Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Video Appears To Show Killing Of Surrendering Ukrainian Troops; Jail Worker Accused Of Helping 10 Inmates Escape; Trump: "Golden Dome" Missile Defense System Will Cost $175 Billion, Be Completed Within Three Years. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired May 21, 2025 - 05:30   ET

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

[05:30:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSSIAN COMMANDER: Arta, listen to me! Ask who the commander is. Take the commander and kill everyone else!

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): Before even his moment of surrender the fate of these six Ukrainian troops was sealed. Ukrainian drone images from the southern front last November show the horror that comes after defeat. A Russian hiding in the bushes shoots one Ukrainian in the head.

Ukrainian officials gave CNN intercepts of Russian radio orders from their commanders to their troops here.

RUSSIAN COMMANDER: Take them to the road.

WALSH (voiceover): We can't verify them independently, but they help paint a chilling picture of what appear to be executions to order of a plan to kill prisoners given from above.

RUSSIAN COMMANDER: Get the f*** out! Take the senior one and get rid of the others!

WALSH (voiceover): The Russian in the bushes seems to fit a mask and then emerge. He's joined by another Russian. They talk. There's no visible threat from their prisoners and one captive Ukrainian seems to gesture at them, but nothing changes his fate. Shot in the head calmly.

Another Ukrainian gets up. Presumably the commander then takes off his armor. But the voice on the radio is impatient.

RUSSIAN COMMANDER: Did you take them down? That a question!

WALSH (voiceover): The commander is led away. In total, six times the order to kill was given, according to the intercepts.

WALSH: A forensic study for CNN, the files and audio found no reason they weren't authentic, and a Western intelligence official described them to us as "credible." We have geolocated the footage of the killing to this tree line just

outside of Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhia, a region where fierce fighting raged late last year.

Ukrainian prosecutors say the executions of surrendering Ukrainian troops by Russians are increasing. They say they opened eight cases in all of 2023, 39 for all of last year, and in just the first four months of this year, 20.

YURII BIELOUSOV, OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR-GENERAL OF UKRAINE: It's a well-coordinated and well-planned policy and the execution of prisoners of war as well as other war crimes which have been committed in Ukraine. I think that goes up to the -- to the president of the Russian federation.

WALSH (voiceover): Another video supplied to CNN by a Western intelligence official shows a similar scene also from Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainians are surrounded and surrendering to Russians with red tape on their helmets, but two others join them with white tape on their helmets. They appear to use their radios and then a white helmet opens fire. As the smoke clears the red reloads his weapon and shoots another Ukrainian in the head.

There's no radio intercept here, but a Western intelligence official told CNN the order to kill likely came from the white to the red. Killings aimed at hitting Ukrainian morale but also cynically just at easing Russian logistics. A stark window into Moscow's mindset -- surrender means nothing, and mercy is not an option.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALSH: Now I should say that we reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defense for comment about these allegations and they have not responded to us. Although in the past, senior Russian officials have said that the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war is in compliance with international law and denied the kind of allegations that you've just heard.

But it is a chilling idea that potentially it is simply the logistics of handling captives that might cause these battlefield executions. And a sign too I think that when these ideas first emerged and when we first reported on them late last year there was, I think a reticence amongst Ukrainian officials to acknowledge this was happening because of the damage it might have on morale potentially.

Now the frequency in which they've occurred I think is being used here as a window into the brutality of the enemy that they're facing. Often, remember, parts of Russian ranks are made up of convicts from prisons too.

So a horrific picture really of what happens across the vast frontline -- while I should point out at the moment, we are seeing many reports of Russia amassing further troops for a likely offensive in the months ahead.

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN ANCHOR: CNN's Nick Paton Walsh there. Thanks to you and your team for that critical report.

Still on the way on EARLY START these two -- these men you're looking at who broke out of a New Orleans jail last week -- they are back in custody while others are still on the run. Authorities alleging that they know who may have helped the inmates escape.

And a little later, Home Depot revealing its strategy for dealing with Donald Trump's tariffs. What you can expect from the big giant retailer next.

(COMMERCIAL)

[05:39:35]

SANDOVAL: The investigation into what caused a Mexican Navy ship to collide with the Brooklyn Bridge leaving two Mexican cadets dead is underway. On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board said that it had what it described as a productive meeting with Mexican officials aboard the training vessel here in the New York harbor. However, the NTSB stressed that it is still too early to speculate on a cause of the crash.

