Ukraine's Zelenskyy appeals to Germany for weapon supplies

Ukrainian president criticises the bombing of Kharkiv and spoke of a call with the IMF chief about rebuilding the country

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 16. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office / AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed the country’s resolve to fight the Russian forces in the Donbas region in his daily address published late on Sunday.

Mr Zelenskyy said Russia was intent on destroying the once-celebrated industrial might of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

"We are doing everything to ensure defence," he said. "We are in constant contact with partners. We are grateful to those who really help, everyone who can help."

He also renewed calls for increased military shipments as the battle over the eastern regions is brewing.

In a thinly veiled barb at Germany, Mr Zelenskyy said the fate of the coming battle depended on “those who have the weapons and ammunition we need and are holding back. The fate of people who can be saved".

He condemned Russia’s renewed bombing campaign in Kharkiv and confirmed the official figures that five people died in strikes on the city on Sunday and 18 over the past four days.

Mr Zelenskyy shared details about his phone call with IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva earlier in the day, saying they had agreed on concrete measures to support Ukraine in the short and long terms, to help rebuild the country after the war.

A Ukranian serviceman looks into a crater and a destroyed home are pictured in the village of Yatskivka, eastern Ukraine. AFP

Smoke raises from an oil refinery in Lysychansk about 120km north of Donetsk. AFP

A view of a car destroyed by a military strike, during Russia's invasion in the village of Kukhari, in Kyiv region, Ukraine. Reuters

A local resident Serhii pets a cat next to a residential house destroyed by a military strike during Russia's invasion in the village of Kukhari, in Kyiv region, Ukraine. Reuters

A local resident Serhii stands next to a used multiple rocket launch shell, as Russia?s invasion on Ukraine continues, in the village of Kukhari, in Kyiv region, Ukraine. Reuters

Injured civilians sit in an ambulance before being taken to a hospital after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP

Ukrainian servicemen walk among debris of damaged buildings after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP

Children sheltering in a subway turned into a makeshift bomb shelter watch performers who came to do a puppet show in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Getty Images

A resident shows deminers the site of an empty rocket that struck the roof of a residential building as they clear the area in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Getty Images

Nadiya Trubchaninova, 70, cries while holding the coffin of her son Vadym, 48, who was killed by Russian soldiers last March 30 in Bucha, during his funeral in the cemetery of Mykulychi, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine. After nine days since the discovery of Vadym's corpse, finally Nadiya could have a proper funeral for him. This is not where Nadiya Trubchaninova thought she would find herself at 70 years of age, hitchhiking daily from her village to the shattered town of Bucha trying to bring her son's body home for burial. AP

In this image from a video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from Kyiv, Ukraine. AP

Ukrainian Nicolai, 41, says goodbye to his daughter Elina, 4, and his wife Lolita on a train in Lviv, western Ukraine, bound for Poland. AP Photo

A local resident crosses a street damaged during the Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine. Reuters

Petro Nazarii, 39, carries luggage into the house of a family temporarily hosting his family in Tijuana, Mexico, as they wait to enter the US. Reuters

A local resident of Mariupol walks past the Palace of Culture, which was damaged during the conflict. Reuters

The entrance of the Illich Steel and Iron Works in Mariupol. Reuters

The southern port city of Mariupol. Reuters

Protesters set off torches during a Pro-Russian protest in Belgrade, Serbia. EPA

Local residents sit in a car as they leave the southern port city of Mariupol. Reuters

Local residents walk past a damaged apartment building in Mariupol. Reuters