this is bbc news. the headlines. ukraine declares a state of emergency and calls up reservists tojoin the regular army — in response to what it calls increased russian aggression; and it gives this warning at the un. we meet in the face of the most global security crisis in recent years and certainly in my time as secretary—general. our world is facing peril and we hope it will not come. president putin tells his armed forces — the security of russia is non—negotiable — but claimed he is still open to diplomacy. the government here faces more criticism —

for not going far enough with its financial sanctoins against russian billionaires and banks. it is vital that after this first barrage we work in lockstep with friends and allies around the world and we squeeze him simultaneously. the prime minister promised that in the event _ the prime minister promised that in the event of an invasion, he would've _ the event of an invasion, he would've issued sanctions. if not now, _ would've issued sanctions. if not now. then — would've issued sanctions. if not now, then when? in other news severe flood warnings remain in place across england, following high rainfall from storm franklin. the grieving mums fighting for the truth about why their babies died in one of biggest maternity care scandals in nhs history. flood warnings remain in place due to storm franklin.

the ukrainian government has announced plans to impose a state of emergency to last 30 days, and it's citizens living in russia, are being urged to leave immediately. the rhetoric from moscow is defiant, with president putin saying the security of russia and its citizens is �*non—negotiable'. and in the uk, borisjohnson is warning moscow, there would be "even more" sanctions, if it's military operations along the border with ukraine, escalate across the frontier. it was a dramatic turn of events. when president putin said he'd recognise two areas in eastern ukraine, as independent, the so—called people's republics of donetsk and luhansk. he also said he'd send in troops as �*peace keepers�*. america warns that would be an �*invasion�*. the separatist enclaves have been controlled by russian—backed fighters, at war with ukraine, since 2014, and our international correspondent, orla guerin, has sent us this report from the front line,

in eastern ukraine. more of moscow's military hard wear on view today. in the rostov region, close to the border with eastern ukraine. no movement here, but the no movement here, but the fear is that russia is just biding its time, before launching an invasion. and in ukraine, on the front lines, they are combat ready. they have been fighting kremlin backed separatists for eight years. years. this soldier says things are heating up. in this region there are a lot of sniper, a lot of enemy using a lots of the types of grenade launchers, they have heavy weapons, they can use it 2a hours seven, so, now we are trying to like, like in the shadows, so, if we have trenches we move over them, because enemy also

like to use in drones. this destroyed hangar provides some cover from pro moscow rebels. troops here call it the skeleton. we have been asked not to speak too loudly because russian separatist fighters are very nearby. near enough to hear us, since we have been here there has been shelling and this front line has been more active in recent days, there is a real sense now that this conflict is building. so it was just two days ago, it is only two hits from them, in the whole of firing to us, it was like a 12 hits in this region. ivan, who is 30, knows that death could come raining down at any moment. i also think about it, it is very scary for me. as i, as a simple guy, i also afraid

to be hurt or die here, and that is why i am standing here in the armour, and try to do myjob as possible, to stay alive. that is a daily battle. they scan for enemy sniper, who will also be scanning for them. if russian troops invade ukraine, there could be many young men lost. on both sides. and for the very young here, lessons in survival. this is school number one, in in the town. a practise run taking children down to the bomb shetland e packing a practise run taking children down to the bomb shelter packing them to the rafters. normally it happens twice a year,

today an extra drill as this nation faces a moment of grave danger. the ukrainian parliament has approved a declaration of the state of emergency in the entire ukraine except for two eastern regions where it has been place since 2014. the president pulls the state of emergency on wednesday as a country basis itself on a large military offensive from russia. today, russia was celebrating the day of the fatherland, in recognition of the country's armed forces. as president putin readies his troops for a possible advance into ukraine, he maintains he's always open for direct and honest dialogue with the west. however, france and america are now refusing to hold talks with russia's foreign minister. russia has also lowered its flag at its embassy in ukraine, and begun to evacuate staff. 0ur correspondent, caroline davies, has the latest on moscow's military build up, in rostov on don, near the border with donetsk.

young voices, singing old melodies. a song from the second world war on a public holiday in honour of the armed forces. in rostov—on—don, close to the border with ukraine, there are different views on what's happening less than 100 kilometres away. "of course it is scary," tatiana tells me, "but what can can we do?" "we can do nothing." alexander served in the russian fleet. "ukraine will stop shelling," he says, "and if they will not, as they said on tv, we will send in troops." as russia celebrates its military, the rest of the world is keeping a very close eye on what that military is doing. and its commander—in—chief president putin is keeping them guessing.

there was wreath—laying in moscow. putin is keeping them guessing. president putin inspected the troops. he hasn't confirmed if he's already ordered any into ukraine. |translation: first, | didn't say| that the troops would go straight there after our meeting here. second, it is generally not possible to protect possible actions, it depends on the specific situations that develop on the ground. back at the border, the evacuation buses continue coming from the rebel held areas. filling out paperwork, recent arrivals were feeling emotional about president putin's decision to recognise the areas they live in as independent. emotional about president putin's decision to recognise the areas they live in as independent. 74—year—old luba tells me she has been waiting since the first day of the war for this decision. "how long can you hide in your basement from shelling?" she says. translation: we hope that things will settle down, - and there is no more war. do you want to be part of russia? translation: of course, we would . like it, because we love russia. i 0utside, others wait in their cars.

