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Dozens Feared Dead In Bombing Of Ukraine Army Barracks; Casualties Rise As War In Ukraine Enters Fourth Week; U.S. Secretary Of Defense Lloyd Austin Speaks To Bulgarian Allies About War In Ukraine; Taxi Convoy Shuttles Ukrainians To Safety In Spain; War Refugees Spread Out Across Europe; E.U. Leaders Make Humanitarian Appeal To Putin; U.S. And Chinese Leaders Speak On Ukraine; Photographer David Turnley Captures The Emotion Of War. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired March 19, 2022 - 04:00   ET

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

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): This is CNN breaking news.

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hello and welcome to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. I want to get straight to our breaking news.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is now entering its fourth week without a single major city captured. Ukraine's military is claiming 14,000 Russian troops have been killed so far. Others estimate Russia's deaths are fewer but still in the thousands.

Ukraine's president referenced Putin's massive prowar rally in Moscow on Friday and warned of more Russian casualties if hostilities continue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Just imagine, 14,000 dead bodies at that stadium in Moscow and tens of thousands of wounded, maimed people. That is how great are the Russian losses already as a result of this invasion. That's the price of a war in a little of three weeks.

The war must be stopped. The Ukrainian proposal is on the table.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Ukrainian casualties are also mounting. Russian bombers struck army barracks in Mykolaiv. Swedish journalists shot video of rescuers pulling one person from the debris. It's feared dozens of Ukrainian soldiers may have been killed in the attack.

In the besieged port of Mariupol, drone footage shows the utter devastation Russian forces have unleashed. Have a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER (voice-over): A huge shopping mall stands gutted and burned out, along with blocks of charred apartment buildings.

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BRUNHUBER: In the U.S., President Biden spoke for nearly two hours with Chinese President Xi Jinping, warning of consequences if they assist the Russian side.

While the war in Ukraine is on everyone's mind, Mr. Putin is celebrating the last time his nation staged a military incursion in Ukraine. Thousands packed Moscow's main stadium to celebrate the eighth anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea. Some said they were forced by bosses to attend the rally. But Putin said it has brought Russia together.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): The best proof is the way our boys are fighting in this operation, shoulder to shoulder, supporting each other and if need be, protecting each other like brothers.

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BRUNHUBER: Now CNN has correspondents positioned around the world covering the story from every angle. We'll have reports this hour from Sam Kiley and Scott McLean in the Ukraine, Melissa Bell in Poland, Natasha Bertrand in Brussels and Phil Mattingly at the White House.

We begin with Scott McLean, live this hour in Lviv, Ukraine.

First, let's start with the attack on the barracks.

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is remarkable video shot by these Swedish journalists. They were able to get there in the immediate aftermath, while soldiers were still digging through the rubble. And you can actually see them pulling one soldier out from what looks like a hole in the ground.

But is obviously -- there was obviously enough space for him to be in there. And he looks like he came out relatively unscathed. It seems like an absolute miracle.

What is less miraculous is the potential death toll here. One soldier told those Swedish journalists there were some 200 people in those barracks. And he figured the vast majority of them would have been killed. So we're talking about casualties that could have been well over 100, 150; obviously we're hoping it's much less than that.

Mykolaiv in particular is a strategic city. It's in the southern part of Ukraine. The Russians as of late have been unable to take it. The reason they would want it is, well, there's a river that straddles it. And if the Russians would be able to get across it, they'd be able to open new fronts in the West, in Odessa or push north to Kyiv. So there's a lot riding on that city but so far it seems like the

Ukrainians are hanging tough. In the meantime, the Russians seem content to lob bombs at targets in the city. And hitting barracks is not something new, not by any stretch.

Last week there were barracks hit about 11 miles from the Polish border. In that attack 35 people were killed. Russian estimates are much higher, though. Kim.

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BRUNHUBER: Then in besieged Mariupol, we saw those dramatic images about all the damage there.

So what's the latest there?

And any updates on the hope more people might actually be able to get out?

