast that's important for their broader perhaps farfetched goal of a longer-term occupation of Ukraine. And Mykolaiv, really, all of that hinges upon here, and there are deep concerns about what may lie in the days ahead.

GORANI: And that was Nick Paton Walsh reporting. Volodymyr Yermolenko is a Ukrainian philosopher and analyst, and he's a journalist. He joins me now live from Kyiv. What's it like in Kyiv this morning?

VOLODYMYR YERMOLENKO, PHILOSOPHER, ANALYST & JOURNALIST: Morning there were several shelling in Kyiv. And one of it was not far away from where I stay right now. Just a few kilometers away. The walls of the house were shaking so it was really, really close. And as we have seen in the morning, the rockets targeted the residential building, multi store residential building and which was on fire.

Several hours -- several other buildings were also hit. So, we see the second night in a row the rockets attacks on the city. Most probably they ar e-- they are flying from far away maybe from Belarusian territory. So, this means that Russians are unable to enter the city of Kyiv. Being unable to encircle it started really the rockets shelling.

GORANI: And you have plans to go to the southwest of the city to help evacuate people who may be stuck there. Could you tell us more about that? And the dangers involved in moving around right now.

YERMOLENKO: Well, some roads are blocked. You cannot go north of the city because Russians are occupying the suburbs of Kyiv like Irpin, Bucha, Hostomel. It's also dangerous to go east and to go west on the city. There are still routes to the south and the southwest. Many civilians of course have left Kyiv but many are staying. So we were trying to figure out who is -- who is liking, for example, means of transportation. There are buses that are going. Some people can take private cars and just take families out of the city.

GORANI: And you wrote that you believe Vladimir Putin miscalculated in Ukraine. In what ways do you think he miscalculated? And how do you think that then Russia and his military might adjust their strategy?

YERMOLENKO: Well, he's miscalculated everything because he was thinking that Ukrainian population is largely favorable to Russia. He didn't read the Ukrainian public opinion polls that were saying even before the war that about 70 percent of Ukrainians conceded Russia as enemy, enemy state. And that over 80 percent hated Putin.

I think today this figure is 100 percent or even more, if I can say this. So, he was thinking that there will be no resistance. There is very fierce resistance. You can see that the Ukrainian army is very brave using the capacities provided by international partners and very efficient in downing planes and downing helicopters in burning Russian tanks.

So, he surely didn't expect that. I think what he's doing now is actions in despair. You can hear that he addresses even Chinese for military help. That means that in three weeks of the war he is not capable. He's understand that his capacities are not enough to conquer Ukraine. But even if he conquers several cities several territories, you can see that people in Kherson and Melitopol and other cities occupied by Russians just go unarmed in protest against Russians.

Actions in despair can be whatever and what we see in Kyiv and Kharkiv in Sumy, in Chernihiv just indiscriminate shelling the residential areas, the civilians. This is -- this is horrible.

[03:09:59]

GORANI: And your, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has become this kind of interplanetary super-hero. I mean, everybody knows his name. This was a man who was elected after a career as a television comedian. His popularly wasn't high before the war. And now I imagine most majority of the Ukrainians look to him for inspiration in their resistance to this invasion. Did that surprise you to see Zelenskyy step up like this?

YERMOLENKO: I think the inspiration is mutual. So, people inspired by Zelenskyy but also Zelenskyy is inspired by Ukrainian people. Zelenskyy showing very good before there were fears before the war that he will not be strong enough to stand against Russian aggression. He's doing a great job. But he's doing that because Ukrainians are doing that great job.

The difference between Ukrainian and Russians is that Ukrainians do not depend on the leader. Ukrainians self-organize. Organize the defense. Organize the supplies. Organize the volunteer work. And in this case, I would say that Zelenskyy and Ukrainian nation are kind of one and whole and supporting each other. And I understand that the kind of image of our president in the west in the world, but you should understand that the whole people is like that.

GORANI: Yes. No, we certainly do, we're here inside Ukraine and we have just been so impressed with just the level of organization of absorbing internally displaced people, of keeping calm in the face of real danger.

Thank you very much, Volodymyr Yermolenko, for joining us live from Kyiv. We wish you the best.

The Ukrainian refugee crisis is growing by the day. And the numbers are staggering. More than 2.8 million people have now fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. More than 1.7 million of these refugees have crossed into Poland.

The U.N. says the number of Ukrainian residents seeking temporary refuge in Poland is lower though because many of them are continuing their journey to other European countries. This map will highlight for you the other nations where Ukrainians are fleeing. Many of the refugees are women, children and the elderly.