there is some concern about what this decision could mean. translation: we respect other - countries, and also respect ukraine, because we used to live and study there, visit different cities and have a lot of relatives from ukraine, so we wouldn't like the situation to develop into conflict. the russian president has promised that this is a step towards peace. around the world, there are serious concerns that he has something else in mind. caroline davies, bbc news, in the rostov region of southern russia. tonight, the white house has announced sanctions on the makers of the nord stream 2 pipeline that connects russia and germany. the us decision comes after german chancellor 0laf scholz announced the pipeline would stay closed in response to russia's moves against ukraine. the uk has imposed sanctions on five russian banks and three wealthy russian businessmen.

last night, president biden announced sanctions on two major banks and has cut off part of the russian economy from international financial systems. a reminder again that germany shelved the nord stream two pipeline, which would have doubled the flow of russian gas to the region. the eu is cutting off russia's access to their banks and financial markets — as well as banning trade from the two rebel—held regions. here, the prime minister has been defending the scale of british sanctions —— after labour and some conservative mps said they didn't go far enough. 0ur political correspondent damian grammaticus has more. in london as in all western capitals, from downing street to the ministry of defence, strategies to counter russia's moves are being shaped. the defence secretary caught on camera unguarded wondering is vladimir putin unhinged? question for western power,

how far to go in response? nato intervention in ukraine is certainly not going to happen. borisjohnson is sending more weapons. the uk will shortly be providing a further package of military support, to ukraine. this will include lethal aid in the form of defensive weapons and non—lethal aid. but on sanctions has the uk pulled its punches? we all want to deter aggression in europe, we are not dealing with break away republic, putin is not a peace keeper, a sovereign nation has been invaded. the prime minister promised that in the event of an invasion, he would unleash a full package of sanction, if not now, then when? there is more to come,

and we will be, we will be stopping russia, we will be stopping russia from raising sovereign debt, stopping russian companies from raising money and stopping russian companies, as i said yesterday, even clearing in sterling and dollars on international markets. those policies are still being shaped, senior bankers arriving for discussions with the government this afternoon, meanwhile the eu is extending its sanctions to more individuals. headlines here. tensions are mounting... in the government has asked the uk's broadcast watchdog to review russia today the channel described as vladimir putin's personal propaganda tool to stop it spreading disinformation. and when it comes to the billions of pounds from russia that pass through the city of london, here the government is accused of foot dragging. we shouldn't be - waiting for russia to

attack others to clean up the - corruption and russian money which has been fuelling in the uk. under the tories, - a sewer of dirty russian money has been allowed to run through london for years. - we are going much further, to uncloak the true owners of russian companies and russian properties are, in this country, and high time. those changes won't happen fast so the government is under pressure to do more now and widen its sanctions net, criticised for not going as far as the us and the eu. describing the situation as the most serious global peace and security crisis in recent years. 0ur north america correspondent, nada tawfik, described the mood at this afternoon's un general assembly in new york.

very much one of concern. we have ukrainian foreign minister here are essentially coming to mobilise countries around the ukraine. he came with a message saying that the world needed to act swiftly and decisively to prevent president putin from moving forward into the ukraine from invading the ukraine and he warned that this is a collective threat that no country would be able to sit out this crisis because it would have painful global consequences. we have heard similar warnings from the secretary—general who said this was a moment of peril and there is time now to have a cease—fire return to discussions and negotiations to prevent the scourge of war from the area. we had negotiations to prevent the scourge of warfrom the area. we had a response in the general assembly hall the russian ambassador to the

un and she reiterated russia's claims that there is a genocide going on in the rebel held areas that vladimir putin has recently recognised his independent in the region and he repeated claims that russia was there to protect the people. in ukraine's foreign minister said to work diplomatically, he and the west have named moscow for the flare—up in the region there and it's worth pointing out that the secretary—general was also asked about this and he really hit back at the idea that this is a genocide in the area and he also said that it was making a mockery saying that russian forces were being placed there to maintain the peace. and doesn't allow and doesn't allow

joining me now is rose gottemoeller, former nato deputy general secretary. what do aim is now? president putin with the foreian aim is now? president putin with the foreign minister _ aim is now? president putin with the foreign minister and _ aim is now? president putin with the foreign minister and being _ aim is now? president putin with the foreign minister and being very - foreign minister and being very forward leaning on display diplomacy and the evidence that could be accomplished. he said simply good edits on the lake we are in a diplomatic path. the markets that are one responded very positively to it and we are quite in a different place. so, to be honest with you it's not up to the russians to send a signal whether or not they're interested in diplomacy or not. i'm glad the secretary of state cancelled his meeting because he is

quite right to say how can we tell you, it's his look of progress from where we are. has you, it's his look of progress from where we are.— you, it's his look of progress from where we are. has nato and worse mishandled _ where we are. has nato and worse mishandled this _ where we are. has nato and worse mishandled this and _ where we are. has nato and worse mishandled this and not _ where we are. has nato and worse mishandled this and not seen - where we are. has nato and worse mishandled this and not seen this| mishandled this and not seen this coming? mishandled this and not seen this cominu ? ., ., �* ~' mishandled this and not seen this cominu ? ., ., �* ~ mishandled this and not seen this comina? ., ., �* ~ ., coming? no, i don't think so. having been at nate. _ coming? no, i don't think so. having been at nate. i _ coming? no, i don't think so. having been at nato, i left _ coming? no, i don't think so. having been at nato, i left in _ coming? no, i don't think so. having been at nato, i left in 2019 _ coming? no, i don't think so. having been at nato, i left in 2019 but for. been at nato, i left in 2019 but for three years i was there. when it will still continuing to respond to the seizure of crimea and defence measures. so, actually believe two things. vladimir putin's actions have driven nato into closer cooperation and to more of a unified purpose and have seen real steps to defend nato countries. and they're prepared in this case. [30 defend nato countries. and they're prepared in this case.— prepared in this case. do you

