tonight at ten, here in ukraine, the nation enters a state of emergency, with all military reservists banned from leaving the country, in preparation for a russian attack. more russian military hardware heads for the border, as separatists in the east ask for help from the kremlin in repelling what they claim is ukrainian aggression. preparing for an invasion — safety drills for the ukrainian people, while its troops say they're ready to fight. i am also afraid to be hurted or die here. and that's why i stand here in the armour and try to do myjob as possible to stay alive.

here in washington, the white house said it anticipates and predict rush it will soon further invade ukraine. can the west's sanctions deter a russian assault? the un says the world has reached a grave "moment of peril." more from clyde in a moment. —— clive. and tonight's other stories on bbc news at ten... new allegations of avoidable deaths and injuries involving mothers and babies at have been uncovered at the shrewsbury and telford nhs trust. pupils in england who fail their maths and english gcse could be refused loans for university tuition fees. and, in the champion's league... manchester united have been doing battle with atletico madrid. and coming up in the sport on the bbc news channel, can england's lionesses clinch the arnold clark cup? they got off to a flyer against germany but was it enough to win the group?

good evening from the ukrainian capital, kyiv, wherejust a couple of minutes ago, a state of emergency came into force. it comes as the pentagon says it believes more russian troops are moving into eastern ukraine. the state of emergency here will initially last for 30 days, and means all reservists will be conscripted into the regular military, as separatists in the east ask for help from the kremlin in repelling what they claim is ukrainian aggression. underlining the severity of the moment, the united nations has been meeting in new york to discuss the crisis, with the secretary general, antonio guterres, warning that the world had reached a grave "moment of peril".

the rhetoric from moscow remains 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 its 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 "peacekeepers". america warns that would be an "invasion". the separatist enclaves have been controlled by russian—backed fighters since 2014 and our international correspondent, orla guerin, is in the donbas region of eastern ukraine for us tonight. tonight this vast country is in a state of emergency and many

ukrainians are in a state of anxiety. we have had that development that could be highly significant, could be the pretext, the starting gun for president putin to make his next move. separatist leaders of the so—called republics have asked for the kremlin�*s help to repel ukrainian forces. this is all highly choreographed and if and when russian troops arrive here from a few expect them to stop at the east. —— few people expect them. more of moscow's military hardware on view today in the rostov region, close to the board with eastern ukraine. 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 in avdiivka, they are combat ready. they have been fighting kremlin—backed separatists for eight years. lieutenant ivan says things are heating up. in this region, a lot of snipers.

a lot of enemy using a lot of types of grenade launchers. it's also really heavy weapon. they can use it 2a hour per seven. now we are trying... ..like to stay in the shadows so if we have trenches, we move on with them. because the enemy also like to use 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 the whole of firing into us. it was like 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's very scary for me. as a simple guy, i'm also afraid to be hurt or die here. and that's why i'm stand here in the armour and try to do myjob as possible to stay alive. that's a daily battle. they scan for enemy snipers, 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 nmber one in the town of druzhkivka, a practice 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. tonight, many ukrainians will sleep or try to not knowing they will wake up or try to not knowing they will wake up to in the morning and the coming days. some say they believe their army is now well trained and it can protect them and stand its ground. they say it's not like in 2014 when russia was able to easily annexed the crimean peninsula. 0thers russia was able to easily annexed the crimean peninsula. others are already thinking they should try to move away from front—line areas but if there is a russian invasion, several areas could be targeted at once so for those seeking safety, it

is unclear where they should run. all the failed diplomacy, all the warnings internationally, and still, for ukraine, it has come to this. thank you for that. 0rla guerin in the donbas area of eastern ukraine. russia celebrated the day of the fatherland today, 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, and moscow has lowered its flag at its embassy in ukraine, with staff being evacuated. 0ur correspondent caroline davies has this report from the southern russian town of rostov—on—don, near the border with donetsk. singing 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 is happening less than 100 kilometres away. "of course it is scary," tatiana tells me, "but what 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. president putin inspected the troops. he hasn't confirmed if he has already ordered any into ukraine,

