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restores his father's historic jazz club with his son. a raymond james financial advisor get to know you, your passions, and the way you bring people together. life well planned. announcer: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for americs neglected needs. announcer: and now, "bbc news" . you are watching the context on. bbc news. >> these streets are exclusively packed with large gatherings of civilians. this is a residential building. this is mass terror against our civilian population. >> the park was directly hit. children were there. the playground was hit and a

child died. it was a girl thatas 13 or 14 years old. >> targeted this city on a regular basis using bombs, drones and guided bombs as well. for many people, their life is like a russian roulette. each day, they can only guess who and what moscow will target next. ♪ >> tonight, conflict continues across the russia-ukraine border with another deadly attack in kharkiv. president zelenskyy says the attack could have been prevented if westerns arms dealers allowed their weapons to be used a deep inside russia. we will talk to a u.s. ambassador about how the global superpower will analyze the situation. and wrapping up the first interview with kamala harris.

as donald trump his sights on votes in a key battleground state. and, would you want a four day working week? we take a look at the government 's plans to increase flexible working. ukrainian officials say at least five people have been killed and dozens injured in russian strikes on the city of kha rkiv in the northeast of the country. there were a number of casualties after an apartment block was hit. a younge girl was also killed at a playground. >> the child was only 14 years old. she had her whole life to live. she just lost her father. went missing in the donetsk region. now, this. it is simply impossible to get over this. how is this possible? i don't know. they are children. >> the local governor says russia targeted civilian areas

with guided missiles. >> let's say unequivocally there were guidance systems on missiles. it didn't fly along ballistic trajectories. we draw one conclusion. these streets are exclusively packed with large gatherings of civilians. this is a residential building. this is, again, mass terror against our civilian population. >> meanwhile, the governor of the regent in russia says one civilianas been killed and seven injured in ukrainian shelling of the city. it comes as ukraine's top military commander says kyiv's forces have advanced up to two kilometers into the region. he made the comments in a briefing with ukrainian president. he said forces have taken control of five square kilometers of russian territory as they press on with the

cross-border incursion launched more than three weeks ago. ukrainian president zelinski has sacked the commander of the air force. the move comes after an f-16 fighter jet sent by nato allies crashed while shooting down russian missiles in ukraine. the special commission was set up by the ukrainian defense ministry to investigate the incident. the pilot was killed. he was one of the first few ukrainian pilots trained to fly advanced fighter jets. the cause of the crash is not yet known. cofounder of wingman for ukraine who worked alongside the pilot known as moonfish says he made the ultimate sacrifice. >> we saw august 26, what he was doing. he was saving the civilians on the ground. every missile he shot down, every drone was some little kid who is not going to wake up with

rubble over him or lose his parents. he was fighting for his people so it is a tragedy, but he went out a hero. i think people will always remember him it for that. >> ukraine's defense minister has been meeting with u.s. defense secretary lloyd austin at the pentagon. president zelenskyy has been callg for western allies to allow long-range attacks on russian military airbases. it is thought that he was briefing mr. austin on updates from the battlefield. i'm joined by john, the former u.s. ambassador to ukraine. thank you for joining us on the program today. so, president zelenskyy's office giving an update on russian activity inside ukraine this week, saying more than 400 missiles and drones have been used on ukraine. he was saying that to make the argument for the use of weapons

given by allies, but to use them in a new way, to go deeper inside russia. now, allies have been rather nervous at that prospect. do you think they will be changing their mind, changing their view? >> i expect there will be a change of view but i would not say so much allies. two big allies, the united states and germany, have been overly cautious and intimidated by putin's nuclear bluster. >> so, you say they have been intimidated. as we head towards the presidential election in the u.s., what more can washington do for ukraine? ukraine is likely going to be concerned about what any potential change in thwhite house might mean for the relationship. >> well, they appreciate the fact that biden has rallied international support for ukraine. that he's provided substantial military and economic assistance. and he's led the west and

opposing -- imposing serious sanctions on russia. they've also been deeply frustrated by his overly cautious approach in sending weapons systems to ukraine and moving closer to a nato-ukraine relationship. they will not miss that if the democrats were to leave the white house. they are also concerned by statements coming from people in trump's camp that they would cut aid to ukraine. that would be a seriously foolish mistake. >> this is perhaps a reason for this further appeal from president zelenskyy? >> absolutely. what we've seen in the past, the administration says no to a specific weapon system and then changes its mind. i think we will see that as well with the issue of using american weapons to strike deeper into russia. again, the overly cautious approach leads to serious delays which have nasty effects for ukraine and for american interests on the battlefield.