believe, this _ prepared in this case. do you believe, this is _ prepared in this case. do you believe, this is very - prepared in this case. do you believe, this is very unlikelyl prepared in this case. do you | believe, this is very unlikely in terms of where we are right now, but if nato were to take ukrainian membership of the table, do you think that would deter vladimir putin? do you think from what he is doing, there is a wider plan that he was going to go through with regardless now? i was going to go through with regardless now?— was going to go through with regardless now? was going to go through with re . ardless now? ~ ., ., regardless now? i think we have to look at the — regardless now? i think we have to look at the west _ regardless now? i think we have to look at the west responded - regardless now? i think we have to look at the west responded with i look at the west responded with how security concerns are the russian side. but so to their neighbours and russia's surrogates went around and and and and reach sway at the moment. i think we need to sit down and talk about what we can do to assure each other, but i would not respond to his demands by taking ukrainian membership in nato off the table. you know it had to see you respond to a bully in the schoolyard by giving into him, his behaviour only gets worse. that is my view of this matter. we have to look for ways to respond to their legitimate concerns and they need to reciprocate, but let's not essentially give vladimir putin everything he wants. if

essentially give vladimir putin everything he wants.— essentially give vladimir putin everything he wants. if russia does no for a everything he wants. if russia does go for a full — everything he wants. if russia does go for a full invasion _ everything he wants. if russia does go for a full invasion of— everything he wants. if russia does go for a full invasion of the - go for a full invasion of the ukraine, do you believe that the crew moved to reposition to resist, even without the support that it has? .�*. even without the support that it has? .,�*,. even without the support that it has? ., �*, ., .,, , has? that's on the most interesting fact is but this _ has? that's on the most interesting fact is but this current _ has? that's on the most interesting fact is but this current crisis. - fact is but this current crisis. don't think there's a full realisation about how far the ukraine has come since 2014 and its ability to defend itself. the ukrainian armed forces, they have had to fight a civil war in the past eight years, so that has honed their fighting capabilities but they have been training and building their over all, not only national capabilities but also receiving a lot of defensive military equipment and assistance from nato partners. so, i do believe they are in a much better place to have to fight. now, of course the russian army is overwhelming in size but i do think

that they have a hope of defending the ukraine to a great extent that will extract. the ukraine to a great extent that will extract-— will extract. very fearful of the otential will extract. very fearful of the potential loss _ will extract. very fearful of the potential loss of life. - will extract. very fearful of the potential loss of life. how - potential loss of life. how catastrophic on the front could this be in your view and how far whether president bruton has further expressionist ideas, could other countries be under threat? i think that vladimir— countries be under threat? i think that vladimir putin _ countries be under threat? i think that vladimir putin seems - countries be under threat? i think that vladimir putin seems to - countries be under threat? i think| that vladimir putin seems to have countries be under threat? i think. that vladimir putin seems to have in mind, consolidating territory that was part of the former soviet union. so, belarus, the ukraine and russia being together somehow in some kind of consolidated grouping does not speak to the central asian countries seem to be rather cooperative with moscow, citizen of much energy in that direction. but i will say, i do not see vladimir putin attempting to

challenge members of nato and that includes, we never recognise them as former republics of the soviet union, the baltic states are never of the soviet union but they are not clearly members of nato and i don't see any appetite for going over the states we must remain alert to whatever comes our way. former nato secreta . whatever comes our way. former nato secretary- thank— whatever comes our way. former nato secretary. thank you _ whatever comes our way. former nato secretary. thank you very _ whatever comes our way. former nato secretary. thank you very much - secretary. thank you very much indeed forjoining us today. will be answering your questions at 1030. and we're going to bejoined by correspondence. you can get in touch on twitter using the hashtag. 0r e—mail us. iam

on twitter using the hashtag. 0r e—mail us. i am also going to be joined tonight for a look at the papers. still moving and we will see with the front pages make of it in a couple of hours' time. that is a beautiful round up of all the sports. athletes at the commonwealth games in birmingham later this year, manchester united or at the area to face atletico madrid. it is not going to well for them. an early goalfor going to well for them. an early goal for madrid going to well for them. an early goalfor madrid there, going to well for them. an early goal for madrid there, and going to well for them. an early goalfor madrid there, and benfica are up against ajax the top scorers their head there. there are three matches and tottenham can go for if they can be permanently. but school

lists. the other relegation zone but not going to of them, and they have leveled for watford afterjohn got the palace in front there. and that matches approaching half—time at the moment. scoring two for liverpool and their 3—0 moment. scoring two for liverpool and their3—0 up moment. scoring two for liverpool and their 3—0 up against leads. scoring two penalties another side of the goal of the. liverpool going well and that matched their against leads. 3—0 up as they chased the top spot. and in the women's international. trying to win the club cup against germany and wolverhampton as part of their euros. it is 1—1 at half—time. putting england ahead but it is an absolute cracker to equalise for germany. earlier, scoring the victory for spain is they etched 0lympic champions canada. athletes at the commonwealth games