And to the south of Ukraine, over 400,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Romania since the start of the war. As CNN's Miguel Marquez reports the locals appear to be going to great lengths to make them feel at home.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They arrive by the hundreds. Normal Ukrainian citizens one day, refugees the next.

VALERIA PAVLIN, REFUGEE FROM KHARKIVM UKRAINE: This is stressful, yes, because we have no idea what to do, where to go and when we will be able to return to our homes.

MARQUEZ: Pavlin is from Kharkiv, Ukraine's second biggest city which has been devastated by Russian artillery and rockets.

"When I was packing my clothes," she says, "I thought it would all be over in three days." For many just arriving on Romanian soil, emotional. One woman cries as a volunteer hands her a bottle of water.

DENIS STAMATASCU, RESTAURANT OWNER AND VOLUNTEER: All the people are mobilized and help these people.

MARQUEZ: Romanians stepping up trying to make Ukrainians feel a little bit at home.

Denis Stamatascu closed his restaurant in Constanta. He now serves meals free to refugees.

STAMATASCU: We close the restaurant and coming here to help these people. Chicken and pork? Chicken, pork?

MARQUEZ: And for all those getting out, a few going back in. Alexander (Ph) is returning to Mykolaiv. Russians have hammered the city.

And you are willing to die for Ukraine?

"We all die," he says. Then adds, "I'm afraid to die but I'm not a coward."

Tatyana Bukietava (Ph) from Odessa, along with her daughter, Mimuslava (Ph), their dog and two cats. She says they left because of what they heard was happening in places already controlled by the Russians.

"I've heard about the violence," she says, "and killings of peaceful people without any reason." She added, "I had to leave I was too stressed about it happening to me and my daughter."

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Iasi, Romania. GORANI: Well, if you'd like to help the people in Ukraine, you can go to cnn.com/impact.

[03:15:00]

Viewers like you have helped raise nearly $5 million to help in Ukraine and neighboring countries with shelter, food, water, and other needs.

A stunning act of protest against the war in Ukraine unfolded on live state television Monday. Take a look.

With cameras rolling, this was on live TV. A woman walked onto the set holding a sign that reads quote, "no war, stop the war. Do not believe propaganda. They tell you lies here."

The broadcast then quickly cut away to video. And CNN has now learned that the woman was apparently an employee of the channel. Her lawyer sent us this video which she reportedly taped before her protest.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIA OVSYANNIKOVA, HELD ANTI-WAR SIGN ON RUSSIA CHANNEL ONE (through translator): This happening now in Ukraine. It's a crime. And the Russia is the aggressor country. And the responsibility for this aggression lies in the conscience of only one person. This man is Vladimir Putin. My father is Ukrainian. My mother is Russian. And they have never been enemies. And this necklace is a symbol of the fact that Russia must immediately stop this fratricidal war. So, our fraternal nations will be able to reconcile. Go to the rallies and do not be afraid. They cannot arrest us all.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: Well, according to Russian state media the woman is now in police custody and could face prosecution. For more, let's bring in CNN's Nina dos Santos in London. Nina?

NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Actually, Hala, this is an extraordinary act of bravery here for somebody who may pay terrible consequences, given the fact, Hala, that just a couple of weeks ago, the Russian parliament passed draconian laws expressly forbidding this type of protest because of course Russia continues to claim that there isn't an invasion or war going on in Ukraine. It is instead just a special military operation.

But you can see an explicit reference here to the word war there on that sign that this woman an editor at the state-run television channel, at Channel One is holding up there. And extraordinary act, as we're saying of defiance against this crack down and free speech. The strangle many of the independent news outlets in Russia and they have to shut up shop.

So difficult to operate and to protest as well. The backdrop to all of this is that there are increasing protests taking place in Russia, Hala. So far, the latest figures according to human rights organization is about 15,000 people have been taken to the streets since the start of the invasion in Ukraine a couple of weeks ago across Russia, mainly cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Just 850 people were detained across 37 cities on Sunday alone when the country is rocked by more protests. So, seeing a protest like this on state run television channel that is very keen to control the narrative is yet another step up in that escalation of, of course, Russian people trying their best with terrible consequences to express how they feel about what is going on in Ukraine, Hala. Although there are consequences potentially for people to do this. Remember she could be facing years in jail. And we know now that she is under arrest as a result. Hala?

GORANI: We do. And we'll be following that story. Nina dos Santos, thanks very much.

Still to come, the U.S. warns that it is will take action if China chooses to assist Russia's war efforts. We'll have the latest from Beijing.