MCLEAN: Yes, information from that theater that was hit, remember this is the theater where they had the word "children" written out in Russians on large letters on the pavement so that the jets would be able to see it from the skies, information has been extremely sparse.

The latest update we have from President Zelenskyy, is 130 people have been pulled from the rubble. But remember there could be 1,300 people sheltering at the time the bomb went off.

So it's not clear how many other survivors have been pulled out, not clear how many people might still be alive underneath. Even a city counselor that CNN spoke with yesterday evening wasn't sure.

He said it was difficult for rescuers to get in there, because of the constant Russian shelling. Local officials say this shelling takes place some 50 to 100 times a day. Remember, even when survivors are pulled from that area, they're being pulled out into a city that is hell on Earth.

This is a place that there's no water, there's no power, there's no heat; food and water supplies are running extremely low. If there is good news, Kim, it's that satellite images show there is a stream of cars that are being able to get out of the city.

It's not clear exactly what the Ukrainians and Russians have agreed upon specifically. But it seems, for the moment, there's a sort of semiofficial humanitarian corridor that appears to be working.

BRUNHUBER: After that bombing yesterday in a city that was seen as a safe haven for residents and refugees, who have been coming there, what's the feeling there?

Are people trying to leave there in Lviv as well?

MCLEAN: Yes, so, Kim, this was the first time bombs have had hit within the city limits. For the last few weeks, air raid sirens go off. But it seems like people have gotten desensitized to them. You don't really see people running to the shelters with the same

urgency as they did in the first few days of war, again perhaps because nothing has actually dropped on this city until yesterday.

Yesterday morning was a rude awakening for people in Lviv. What was hit was not entirely unexpected, though. This was an aircraft repair facility very near the airport. We were able to get over there and get a vantage point to see the smoke for ourselves.

But this is the calculation a lot of people are doing.

Now that bombs are falling on the city, will they stay or will they go?

This city is housing some 200,000 people from other parts of Ukraine. So I was asking people yesterday their feelings. I spoke to people who are coming from Kyiv, who say this city still seems extremely tranquil in comparison. And they have no plans to leave.

I spoke to another woman from Lviv and she also says she'll hang on here as long as she can. Listen.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think about that, what I hear, maybe it will be better for me when I'm gone another place. But I don't want to do this. I think it's my -- we can be a last what I do. I am staying here in home because I want to be in this place.

Because if I'm gone another place, I don't have nobody in Europe or in other city. It's a little scared and it's scared to leave whole family.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCLEAN: This is what you hear from people over and over again, that they don't want to leave. They don't have people outside of the country and this is precisely what say the human U.N. rights commission -- High Commission For Refugees -- excuse me -- is so worried about as well.

The first wave of people leaving the country it seems had connections in Poland, had places to go in Europe, had a bit more resources.

They're worried, though, that the second wave of people leaving Ukraine will not be nearly as well resourced, will not have nearly same connections in Europe and will find it a lot harder to leave and a lot harder to integrate themselves into their new country.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, absolutely. Really appreciate the reporting there. Scott McLean, thanks so much.

As the Russian ground defensive largely grinds to a halt, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says things clearly aren't going to plan for Moscow. He spoke with our Don Lemon during a visit to Sofia, Bulgaria on Friday. He started by discussing Ukraine's demand for more airpower.

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DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. has made it very clear that they don't want to be involved, in the process of giving jets, to Ukraine. Now do you support other countries doing it or either encourage -- either encourage other countries, to do it, as long as there's no U.S. involvement?

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GEN. LLOYD AUSTIN, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Don, what other countries do, I mean, that's their choice. And the United States certainly does not stand in the way, of other countries, providing assistance.

But again, we're going to remain focused, on those things that we know are making a difference. And what's making a difference, in this fight, for the Ukrainians, is the provision of anti-aircraft systems, the provision of armored -- anti-armored systems and also things that -- other things that have been effective or the employment of drones.