in birmingham later this year, will be able to use the podium to support socialjustice causes. guidelines issues by the commonwealth games federation will allow athletes to protest in favour of racial equality, wave pride flags for lgbtq+ rights and wear clothing, badges or symbols. such behaviour is banned at the olympics. depending on what the issue is, that is ok. the games to provide an opportunity to express themselves, as long as they do it with the code of conduct. it's not about athletes disrupting competition or being disrespectful, but it is providing an opportunity to make a stance on something and on the podium. next to tennis and novak djokovic is through to the quarter finals of his first tournament since the controversy at the australian open. for the second match

in a row the world number one was cheered on to the court at the dubai tennis championships. the serbian beat russia's karen khachanov in straight sets, although he needed a tie break to clinch the match in just over an hour an a half. earlier in dubai andy murray was beaten by the world number 10 jannik sinner. it's another second round exit for murray who's gone out at this stage at his past four tournaments. sinner claimed the decisive break in a tight first set but was much more dominant in the second, winning four of the final five games to seal a 7—5, 6—2 win. the world number 3 alexander zverev�*s apologised — after being thrown out of the mexican open for attacking the umpire's chair at the end of a doubles match. last night which went to a deciding tie—break — in which zverev argued with the umpire over a line call here. once, he and his partner were beaten zverev let his frustrations out on the umpire's chair and the atp says zverev, who was the defending singles champion, has now been withdrawn from the tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct.

the six nations is back this weekend, and ireland will be without iain henderson due to coronovirus. the ulster captain has returned home to isolate after testing positive as the squad assembled on monday. henderson missed ireland's opening six nations win over wales through injury before returning from the bench in the defeat to france. captainjohnny sexton has recovered from injury. and wales have left wing louis rees—zammit out of their squad to face england at twickenham. the 21—year—old damaged his ankle in the warm—up against ireland, but still played in the defeat in dublin. he's been released to play for gloucester against leicester on saturday. that's all the sport for now. we'll have more for you on the bbc news channel later on. new allegations of avoidable deaths and injuries of mothers and babies have been uncovered at the health trust at the centre of the largest inquiry into maternity care in the history of the nhs. tonight's bbc panorama programme reveals that at least seven families have come forward claiming they were failed by the shrewsbury

and telford nhs trust. a major independent investigation into the trust's maternity services is due to report next month — but these latest allegations are too recent to be included. 0ur social affairs correspondent michael buchanan has the story. 0n the day charley hadley went into labour, she heard a news report about poor maternity care at the very hospital she was sitting in. it was on the radio and me and my husband, we both said, "well, i'll be at the best care. "they're not going to let any more accidents happen. but i was very wrong. after a forceful forceps delivery, charley was mother to a bruised but healthy boy. but the doctor failed to check if she'd been injured. i felt extremely faint, but the midwives didn't seem that concerned about that. discharged home, charley's health deteriorated, forcing her to go to a&e where a doctor told her she'd been left with an eight centimetre tear in her vagina.

he then told me that i would have to have a stoma fitted, possibly because trying to stitch the tear now would be like trying to stitch to jelly. the shropshire trust apologized to charley, but panorama's learned of at least six other allegations of poor care in 2020 and 2021, including neonatal deaths, babies born with brain injuries and other incidents of maternal harm. this law firm is almost 100 open clinical negligence cases against the trust. i think the problems are so numerous and deep rooted because they've been there for so long that it's not going to be a quick fix. these recent cases are an addition to the nearly 1900 families whose maternity care is already the subject of an independent investigation. the full extent of the feelings will be revealed next month. there was a progressively worsening culture of institutionalized _ bullying and blame culture within the trust. _ bernie benteck retired in 2020

after almost 30 years of the trust. the gynecologist says a poor culture and a lack of staff contributed to the problems. if the resources had been made available to employ adequate . numbers, then the situation may have been profoundly different. _ the shrewsbury and telford trust told us it has made significant investment in staffing and training. it also apologized for all the distress and hurt it had caused. for charley and herfamily, however, their contrition feels hollow. i feel disgusting constantly with what has happened to me. you know, no normal 26—year—old woman should have to go through what i've had to go through. i push people away. if it wasn't for harry, i think i would be like, yeah, i would have lost the plot by now. michael buchanan,

bbc news shropshire. you can watch the full panorama investigation �*maternity scandal: fighting for the truth' tonight at nine, on bbc one. pupils who fail their maths and english gcse could be refused loans for university tuition fees in england. the plans are part of the government's response to a review of education for the over 18s which will be published in full tomorrow. universities in england have warned the government not to turn back the clock by seeking to limit the number of young people studying for a degree. is the first slice of a very big plan but it is for all of her 18. whether they go on to do higher technical qualifications or whether they study at university. there is a clear push from ministers to try and divert some of the students into

thinking about their options more widely. so, they want to make sure that they are consulting fully on a proposal which no one who doesn't have either two ease at a level or g csc and maths at english and maths won't be able to get access to student loans. now, they say that this should prevent people from going to university who will not do well but will going to get a decent job, he also suggests that some courses may not be offering good value for money for students in terms of where they go afterwards and they do not lead them on to employment and because they do not pay off their loans in full, we as taxpayers end up picking up the bill. so, more on this we are expecting tomorrow. here is the weather. expect to feel cold across the uk over the next 24

hours. the cold air is coming behind the cold front. the rain will work southeast across england and wales overnight lots of winter showers piling in across scotland and northern ireland. thunder and lightning at times. temperatures will drop across the northern half of the uk keeping the risk of ice. the weather front is clearing tomorrow morning and some and showers when terry especially over high ground and low levels at a time. we could see up to 20 cm of snow and with lightning as well in the showers. it will be able to be 9“- the showers. it will be able to be gay. blizzard conditions at times. feeling cold out there to say the least. 539 degrees with the wind. it will feel cold. the week is dry i may stay on friday. cloudy on saturday and rain for some of us on sunday. hello this is bbc news.