translation: first, i didn't say the troos translation: first, i didn't say the tr00ps would — translation: first, i didn't say the tr00ps would go _ translation: first, i didn't say the troops would go straight _ translation: first, i didn't say the troops would go straight there - translation: first, i didn't say the troops would go straight there after| troops would go straight there after our meeting and second, it's generally not possible to predict possible action, it depends on the situations that develop on the ground. situations that develop on the round. �* ., ,., ground. but tonight the kremlin said that the two separatist _ ground. but tonight the kremlin said that the two separatist regions - ground. but tonight the kremlin said that the two separatist regions had l that the two separatist regions had asked president putin to come in their words, assist in repelling the aggression of the ukrainian army. 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. 74—year—old luba tells me that she had 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? of course, we would like it because we love russia.

outside, others wait in their cars. there is some concern about what this decision could mean. translation: we respect other i countries and also respect ukraine, because we used to live and study there, visited different cities, and have a lot of relatives from ukraine. so we wouldn't like the situation to develop into a 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. at prime minister's questions today, borisjohnson defended the sanctions imposed on russia by the uk, and told mps he's prepared to escalate them. he's also promised to send more military support here. however, the labour leader,

sir keir starmer, accused him of acting too slowly, and of sending the wrong message to president putin. our political correspondent, damian grammaticas, has that story. in london, as in all western capitals, from downing street to the ministry of defence, strategies to counter russia's moves are being shaped. it's going to be busy. the defence secretary, ben wallace, caught on camera unguarded, wondering, is vladimir putin unhinged? question for western powers — how far to go in response? are you going to toughen up sanctions, prime minister? nato intervention in ukraine is certainly not going to happen. borisjohnson though 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 breakaway republics. putin is not a peacekeeper. a sovereign nation has been invaded. the prime minister promised that, in the event of an invasion, he would unleash a full package of sanctions. if not now, then when? there is more to come, and 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. top headlines here on rt. tensions are mounting... 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 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. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. in a moment, we'll hear from our north america editor, sarah smith, in washington, but first to our europe editor, katya adler, in brussels. we expect an emotion eu leaders' summit tomorrow for top are expecting more sanctions? the? summit tomorrow for top are expecting more sanctions? they will definitely be — expecting more sanctions? they will definitely be discussing _ expecting more sanctions? they will definitely be discussing that - expecting more sanctions? they will definitely be discussing that and - expecting more sanctions? they will definitely be discussing that and i i definitely be discussing that and i think also you are seeing a symbolic show of unity here, because we talk about bickering eu member states, well, they are coming together to say they are united behind ukraine, united behind further waves of what they call crippling sanctions if russia continues its aggression, but they know they are more effective if they know they are more effective if they act together. if this crisis

worsens, that unity will come under pressure, is different member states are affected to different extents, economically, politically and in terms of security. economically, look at germany. it is so reliant on gas imports. already, we have had the federation of german industry this week saying that already spiralling gas prices threaten to crush the mighty german economy. if that happens as a result of sanctions or counter sanctions, that doesn't just affect germany sanctions or counter sanctions, that doesn'tjust affect germany but sanctions or counter sanctions, that doesn't just affect germany but the whole single market. elliptically, italy is concerned, also so reliant on gas imports from russia, lucrative exports to russia as well for them if it doesn't manage to do that, it can't lift itself out of the covid doldrums and it could have early elections and political instability. for security, early elections and political instability. forsecurity, is the countries of central and eastern europe that are so worried, not thinking about russian tanks rolling into their countries but they believe vladimir putin is trying to

