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Mass grave seen near Mariupol as Biden announces more aid for ‘critical window’ of war

Key updates
‘No good news from Mariupol’: Russian shelling again foils evacuations
72 howitzers, more than 100 drones are among latest U.S. weapons load
Russian troops make ‘minor’ advances in eastern Ukraine
On April 21, President Biden announced a new round of American support for Ukraine to fight against Russia. (Video: The Washington Post)
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Updated April 22, 2022 at 12:22 a.m. EDT|Published April 21, 2022 at 12:19 a.m. EDT
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Newly surfaced images of a sprawling mass grave near Mariupol underscored the scope of the devastation in the besieged port city, where on Thursday just a few thousand Ukrainians were holding out against a Russian bombardment, refusing repeated demands to surrender, as President Biden promised Kyiv an additional $800 million in military assistance and said the war was entering “a critical window.”

Ukrainian officials estimate that 20,000 civilians have died in Mariupol since the invasion began, and they said the new gravesite appears to be significantly larger than the plots discovered after Russian troops retreated from the Kyiv suburb of Bucha. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the offensive in Mariupol a success and ordered a blockade of the steel plant where Ukrainian fighters are staging their last stand.  
‘No good news from Mariupol’: Russian shelling again foils evacuations
72 howitzers, more than 100 drones are among latest U.S. weapons load
Russian troops make ‘minor’ advances in eastern Ukraine

What else to know

  • Moscow has made “minor gains” in eastern Ukraine, military analysts said, capturing parts of small but key towns.
  • Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will host a summit in Germany next week to build support for Ukraine’s defense and security needs, the Pentagon said.
  • The Biden administration rolled out plans Thursday to expedite the arrival of Ukrainian refugees.
  • For the first time in weeks, a convoy of civilians escaped Mariupol, with four buses and a dozen private cars reaching Zaporizhzhia.
  • The Washington Post has lifted its paywall for readers in Russia and Ukraine. Telegram users can subscribe to our channel for updates.
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Here's what to know:

Moscow has made “minor gains” in eastern Ukraine, military analysts said, capturing parts of small but key towns.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will host a summit in Germany next week to build support for Ukraine’s defense and security needs, the Pentagon said.
The Biden administration rolled out plans Thursday to expedite the arrival of Ukrainian refugees.
For the first time in weeks, a convoy of civilians escaped Mariupol, with four buses and a dozen private cars reaching Zaporizhzhia.
The Washington Post has lifted its paywall for readers in Russia and Ukraine. Telegram users can subscribe to our channel for updates.

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