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British Prime Minister Johnson Meets With Zelenskyy In Kyiv; Curfew In Odessa Amid Threat of Russian Strikes; Ukraine War Sparks Demonstration In Russia's Neighbor, Georgia; Russian Flee To Neighboring Country Georgia To Protest Putin; A Ukrainian Family's Fight To Survive Amid Pressures Of War; Teaching In A War Zone: The Challenges Facing Ukraine's Teachers. Aired 6-7p ET

Aired April 09, 2022 - 18:00   ET

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

[18:00:03]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: Welcome to this Special Edition of CNN NEWSROOM. I am Brianna Keilar live in Lviv, Ukraine and we start this hour with a surprise trip to Kyiv, the capital meant to send a message to Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital today, where he stood side by side with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and promised not only more defensive weapons for the Ukrainian military, but more economic aid to help the innocent civilians who are trapped in this unprovoked war.

Today Zelenskyy is also demanding a quote, "firm global response" after a Russian missile struck a train station full of civilians in Kramatorsk. At least 52 people were killed in that attack yesterday, nearly 100 people were injured, 20 of those are still in serious condition right now, and many of the victims were children.

We're also getting some of our first looks at the damage left behind after Russians withdrew from the City of Hostomel outside of Kyiv. Capturing the city's airport was one of the Russian forces earliest victories on the first day of the war back in February.

I do want to bring in CNN's Nima Elbagir, she is live for us in Kyiv. She is our chief international investigative correspondent. Nima, let's start with this surprise trip. You know, all of a sudden, it was like, wow, Boris Johnson is in the capital. Tell us about this and what this means for him coming here.

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Well, what is extraordinary is that he is only the latest world leader to be able to make it to this capital, which doesn't have a functioning airport. Many world leaders are making the trek over land to come here to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, and that really is what these trips has been about as much as the package of support that was announced that you detailed was perhaps a little bit more than expected, possibly a little bit less than the Ukrainians wanted. It was more for many Ukrainians about the respite that Boris Johnson

was able to provide to them because they knew that while he was here, for those moments in time, they were safe, and the idea of him and before him, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen coming in over land, crossing territory that is currently contested and in conflict to come here and show the Ukrainian people that they stand in solidarity that in and of itself is priceless.

Do the Ukrainians want more? Absolutely, Brianna. They want and they need more. But this today made them feel a little less isolated.

KEILAR: Yes, it was really a stunning image just to see all of a sudden. For people who are out east, where we're expecting this onslaught by Russian forces, are they able to get out?

ELBAGIR: Well, that's the big if, at the moment, the train station that Russia hit was the last remaining evacuation hub. So there are thousands of families that are trying to figure out how to get to safety, and it came after a pattern of attacks, where Russia was hitting railway infrastructure.

And our investigative team has been able to chart the trajectory of some of those ordnances that are raining down on civilians in the east, and Brianna, they are coming from inside Russia.

So while this show of solidarity by Prime Minister Boris Johnson was so important, what no one in the global community, not Boris Johnson, not President Biden has been able to give the Ukrainians is any way to stop that flow of death essentially raining down on people, their loved ones, and their families.

And even the defensive aid that the U.S. has given that the U.K. has now promised. That won't save them either. The unfortunate reality is, when you see these leaders coming in, yes, it is meaningful. Yes, it's important, but it hasn't changed the reality for people who are scared and desperate on the ground.

There were thousands of families at that railway station just on that morning. Thousands more were expected today and the day after. Where are they? How are they getting to safety? At the moment, no one really has any clear answers and solidarity notwithstanding, that's what the Ukrainians really need from the international community -- Brianna.

KEILAR: I wonder, Nima, if you can talk a little bit about the fight that we are expecting to see. Obviously, Ukrainian forces, they were able to repel Russian forces near Kyiv and near Chernihiv. Is that going to be the case in the east? Can they repel Russian forces there?

ELBAGIR: The unfortunate sense is no. The defensive aid, the anti- aircraft, the anti-tank capability. That was incredibly helpful here and the relative calm somewhat that we're seeing in Kyiv and its surroundings for now is testament to that.