And so, you've heard the President say, most recently, what we're -- what we're doing, the kinds of things we're providing. He just -- we just signed -- just provided authorization, for us, to provide an additional billion dollars' worth of --

LEMON: Billion.

AUSTIN: -- security force assistance. That's remarkable.

LEMON: What is your assessment of Russian forces, now?

Are they stalled?

Are they regrouping, so that they can increase their assault or increase their violence, on Ukraine?

What's your assessment of the Russian military?

AUSTIN: Well, it's hard to tell, Don. I think, they have not progressed, as far -- as quickly as they would have liked to. They, I think, they envisioned that they would move rapidly and very quickly, seize the capital city. They've not been able to do that. They've struggled with logistics.

So we've seen a number of missteps, along the way. I don't see evidence of good employment, of tactical intelligence. I don't see integration of air capability, with the ground maneuver.

And so, there are a number of things that we would expect to have seen that we just haven't seen. And the Russians really have had some -- has presented them (ph) some problems. So many other assumptions, if not proven to be true, as they entered the fight, so.

LEMON: The President is speaking, with Xi Jinping. And we are getting reporting that Russia has been asking China, for drones and for help. What happens?

Do you think China will stay out of this?

And what happens if they don't?

AUSTIN: Well, again, don't want to speculate or get involved, in hypotheticals. I would -- I would hope that China would not support this despicable act, by Putin.

I would hope that they would -- they would recognize a need, to respect sovereign territory. And so, hard to say, what they will do. But we've been clear that if they do that, we think that's a bad choice.

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BRUNHUBER: And Austin has been meeting the Bulgarian prime minister in the last hour. It's all part of a trip that also included a meeting with NATO defense ministers in Brussels and a visit to Slovakia.

All right, coming up on CNN NEWSROOM, Poland has become a refuge for nearly 2 million ,Ukrainians with thousands more arriving every day. Now many worry how long it'll be before resources run out. Have that story just ahead. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: Activists in Lviv created a haunting message to represent how many kids have died since the Russian invasion.

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BRUNHUBER (voice-over): Have a look there, a sea of empty baby strollers to symbolize the nearly 100 deaths of Ukrainian children. They set up the strollers to drive home the horrific human cost of the war. A Ukrainian woman, moved by the display, spoke of the suffering in the country right now, with her own baby in the stroller beside her.

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KATERYNA BANDZHANOVA, UKRAINE RESIDENT (through translator): You wake up during the night when you hear the sirens. You hear any little sound. You start to shake because you understand maybe it was another explosion. Maybe I need to take my child and run away again.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BRUNHUBER: Millions of refugees fleeing Ukraine have no idea what

awaits them once they get where they're going. But one group arrived to their destination to the sound of cheers and applause.

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BRUNHUBER (voice-over): A volunteer convoy of taxi drivers shuttled more than 130 displaced Ukrainians from Warsaw to Madrid. It was organized by local priests, with the NGO Messengers for Peace.

Many of the refugees burst into tears as people in Madrid lined the streets to welcome them. And the taxi drivers welcomed the opportunity to help out. Listen.

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JOSE MARIA PEREZ, MADRID TAXI DRIVER (through translator): We spent the night in Warsaw and the following night we began the most beautiful and hard part. It was really impressive to see so many people trying to help and so many people in need of help.

When we parked and we got the families assigned with their documents, just picture it, we were happy.

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BRUNHUBER: The U.N. says more than 3.2 million people have fled from Ukraine to other countries.

And the current flow of refugees into Poland is still quite high and it's putting a burden on small border towns. But the influx shows no signs of slowing. CNN's Melissa Bell has more.

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MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's been a long road. Liberty may lie ahead. But at least safety has been reached for now. Ukrainian children and their mothers who've made it just across the border to Poland, their first night of peace spent in a school gym, so much of what is here provided by volunteers.

ADAM WASOWICZ, VOLUNTEER: In the beginning, the aid flowed spontaneously from many different sources. But I must admit these were not from the government. I do not hide that we are disappointed here because this volunteering has accelerated. We are starting to fade here.