change the security architecture of europe and they are worried about disinformation campaigns at cyber attacks. the baltic states have already raised the alarm and they will be looking to fellow eu members tomorrow to they have their backs. 0k, tomorrow to they have their backs. ok, and to sarah in washington. the pentagon has been holding a briefing in the last few minutes. what have they been saying?— they been saying? they have been warmin: they been saying? they have been warming they _ they been saying? they have been warming they believe _ they been saying? they have been warming they believe russia - they been saying? they have been warming they believe russia is - they been saying? they have been warming they believe russia is in l they been saying? they have been | warming they believe russia is in a position to be able to attack and so, while in the us they have been talking up the economic measures they have been taking and threatening further, they don't appear to believe that will deter putin from launching a further full—scale assault against ukraine. today, the biden administration announced sanctions on the company that controls the nord stream 2 gas pipeline and they have been described in more extreme economic measures they could take if putin takes further measures, like ban on exporting american technology to

russia. the reason they are holding some sanctions back is it is meant to act as a threat, to hopefully deter putin from taking further action but, i have to say, there is not much hope of that at the moment, not much hope of that at the moment, not least because the us has made it so clear they have no intention of engaging militarily in this conflict and they seem to be losing hope that the economic threats will act as a smudge of a deterrent. the white house tonight says they anticipate and predict there will be a further assault on ukraine, with the pentagon describing how vladimir putin now has nearly all the forces required ready, that about 80% of those who have gathered along the borders are uncoiling, as they put it in the jargon here, in other words, in a position to attack. despite the frantic diplomacy, we have seen a united response from the international community, hope is running out that the economic threats will deter putin from taking

further action.— further action. sarah smith in washington _ further action. sarah smith in washington and _ further action. sarah smith in washington and katya - further action. sarah smith in washington and katya adler i further action. sarah smith in | washington and katya adler in brussels, thank you. there'll be more from us here in kyiv a little later, but for now, back to huw in the studio in london. thanks, clive. the day's other news. new allegations of avoidable deaths and injuries involving mothers and babies have been uncovered at the health trust which prompted the biggest inquiry into maternity care in the history of the nhs. tonight's bbc panorama revealed that at least seven families have come forward, claiming they were failed by the shrewsbury & 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. our social affairs correspondent, michael buchanan, has the story. on the day charlie 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, look, are we in the best care? they're not going to let any more accidents happen. but i was very wrong. after a forceful forceps delivery, charlie was mother to a bruised but healthy boy. but the doctor failed to check if she had been injured. i felt extremely faint but the midwives didn't seem that concerned about that. discharged home, charlie's health deteriorated, forcing her to go to a&e. there, a doctor told her she had been left with an eight—centimetre tear in her vagina and may need a device fitted to empty her bowels. 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 a jelly. and i just couldn't... ..understand really what was going on. the shropshire trust apologised to charlie but panorama has 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 has almost 100 open clinical negligence cases against the trust. i think the problems are so numerous and deep—rooted, because they have been there for so long, that it is not going to be a quick fix. these recent cases are in addition to the nearly 1900 families whose maternity care is already the subject of an independent investigation. the full extent of the failings will be revealed next month. there was a progressively worsening culture of institutionalised _ bullying and blame culture within the trust. _ bernie bentick retired in 2020 after almost 30 years at the trust. the gynaecologist 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 apologised for all the distress and hurt it had caused. for charlie and herfamily, however, their contrition feels hollow. i feel disgusted constantly with what has happened to me. no normal 26—year—old woman should have to go through what i've had to go through. me and my husband can't have an intimate relationship. it has really affected me. if it wasn't for harry, i think i'd be... yeah, i'd have lost the plot by now. michael buchanan, bbc news, shropshire. for details of organisations which offer advice and support with pregnancy—related issues, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

pupils who fail their maths and english gcse in england could be refused loans for university tuition fees. the proposals 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. our education editor, branwenjeffreys, joins me. for those young people watching, what does this say about expectations around minimum academic standards? it’s expectations around minimum academic standards? �* , expectations around minimum academic standards? �*, ., ., standards? it's part of a wider debate about _ standards? it's part of a wider debate about who _ standards? it's part of a wider debate about who should - standards? it's part of a wider debate about who should go l standards? it's part of a wider| debate about who should go to university and should there be a minimum level of having done well at school before you get there, so ministers are going to ask, should there be either gcse maths and english as a threshold or a minimum