[18:05:07]

ELBAGIR: But Russia is able at the moment to strike at Kharkiv in the east and other areas along that eastern belt with complete impunity, and absolutely safely because they're doing it from within their own territory.

And what we're hearing from sources in D.C. and in European capitals is at the moment, there is a real reticence to allow the Ukrainians to use any defensive capabilities, any of the military aid that they've given to hit back at Russia, inside Russian territory, because the concern is that that would be seen as a proxy war, essentially, that the U.S. or the U.K. or the E.U. would be engaged in a proxy conflict, and at this moment in time, that's just not something that the world is willing to conscience.

But for Ukrainians, it is heartbreaking to watch this rain down on them and know that the Russian forces that are doing this are doing it with absolute safety while they, their families, their homes, their loved ones, are constantly under threat.

KEILAR: It certainly is, Nima, thank you so much for that report from the capital. We do appreciate it.

ELBAGIR: Thank you.

KEILAR: And tonight, there a curfew that is in effect in the key southern Ukrainian City of Odessa. Due to the threat of Russian forces launching missile strikes, residents have been told to stay home until six o'clock on Monday morning. But before everyone had to go inside, CNN's Ed Lavandera made his way through the city asking people about their hopes and their fears.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): These women are leaving flowers at a memorial in Odessa. It's a tradition usually reserved for April 10th, which marks the city's liberation day from the Nazis. This Memorial Plaza would usually be filled with people, but not this year. The entire city will be under an extended 36-hour curfew.

Sergey Bratchuk is the spokesperson for the Odessa Military Administration. He says the curfew is necessary because of the deadly attack at the train station in Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine.

(SERGEY BRATCHUK speaking in foreign language.)

LAVANDERA (voice over): He says, "When this treacherous missile attack on civilians took place, and we know that there is a high probability that such missile strikes are possible in Odessa, the main reason is to protect people's lives."

In the last week, there has been an increase in the number of airstrikes in Odessa. Most of the attacks have targeted strategic locations around the city, like a fuel storage facility and a military installation where several people were killed and injured, according to Ukrainian military officials.

But just hours before the curfew went into effect, the head of the Odessa Administration Office said the latest explosion targeted this office building. It is not described as an attack by the Russian military.

(MAXIM MARCHENKO speaking in foreign language.)

LAVANDERA (voice over): "The cause of the explosion is under investigation," he says. "The information about possible act of sabotage is under consideration."

This kind of explosion heightens concern that pro-Russian saboteurs could be working in the city. Odessa is a city with a history of pro- Russian sentiment among some politicians and residents. It's a mood that lives just below the surface, and it is difficult to get anyone to talk about it especially during this time of war.

The usual buzz of this vibrant port city is now far more subdued. Many businesses are closed. City officials estimate about 20 percent of the city has evacuated since the start of the Russian invasion in late February.

The chess players gathered in this park aren't reflecting on the recent attacks or the looming curfew. They were relaxed, more interested in chess strategies, not war strategies.

We did meet 70-year-old, Julia, who sells paintings in this park. She poured me a cup of wine while we talked about the curfew on Odessa's Liberation Day and if she is worried it could mean her city is facing imminent attack.

(JULIA speaking in foreign language)

LAVANDERA (voice over): Julia tells us, she thinks the curfew was called to keep people from public gatherings on Odessa's Liberation Day.

LAVANDERA (on camera): Is there ever a moment where you think you would leave Odessa to save your life?

JULIA, ODESSA RESIDENT: No.

LAVANDERA (voice over): "No, no," she says, "I won't leave Odessa, even to save my life."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA: You know, Brianna, the question here is, is there an imminent attack? Where does Odessa fit into these plans that Russia is, as they reorganize and focus on their push into the East, you know what will happen here at this southern point in this country and you know, we've been able to here in Odessa and travel around into some rural areas over the last few days and there is a kind of heightened sense of distrust of outsiders, anyone who doesn't appear to belong, all of that kind of feeds into that nervousness about what is looming and what is coming toward them in the weeks ahead.

[18:10:13]

KEILAR: Julia is one tough woman, Ed, and it seems to me she is very representative of so many of the people that we have seen just saying, "No, I'm going to stay put." You know, there is just something about the greater good that so many people are looking toward.