[05:40:00]

Meanwhile, the body of the sailor who died in Saturday's -- one of two -- well, he actually arrived at his hometown in Oaxaca, Mexico as his family continues to mourn. Mourners attending his funeral there.

The agency has -- the NTSB -- it has 30 days to issue a preliminary report but a full investigation -- that could take up to two years to complete.

Prosecutors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial say that they plan to call the rapper known as Kid Cudi to testify either today or possibly tomorrow. Meanwhile, the mother of Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura and Combs' former assistant -- they testified in his racketeering and sex trafficking trial on Tuesday.

CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister with more from New York.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: We heard from four witnesses on Tuesday at the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial -- one being Cassie Ventura's mother.

But first, let me start with the first witness to take the stand. David James, who was a former personal assistant of Sean Combs -- he was employed by Bad Boy Entertainment from 2007 through 2009. Now, he was brought on as a prosecution witness. Their goal here was clearly to start taking shape of this racketeering charge to show that Sean Combs' business entities -- this being Bad Boy -- was helping him conduct this criminal enterprise that they have alleged ever since the indictment.

Now, this former personal assistant -- he testified to the fact that Sean Combs was always under the influence of drugs. He said that he was conducting his business while on drugs, and said that he even instructed him, as his personal assistant, on an occasion to get him drugs.

Now, during a grueling cross-examination, Combs' defense was asking this former personal assistant if he, himself, ever took drugs. And he said that he never did on the job. He explained himself not really as a drug user, but he did say that one time when he was off the clock that Sean Combs invited him to a New Year's Eve party and he took an ecstasy pill.

The reason why this piece of his testimony was so interesting was because he then said a few days later, back in New York City at Sean Combs' executive offices at Bad Boy, that he called him in and he showed him video footage, meaning that the New Year's Eve party was actually captured on tape. He says that Combs told him -- and this is a direct quote -- "I'm going to keep this footage in case I ever need it." Obviously there a very clear threat was alleged during his testimony.

Now let's move on to Cassie Ventura's mother, Regina Ventura. She took the stand and surprisingly for a very short amount of time. Now she testified to the fact that she took out a loan with her husband for $20,000 because she testified Sean Combs demanded it. Why? Well, she said that Sean Combs was upset that Cassie was dating another man -- this being Kid Cudi, the rapper, and that he demanded that he was paid back $20,000 because he said that was the amount of money that he spent on Cassie.

Now, there were no emotional questions for Cassie's mother. In fact, it was so quick that when the defense came up for cross-examination they said they had no questions for her.

Now we also heard from another male sex worker, and testimony began from a special agent who was there during that raid on Sean Combs' home in Miami. So he will take the stand again. And then after, we are expecting to hear from the rapper Kid Cudi. It could be as soon as Wednesday or Thursday.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Our thanks to Elizabeth Wagmeister in New York.

Elsewhere, a jail maintenance worker has been charged after allegedly helping 10 inmates escape from a jail in New Orleans. Investigators saying that Sterling Williams claims that a prisoner ordered him to actually turn off the water supply to a toilet. Well, the toilet was hiding a hole in a jail cell wall, which the inmates used to escape. They then left the facility, climbed a fence, and crossed a highway.

Authorities arrested a fifth inmate on Tuesday. Four others are already in custody following Friday's jailbreak. Five men though -- they are still on the run and authorities are working to track them down. And questions are still being asked about how they were able to actually carry out this escape.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JASON WILLIAMS, ORLEANS PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY: This is not a -- like, a lock-and-key type of jail. I've toured this facility. It's a $150 million facility with cameras all over. Unfortunately, no one at the jail was manning the post to watch those monitors in real time. And they -- it is -- it is unexplainable and inexcusable how 10 of the most violent individuals in the jail were able to get out through a hole in the first floor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[05:45:00]

SANDOVAL: Well, tributes are pouring in for actor George Wendt. He is best known for playing the beer-loving Norm Peterson in the 1980 sitcom "CHEERS" who always made a big entrance at the local bar.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

Clip from "CHEERS."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: Wendt's performance on that show earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations.

His family says that he passed away peacefully at home, and also remembering him as a doting family man, well-loved friend, and confidant.

Wendt's co-star from "CHEERS," Rhea Perlman, calling him "the sweetest and kindest man" she's ever met, saying "It was impossible not to like him." She added, "I'll miss him more than words can say."