[22:20:00]

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GORANI: Welcome back. U.S. officials say China may be open to sending military and economic assistance to Russia to continue its invasion. The news came as part of the diplomatic cable sent from the United States to some of its allies in Europe and Asia on Monday. The same day the U.S. national security adviser met with his Chinese counterpart in Rome to discuss possible consequences for China support of Russia.

While the meeting was not a short one, apparently, they spoke for seven hours. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department made the country's intentions quite clear in regards to China.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NED PRICE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: We have communicated very clearly to Beijing that we won't standby if we will not allow any country to compensate Russia for its losses.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: Well, CNN's Steven Jiang joins me from Beijing with more. Now Chinese officials are not confirming nor denying in fact that they were -- that they were asked for assistance or even less that they are willing to provide it to Russia.

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Hala, the Chinese foreign ministry just held its e daily press briefing and their spokesman, again echoing his boss said all these reports about China's willing to consider this Russian request for help is, quote, unquote, "disinformation from Washington aiming at smearing China."

So, this has been their line for quite some time. Now when you think about it, this is really putting China in an even more awkward position. Because if they do provide assistance to Russia, this is going to be likely means even more tensions between China and the U.S. and the European Union. But if they don't and Putin gets undermined or replaced, that that's a scenario according to many analysts that will be considered even more negative for China both strategically and ideology.

[03:24:58]

That's why the real calculations facing the leadership here according to many experts is whether or not the U.S. and E.U. dares to impose the kind of sanctions against Russia on China given the much bigger and deeper economic and trade relations between China and the west.

Now these leaks from Washington obviously now coincidental. They are designed to put China on the spot and it's really showing how the U.S. is getting increasingly frustrated and annoyed with China because despite their close ties with Russia, and that supposed very close personal relationship between Putin and Xi Jinping.

And despite their public claim and calling for peace talks, there's little indication they're doing anything to persuade the Russians to stop this increasingly bloody war, which of course Beijing still refuses to call a Russian invasion.

The only thing and the most active part they're playing seems to be parroting a lot of talking points from the Kremlin and to be part of this Russian propaganda or some would say disinformation campaign. That's why based on what Beijing has been doing or not doing a lot of experts say they don't seem to be serious about being impartial or playing their role of peacemaker at least for now, Hala.

GORANI: All right. We'll see how that develops. Steven Jiang in Beijing, thanks very much.

That'll do it for me in Lviv, Ukraine. I'll turn it over to my colleague Rosemary Church in Atlanta. Rosemary?

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you so much, Hala. I appreciate it. Well, just ahead, we will continue to follow all the breaking developments out of Ukraine where Russia is stepping up air attacks even as a U.S. official says its ground advances remain largely stalled.

Plus, a high-level in-person NATO summit could be coming as world leaders explore new ways to respond to the Russian assault. We're back in just a moment.

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[03:30:00]

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ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everyone. We are following breaking developments out of

Ukraine where new strikes are being reported in two residential parts of Kyiv. In just the last few hours a private home was struck by shelling, and a ten-story apartment building was hit in another strike injuring one person.

This, as Russia steps up its air attacks. As a U.S. defense official says almost all Russian advances on the ground remain stalled. On Monday, at least one person was killed, six others wounded after shelling hit a residential building in a Kyiv suburb. In the city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine multiple casualties have been reported in what appears to be a missile strike. Donetsk is held by Russian-backed separatists.

To the south, Russian forces are continuing their efforts to surround Mariupol. But one U.S. official says Ukrainians continue to defend the besieged city. That official also says Russian troops moving on Kyiv did not make significant progress over the weekend. Ukraine President who remains in Kyiv says Russia will be held accountable for this war.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE (through translator): We are working with partners on new restrictions that will be applied against the Russian state. Everyone who is responsible for the war, everyone who is responsible for the destruction of democracy, everyone who is responsible for repression against people. Everyone will get an answer. The answer of the world. And this is just the beginning. Responsibility for war crimes of the Russian military is inevitable. Responsibility for --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: The leaders of NATO may meet in Brussels as soon as next week in what would be an extraordinary summit to address the Russian invasion, that is according to a diplomatic source. Several U.S. officials also tell CNN that President Joe Biden is preparing to possibly travel to Europe next week. Though his trip has not yet been finalized.

For more on this we want to bring in CNN's Natasha Bertrand. She joins us live from Brussels. Good to see you, Natasha. So, what more are you learning about this possible in-person meeting of NATO leaders on Russia's war on Ukraine and how significant would this be if of course it goes ahead?

NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Rosemary, this would be an extraordinary meeting of NATO leaders. And of course, it had not been planned in advance. This would be an emergency meeting of sorts to address the situation in Ukraine which has not deescalated. Right?