LAVANDERA: Yes, no question. You know, it's not an uncommon sentiment to meet people like that. As much as we've covered, you know, the millions who have left the country, there is that sentiment that exists here.

KEILAR: Yes, it's really amazing. Ed, thank you so much. That was a beautiful report. I really enjoyed it.

Up next, changing course. We're going to go live to Eastern Ukraine where officials believe Russian forces plan to escalate those strikes. My next guest is there and is going to weigh in from the region.

Plus, as if escaping war wasn't hard enough, the added challenges for some refugees as they try to make it across the border.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:15:24]

KEILAR: The head of the Kharkiv region's military administration says Russian forces are continuing to shell the regional capital there, the city of Kharkiv in Eastern Ukraine. A statement says that the Russian forces there are firing artillery and mortars, as well as using tanks and rocket launchers.

Joining us now from Kharkiv is Maria Avdeeva. She is the Research Director at the European Expert Association, and her focus is on international security, Ukraine-E.U. relations and emerging security challenges.

First off, Maria, can you just tell us how things are there in Kharkiv?

MARIA AVDEEVA, RESEARCH DIRECTOR, EUROPEAN EXPERT ASSOCIATION: Russia intensifies its attack on Kharkiv. So today and the day before the shelling continues throughout the day and night, and it means that Russian troops do not move on the ground near Kharkiv, but they continue terrorizing civilian population and deliberately targeting civilian objects.

I myself, saw today, two strikes in big residential areas and that means that every day we have more losses amongst civilians and we have seen what happened in Kramatorsk, this atrocity on the railway station and that gives us the idea of what Russia might do next in other Ukrainian cities, and in Kharkiv itself, because Russia is now amassing troops on the border with Ukraine here on the east, also in Belgorod, which is the nearby Russian region.

And we understand that Russia might try to attack Kharkiv because right now the fight goes on in the city of Izyum, which is to the southeast of Kharkiv. But that means that Russian troops might at some moment, try to get control over the city. They didn't succeed in that before during the previous 45 days, but that means that right now, when they will withdraw troops from the north of Ukraine, they will try to push harder and to make an attack here on the east.

KEILAR: These strikes on civilians, like you said, you are witnessing them and we are seeing the atrocities involving civilians all over the country, which is why you're seeing some stepped up diplomacy coming from other places in Europe.

We saw Boris Johnson here today. We also saw the President of the European Commission coming yesterday and giving paperwork to apply to the E.U. for President Zelenskyy. How significant -- are these just symbolic? Or does this actually do something having these visits?

AVDEEVA: All these steps are very important and the support of Britain, which was supporting Ukraine long before the war started, and also the United States, Canada, all countries of Europe -- almost all countries of Europe, but what Ukraine needs now most is what President Zelenskyy says is we need more weapons, on the one hand, and on the other hand, we need international experts here to record and get evidences of the war crimes committed by Russia here in Ukraine.

Because when some smaller towns are liberated, we all know about Bucha and Irpin, but here in Kharkiv region, also in small towns, when they are liberated, we see mass murders and another atrocities and killings of civilians, children, women, and that means that we need to collect all this evidence and work on the three prongs sanctions, more weapons for Ukraine, and collecting evidence of war crimes to make Russia responsible for that in the Court.

KEILAR: And it seems like there was a lot of evidence to collect there. Maria Avdeeva, we thank you very much. Please stay safe there in Kharkiv.

AVDEEVA: Thank you. It was my pleasure.

KEILAR: Up next, protesting Putin. CNN is going to take you to the demonstration today against the Kremlin leader just south of Russia's border.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:24:04]

KEILAR: I'm Brianna Keilar in Lviv.

The brutal invasion of Ukraine has sparked anger, as well as apprehension in the smaller countries along Russia's borders. One of those countries is the Republic of Georgia, which Vladimir Putin got away with invading and brutalizing a decade and a half ago.

CNN's Matt Rivers is in Georgia's capital city of Tbilisi, where there was a demonstration today. What are the Georgians saying there -- Matt.

MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Brianna, hundreds of people came out outside the Parliament Building here in Tbilisi to make their views known about how they feel about this war.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RIVERS: Well, here in Tbilisi, Georgia, a twofold event; on the one hand a day of National Remembrance, people coming out here to remember the events that happened here in 1989 outside of the Parliament Building here, that was when Soviet troops opened fire on protesters that were here trying to advocate for Georgian independence from the then, Soviet Union.

But this day, obviously taking on added importance this year because of what we're seeing, now Russian troops doing in Ukraine. This is something that people here in Georgia are paying very close attention to, and a lot of the people here, when I say twofold event is because this is a protest in part against the current national government.

[18:25:19]

RIVERS: Critics are saying that the national government is not taking a strong enough stance, choosing to be on the side of Ukraine, basically accusing the national government here of kind of playing both sides of the fence.

On the one hand, not criticizing Putin and Russia openly enough for what they are doing in Ukraine; and on the other hand, not advocating for Ukraine, and for its government forcefully enough.

But some Georgians have taken the ultimate step when it comes to advocating for Ukraine. I want to show you a Memorial that is set up here outside the Parliament Building. There have actually been Georgian volunteers that have gone to Ukraine to fight, and so you can pan off me and you can show, these are some of the photographs of a few of the Georgian volunteers that have actually died in the fighting in Ukraine.

They chose to volunteer and go to Ukraine and lay down their own lives in order to fight for Ukraine, and what people here will tell you is that there is a lot of sympathy here in Georgia, given Georgia's own history, fighting with Russia. There's a lot of sympathy here for what is going on in Ukraine.

Many Georgians like these soldiers here who have died want to do whatever they can to help Ukraine fight for its own existence.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RIVERS: And, you know, Brianna, it's not just Georgians here, it's also some Russians that are now living in this country that have left Russia since this invasion began who are very much opposed to this war.

And you know, earlier this week, we actually got to meet some of those Russians who are not happy with this war and we spoke to one woman who has a pretty extraordinary story. Here's her story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RIVERS (voice over): Down a Tbilisi sidestreet, across from the church, lies a bar called Grail, a holy place of sorts for a cold lager and a conversation.

And bar owner, Vincenty Alexeev who is Russian says he has had one particular conversation a lot more lately.

VINCENTY ALEXEEV, RUSSIAN BAR OWNER IN TBILISI, GEORGIA: Hello. What are you doing here? I just moved two days ago. I just moved three days ago.

RIVERS (on camera): So there's a lot more Russians coming in.

ALEXEEV: Yes.

RIVERS: And why are people leaving?

ALEXEEV: Whey they are leaving? Because they are scared.

RIVERS (voice over): We met about a half dozen such people here but one stood out, Alisa Kuznetsova Russia with her husband, just a few days after the war began.

RIVERS (on camera): You couldn't take it anymore after this invasion?

ALISA KUZNETSOVA, LEFT RUSSIA FOR GEORGIA AFTER INVASION: Yes. It was like an additional trigger. I just had to leave.

RIVERS (voice over): The 33-year-old has long been a member of Russia's opposition in favor of democracy. She says, not Putin.

This is her being arrested in 2016 while she was working as an independent poll watcher in her hometown in Russia. She says pro-Putin authorities accused her of vague elections violations and held her in detention until voting ended.

But the invasion was the final straw, Alisa could no longer live in Russia. Now in Georgia, she wants everyone to know what side she is on.

KUZNETSOVA: I'm just trying to take it in stride, signal, as much as I can.

RIVERS (on camera): With the Ukraine flag there.

RIVERS (voice over): It's a public show of support matched across Tbilisi, Ukraine flags fly all over in Georgia, a former Soviet Republic also invaded by Putin's armies in 2008. Many here have deep sympathy for what Ukrainians are going through.

RIVERS (on camera): But it's not just about pro-Ukraine sentiment. It's also anti-Putin. If you look at this coffee shop door, it says "You are more than welcome here if you agree that Putin is a war criminal and respect the sovereignty of peaceful nations." Pretty clear how the owners of this store feel.

RIVERS (voice over): Another sign at the shop not far away says in part "Putin is evil. If you do not agree with these statements, please do not come in." Many Russians in Georgia feel the same way. Some even taking part in

recent protests were an effigy of Putin was burned. But they are sometimes grouped in with Putin and his supporters, nonetheless.

