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Conflicting Reports Over Damage to Russian Warship; Nearly 2.7 Million Refugees Have Entered Poland; North Korea to Celebrate 110th Anniversary of Founder's Birth; Lawmakers Interview Trump Lawyers on January 6th Riot; Police Arrest Suspect in Subway Station Attack. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired April 14, 2022 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Max Foster.

An update on our breaking news on the Russian's war on Ukraine. Russian forces continue to press down on the northern city of Kharkiv with intense shelling as Moscow maneuvers for a possible renewed offensive in the Donbas. Video posted to social media appears to be cluster munitions exploding on the streets on Sunday. CNN's Nima Elbagir shows us what it was like to be so close to the front line.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That is so close. Those are Russian positions, they're shelling towards us. We are just over a mile away from the Russian forces. This is their route into Kharkiv and then on in to Ukraine. For now, this is the front line. That could change at any moment now. They are trying as hard as they can to push that frontline inwards.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: To the south Russia claim more than a thousand Ukrainian marines have surrendered in the besieged port city of Mariupol. CNN can't confirm the report. Ukrainian officials say remaining defenders in Mariupol have managed to link up and will fight until the end.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian fighters claimed to have used anti-ship missiles against Russia's flagship vessel in the Black Sea. Russian state media dispute that saying the guided missile cruiser was abandoned after a fire detonated ammunition on board. CNN can't verify either of those claims. But Clare has been going through all of these claims and counterclaims. What we do know, is that this flagship is out of action which is significant in itself. CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that appears to be something

that both sides agree on, there's been significant damage. The Russian state media just said fighting -- the defense ministry, saying it's been evacuated, around 500 crews. So, this is bad news for Russia, whatever the circumstances. This is the flagship of their Black Sea fleet, that's the area sort of just south of Crimea, critical, sort of an advantage point for Russia in this war. And it's damaging to the military capacity there, as well as their reputation. As you know, has already taken a hit here.

But conflicting reports -- and we have to be very careful, because we haven't been able to verify, the weather in the region has been bad enough that we haven't been able to pull up satellite images even to confirm the location of this ship. So conflicting reports and in an area where Russia is very likely to deny if it was a hit, and Ukraine would be likely to make a lot of this given it's such a military coup for them to hit the flagship in the Black Sea fleet.

FOSTER: And it does benefit Ukraine, because perhaps those ships or that fleet would be more apprehensive about going close in now if the Ukrainians are correct. So, they'll have to operate farther out to sea.

SEBASTIAN: Yes, I think there's two parts to that. One, yes, it was that near -- according to ask experts -- changed the behavior of Russia's fleet in the Black Sea if the Ukrainian side is proved right and this was a missile strike. It would show their capability there.

[04:35:00]

The missiles that they say, according to the state administrator of the Odesa region that they hit the ship with Neptunes -- the Ukrainian developed missiles, they came into service last year. In this, according to experts, would be the first known use of them. So, that would certainly be a deterrent for Russia. But on the other side, this would be an escalation. If Ukraine did hit Russia's flagship, that would be interpreted by Russia's as an escalation. And I think that would create a danger at the moment potentially as Russia amasses it's forces for an offensive in the Donbas.

FOSTER: And Russia's talked about going for the power centers if the Ukrainians fire into Russian territory. They could argue that a Russian ship is Russian territory, and that might make Kyiv vulnerable again, do you think?

SEBASTIAN: That's exactly what, I mean, I think the situation is now. Russia has said in the last day that they could hit what they call decision making centers in Kyiv. If they see what they call sabotage strikes on the territory of the Russian federation. There has been reports of that from the Ukrainian side. And we had thought that Kyiv was sort of not out of the new strategy of Russia, but they have now put it back on the table. And I think, look, a warship with 500 crews is seen as a sort of sovereign island essentially of Russia. And it could be seen by Russia as an excuse to escalate in a different region.

FOSTER: Clare, we'll keep watching, thank you.

One of Vladimir Putin's goals has always been to keep NATO expansion in check, but it's invasion of Ukraine may have the opposite effect. It could be just weeks before Sweden and Finland decide whether to apply for membership in the alliance. Finland's Prime Minister says the war in Ukraine prompted the renewed talks. The move is especially important because of if both countries become members, the length of the border of NATO territories in Eastern Europe would nearly double.

Poland is currently home to the largest population of refugees from Ukraine. More than half of 4.6 million fleeing Russia's ongoing war have crossed into Poland. Aid groups and volunteers have been standing by at the borders ready to provide assistance, shelter and protection. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz is live near the Ukraine/Poland border. We've been checking with you every day. What's the latest concern and processing there?