This comes or this would come if it did pan out as Russia has only escalated its bombing campaign inside Ukraine, as it has become more brutal in its tactics and as the sanctions that the U.S. and the E.U. and NATO countries have imposed on Russia have not cause Russia to actually back down here.

But importantly in the NATO context, very, very key that they meet because as we saw earlier this week the Russian forces are shelling closer and closer to Poland, which is of course a NATO ally. And so, the leaders here are very concerned that this could spiral out of the control, that there could be some kind of incident in a NATO country that would then draw in the entirety of the NATO alliance. Because of course if there's an attack on a NATO country, then that automatically kind of triggers article 5 consultations which would result in conversations about defending that country in a broader war against Russia.

[03:35:02]

So, a very, very high stakes here. And of course, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the U.S. secretary of defense is coming here to Brussels tomorrow and he will be meeting with other defense ministers at NATO to discuss, we are told, reenforcing that troop posture in eastern NATO countries.

Adding to that force posture that was activated earlier this month. That rapid reaction force. And shoring up those surface-to-air missile defense systems. Those air defense systems on that eastern flank of NATO just in case a Russian missile were to land or enter that NATO air space.

So, clearly the eastern NATO allies are very, very concerned right now. And this is why we're told the president is perhaps going to be making this trip to Brussels next week to meet with other NATO leaders. Rosemary?

CHURCH: Yes. We don't know for sure. But of course, everyone on edge as you say the fear that a NATO nation maybe hit by miscalculation or any other means. Natasha Bertrand joining us live from Brussels. Many thanks.

Well, Ukraine's president has shared a letter he wrote to the family of the American journalist Brent Renaud who was killed in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered his heartfelt condolences to Renaud's his family. The Ukrainian president writes, may Brent's life and sacrifice inspire the world to stands up in the fight for the forces of light against forces of darkness.

Well police in Kyiv said Renaud was killed by Russian forces in the city of Irpin. Another American journalist was wounded in that same attack. And another American journalist Juan Arredondo was wounded in that same attack. And another American journalist has been injured in Ukraine.

Fox News announced that correspondent Benjamin Hall was hospitalized after being injured while reporting near Kyiv. Hall is a veteran war reporter who has been with the network since 2015. The network says they are still gathering details on what happened. And we will bring you updates as we get them in here.

Still to come, a web site built by two Harvard students is trying to match refugees with homes to stay in. My conversation with one of the cofounders. That's just ahead.

[03:40:00]

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CHURCH: British police have arrested at least four protesters after they occupied a Russian oligarch London mansion on Monday. The protesters unfold a Ukrainian flag on a balcony and a banner that read this property has been liberated. The property is owned by Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska who was sanctioned by the U.K. last week over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A spokeswoman for the oligarch condemned the occupation and said the house belonged to Deripaska's family members and not him personally.

U.K. residents and organizations have signed up to host Ukrainian refugees. About 25,000 potential hosts have registered under a plan set up by the British government. Under that plan the host will get almost $500 a month. British housing secretary. Michael Gove says refugees will have access to benefits, healthcare, and employment.

Well two Harvard university students are doing their part to help Ukrainian refugees find homes around the world. They've launched this web site UkraineTakeShelter.com. It's designed to help refugees find hosts with spare rooms, condos and dormitories. The site has been translated into 12 languages. So far more than 4,000 potential hosts around the world including in the United States have registered on that site.

Last hour, I spoke to one of the cofounders of the site, Avi Schiffman, and here's part of that conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AVI SCHIFFMAN, CO-FOUNDER, UKRAINE TAKE SHELTER: So, we have over 10,000 available listings now all around the world. Everywhere from Poland, Germany to even Israel and Australia. It's been really incredible to see the response so far from refugees that have been able to find safe sanctuary through the web site, too.

We're now partnering with a lot of major aid groups all over Europe and the entire world really. And so, we hope to have a few hundred thousand matches probably by this time next week.

CHURCH: Wow. That is incredible. So how does this work exactly? How easy is it for refugees to access your web site and eventually match with a host?

SCHIFFMAN: Sure. So, we designed it to be as intuitive as possible. So right now, all the refugee would need to do is they go to UkraineTakeShelter.com and immediately they're presented with just a search bar where they can enter in their current city or where they're headed. And immediately, they see the most nearest listings to where their city is so then they can enter in filters whether they need child care support, legal assistance, disability assistance, all this kind of stuff.

And just go through the listings as they see that they can click on the listing and see information like detail, contact information, all this kind of stuff. And just immediately getting contact with hosts. And as a host as well, you just go to the web site and click become a host and instantly start working on your listing.