of two es at a level? the vast majority of university students are above that threshold so this is a political signal to universities to say, we are going to keep up the pressure to raise the standards on some courses. tomorrow we are going to see far more substantial range of issues addressing the really big question, which is only around a quarter of people who go to university in england will ever fully repay their student loans, leaving a big bill for the taxpayer for the unpaid loans, so a whole package of measures tomorrow to address that and rebalance that to help the public finances. maw; help the public finances. many thanks. a severe flood warning has been lifted at ironbridge in shrophire, after river levels went down. the environment agency says the severn will stay high for some days and there is still a warning that lives could be at risk at bewdley in worcestershire. around 400 properties have already been flooded after heavy rain during the three recent storms. the number of people testing positive for coronavirus appears

to be falling in the uk, according to the latest estimates from the office for national statistics. just under 2.6 million people — or one in 25 — tested positive last week, down from just under 3 million — or one in 20 — the week before. rates of people testing positive continued to fall in england, wales and northern ireland, but not scotland. football, and manchester united have been in action in the champions league this evening against atletico madrid. the competition's final this year is due to be held in st petersburg, but there are increasing calls for the venue to be moved from russia, as our sports correspondent, joe wilson, explains. in spain, atletico madrid and manchester united following the same path, that says st petersburg. russian pride at hosting the next champions league final is being proudly advertised, like this.

the prospect is appalling, says the uk's foreign secretary. liz truss wants any english club to boycott the final if it is not moved away from russia. it's in off the post! that is united in blue going behind in the seventh minute, the flying joao felix. as the game continued, with atletico ahead, their manager could relax. only he never does. still, with ten minutes to go, it seemed settled. manchester united had barely offered an attack but here is anthony elanga, 19 years old, too quick, too calm. 1-1. he has scored! an intriguing second leg awaits in this last 16 tie and either side could still reach the final, somewhere. joe wilson, bbc news. more now on the main story — let's return to clive in kyiv. as we've been reporting, the ukrainian government has now imposed a month—long state

of emergency, with greater powers given to the police and some measures to control transport. the government is keen to stress that people's lives won't be affected, but make no mistake — this country is on a war footing. many here in the capital, kyiv, are preparing for the possibility of conflict, as our europe correspondent, nick beake, 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. he tells us the world should now offer its support. the most important message is that ukraine is united. we are strong, we are optimistic and we are looking into the future with wide—open eyes and we shall overcome. there is no panic in the face of growing russian aggression. instead, a patriotic outpouring.

these history students from kyiv university hope their armed forces will protect their future. i am 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. double vision? they say the ukrainian public has donated the equivalent of half a million in the past 24 hours, more than the whole of last year. this man promises ukrainians would fight until the last soldier and to the last civilian. it will not end well for russia, he says. victoria was the first woman in ukraine to serve as a front line commander before leaving active duty. the bullet went through? but now, 29 and 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 that most ukrainians will tolerate on the streets of the capital. you are really struck by the defiance here, but there is 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. the city on alert, but not afraid. —— but not alarmed.

our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, is here with me. depending on claims russian troops, more russian troops, are entering east ukraine. the kremlin is saying the two breakaway regions in the east are now calling for russian military help. it does feel as if the situation is changing tonight. we have to see if the guessing game isn't over. there is still a hoping against hope among many that ukraine will not be plunged into an even more terrible chapter of a war which would have profound and dangerous consequences across europe and beyond. but tonight feels different and is different. many of our viewers will know that, for weeks, resident biden has been warning of an imminent invasion. in several days, in a few days, tonight, and for weeks, days, in a few days, tonight, and forweeks, president days, in a few days, tonight, and for weeks, president zelenskiy of ukraine has been saying, calm down, don't escalate, and now a president

who held off on mobilising troops