George Wendt was 76 years old.

(COMMERCIAL)

[05:50:25]

SANDOVAL: Welcome back. I'm Polo Sandoval, and here are some of the stories that we are watching today.

U.S. lawmakers -- they are meeting this morning in Washington over President Donald Trump's domestic policy bill. They've been talking since about 1:00 this morning but disagreements within the Republican Party have slowed the bill's progress. The House Speaker wants to get it approved and off to the Senate before the Memorial Day holiday.

Pope Leo has just held his first general audience in Saint Peter's Square. It's a sight to see the first American pope delivering part of his address in English and also recognize pilgrims from the U.S., which drew cheers from the crowds. He continued the jubilee series began by Pope Francis on the theme of "Jesus Christ our Hope." And severe storms have been marching across parts of the southeast

United States. I want to show you some scenes out of Huntsville, Alabama from late Tuesday amid a tornado warning. Some heavy rains and storms continue this hours -- they really have hit the area for hours as many, many are continuing to recover from those storms in recent days. Nonstop severe weather has killed at least 28 people.

All right, more now on President Trump's domestic policy bill that contains his core promises from his campaign trail. Right now, a live picture out of Washington that we want to get you showing House Rules Committee members. They are still discussing the legislation.

Big issues like Republican infighting. That's a potential nearly $4 trillion addition to the budget deficit. Those are things that are still dragging the process out.

In the last few hours Democrats have pointed out that Republicans are pushing for a vote when it's still unclear what the final bill will look like.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JIM MCGOVERN (D-MA): This is a 1,000-page bill for God's sake. A thousand-plus pages and you want to shove it through in the dead of night because Trump said, "Close your eyes and vote for it."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: And President Trump's vision for the so-called golden dome missile defense system is moving closer to a reality. He and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth laid out some of the early details on Tuesday, including the $175 billion price tag of this plan. Well, he also says that he believes it could be completed by the end of his term.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The one big, beautiful bill will include $25 billion for the golden dome to help construction get underway. We're talking about $175 billion total cost of this when it's completed. It's a pretty evil world out there so this is something that goes a long way toward the survival of this great country. And as I said, we'll be discussing Canada. They want to hook in, and they want to see if they can be a part of it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: The way the president describes this system would be similar to Israel's iron dome, protecting the U.S. by intercepting long-range missiles.

The Congressional Budget Office estimating that the project could cost more than $500 billion over the next 20 years.

Your business minute now.

Home Depot says that it plans to keep prices on most of its products stable, but U.S. tariffs could mean some items will have to disappear from their store shelves. The company is saying that it's diversifying where it gets some of its merchandise from in order to be able to reduce reliance on China. And more than half of its products will continue to come from the U.S.

A number of companies -- they are still reacting to the tariffs with price increases. Japanese automaker Subaru was among the latest to join the group next week -- this week, I should say.

After nearly five years the wildly popular game Fortnite is back on Apple's Appstore in the U.S. Apple actually banned it from its store in 2020 accusing the game makers of violating its policies by giving players a way to circumvent Apple's in-app payment system. The multiplayer shooter game became a massive hit when it launched in 2017, drawing millions of players from around the globe.

Well, getting that sky-high caffeine fix just got a whole lot more colorful. You see, Dunkin' has partnered with JetBlue Airlines and created its custom plane with the coffee chain's famous orange and pink hues you see here.

[05:55:00]

The brewing altitude has a -- it was actually unveiled last week at Boston Logan International Airport. Passengers were welcomed with what else -- some Dunkin' coffee and donuts to celebrate the Airbus A320's new paint job. Some even got some of these really cool looking donut neck pillows.

So the summer games in Los Angeles -- they're still three years away, but the NFL has made a big decision on a sport making its Olympic debut. That's coming up next.

You're watching EARLY START.

(COMMERCIAL)

SANDOVAL: If you're a fan of the Olympics and pro football, some big news to share with you. NFL players -- they will be eligible to compete in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

[06:00:05]

The NFL owners voted to allow the rule change on Tuesday. A 75 percent majority vote in favor was required to pass that flag motion. According to the proposal no more than one player from each NFL team can participate in the events.

This will be the Olympic debut for flag football, and we cannot wait.

From Rahel, the team, and I, thank you for watching EARLY START. I'm Polo Sandoval in New York. "CNN THIS MORNING" starts right now.