[03:45:03]

You can add a title, description, contact information, all that kind of stuff and just click create and it's off to the world.

CHURCH: That's good. Because no doubt a lot of our viewers watching would be interested in being part of this. And I did want to ask you, to share with us if you would some of the stories that stand out to you of refugees who have matched with hosts on your web site.

SCHIFFMAN: Sure. Like one story that was interesting. So last night I got this e-mail from a host in the Netherlands that was asking for help to mark his listing as filled because so many refugees were contacting him through a web site but he's already hosting a Ukrainian family that he met through our web site, which has been great.

Another example last night there were dozens of listings in Hungary. I went to sleep, woke up. Now they're all -- they're all marked as filled. But now by this time tonight there's a few dozen more. So, I'm hoping that by the time I wake up they'll also be marked as filled.

We have so many stories from people from every country, Romania, Germany, Poland, et cetera. So many people are using this. We have over 10,000 available listings but those are the ones that are available. The ones that have been mark as filled we've got thousands and thousands. It's incredible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Harvard student Avi Schiffman talking to me earlier with that inspiring story. And again, his web site looks to match Ukrainian refugees with hosts and you can find it at UkraineTakesShelter.com.

And still to come, the COVID canary in the European coal mine. Daily COVID infections are rising again across much of Europe. In a moment we will explain why that's a reason for concern here in the United States.

Plus, China reports a record number of new COVID cases with millions under lock down. How the country is faring in its worst outbreak since Wuhan when we return.

[03:50:00]

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CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, COVID infections are surging once again in Europe as mitigation efforts are eased along with waning protection from vaccines and the spread of BA2, a variant of Omicron. The biggest surge has been in Finland. Marked here in red at the top of the map. Weekly case totals there are up by 84 percent. But what happens in Europe is often a prologue for the U.S. And senior

public health officials are closely watching the numbers across the Atlantic. Right now, though, in almost every state, new daily infections are falling dramatically reaching their lowest levels since the middle of last year.

Meantime, China is in the midst of its worst COVID outbreak since Wuhan in early 2020. In the last few hours, Beijing has reported more than 5,000 new infections. The first-time daily cases have ever gotten near that number all despite the country's strict zero COVID policy.

And CNN's Kristie Lu Stout joins me now live from Hong Kong to talk more on this. Good to see you, Kristie. So, what is the latest on China's record number of new cases? And of course, how is the country responding to this?

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rosemary, China is reporting a significant surge in COVID-19 infection. On Tuesday, China reported more than 5,000 new local cases of COVID-19. Those numbers may seem small compared to what's been reported in the west. But according to the national health ministry in China, this is China's worst outbreak since Wuhan in early 2020.

Now we bring up the map for you. You'll see that China is reporting cases from 21 different provinces. Some of them across the country. You have five Chinese cities with 37 million residents is undergoing some form of lockdown. Epicenter is in a city or province rather called (Inaudible) located in the northeast of the country. And already hundreds and neighborhoods there have been in lockdown. And residents are banned.

They're not allowed to travel inside or outside the province. Two major industrial cities are reporting major cases in (Inaudible) as Shenzhen, that's in the south, (Inaudible) with manufacturing suppliers in Shenzhen. It's a (Inaudible). In fact, (Inaudible), a major supplier to Apple has suspended its operations (Inaudible) in Shanghai. Cases are rising in (Inaudible) capital in China. Home to people (Inaudible). Schools are closed there. We've also learned that (Inaudible) authority in China that (Inaudible) set to touch down in Shanghai will be diverted to other domestic Chinese cities. This starting March 21 until May 1.

Of course, all of this conducting (Inaudible) economic toll on China. We got this statement from (Inaudible) that, quote, "China's economy could severely hit again. The outbreak has now reached almost every part of China with significant economic importance." But despite the economic toll, Rosemary, there is no indication that China is ready to quit (Inaudible).

CHURCH: All right. Kristie Lu Stout joining us live from Hong Kong. And we apologize some major audio issues there. But we'll continue on now.

[03:54:59]

A group of Ukrainian soldiers whose defiance in the early day of the Russian invasion gained worldwide attention will now be honored with the new stamp. The Ukrainian postal service said the winning sketch in their competition shows a soldier standing on Snake Island while making an obscene gesture to an approaching Russian warship.

The 13 Snake Island soldiers grabbed headlines after an audio emerged of them telling the warship in no uncertain terms what they thought of it. The soldiers were feared dead. But last month the Ukrainian navy said they were alive but were forced to surrender due to lack of ammunition.

We want to thank you for watching. I'm rosemary Church. Our breaking news coverage continues next with Isa Soares.

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