BELL (voice-over): But still more refugees arrive at the border town of Przemysl -- about 1,000 per train and several trains a day.

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BELL (voice-over): Carrying what little they can have of their former lives, pinning their hopes of survival on the kindness of strangers, mainly women and children who've left their fighting aged men behind. ALESSANDRA OVSIIENKO, UKRAINIAN REFUGEE: It's difficult. And really, I don't know what I feel. Because I have a little baby, I love my family, I hope I had plans. And now I don't have plans.

BELL (voice-over): Of the more than 3 million who fled Ukraine, about 2 million have come to Poland, a figure that means that the country's population has risen by 5 percent.

WOJCIECH BAKUN, MAYOR OF PRZEMYSL, POLAND: We react very quickly but we can do this for three or four weeks, not for long time. So we just wait for reaction, our government as well as E.U. countries.

BELL (voice-over): In Brussels, the commissioner in charge gave a tour on Thursday of the Emergency Response Coordination Center, from where the European Union is organizing its largest emergency response to date.

JAENZ LENARCIC, EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR CRISIS MANAGEMENT: We now have 1 million refugees per week. So if this goes on, if this goes on 10 more weeks, yes, we could reach the figure of 15 million people.

BELL (voice-over): European transport ministers meeting last weekend in the Polish city of Krakow to try and figure out the problem of bottlenecks caused by the sheer number of people arriving at places like Przemysl station, seeking peace and for now, just safety -- Melissa Bell, CNN, Poland.

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BRUNHUBER: For more on the refugee crisis in Europe, let's bring in Kelly Clements. She's the deputy high commissioner for refugees at the UNHCR and she joins me live from Geneva, Switzerland.

Thanks so much for being here with us. The situation seems to be getting more desperate with each passing day. Give us a sense of the scope of the challenge you're facing right now.

KELLY CLEMENTS, DEPUTY, U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES: Well, thank you, Kim. Thanks for having us on the program this morning.

As Melissa just reported, it's a torrent of misery for those coming out of the country and those inside Ukraine. We have a quarter of the population in the country displaced, about 13 million people stranded or trapped and unable to move.

We're trying very desperately to get aid to those people that need it. They need everything. They need food. They need clean water. They need a place that is safe. And inside Ukraine, there are increasingly fewer places that are safe.

So what we're trying to do now in terms of those coming to the border and crossing into the neighboring countries, the generosity, as we heard from the volunteers, is nothing short of extraordinary. And we are doing our very best to try to support the governments as they're trying to provide immediate support, trying to provide assistance for those trying to rejoin families in other parts of Europe but also those that need to stay close to Ukraine. And many still want to do that.

BRUNHUBER: I mean, how do you go about trying to help so many people, when cities are cut off, civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, are being targeted by Russian forces?

CLEMENTS: It is exceedingly difficult and it really requires a whole U.N. effort. First of all, we need a cease-fire. We need the war to stop. People are being caught in the middle. Many lives are being lost and people are suffering.

And so for us to be able to try to provide that sense of support is exceedingly difficult. We saw just yesterday a U.N. effort to bring relief to the besieged town of Sumy. We were able to bring in support for about 35,000 people and some water supplies to be able to assist 50,000 people.

That's not enough. We need much more efforts like this. But we need the shelling to stop. We need the potential for us to be able to deliver the kind of aid that we have prepositioned in the country.

And we also need to be able to bring more aid into the country fast. And that's something that obviously we're trying to do as quickly as we can.

BRUNHUBER: I'm just thinking of the most vulnerable here. We showed just a few minutes ago the images of all those strollers in Lviv, that, you know, the people put out. There are more than 100, representing all the children that were killed in these Russian attacks. I mean, it was really poignant to see that.

What went through your mind when you saw those images?

CLEMENTS: It's really -- what's happening now is just heartbreaking. War kills people and they kill innocent civilians. And people get caught in locations they can't leave, they can't try to save their families. And what we're seeing, particularly from those able to get out, able to get to safer parts of Ukraine, it's trauma.

