Russia 'seeks full control' of southern Ukraine

President Zelensky says Russian gains in eastern Ukraine are only temporary but a Russian general has said the offensive in Ukraine is aimed at conquering the whole of the south as well as the eastern region of Donbas. Our correspondents and experts will be explaining today’s developments on the ground. We also hear the background story of some of the people who have just been evacuated from the besieged city of Mariupol.

We catch up with the latest news about the floods in South Africa. More than 430 people have been killed after the devastating rains which caused mudslides in KwaZulu Natal province.

It’s the final day of campaigning in the French presidential election ahead of Sunday’s vote. We’ll hear from some of the voters who will have to choose between the incumbent Emmanuel Macron and his far-right challengers Marine Le Pen.

(Photo: Service members of pro-Russian troops, including fighters of the Chechen special forces unit, stand in front of the destroyed administration building of Azovstal Iron and Steel Works during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 21, 2022. Credit: Reuters/Chingis Kondarov)