the headlines: as you claim a state of emergency and called up its service in response to what it calls increased aggression aggression a warning from the head of the un.— the head of the un. we meet in the face of the most _ the head of the un. we meet in the face of the most serious _ the head of the un. we meet in the face of the most serious security . face of the most serious security crisis in recent years and certainly in my time as secretary—general. i will relish facing a moment of perio. i truly hoped it would not come. . perio. i truly hoped it would not come. , , , come. president putin says he is still 0 en come. president putin says he is still open to _ come. president putin says he is still open to diplomacy - come. president putin says he is still open to diplomacy but - come. president putin says he is still open to diplomacy but the l still open to diplomacy but the security and interests of russia are non—negotiable. tonight the us toughens up sanctions on russia's gas pipeline while the eu finalises its sanctions package. the government is facing criticism for not going far enough. it is absolutely _ not going far enough. it is absolutely vital _ not going far enough. it is absolutely vital that - not going far enough. it 3 absolutely vital that after this first barrage we work with friends

and allies around the world. and we squeeze him simultaneously. the prime minister promised that in the event _ prime minister promised that in the event of— prime minister promised that in the event of an— prime minister promised that in the event of an invasion he would unteash— event of an invasion he would unleash a _ event of an invasion he would unleash a full package of sanctions. if unleash a full package of sanctions. if not— unleash a full package of sanctions. if not now. — unleash a full package of sanctions. if not now, when?— if not now, when? today's other news, if not now, when? today's other news. the _ if not now, when? today's other news, the grieving mothers - if not now, when? today's other . news, the grieving mothers fighting for the truth why their babies died in one of the biggest maternity care scandals in ancient history. dozens of flood warnings remain in place across england following store in franklin. let's return to our top story and the tensions in ukraine. earlier today the country's foreign minister spoke at the united nations general assembly, calling for swift, concrete and resolute actions. we are currently in the middle of the largest security crisis in europe since the second world war. this crisis was created

and is being escalated by one side inactivity. by the russian federation. question's accusations of ukraine are absurd. ukraine has never threatened or attacked anyone. ukraine has never planned and does not plan any such action. ukraine has never planned and does not plan any military offensive in the dumbbells. neitherany any military offensive in the dumbbells. neither any publications or acts of sabotage. it is ultimately absurd to suggest that ukraine could have prepared for anything like this and waited for months until russia amassed an enormous military force along our borders to proceed with such a large plan. this absurdity defines basic logic. not less absurd accusations of ukraine escalating by acquiring defensive weapons from its partners.

i want to stress the only reason for ukraine to boost its defences is russia's ongoing and planned military and political actions. russian's actions and statements are outrageous. horrific and go far beyond that ukraine. in fact, in his address to speak russian president vladimir putin denied ukraine's right to exist. anyone who might think i exaggerate as the ukrainian foreign minister should just watched his horrifying speech. it is with a heavy heart that we all need to admit their grim reality of the new rule rising over europe. this is the first time i did general assembly

debate the situation and the temporarily occupied territories of ukraine. however, this is the first time we to be a situation in the new reality, created by the legal recognition of two territories of ukraine by russia. 0n the backdrop of our discussion today is much more dangerous as russia attacked the very fundamental principles of international peace and security. in the last half an hour, has three head saying they are wearing reports from crimea on the chemical plant which has been evacuated from the facility and may be preparation for a stage publication by russia and he says they intend to falsify pretexts of further aggression. says they intend to falsify pretexts of furtheraggression. here says they intend to falsify pretexts of further aggression. here is a bit more context for what's going on. with me now is dr 0lga 0nuch associate professor in politics at the university of

manchester and is an expert in ukrainian politics. 0bviously things are ratcheting up in terms of tension at the moment. what is your sense of the response in ukraine, how worried are people there? i in ukraine, how worried are people there? ~ ., ., , in ukraine, how worried are people there? ~' ., ., , ~' ., ., , there? i think ordinary ukrainians are increasingly _ there? i think ordinary ukrainians are increasingly worried, - there? i think ordinary ukrainians are increasingly worried, they - there? i think ordinary ukrainians l are increasingly worried, they have been under extreme psychological stress over the past weeks and months and i think the rest of the world really does not understand that being consistently told that this is happening and slowly seeing it unfold in front of your eyes is extremely consenting to ordinary people. they are doing what they can, they are preparing in ways that are available to them by training in first aid practice in their places of work, organising first aid training using youtube videos to do it in some cases and some do anything whether or not to send

their children to with stickers that melt their blood type and of course a lot of western observers are looking at the ukrainian population that seems to be so calm and not panicking. this does not mean that they are not experiencing extreme fear and anguish. they don't have the same means that we fear in the last to go and use their credit cards and buy out the grocery store and stock up, this is not a possibility for most middle—class ukrainians so what may seem as a stoicism and calm in the an extremely difficult situation for ordinary ukrainians. haifa extremely difficult situation for ordinary ukrainians.— extremely difficult situation for ordina ukrainians. ., . , , ordinary ukrainians. how many people are leavin: ordinary ukrainians. how many people are leaving and _ ordinary ukrainians. how many people are leaving and do _ ordinary ukrainians. how many people are leaving and do you _ ordinary ukrainians. how many people are leaving and do you think _ ordinary ukrainians. how many people are leaving and do you think my - are leaving and do you think my people will try to be 50 escalated? i don't think we have any concrete numbers of how many people are attempting to leave and can this boils down to what ijust noted. 0rdinary ukrainians might not have the means and capacity financially to leave and said to me if and fewer

