Russia Offers Mariupol Defence A Surrender Window

Good morning to our UK readers. If you’re just joining us, or want a recap, here’s what we know on this Easter Sunday:

• In the southern city of Mariupol, Russia says it will spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers there if they lay down their arms today. The city has been under siege for weeks
• Ukraine’s armed forces say its naval units are preparing for a Russian landing operation in the Mariupol area, after it said Russia conducted assault operations near the seaport
• Earlier, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said eliminating Ukrainian fighters in Mariupol would put an end to peace talks to end the war
• Russia claims its air defence units have brought down a Ukrainian military plane it says was carrying a shipment of arms sent by Western countries. The BBC hasn’t independently verified the information
• In the capital Kyiv, there are reports of explosions in the city once again, but there is no information yet on where they took place
• Images of what is said to be the crew of the Moskva warship – which sunk in the Black Sea earlier this week – have been published by Russia’s defence ministry. If accurate, it would be the first time any sailors from the ship have been seen since it sank. Russia says a fire onboard caused ammunitions to explode, and Ukraine – supported by the US – says it destroyed the missile cruiser.

Summary

1. Russia says it will spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol if they lay down their arms on Sunday
2. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said eliminating Ukrainian fighters in Mariupol would put an end to talks
3. Russia is planning to restrict access to Mariupol from Monday, city officials say
4. Men said to be crew members from the lost Russian warship Moskva are shown on parade in Sevastopol
5. The mayor of Kyiv has warned residents to be wary of further Russian missile attacks
6. Vitali Klitschko urges those who have fled the city not to return
7. Russia has banned UK PM Boris Johnson and other senior ministers from entering Russia over the country’s “hostile” stance on the war