[04:25:00]

CLEMENTS: It's deeply, deeply destroying families and individuals and people. And it's heartbreaking. And this is something we're trying to, also with regard to what's happening in neighboring countries, trying to bring that kind of support, too, psychosocial support, assistance with mental health services, protection services for, as you said, 90 percent now of those leaving Ukraine are women, children and the aged.

And they need help, they need more support and this is something we're trying to do with a large number of partners.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, and you've highlighted the vulnerability they have for secondary effects, like trafficking and exploitation, yet more downstream effects of this horrible war. We'll have to leave it there for now but thanks so much for your work and thank you for joining us here, Kelly Clements, really appreciate it.

CLEMENTS: Thank you, Kim.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: And if you would like to help people in Ukraine who may need shelter, food and water, please go to cnn.com/impact and you'll find several ways you can help.

Missiles are destroying parts of the Ukrainian capital. We'll show you what's left in the wake of a downed rocket in Kyiv. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: Welcome back to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada and all around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber.

Russia is making a renewed push to take the southern port city of Mykolaiv.

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BRUNHUBER (voice-over): This is the aftermath of a Russian strike on a Ukrainian base Friday.

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BRUNHUBER (voice-over): One of the surviving soldiers told Swedish journalists from our affiliate it appears that most people inside were killed.

This as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has a new message for Moscow, saying it's in Russia's best interest to negotiate for peace.

The U.K. defense ministry released an intelligence update on Twitter a short time ago, saying Russia has been forced to change its approach after being, quote, "surprised" by the scale and ferocity of Ukrainian resistance.

A downed Russian cruise missile landed near a school building in the northern Kyiv on Friday. As CNN's Sam Kiley shows us, the destruction that resulted from that one missile is staggering.

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SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is the scene in Vynohradiv, the northern edge of Kyiv, where a cruise missile landed here in the small hours of this morning. Now officially, according to the authorities, it was shot down. Normally, that would mean that the warhead was destroyed in the air.

But, clearly, that is not the case. Beyond this truck here, beyond the JCP working, a kindergarten. Mercifully, no children in it because of the level of bombardment of Kyiv, of course, the kindergartens are closed. At this right opposite, another school for older children.

But look at the ferocity of the blast. That is what remains of a vehicle, right at the epicenter of this blast, an absolute scene of devastation.

If we look over this way, you can see an extraordinary level of devastation in this very densely populated residential area.

These are homes, humble homes of ordinary Ukrainians, struggling to get by, working with dignity, hoping one day to join the European community, possibly even NATO and this, from Vladimir Putin's perspective, is the result.

Now if we walk over this way, you can see just how devastating the size of these weapons. It's quite extraordinary. This is the result of one single blast, a blast that has ripped through this community, peppering cars with shrapnel holes.

Every one of those would have torn through dozens of people, every one of those bits of flying hot metal designed to rip into human flesh like a razor, white-hot and burning. And, of course, mercifully, no children playing in the kindergarten -- Sam Kiley, CNN in Kyiv.

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BRUNHUBER: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is holding a news conference with Bulgaria's prime minister after they met in Sofia, so let's listen in.

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GEN. LLOYD AUSTIN, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: -- choice against Ukraine has been tragic. Russia's invasion has taken a terrible toll on Ukrainian lives, including brave soldiers and far too many innocent civilians.

Yet Russia's aggression has galvanized the Ukrainian people, NATO and the free world. In our conversation, the prime minister and I were both struck by the courage and the conviction of the Ukrainian people.

They're fighting against huge odds to defend their country. And their struggle is crucial for the rules-based international order and for the common values that Bulgaria and United States share.

Now we can see Bulgaria's commitment to those common values and the warm welcome that you've given to so many thousands of Ukrainian refugees. And we applaud everything that you're doing to deliver urgently needed humanitarian assistance to civilians, whose lives have been upended by Russia's needless invasion.