>> and a state of flux politically in germany as well. one of the key allies. at might that mean for ukraine? are we going to see any change of policy from germany? >> i believe if the united states moves decisively in the right direction, so would germany. we saw that on the issue of sending tanks ukraine. the germans kept saying no. finally when the american said yes, so did the germans. >> they may be taking their cue from the usa based on previous experience. looking at the decision by president zelenskyy to sack the commander of the air force after the crash of that f-16 fighter plane involving the death of the pilot as well as we were explaining, why do you think he's made that decision to sack the commander? >> i think that he perceives this and ukrainians perceive this as a problem. and the notion of holding

someone accountable, someone more senior is a fairly common notion. i think it isafe to say that it's not clear what this gentleman could have done to prevent this. obviously, he was the see his pilots flying these new f-16s. >> is an all timing given the continuing incursion into russia? >> i don't think it is related to that, except to the extent that moscow's massive air attack was their response to the great gains ukraine has made in this incursion. putin basically, he is johnny two notes. one of them is massive civilian infrastructure bombing. two is simply pounding ahead at great cost in donbass. we have seen the russians continue this and they are establishing control over a section of russian territory which will be hard for the russians to dislodge them from. >> on that note, you say it will

be hard for the russians to dislodge them from. we know on that particular front line of this incursion, we had a lot of relatively inexperienced russian conscripts there. what room for maneuver does russia have to move more experienced fighters into that area? >> well, right now, putin thinks he can contain the political fallout from this ukrainian success. it is not clear if that will prove to be true. you have reliable people on russian tv who always toe the kremlin line, saying the government needs to stop lying to the public. you have russian citizens moving from these areas is saying the government is incompetent and uncaring. i don't know if this will reach a political mess. if it does, he will move more veteran troops on the front lines to that area. >> former u.s. ambassador to ukraine, thank you for your time today. >> thank you. >> around the world and across

the u.k., this is bbc news. ♪ ♪

>> a number of european governments have expressed concern about israel's military operation in the occupied west bank this week. for three days, israeli defense forces have been carrying out raids in four cities and what they call a counterterrorism operation. today, they say they have killed three palestinians, including a local hamas commander. in a statement, the british foreign office said the u.k. is deeply concerned by the ongoing idf military operation in the occupied west bank. it says we recognize israel's need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. this was the spanish foreign

minister speaking in paris. >> the situation in gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe. more than 40,000 palestinians are already dead but the situation in the west bank is permanent violence, which yesterday reached a new level. we reject and condemn it outright. it certainly does not help the restoration of peace and it further jeopardizes what we all know is the key to peace and stability in the middle east, which is a two state solution. >> our diplomatic correspondent james langdale gave us this assessment. >> throughout this conflict which began last october, the british government has repeatedly been critical of the way israel has carried out its military action in gaza. what is quite unusual here is the starkness of the language about an operation that is still ongoing. the british and the germans and the spanish have all decided while this operation is taking place, they will give running commentary to it because they are so concerned.

essentially what it is is this -- it is not just concern general about what's going on. it is about the fear that in the west bank, you get these raids. you get the continuing settlement which many governments have been saying is illegal. you also getotably in the british statement, direct criticism of israel's security minister who they are very critical about the statements he's been making about trying to unsettle the status quo of the holy sites of jerusalem. thar is all of those three things together could potentially trigger another front. another uprising in the west bank at a time when the west is already concerned about was happening in gaza anthe continuing low-level conflict in lebanon. i think that is why these governments are so stark in their warnings, their fear of

escalation. >> james langdale. another story we are following from the region today. a u.s.-based aid group has said four people were killed in an airstrike on a humanitarian aid convoy in gaza on thursday. it was carrying medical supplies and fuel to a hospital in rafah. men in the lead vehicle of thean convoy. the israeli military says the strike happened after what it described as a number of armed assailants seized control of the vehicle. meanwhile, as the united nations prepares to start a polio vaccination campaign in gaza, it says it is relying on pauses in the fighting agreed by israel and hamas to hold. the u.n.'s health agency, the world health organization, says it will need to vaccinate at least 90% of children in order for the campaign to be a success. the aim is to reach 640,000 children. last week, a 10-month-old baby

from central gaza was confirmed to have polio. the first recorded case in the territory in 25 years. the virus often spreads through sewage and contaminated water. and aid agencies have been warning for some time now of the possible outbreak in gaza as the war continues. let's speak now to the unrah spokesperson joining me live from gaza. thank you for joining us today, for taking the time ahead of this vaccination campaign. i read earlier a w.h.o. official has been quoted as saying this campaign is feasible with all the pieces of the puzzle are in place. today, are those pieces remaining to fit into the puzzle? >> that is a really good way of describing it. there are so many challenges that we face ahead us for this vaccination campaign.

over 640,000 children. the first round is starting on sunday. we are initiating this campaign in the middle area of the gaza strip, followed by days in the southern areas, and finally the north of the gaza strip. the entire campaign, it really hinges on a critical aspect and that aspect is the humanitarian pauses. it is not going to be possible for you minute terry and workers to vaccinate desk humanitarian workers -- for humanitarian workers to vaccinate children like that. that will not be possible. we really need humanitarian pauses so that our colleagues can do their work and do their jobs. we have thousands of health care workers ready to vaccinate these children, but we need these pauses desperately to be able to do that. so, we are very helpful that they will start on sunday and we will be able to rollout this vaccination campaign. >> before this humanitarian