Over coffee the day after we met drinking out of cups emblazoned with Ukraine's colors, Alisa says that a cabdriver told her recently that she was one of the good ones, because 90 percent of Russians should be hanged.

KUZNETSOVA: It is not nice knowing that, you're the Nazis now.

RIVERS (voice over): Back at the bar, every single Russian told us that the vast majority of Georgians had been kind and welcoming and that they are grateful to live in a freer place because everyone we spoke to also said they will be here for a while.

KUZNETSOVA: I love my life there, but I am not returning there anytime soon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RIVERS (on camera): Now, Alisa says she is actually hesitant to speak Russian here in Georgia. She says she speaks to most people in English and will ask permission before she speaks Russian.

As of mid-March, more than 30,000 Russians have crossed from Russia into Georgia here, a number, Brianna that has almost certainly gone up.

[18:30:21]

KEILAR: Such an important story, Matt Rivers, thank you so much for that live in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Ahead, a mother who made the harrowing journey to safety, leaving Ukraine with both of her children, one of whom lives with disability. She's going to join us live to share her story.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:35:14]

KEILAR: In war, there's always a focus on the warriors and for good reason. But for every Ukrainian on the front line, there are so many more at home supporting them, worrying about them. This war is about the future of their country and it's about the future of their families. I spoke with one of those families here in Lviv about the impact this brutal war is having on them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LIUBA, HUSBAND IS FIGHTING FOR UKRAINE ON THE FRONT LINES (through interpreter): I feel angry. Sometimes I'm angry at him that he rejoined the army again, but more often I'm angry at the very fact that this war is happening. My son was waiting for his dad to come back from the war eight years ago. Now my daughter has to wait.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR (voice over): Back in 2014 after Russian forces first invaded eastern Ukraine, Liuba held down the home front as well while her husband Mikhail (ph) served for more than a year in the Ukrainian military.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LIUBA (through interpreter): He's a veteran of war. He's on the shortlist of reserves that goes in the first wave.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR (voice over): "Mikhail (ph) received a call from his old unit," she says, "asking him to join immediately." Liuba who is pregnant with the couple's third child had been hoping that she would weather this war with her husband. Instead, he deployed the day after Russia invaded and she moved nine-year-old Semen and five-year-old Yustyna out of their home in the center of Lviv to her sisters on the outskirts of the city where they are safer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR (on camera): How are the kids doing? How did they make sense of it?

LIUBA (through interpreter): My kids they know that the war is happening. They know that their father is in the military. Semen is going through this as an adult. He understands everything. Yustyna will sometimes run to me and cry and say that she's afraid her dad will be killed. But I always explain to her that her dad is big and strong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR (voice over): Uliana, Liuba sister isn't just hosting her niece and nephew. She's running supplies to the front line to their father's military unit, just like she did for him back in 2014.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ULIANA, LIUBA'S SISTER, BRINGS SUPPLIES TO TROOPS ON THE FRONT LINES (through interpreter): It was a really funny story. I had to bring washing machines to the military unit because they didn't have a way to wash their clothes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR (voice over): This time, Uliana trek a thousand kilometers to deliver night vision goggles, long underwear, even a car and a drone to Mikhail's (ph) unit. She only saw him for a few minutes long enough to snap these pictures. The front line was too dangerous to stay any longer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LIUBA (through interpreter): I was very worried when she went there the first time a couple of weeks ago, because the front line right now is not a clear line, because the airstrikes can happen anywhere, so the front line is very blurred.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR (voice over): Even Pufa (ph), the family dog is a veteran of war. In 2014, Uliana took Pufa, then a puppy, to serve with Mikhail's reconnaissance unit. She's seen here sleeping with him on a personnel carrier. Now, Pufa comfort his children while he is away fighting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEMEN, FATHER IS FIGHTING FOR UKRAINE ON THE FRONT LINES (through interpreter): I think our dad is protecting all of us very much and I know I think that he didn't want to do this, but that's what he had to do.

YUSTYNA, FATHER IS FIGHTING FOR UKRAINE ON THE FRONT LINES (through interpreter): When he comes back, I want to buy a big cotton candy, and I don't want him to go to the war. And I want all of us to stay together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR (voice over): It's all they hope for. It's what they fear this war may take from them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR (on camera): What do you worry about?