I also wanted to underscore the importance of the announcement that Bulgaria has established and is leading a NATO multinational battle group. It's an important step and we fully support it. And we commend Bulgaria for its leadership.

Mr. Prime Minister, our defense partnership has never been so strong. So thanks for being a great partner.

And that strength was brought home to me yesterday, when I met with U.S. and Bulgarian forces, working and training closely together. Bulgaria is also working on important defense monetization efforts, as outlined in our bilateral 10-year road map for defense cooperation.

[04:35:00]

AUSTIN: And your commitment is a model for other allies to follow. Improving Bulgaria's military readiness and NATO interoperability is even more vital today, as Europe faces its largest security challenge in generations.

So the United States will continue to stand strong with Bulgaria and our other NATO allies. And we'll continue to work together for lasting peace and security in Europe.

Mr. Prime Minister, thank you again for all that you're doing and for hosting us today. It's truly great to be here. And I look forward to entertaining some questions.

QUESTION (through translator): From the Bulgarian national TV to Defense Secretary Austin, even though Prime Minister Petkov has already been clear on this, I still want to ask you as well.

Have you discussed any assistance to be provided from Bulgaria to Ukraine by, say, providing small arms or heavy armament and equipment, any munitions of Soviet make?

How would you consider such an action on the part of Europe?

And would you discuss it in the future?

AUSTIN: I certainly would just emphasize what the prime minister just said, in that our conversation was focused on what we can do to strengthen the eastern flank here and what we can do to increase interoperability. And we also talked about the things that our forces are doing together.

And certainly we remain grateful for his leadership and to Bulgaria for hosting a battle group here and moving out very smartly, very quickly, to stand up that battle group.

Also many thanks for all the humanitarian efforts you provided and for, again, taking care of the 80,000-plus refugees that have come through Bulgaria. That's greatly appreciated by the entire international community.

QUESTION (through translator): How do you see the role of Bulgaria?

What role can Bulgaria play into strengthening the --

BRUNHUBER: All right, we were listening to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin there, speaking in Sofia. We'll monitor that and, if there's anything newsworthy coming out of that, we'll bring it to you.

Meantime, our breaking news continues after the break. Please stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: The leaders of France and Germany have again appealed to Russia's president to end the bloodshed in Ukraine. Both French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Vladimir Putin on Friday. They demanded an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian access to worst-hit areas like Mariupol.

Our Natasha Bertrand is in Brussels.

Natasha, take us through the latest diplomatic efforts by European leaders.

What have they been saying?

NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: This is far from the first time that the French president and the German chancellor have spoken to Putin, trying to get him to implement a cease-fire and open those humanitarian corridors.

And what the French president Emmanuel Macron said to Putin is pleading with him to implement a cease-fire especially in Mariupol, where we saw a shelter bombed by Russian forces earlier this week.

Also asking him to please reopen these humanitarian corridors. Same kind of message by the German chancellor to Putin, asking him to implement a cease-fire and have negotiations for peace talks with Ukrainians in good faith, to come to some kind of agreement here.

It's the third time Putin and Scholz have spoken and the Kremlin called it a difficult but business-like conversation.

These efforts to allow Russia to come to some kind of diplomatic off- ramp have really not worked so far. The sanctions we've seen have not deterred Vladimir Putin's behavior. We're only seeing the attacks get more and more brutal as the weeks wear on.

So U.S. and European officials are not very optimistic here about the chances of a diplomatic solution. But of course, they are trying. And from what we've seen from the European officials who have spoken to Putin, they have not come away particularly optimistic, either.

They say, in their sense of the conversations, Putin has only expressed increased determination.

And a Western intelligence official told us earlier this week their assessment, despite all the losses Russia has suffered over the last month, especially when it comes to the number of troops they've seen killed in the conflict, they believe Putin is still determined to take the entire country. Kim.

BRUNHUBER: And I wanted to ask you about Ukraine's claim that 14,000 Russian soldiers have been killed.

Is that consistent at all with U.S. and European estimates?