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: So, you have over 2.5 million refugees, Max, that, of course, that have crossed into this country. And yes, we've starting to see that slow of human beings slow down at the border but now comes the tough part. Now comes the long-term planning of how you provide for these many, many families. There's no one central point here. There's no huge refugee camp. Instead, you have 2.5 million people who've essentially dissipated into the Polish population. And Yesterday Polish President Duda was in Ukraine to lend his support, of course, with President Zelenskyy, but also to highlight just how much the fate of these two nation is tied now, Max. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDRZEJ DUDA, POLISH PRESIDENT (through translator): This is not war. This is terrorism. If someone sends planes and soldiers to bomb residential areas and kill civilians, that is not war. It is cruelty, banditry, terrorism. That is the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine we must never come to terms with.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABDELAZIZ: Now, what happens inside Ukraine deeply impacts what happens in Poland, of course. Those families that flee, when we hear of areas that are heavy hit, that are impacted. It might take a few days, it might take some time before corridors are opened up. But often times, those families end up here, Max, and they need support. They need help. They need a place to sleep. And you are here again on the border of NATO. Poland really feels like it's on the front line of this conflict.

FOSTER: Salma, on the Ukraine/Poland border, thank you.

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. You'll find several ways to help there.

Now, as far as North Korean anniversaries go, this one's a big one. State media releasing images of all of the festivities. But there's a bigger surprise in store. We're live in Seoul to find out.

[04:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: The most important day on the North Korean calendar is drawing near. Friday marks the day of the sun which celebrates the birth of North Korea's founding father. So far, we've been seeing performances, cheering crowds and ribbon cutting but the pomp and ceremony also tends to include some sort of show of military might.

CNN's Paula Hancocks is live in Seoul with details. You've watched many of these unfold and you're looking to see basically what the latest kit is.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's usually what we're looking for, Max, exactly. We don't know for sure what they will actually show us until they actually show us, like many things with North Korea, you don't know until they tell you. But what we could see is either an overnight kind of rally or parade. But then again, it could be some hours before we get images of that.

Now what everybody is looking for at this point is whether or not important it will be specifically a military parade. Whether or not there will be new military hardware that is going to be unveiled. Quite often, North Korea does unveil new weapons systems at these kind of parades.

So, what we've been seeing in the days, in the runup to this very important anniversary, as you say, it's things like concerts, performances. We've also seen Kim Jong-un the leader open a number of different apartment blocks in one particular occasion, which we had images of just today you saw. It's apparently called a luxurious building project. And Ri Chun-hee -- who is better known as the pink lady who always makes the very important announcements on North Korean state media -- was with Kim Jong-un. She was given with her family, one of these apartments, and really hammering home that those who are loyal to this regime will be supported and will be rewarded.

So, what we have seen in recent weeks as well, just last month, there was that test of the intercontinental ballistic missile, the first full test, since November 2017. And, of course, the question now is will there be any kind of launch? Will there be any kind of test? Or will it simply be a parade. But then again, we could see some new weapon systems within that military parade.

Now Kim Jong-un has been very transparent, really. Not usually a word, you have next to North Korea. But he's been very clear about what weapons systems he wants. Just January last year, he gave a wish list, if you like, of the systems, the testing, the missiles that he would like to perfect. And we have been seeing over recent months that systematically, he's been going through those particular weapons system. That that ICBM being one example. For example, he wants to have a 1,500-kilometer ICBM, that's about 9,300 miles.

[04:45:00] So, we are all waiting to see what exactly will happen either overnight tonight or into Friday, local time. Of course, it is a big day on any year in North Korea. If it is an anniversary that ends in a zero or a 5, for some reason, North Korea will highlight that even more. So, it's even more of a celebration. And of course, is also 10 years since Kim Jong-un took power and became leader as well. So, a double whammy, if you like, of celebrations -- Max.

FOSTER: OK, Paula we'll wait to see what comes up. Thank you for joining us from Seoul.

China is struggling to contain the search of the ultra-contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus. A new report shows at least 44 Chinese cities are now are under full or partial lockdowns. Despite China's zero COVID policy, it's logged more than 350,000 new infections since early last month. Most of them are in Shanghai which is enduring the country's most severe lockdown.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says the federal transportation mask mandates will be extended for another two weeks. That means masks will still be required on planes, trains and other public transportation in the U.S. until at least the May the 3rd. Authorities want more time to study the BA.2 subvariant of the coronavirus.

The Biden administration has cleared the way from the January 6th Committee to get key documents from the National Archives. Former President Donald Trump tried to keep the documents secret, but President Biden waved that executive privilege saying it was in the best interest of the country. Meanwhile, the committee investigating the riot has been hearing testimony from Trump's inner circle. Paula Reid has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA REID, CNN SENIOR LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: A steady stream of top Trump White House officials appearing before the House Select Committee investigating January 6 this week. On Wednesday, two of Trump's top lawyers were expected to meet with investigators, Pat Cipollone, the former White House counsel and his deputy, Patrick Philbin, were both expected to sit for informal interviews.

Now, these are potentially significant witnesses for lawmakers as Cipollone was one of the leading voices inside the White House pushing back on a campaign to pressure then Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results while presiding over the Electoral College certification on January 6th.