crisis that is unfolding, continuing to unfold in gaza, vaccination rates were good, were today? -- weren't they? >> before the war, the vaccination rates were 99%. incredibly high. they have dropped significantly because multiple reasons. because of this war, we've had a lot of damage and destruction to health facilities. people have been displaced endlessly, really endlessly. it is rare to meet someone now who has not been displaced from their home. it is around 90% of the population who have been displaced, not just once, multiple times. people are constantly fleeing for their lives. people really don't have any of their belongings left, they've had to flee so many times. all of this results in a very difficult condition to be able to have routine health care, to have any health care. health care workers are doing everything they can. a lot of the hospitals are

damaged and destroyed. it'just an incredibly challenging 10 months to provide any humanitarian response. that includes the health care and this is why we are in the situation we are in. >> i just want to finally ask you, obviously, the aid agencies have been talking for quite some time about the risk of a polio outbreak. if everything can go to plan this weekend, if you can reach at least 90% of the children in gaza, can you get a grip on this? >> that is what we will hope for. we will do our best. there is a second round to come, as i said. it will be some weeks until we know. this is very severe risk. polio has no cure. we can only prevent children from getting this and the way to do that is this vaccination campaign.

it is critical that this starts immediately and critical that it is successful. >> thank you very much. going to take a look now at these live pictures coming to us from pennsylvania, key battleground state in the race for the white house. the next couple of hours, donald trump will be addressing a rally there. people gathering t for the event amid tight security. overnight, kamala harris made her first major televised interview since becoming the democratic party's nominee. speaking to cnn, she was asked why so of her positions appeared to have altered since her failed attempt to run for the white house in 2019. here's how she responded. >> generally speaking, how should voters look at some of the changes you've made, that you explained here in your policy? is it because you have more experience now and you've learned more about the information?

is it because you are running for president in a democratic primary? and should they feel comfortable and confident that what you are saying now is going to be your policy moving forward? >> dana, i think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed. you mentioned the green new deal . i have always believed, and i have worked on it, that the climate crisis is real. that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time. we did that with the inflation reduction act. we have set goals for the united stat of america, and by extension, the globe around when we should meet certain standards for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. >> with me now are lisa james, the republican party advisor and try to just, and democratic strategist lindy lee. warm welcome to you.

donald trump has been calling kamala harris the greatest flip-flopper. lisa, is that what you saw? or is it simply an evolution in her thinking? >> oh, she's definitely working for those swing state votes where she's had policies in the past that will definitely make them think twice about, although they want to stick with the biden agenda. >> yeah, it is interesting for her because she is being held up against two track records here. her own as vice president, although vice presidents don't have as much say in making policy, and course, president biden's. >> if you want to talk about flip-flopper, let's talk about what trump is doing in florida. he refuses where he will come down on the abortion amendment. he is waffling whether a six-week abortion ban is the right thing to do. he's doing this because he wants to have it both ways. he wants to retain support from his evangelical base while also

tricking americans into believing his agenda is not that extreme. we will never forget he's the reason why we no longer have federal reproductive rights. he's the reason why there are three right wing extremists on the supreme court. he's the reason why roe v. wade was overturned. >> let's look at how that harris-walz combo in the interview worked. prior to this, kamala harris was criticized for not having doug a sit-down interview and criticized for having doing it alongside her pick for v.p. we saw donald trump and jd vance to a sit-down interview together as well. lisa, what did you make of the body language, the combination of the two of them? >> it was an odd setup. i think it position her in a way that she kind of looked like the lesser of the two in the interview being placed in

between and doing the back-and-forth. i'm not sure that was the best set up for her. i think the fact that she let him take most of the hardball questions was interesting as well. she would be better off to do a sit-down interview on her own and then brought him along after she had done her own interview. >> lindy, yr thoughts on that question? >> i think trump and republicans have no room to say that it is somehow incompetent for her to do interviews with her running mate. you know who else did an interview with his running mate? donald trump. given his marked cognitive decline over the past decade, given his own words salads on the campaign trail, given his seven instances in which he confused nancy pelosi and nikki haley, and where he confused obama with biden, and where he said americans dominated the airports during the revolutionary war -- if i were him, i would not go down this path. >> let's look ahead because the next big event we are really

talking about is the presidential debate on september 10 in pennsylvania. lisa, what do you think the republican party, who are helping donald trump to prepare for this, the team around him, will take away from kamala harris' performance and say this is what you got to work with? >> it's interesting every time we sit down and have a discussion about the harris-walz campaign, we end up talking about donald trump. no one wants to talk about her record, which i understand, because it has a lot of questions to be answered and they don't want to talk about policy, they want to talk about personality. if my consulting with the trump campaign, i am asking them to cus on policy, remind people how the economy was when donald trump came into office pre-covid. remind the covid response. and then, move forward to how things are now. people are paying more at the

gas take, paying more in grocery stores, fast food restaurants. rent, housing crisis. the economy is struggling and everyday americans are struggling. really, that is what people care about, can they put food on their plates, gas in their car, get to work? >> we will see if those policy questions come in that presidential debate. i am sure they will. announcer: funding for presentation of this program isrovided by... financial services firm, raymond james. announcer: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ announcer: "usa today" calls it, "arguably the best bargain in streaming."

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