flights are going to places like ef and also moreover there are people that are older and family members if their parents are immobile it may be difficult to put them in a car let alone to get them to a place of safety. we should expect in the circumstances that there is a fluorination of the entire territory of ukraine and that they will be a massive outflow of refugees to the eu and neighbouring countries and they think we must to be that that is not the case because that does mean that the rest would come to be. i their obvious destinations, the neighbouring nations, are there some key destinations that people would have to or are heading to? i key destinations that people would have to or are heading to?- have to or are heading to? i think --eole have to or are heading to? i think peeple that _ have to or are heading to? i think

people that would _ have to or are heading to? i think people that would be _ have to or are heading to? i think people that would be crossing - have to or are heading to? i think| people that would be crossing the line boy there would certainly be crossing into poland, romania, hungary has actually apparently given signals that they will not be accepting refugees, we will see how that pans out, clearly there is a moral imperative for the rest of the eu to also accept possible refugees sit the necessity come about and into the rest of europe be it germany or france or the united kingdom this will be a burden that the whole of europe and also north america, canada and the united states will certainly have to bear an egg and a think ukrainians hope they will not have to take that measure. , . they will not have to take that measure-— they will not have to take that measure. , ., , ,., ~ ., measure. they have spoken for the first time of— measure. they have spoken for the first time of the _ measure. they have spoken for the first time of the ukrainian - first time of the ukrainian situation i think saying that he must do everything we can to avoid war and must do everything we can to avoid warand hungary must do everything we can to avoid war and hungary must do everything to stay out of the military conflict because hungry�*s security is the most important interest so obviously nervousness in the region. what do

you think about the current sanctions imposed by the uk and the us? are they strong enough? they are saying that they are wanting to have the option to ease them up, is that the right strategy?— the option to ease them up, is that the right strategy? when it comes to sanctions, the right strategy? when it comes to sanctions. the _ the right strategy? when it comes to sanctions, the right _ the right strategy? when it comes to sanctions, the right strategy - the right strategy? when it comes to sanctions, the right strategy is - sanctions, the right strategy is only something we now in hindsight, whether it works or not and to what degree at work and that february in the world where we see sanctions put into place. what is clear today and that perhaps is not happening in 2014 in the same way at the uk, its nato allies, if european partners, north american allies and setting the g7 as well are united and i think that they are working in lockstep and is not an over exaggeration and continued to show their coordination and there seems to be a copy paste in replication of the sanctions across the board which is a good sign and that in fact they

are able to work together. the sanctions that we have heard over the past 24 hours perhaps biting's announcement an hour ago that was a bit stronger but these are not enough to prevent vladimir putin from further action. these are signalling that the list is united and capable of doing what they have been threatened able to and helping this to be enough to be enough of a deterrent to prevent vladimir putin from making the final order to go in. ii from making the final order to go in. ., , ., ., in. if he does go in, how much resistance _ in. if he does go in, how much resistance will _ in. if he does go in, how much resistance will they _ in. if he does go in, how much resistance will they be? - in. if he does go in, how much resistance will they be? whatl in. if he does go in, how much. resistance will they be? what is in. if he does go in, how much - resistance will they be? what is the relative military strength of both sides and how strong is the result of the ukrainians to resist? i do sides and how strong is the result of the ukrainians to resist?- of the ukrainians to resist? i do a lot of public _ of the ukrainians to resist? i do a lot of public opinion _ of the ukrainians to resist? i do a lot of public opinion polls - of the ukrainians to resist? i do a lot of public opinion polls and - lot of public opinion polls and research in ukraine and i think our data collected both of our colleagues and partners such as

those they think the ads show very clearly that a plurality if not growing majority of people are willing to take up arms. we are talking 50% of the population willing to pick up arms and we know this to be true because we also know that mothers, fathers, grandfathers, and also young 20—year—olds about them and use our training themselves on how to operate the machine guns. so the ukrainians are very much resolved to defend their state and another very interesting point from some of the research we have conducted is that ukrainian city identity regardless of where they live in the country and why region and regardless of the language they speak is extremely strong so we are indeed talking about their united civic group in this country and that is something i think that the ukrainian government is aware of.