He also appeared to be mentioned in a January 5th text message from Fox News host Sean Hannity to then White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, where Hannity suggested White House counsel would leave if Pence continued to be pressured.

Now, these are the latest in a string of high-level aides. We're talking about members of Trump's innermost circle who are cooperating with the panel. In recent weeks, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared had both answered questions from investigators. And former White House senior adviser, Stephen Miller, is expected to appear before the committee this week as well.

Miller has previously sued to block a subpoena from the committee for his phone records. But the committee has wanted to talk to him, saying he spread misinformation about the presidential election and pushed officials to change the results. The committee has now conducted more than 860 depositions or interviews and will continue hearing from witnesses on a daily basis with dozens of more interviews expected to take place over the next several weeks.

Paula Reid, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: News just coming into us here, another bus of migrants from Texas has arrived in Washington, D.C. Texas Governor Greg Abbott is sending buses of migrants to the capital to protest the Biden administration immigration policy. The bus load also arrived on Wednesday.

Now, New Yorkers are known for being tough, but when a shooter was on the loose, it spread fear through one of the largest subway systems. It was not unexpected.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's so many crazy people out there. You have to be alarmed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've been followed before home. So, I've always been scared.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[04:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: The man accused of attacking a New York subway train is in police custody right now, awaiting a court hearing later today. Authorities say he set off smoke canisters then fired at least 33 bullets hitting ten people on a crowded train car. Everyone is expected to recover. The instance stirred fear through the city though. Gary Tuchman got reaction from commuters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is the endline of the New York City subway rolling into the 36th Street Station in Brooklyn, the station where the horrific shootings took place.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's so many crazy people out there. So, you have to be alert.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Not everyone knows this is the station where it happened. But every rider we talked to it's extremely aware that it did happen.

Lizbeth Cruz acknowledges that apprehension is always a part of her subway ride.

TUCHMAN: Is it fair to say that each and every time you ride on the subway even before the shooting up and you're scared of to be on it?

LIZBETH CRUZ, SUBWAY PASSENGER: Yes, even before back in middle school too. I've been followed before home. So, I've always been scared.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): The subway is part of the fabric of New York. While it's not widely loved, you can travel anywhere in the city for $2.75.

HANNAH SALEH, SUBWAY PASSENGER: I don't have another way like to get to my job. Like this is my only way of transportation.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Similar viewpoint from this woman, waiting for a train at that 36th Street Station.

TEA JOHNSON, SUBWAY PASSENGER: I have no other choice. So, their prices are pretty high and Uber and Lyft. So, yes.

TUCHMAN: You do it because you have to.

JOHNSON: Yes.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): The New York City subway system has more riders than any other system in the Western Hemisphere.

TUCHMAN: According to the New York City Transit Authority, there are 472 subway stations in the system. And 2019, the last full year before the COVID pandemic, an average of 5.5 million passengers rode the subway each and every weekday. For the year, approximately 1.7 billion passengers rode the subway. That's more than five times the population of the United States.

[04:55:00]

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Almost everyone we talked with has a strategy for staying safe.

TUCHMAN: What do you do to stay safe? Because you say you're ride all the time.

LISA CHEN, SUBWAY PASSENGER: I have pepper spray.

TUCHMAN: Pepper spray?

CHEN: Yes. And we have some something in my (INAUDIBLE).

TUCHMAN: You don't spray unless it's an emergency?

CHEN: Yes, but protect myself, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I pray to my Heavenly Father number one. And I watch myself in all things that I do. I make sure I look at my surroundings when I get on the subway. And I just am as careful as I can be.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): We hear a lot about faith.

JEREMIAH RORIE, SUBWAY PASSENGER: We can't really be afraid of it. And honestly, you know, I just trust that God will protect me every time I get on the train.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): We talked to these passengers before the suspect was captured. But while we were working, we learned he had been caught.

TUCHMAN: Have you heard that the suspected gunman has been caught?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, (INAUDIBLE) I didn't I knew they were looking for.

TUCHMAN: How does that make you feel they caught him?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good, good. Yes.

TUCHMAN: What if I told you that the suspected gunman has been caught?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That would be fantastic. I want to be true.

TUCHMAN: That's what's happened.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, awesome.

TUCHMAN: How does that make it feel?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Much better.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): A sense of relief during these tense times.

Gary Tuchman, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Now like so many others in the U.S. inflation is hitting Amazon. The online retailer says it'll start charging a 5 percent fuel and inflation fee to sellers who use Amazon's storage, packing and shipping services. That means consumers may have to pay more as businesses pass along that price hike. The first of many, I'm sure. The fee comes into effect on April 28th.

Thanks for joining me here on CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Max Foster in London. Our coverage continues on "EARLY START" with Christine Romans and Laura Jarrett in New York and Brianna Keilar who's in Lviv, Ukraine. You're watching CNN.