LIUBA (through interpreter): That he will not come back.

KEILAR (on camera): Liuba, what are your hopes for the future?

LIUBA (through interpreter): First of all, I hope that when it's time for the third child to see this world that my husband will be back from the war. That the war will end by that time, and that the war will end with our victory. Because if we don't win this war then probably, in 15 to 20 years, my son will have to go to the next war and defend our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: The remarkable thing is how everyone has been touched by this war and is helping in their own way. Liuba was telling me that she and her friends were trying to count how many people they know with family members deployed. And within this particular family, everyone is doing everything that they can to help the military efforts even as you see there, the family dog. The challenges of those fleeing Ukraine are many, but for some they're

even greater. My next guest was forced to make the two-day journey from Kyiv with her two children, one of whom lives with serious disabilities.

Iryna Skrypnyk safely made it out and is joining us now from Switzerland where she and her family have found refuge. Iryna, can you talk to me a little bit about how you were able to escape with your two sons and just to let people know you have a three-year-old, Petro (ph), and I have a three-year-old, I know three year olds are a handful and you also have 16-year-old, Sasha (ph), who has cerebral palsy and other health conditions that make it really difficult to travel. What was it like for you?

[18:40:00]

IRYNA SKRYPNYK, FLED UKRAINE TO CARE FOR DISABLED SON: Hello, everybody. To leave and to stay it was very difficult decision. But to stay in Kyiv it was already very dangerous, especially when you have a child with disability. So our decision was to leave because my child has a very difficult form of disability and also epilepsy. He needs every time, every time medical supporting and doctor supporting, and in Kyiv it was already not good and not in good condition, so (inaudible).

First 600 kilometers we would drive it, something around 24 hours. Kids in one position. It was very, very difficult for him. He has attacks, epilepsy attacks maybe half of this road. And when you have a kid with disability you can leave to nowhere, you must have a plan. You must have friends, you must have a supporting because your kids the rest on the road.

So we make a plan and we go in to the city nearly Lviv, to my friends and she was waiting for us didn't sleep overnight. And this is first 600 kilometers, the most difficult for him. The issue to stay in house in our friends maybe also one day for resting, for become my son to condition.

And after that, we're going to the border in Slovakia and there I was meeting daughter of my brother and we're going to Slovakia, Slovakia to Bratislava. From Bratislava, again almost 1,000 kilometers to Switzerland to my friend. He was waiting for us. His family was waiting for us and they were ready to help us to save life for my kids, especially for my kid with disability, Sasha (ph).

KEILAR: How are Sasha (ph) and Petro (ph) doing now?

SKRYPNYK: Just maybe a bit ago Sasha (ph) become a little bit better. They already visited doctor. We got the medicine, what we need, finally, and I know that my kid will not die from pain or from epilepsy attack, he already feel a little bit better. But he very miss home. He asked me where is father, where is grandmother, he want to go home.

KEILAR: He wants to know where they are. We're so happy to be speaking with you, with your son safe with you, with so many families who do have kids with disabilities like yours haven't been able to escape. And I know that you're part of an organization called With Warmth In Your Hearts (ph) that helps these families. Can you tell us about it?

SKRYPNYK: Yes. In Kyiv we have a very big organization who care about kids and families who have a kid with disability. Its name is Varbishar (ph). It - the head of this foundation, it's two beautiful woman who has also kids with disability and they stay in Kyiv because they have kids really is not transportable kids, absolutely. They are not able to leave Ukraine, because it's very dangerous for health of kids.

So now this organization working in another way. They care about families who stay in Kyiv who are not able to leave Kyiv. They're helping with food, helping with medicine, helping with pampers (ph), with every simple things family need for care about kids. And it's really very big job, because transfer and gasoline it's - now it's difficult to get in Kyiv, in Ukraine also.

(Inaudible) foundation working maybe 24 hours a day. They're always on the phone. They're always trying to find the ways from the Poland, from another country, (inaudible) helping the most to get medicine for kids with any diagnose (ph), because kids need medicine every day, in not one time on the day. It's very hard and big job now ...