from the work you have done and i know it's difficult is there a consensus amongst the population that in order to avoid war what did they think the government should offer up? would they welcome the government saying actually, we will give up nato membership at least for a while if it stops vladimir putin from coming in? i a while if it stops vladimir putin from coming in?— a while if it stops vladimir putin from coming in? i didn't know of any data that ask— from coming in? i didn't know of any data that ask that _ from coming in? i didn't know of any data that ask that exact _ from coming in? i didn't know of any data that ask that exact question. i l data that ask that exact question. i don't think anyone believes this is about nato whatsoever and i don't think most ukrainians believe this. they provide an amputee made it extremely clear in that muddled and awkward speech that we all heard and had to sit through that he is most concerned about ukraine not being a country in its own right and not having the right to exist and for this evening i don't think that a priority or majority of the ukrainian population would indeed see this as the right trade—off to make because they don't believe that

without that mantaux dream that vladimir putin would be acting any differently and who should take vladimir putin at his word. he told us although not very clearly but certainly clear enough for him —— for us to understand what his goals for us to understand what his goals for ukraine are.— for ukraine are. thank you for “oininu for ukraine are. thank you for joining us- — the foreign secretary has said the uk is ready to inflict the maximum amount of economic pain on russia , if vladimir putin continues to threaten ukraine. restrictions have been imposed on five banks and three billionaires, after mr putin ordered troops into those two regions in eastern ukraine, controlled by russian—backed separatists. but are these financial and business restrictions really going to deter the russian president? 0ur diplomatic correspondentjames landale has been finding out more. borisjohnson boris johnson told mps borisjohnson told mps the sanctions the uk is leveling against russia will hit vladimir putin where it hurts. but what are sanctions? they

are only a government can penalise him for an organisation or individual insight that government jurisdiction. it's about what restrictions a government can impose within its own borders. sanctions can come in many forms. they can involve freezing a foreigner�*s financial assets in the uk or banning them from coming to the uk. they can ban a foreign company from doing business in the uk or vice versa. a campaign uk companies doing business with another country. there are even exports sanctions such as banning people competing in events in a particular country. but crucially, sanctions are all applied within the law. it a legal framework to ensure they are not applied willy—nilly. so, why are sanctions imposed? what are they for? there are different systems in different countries. but they are imposed to punish bad behaviours such as human rights abuses or acts of terrorism or their imposed to try and persuade

another government to do something such as de—escalating conflicts, not developing nuclear weapons and so on. so, whatare developing nuclear weapons and so on. so, what are the types of sanctions that are being imposed on russia at the moment? the uk sanctions get the russian billionaires with close links to the kremlin. any assets they had in the uk will be frozen and they will be banned from coming here. they are a billionaire oil and commodity trainer who is close to president putin and then convince billionaire construction tycoon and for managing the partner of the russian president and his nephew, another billing —— billionaire russian businessmen. 0ther billionaire russian businessmen. other countries have targeted other russian individuals were also close to the kremlin. but mps and campaigners said but it's is too short and what more russian oligarchs as they are known to be targeted. oligarchs as they are known to be tar: eted. oligarchs as they are known to be tarueted. . ., , ., oligarchs as they are known to be tareted. . ., , ., , targeted. the sanctions have been mounted against _ targeted. the sanctions have been mounted against individuals - targeted. the sanctions have been mounted against individuals so - targeted. the sanctions have been mounted against individuals so far|

mounted against individuals so far are ready modest. they are three people and they are people who have already been sanctioned in other machines so the government has perhaps picked low hanging fruit thus far. we recognise there was a bit dramatic tie—break to be in this incredibly difficult and fragile situation at the moment. but also of other sanctions against individuals are to follow they need to come quickly so that those who fear they might be don't have time to move assets out of the country. the second set — assets out of the country. the second set of _ assets out of the country. the second set of sanctions the government imposed against five russian banks. the foreign office at of bankrolling the russian government activities in the ukraine. they are i as bank, general bank, and the black sea bank. their assets in the uk will be frozen immediately. the third set of sanctions that you can other countries have tended to impose are more than 300 russian politicians in they do or parliament the ability to

recognise the independence of the separatist controlled regions in eastern ukraine. and finally the uk and other countries intend to target whole slaves of the russian economy and initially they want to do this by making it harderfor and initially they want to do this by making it harder for russia to raise money and capital on the world money markets. 0ne sanction that would have an immediate impact is the decision by germany to suspend a controversial new gas pipeline that runs all the way to the baltic sea from russia to germany. that will make it harder for russia to set up gas to europe potentially causing significant damage russia's economy. some analysts ask if these measures when they are taken altogether will be deep enough to persuade president putin to change his mind and pull back from taking further military action in ukraine. the back from taking further military action in ukraine.— action in ukraine. the sanctions that have been _ action in ukraine. the sanctions that have been issued - action in ukraine. the sanctions that have been issued so - action in ukraine. the sanctions that have been issued so far- action in ukraine. the sanctions that have been issued so far it i action in ukraine. the sanctions i that have been issued so far it will not act as a deterrent, carried response to what vladimir putin has done so far and by doing that what has happened is the rest of us control of the agenda and we need to

be using sanctions aggressively in orderfor them to be be using sanctions aggressively in order for them to be a be using sanctions aggressively in orderfor them to be a deterrent be using sanctions aggressively in order for them to be a deterrent for future action. in order for them to be a deterrent for future action-— future action. in response to that the ukraine _ future action. in response to that the ukraine government - future action. in response to that the ukraine government says - future action. in response to that the ukraine government says thej the ukraine government says the sanctions are just a start. my individuals and more companies in the defence, energy, and chemical sectors and they will probably do that by banning companies in the west and exploiting stuff like microchips and other crucial technology and something that could really hate to russia like microchips and other crucial technology and something that could really hits russia's economic growth. but, ukraine wants the sanctions in. this morning ukraine's foreign minister treated the pressure needs to step up to stop vladimir putin. he is economy and his corners. more and hit hard and it now. president biden announced in the last hour or so that they are sanctioning knowledge stream, two companies it's about big gas

pipeline bringing gas from russia into europe of course and saying thatis into europe of course and saying that is going to be a big move. that's the next part of their sanctions which they have said they are obviously able to ramp up further. as we have been reporting, the whole of ukraine has officially come under a state of emergency now with greater powers given to the police and for measures to control transport. for many and b are preparing for the possibility of conflict as every europe correspondent has been finding out. with the freedom of his country in the balance, ukraine's most famous singer takes to the stage, an impromptu concert at the most perilous of times. svyatoslav vakarchuk tells us the world should now offer its support. the most important message is that ukraine is united, we are strong, we are optimistic, we are looking into the future with our wide open eyes and we shall overcome. there is no panic in the face of growing russian aggression. instead, a patriotic outpouring.

