Geoff: In Ukraine, Russian
forces are preparing for a new
phase of the war in the east and
south.
To oversee it, Russian president
Vladimir Putin is assigning the
same general who previously led
Russia's punishing campaign in
Syria.
And in Kyiv, visiting western
leaders have made new pledges
for weapons.
But the country's leaders say
they need even more, and faster.
Special correspondent Simon
ostrovsky reports from Kyiv.
Simon: In an eastern city,
soldiers and volunteers wait for
war.
>> During World War II, the
biggest tank battle happened
here and I think history will
repeat itself.
There will be a lot of troops,
it will be a fight.
Simon: Some of their equipment
is older than they are, but the
soldiers make do.
>> In our hands, everything
works.
We use everything we are given.
Simon: According to satellite
images, Russian tanks are moving
to the south and east.
They will focus on the donbass
region, parts of which are
already controlled by pro-russia
separatists.
The Ukrainian foreign minister
--
>> Ukraine won the battle for
Kyiv, now a battle is coming for
donbass.
Simon: Unable to capital -- to
topple the capital city, Russian
troops left a trail of
destruction.
Each day brings shocking new
discoveries.
>> They tortured them, threw
them in the water.
Animals, beasts.
No other way to say it.
Simon: Despite the barbarity,
president zelenskyy said he
would continue to negotiate with
Russia and urged western allies
to speed up weapons deliveries.
>> All of the equipment and
weapons they have sent already,
I think for some of this
equipment it is too late.
Simon: And in Vatican City, pope
Francis commemorated the start
of holy week by calling for
peace.
>> Christ is once more nailed to
the cross in mothers who mourn
the unjust deaths of husbands
and sons.
He is crucified in refugees who
flee from bombs with children in
their arms.
Lay down your arms and start an
Easter truce.
Geoff: And Simon joins me now
from Kyiv.
We heard in your report the
Ukrainian foreign affairs
minister saying Ukraine had won
the battle of Kyiv.
Do residents there feel safe?
Simon: I think residents are
still recovering from the shock
because every day another shoe
drops in terms of victims being
found.
People are trying to recover.
Ukrainian forces here were
instrumental in defending Kyiv
and defeating the Russian force
that came in this direction from
the north, they are being
transferred to positions in that
area.
The Ukrainian military is
recalibrating and people living
in this region are having to
come to terms with what happened
here while the war continues.
Geoff: We heard accounts today
of Russian forces looting homes
and stores and occupied parts of
Ukraine.
What have you seen?
Simon: I have visited several
towns where Russian forces have
been, and each one of them,
except where the cities were
fighting was too heavy to loot,
diluting was nearly universal.
We went to a little place that
was the site of fierce fighting,
but most of the houses are
intact from the outside.
Inside, you see what the Russian
soldiers did to property.
Some of the residents of was
speaking to said they would back
a truck up into the yard of many
houses and unloaded anything in
the house of any value, put it
in the back of the truck, and
drove away.
Houses were completely
ransacked.
Expensive audiovisual equipment
was taken.
Everything down to the
silverware was taken.
A woman told us that they had
taken even the clothes and
underwear.
Her husband was wearing the only
clothes he had left after the
Russian soldiers had gone
through their house and used it
as a base for a couple of weeks.
Geoff: Special correspondent in
Kyiv tonight.
And a note, our coverage of
Ukraine is supported in part by
the pulitzer center.