BERTRAND: Well, U.S. and Western estimates place that number a little bit lower. They say anywhere between 3,000 and 10,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the conflict over the last month.

And, of course, that is a very wide range because they can't get to a precise estimate really of how many of those soldiers have been killed in combat. It's just difficult for them to have that level of visibility into what's going on the ground.

But they do say, you know, upwards of 3,000 soldiers have been killed. That is a vast number, right? This is not something Vladimir Putin had anticipated when he was going into Ukraine and expected, perhaps, that this would be a very quick fight, that he'd be able to take Kyiv even in a matter of days.

So the fact that thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed in this war is -- it really speaks to the fact, these officials say, that Russia did not seem prepared for the level of Ukrainian defiance and, of course, for their level of preparedness, given all the weaponry and support that NATO and the West have given them over the last month, Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, that seems to be the near universal consensus. Natasha Bertrand, thanks so much. Appreciate it.

Ukraine was the overriding concern when the U.S. and Chinese leaders spoke by videolink on Friday. President Biden wanted to make it clear, if China supports Russia, there will be consequences. The White House didn't give specifics nor did Chinese state media but did release this quote from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"The world is neither peaceful or tranquil.

[04:45:00]

BRUNHUBER: "The Ukraine crisis is something we don't want to see."

So many are asking, could that mean he wants to be a peacemaker in the conflict?

Well, Phil Mattingly takes a look.

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PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: There's been palpable and increasingly public concern raised by U.S. officials about potential Chinese actions to aid Russia, either through economic or military support.

So much so that the issue was raised to the absolute highest level. Presidents Biden and Xi holding their first phone call in four months. A secure video call that lasted nearly two hours and focused, according to officials, almost entirely on Ukraine.

In that call, President Biden didn't make any explicit asks. But he did lay out the U.S. view of what has transpired over the course of the last four weeks as well as the scale of the united Western response when it comes to sanctions, military assistance, other issues.

The implication very clear: China needed to be warned about what could happen if they decide to engage. The concern, however, still remains. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We have that concern. The president detailed what the implications and consequences would be if China provides material support to Russia as it conducts brutal attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians. And that is something we'll be watching and the world will be watching.

China has to make a decision for themselves about where they want to stand and how they want the history books to look at them and view their actions. And that is a decision for President Xi and the Chinese to make.

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MATTINGLY: And that unified Western response will be on full display next week. President Biden heading to Europe for a hastily called meeting of NATO partners. He will also participate in a European Council meeting, will also participate in a G7 meeting called by Germany.

Again, it is that united Western front that the U.S. officials believe has provided so much power in terms of their response to Russia's actions and also could serve as a deterrent to China, particularly when it comes to European partners China has tried to establish relations with over the course of the last several weeks.

That, more than any other bilateral issues or maybe even singular sanctions threat, is what President Biden was attempting to convey to President Xi Jinping.

The question now is what will China do next?

U.S. officials made clear they will be watching very closely -- Phil Mattingly, CNN, the White House.

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BRUNHUBER: Well, if a picture is a worth a thousand words, we have a long story to tell you with nothing but images of people enduring the war in Ukraine. That's next. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: In a show of solidarity, former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton visited a Ukrainian church together in Chicago. Both laid a bouquet of yellow sunflowers and held a moment of silence.

Bush said, "America stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. They fight for their freedom and their future."

Let's take a step back from the big picture in Ukraine and look at the people affected by the war, those forced to flee their homes, those saying goodbye to loved ones, who are staying behind, and those stepping up to offer a helping hand.

David Turnley is a Pulitzer-winning photographer, who's capturing emotional images of the harsh realities of Ukraine. Here are some of his unforgettable pictures. Have a look.

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BRUNHUBER: Haunting images there.

If you'd like to help people in Ukraine who may be in need of shelter, food and water, please go to cnn.com/impact and you can find several ways you can help.

That wraps this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Kim Brunhuber and I'll be back with more breaking news coverage of the war in Ukraine right after the break. Please do stay with us.