CEASEFIRE ATTEMPT FAILS AMID RUSSIAN SHELLING

PUTIN WARNS UKRAINIAN STATEHOOD IS IN JEOPARDY Mariupol Diary: Scenes of despair, resolve in Ukraine city How to give: A list of ways to help the Ukrainian people

MARIUPOL, UKRAINE » Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Saturday that Ukrainian statehood is in jeopardy during a rambling speech from Moscow, while a promised cease-fire in the port city of Mariupol collapsed amid scenes of terror in the besieged town.

The struggle to enforce the temporary cease-fire in Mariupol and the eastern city of Volnovakha showed the fragility of efforts to stop the fighting across Ukraine as the number of people fleeing the country reached 1.4 million just 10 days after Russian forces invaded.

Ukrainian officials said Russian artillery fire and airstrikes had prevented residents from leaving before the agreed-to evacuations got underway. Putin accused Ukraine accused Ukraine of sabotaging the effort and claimed the actions of Ukraine’s leadership called into question the country’s future as an independent state.

“If this happens, it will be entirely on their conscience,” Putin said.

Throughout all this, the people of

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Donation days

Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1564 Allentown Road, Lansdale, is partnering with The United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Inc. (UUARC) to collect specific needed items to be sent to the refugees of Ukraine. Presentation of Our Lord will hold two donation dates for the community to contribute to this effort. Items needed include medical supplies, personal hygiene items, baby formula, diapers and wipes, adult briefs, mobility aids, towels, sheets, blankets, hand and feet warmers, newly packaged undergarments and socks, and trash bags. NO CLOTHING. Financial donations are encouraged and will be accepted at the collection events. Donations will be accepted 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, March 12 and March 19. http://www. presentationukrainiancc.com/

The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy

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VADIM GHIRDA - THE ASSCOCIATED PRESS Ukrainian servicemen carry a baby stroller after crossing the Irpin river on an improvised path under a bridge that was destroyed by a Russian airstrike, while assisting people fleeing the town of Irpin, Ukraine, Saturday. What looked like a breakthrough cease-fire to evacuate residents from two cities in Ukraine quickly fell apart Saturday as Ukrainian officials said shelling had halted the work to remove civilians hours after Russia announced the deal.

EVGENIY MALOLETKA - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Kateryna Suharokova kisses her newborn son Makar in the basement of a maternity hospital converted into a medical ward and used as a bomb shelter in Mariupol, Ukraine, Monday. In makeshift shelters and underground railway platforms across Ukraine, families are trying to protect the young and old and make conditions bearable amid the bullets, missiles and shells outside.