singing. these history students from kyiv university hope their armed forces will protect their future. i'm not afraid, i think they will save us from this. we will fight for our nation, our city, our country. at this military charity, they send extra equipment to soldiers on the front line, thermal cameras and kits for disarming landmines. they say the ukrainian public has donated the equivalent of £500,000 in the past 24 hours — more than the whole of last year. this man, a former drone pilot, explains he can't sleep because he fears a wider russian attack, but promises ukrainians would fight to the last soldier and the last civilian. it will not end well for russia, he says. viktoria was the first woman in ukraine to serve as a front line commander, before leaving active duty. the bullet went through?

but now 29, a mum with a toddler, she has been called up, along with thousands of other reservists. translation: if this _ is going to be a large-scale war with an attack on kyiv, my family will move away and i will stay here to do whatever the army needs me to do. in the heart of kyiv, they proudly display russian weaponry they say they captured during the last eight years of fighting in the east. these are the only russian tanks most ukrainians would tolerate on the streets of their capital. you are really struck by the defiance here but there is also undoubtedly growing unease, a fear that this long—running conflict with russia will soon move closer to home for millions more people. but for now, the theatres fill and the streets bustle, a city on alert but not alarmed. nick beake, bbc news, kyiv.

the bbc investigation found evidence of child grooming an acts that allow people to interact using virtual reality headsets. the nspcc charity says it's shocked and angry by the revelations, which have sparked concerns about children's safety in the so—called "metaverse". this report by angus crawford and a warning that it does contain some disturbing content of a sexual nature meetjess. she is 25, a bbcjournalist. but in virtual reality, she is pretending to be a child. enter vrchat, one of the most popular apps. the age limit is 13. some rooms look innocent enough. but there is pole dancing and strip clubs too. hello, miss. we can hang out, watch a movie or something... men chase a child, demanding she strip. oh, my god!

put your clothes back on, you're 14. there are rooms with condoms and sex toys. there are two people to the side of me now who are trying to get on top of each other. ok, so there's like a group of people that are like simulating sex. someone threatens to rape her. oh, my god! and thenjess's avatar is assaulted. he is shoving a beer bottle up all of the female characters, like in their private areas. what was that like? horrible. it was strange, i felt like it was happening to me. today, we are going to talk about the metaverse... mark zuckerberg thinks the metaverse is the future of the internet. even rebranding facebook as meta. spending billions of dollars on the quest headset which dominates the market. there are games and apps made by meta, and by other companies too. the so—called metaverse doesn't actually exist yet. that is just the name given to a series of games and virtual

reality experiences you get to using a headset like this one. choose what you want to look like, your avatar, and you can start exploring. the question is how safe is this world for children? it's just the most shocking breach of any responsibility. iam angry. because facebook promised us disney levels of safety. this isn't a theme park, this is a set of virtual worlds where children are at risk of grooming, of sexual abuse. vrchat says it's working hard to make itself a safe and welcoming place for everyone. predatory and toxic behaviour has no place on the platform. meta told us it wants everyone to have a good experience and said, we provide tools that allow quest players to report and block users. we will continue to make improvements as we learn more about how people interact in these spaces.

children and the metaverse, an exciting virtual adventure, but also a very real risk of harm. angus crawford, bbc news. it's been important that separatist theories have asked vladimir putin to help repel the question by the armed forces and units of ukraine. that is according to the prepping spokesperson reported on russia and back to picked up by bbc monitoring and by the news agencies. the leaders of two separatist regions in eastern ukraine asking them russian president for help in repaying aggression from the ukrainian army according to the kremlin spokesperson and of course there's been a lot of warning from the us in particular that they would be some

pretext given fraction us and also the ukrainian foreign minister treated in the last ever seen that moscow has no limits for further aggression. we will keep you up—to—date on bbc news that had a look at the weather now. hello. well, today was a very welcome and drier day across the southern half of the uk with sunshine and a few showers. but further north, things were turning more unsettled, thanks to this swirl of cloud on the satellite picture, it is sentient in showers and missionaries will be when terry especially over high—quality in england and wales with low levels of a sun of the hills in scotland we could see 20 cm of snow and some frequent training amongst these showers. it would be a windy day which could lead to blizzard

conditions and trends in scotland and feeling cold out there to save at least five to 9 degrees with the brings and it will feel cold. the end of the week looks try with a nice—looking day on friday and crowding the necklace... russian forces are moving into eastern ukraine and the united states wants a full—scale invasion of the country is imminent and the secretary—general of the united nations says the world is in a moment of parallel. we meet in the greatest crisis in recent years and certainly in my time as secretary—general. ukraine declares a state of emergency and calls up reservists to join the army as it braces for a possible invasion. president biden announces us sanctions on the company overseeing construction of the nord stream two gas pipeline, as western nations coordinate action against russia.

all the while, former president trump takes a moment to praise mr putin for moving troops