KEILAR: Yes, I mean ...

SKRYPNYK: ... to care about such kind of kids.

KEILAR: Yes. I mean, these are children who have a tough on a normal day and during a war the challenges are incredible.

[18:45:04]

Iryna, thank you so much. It's amazing to see what you've done as a mom.

SKRYPNYK: You're welcome.

KEILAR: And we really thank you for talking to you - us about your story.

SKRYPNYK: Thank you so much, bye.

KEILAR: Up next, the determination of many children enrolled in school here in Ukraine even as Russian forces trying to take over their country.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:49:53]

KEILAR: Despite the atrocities and horrors that are unfolding in their country every day, millions of Ukrainian children are still showing up for school online. This is what the country's Ministry of Education is telling NPR. Joining us now is Hanna Kudrinova. She is a first year teacher in

Ukraine and she was teaching outside of Odessa in the South before the war began. Hanna, thank you so much for being with us. Can you tell us what your school days are looking like now? How many of your students are still signing on for class?

HANNA KUDRINOVA, FIRST YEAR TEACHER IN UKRAINE: Yes, hi. So a typical school day for me starts at 8:30 when about 17 or 18 up to 20 students usually log on to our Google Meet. So we usually start with some mood check ins, then we have a class for 45 minutes.

And every day at 9 am, we usually hold on a moment of silence for those people who have lost their lives because of Russian full scale invasion. Then they have a break. Some of them stay with me online during the break, because they missed communication, they missed their friends, they missed talking to each other.

What about me? I usually have like five or four classes a day. And then, I usually have them if we did not get any air raid and sirens in the Odessa region. In case there are air raid and sirens, we'd cancel the lesson. And I advise all of my students to go and take shelter in the basement or any other safe place in their house. And yes, that's pretty much it.

What about the extracurricular activities that we used ...

KEILAR: That's pretty ...

KUDRINOVA: ... yes, that we used to have at our school, they're suspended for now.

KEILAR: They're suspended for now. All right. Your kids, are they are they joining you - I know some must be joining from the Odessa region, but are they joining you kind of from all over the country and even some of them outside of the country?

KUDRINOVA: Yes, they are. Some of them moved to the safer regions of Ukraine, just like I did to the western part and some of them moved abroad to Poland, to Czech Republic and other countries. Yeah, they're all over the place.

KEILAR: I know you're really focused on their mental health. What are the things they're talking about as they understand what's going on in Ukraine?

KUDRINOVA: Well, it really depends on the age. The younger ones, they do not take it as seriously and they make a lot of jokes. The older ones, we practically do not speak of it. Sometimes they can send me some memes or some funny pictures. But, yes. I think that the older ones are more stressed.

And at Teach For Ukraine, they gave us - I'm a fellow of Teach For Ukraine organization and they gave us some training, some psychological training, so we learn some anti-stress techniques if we have an air raid siren during lessons, for example, and I feel that the kids feel stressed. We can do some breathing techniques and then go to shelter or something like that, so, yes.

KEILAR: I know they're in the Odessa region, which is sort of bracing right now for what is to come. Your family was stuck in Mariupol when the war started. Thank goodness they got out. Can you talk a little bit about what it is like for you as you consider you're dealing with the present, but what is your hope for the future?

KUDRINOVA: Well, my only hope for the future is that the war end soon with a Ukrainian victory and all of us come back to our classrooms and I can hug my students and I can see them in person. And so do all of my colleagues who - some of them, unfortunately, worked at schools that have been destroyed. As you know, there are more than 1,000 schools in Ukraine that have been destroyed, so that's my hope for the future.

KEILAR: Hanna, I thank you for being with us. That is my hope for your future as well. Hanna Kudrinova, we appreciate it.

Ahead, a landmark moment today well above planet earth.

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[18:59:42]

KEILAR: It was an out of this world welcome, the International Space Station opening its door to three paying customers and a former NASA astronaut who flew aboard a SpaceX rocket. It was the first of a kind mission welcoming private citizens into the space station. Today didn't go without a glitch though, the welcoming ceremony was delayed about 45 minutes after the crew encountered an issue with a signal from an onboard camera.

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