a special military operation in donbas. we will have more news on this breaking story. stay tuned, right here, to bbc news. this is bbc news, our top stories. reports of explosions in the ukrainian capital as vladimir putin announces a special military operation in ukraine. united nations security council holds an emergency meeting on ukraine, with the secretary general making a direct plea to the russian leader.— russian leader. president putin, russian leader. president putin. step _ russian leader. president putin, stop your - russian leader. president putin, stop your troops i russian leader. president i putin, stop your troops from attacking ukraine. give peace a chance. a, , , ., attacking ukraine. give peace a chance. ,, ., ., , chance. more russian military hardware heads _ chance. more russian military hardware heads to _ chance. more russian military hardware heads to ukrainian l hardware heads to ukrainian border, as the us secretary of state says aggression can still be avoided. state says aggression can still be avoided-— state says aggression can still be avoided. , , , ., be avoided. everything seems to be avoided. everything seems to be in place _ be avoided. everything seems to be in place for— be avoided. everything seems to be in place for russia _ be avoided. everything seems to be in place for russia to - be in place for russia to engage in a major aggression against ukraine. abs,

engage in a major aggression against ukraine.— against ukraine. a desperate - lea. against ukraine. a desperate plea- the _ against ukraine. a desperate plea. the ukrainian - against ukraine. a desperate| plea. the ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky appeals directly to the people of russia to prevent a full—scale war. it russia to prevent a full-scale war. , , , ., , , , war. it must be stopped. it is not too late. _ war. it must be stopped. it is not too late, if— war. it must be stopped. it is not too late, if the _ war. it must be stopped. it is| not too late, if the leadership on russia does not want to sit at the table with us for the sake of peace, maybe it will sit at the table with you. hello and welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. the russian president vladimir putin says he has authorised military operations in the donbass region. the address on national television came as the security council met to discuss the crisis with the secretary general urging him to give peace a chance. minister princeton has warned anyone interferes in the operation

would face retaliation. minutes after mr putin's street was broadcast, a number of explosions were heard in the ukrainian capital. there are also reports of explosions and other ukrainian cities. volodymyr zelenskyy appeared directly to the people of russia for peace. the united states and its allies will respond in a decisive way and will address the nation on thursday on consequences for russia over ukraine. with me in the newsroom our reporter, mike lobel the newsroom our reporter, mike lobel. extraordinary things we are seeing and hearing. what is the latest? we are seeing and hearing. what is the latest?— are seeing and hearing. what is the latest? we have been trying to work out _ the latest? we have been trying to work out since _ the latest? we have been trying to work out since president - to work out since president putin authorises military invasion what is going to happen on the ground. the russian news agency is reporting since president putin made that announcement, there have been rocket attacks on military facilities throughout retrain. heard separately of reports of explosions from bbc correspondence, throughout

ukraine, near the capital, heard certainly from the capital, kyiv. we heard about the south—eastern donetsk in the south—eastern donetsk in the east of the country, in the north—eastern area and in the southin north—eastern area and in the south in odessa. we have had the american ambassador into the american ambassador into the united nations saying that they expected this to be a full—scale invasion, and from what we are piecing together, it looks like that's something along those lines is taking place. some chilling words from president putin, because he said alongside that announcement that he has authorised this military invasion to ukraine in the televised statement on russian tv on thursday morning there, but he seeks to demilitarised ukraine, demilitarised ukraine and to read it of nationalism. he had a warning for the west, for any foreign power, as he put it, that would come and take part in this conflict, he said that they will face

consequences that they have never seen. consequences that they have neverseen. he consequences that they have never seen-— never seen. he was talking about a special— never seen. he was talking about a special military - about a special military operation and he mentioned donbass, but we are hearing explosions coming in from cities all across ukraine, which goes completely against that. ., , which goes completely against that. . , ., , that. that is right. he has also taken _ that. that is right. he has also taken about - that. that is right. he has also taken about the - that. that is right. he has i also taken about the reading that. that is right. he has - also taken about the reading of nationalism, so we are expecting now something that will follow on from his rhetoric, which came from that rambling speech a couple of days ago, where president putin was saying that ukraine didn't have... , �* . ., have... didn't have reason to exist. have... didn't have reason to exist- let's — have... didn't have reason to exist. let's listen _ have... didn't have reason to exist. let's listen to - have... didn't have reason to exist. let's listen to the - exist. let's listen to the statement that has come out now. �* , ., , ., statement that has come out now. , ., ., now. as a result of a deliberate _ now. as a result of a deliberate policy - now. as a result of a deliberate policy of i now. as a result of a - deliberate policy of aggression by the — deliberate policy of aggression by the russian leadership, and that has— by the russian leadership, and that has led us to this conflict. one, we unequivocally condemned the announcement by president — condemned the announcement by president putin, and the military— president putin, and the military operation in ukraine.

it is _ military operation in ukraine. it is unprovoked and unlawful act of— it is unprovoked and unlawful act of aggression. ukraine is facing — act of aggression. ukraine is facing a _ act of aggression. ukraine is facing a repeated violation of its territorial integrity after the legal annexation of the autonomous republic of crimea and a _ autonomous republic of crimea and a city— autonomous republic of crimea and a city in 2014. acts of aggression and the use of force of violations of international law, _ of violations of international law, including the un charter that require accountability. we call an— that require accountability. we call an old un that require accountability. we callan old un member that require accountability. we call an old un member states and un— call an old un member states and un bodies to prevent the bending — and un bodies to prevent the bending warand put and un bodies to prevent the bending war and put a stop to the violations against the state _ the violations against the state and people of ukraine. the requests were military assistance to moscow from the so-called — assistance to moscow from the so—called people's republic of donetek— so—called people's republic of donetsk and helen dansk announces a very dangerous step against _ announces a very dangerous step against ukraine public —— luhansk _ against ukraine public ——

luhansk. it would risk thousands of lives. it follows a decision by president putin to recognise the non—government areas _ to recognise the non—government areas of— to recognise the non—government areas of the next and luhansk areas — areas of the next and luhansk areas of— areas of the next and luhansk areas of ukraine as an independent and ensuing decision to send russian troops into these — decision to send russian troops into these areas, preceded by the unprecedented build—up of troops — the unprecedented build—up of troops on ukraine's water. we have _ troops on ukraine's water. we have strongly condemned these decisions as blatant breaches of international law, including the un — of international law, including the un charter, as well as the minsk— the un charter, as well as the minsk agreements. we heard numerous similar messages of condemnation and concern from among — condemnation and concern from among countries around the world — among countries around the world. across all regional groups— world. across all regional groups at the general assembly today, _ groups at the general assembly today, we have heard from the un secretary general who stated that the — un secretary general who stated that the decision of the russian federation to recognise the so—called independence of the so—called independence of the next — the so—called independence of the next and luhansk regions is a violation _ the next and luhansk regions is

a violation of the territorial integrity _ a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of ukraine, and inconsistent with the principles of the charter of the — the principles of the charter of the united nations —— donetsk. it underlines the united _ donetsk. it underlines the united nations itself. the un should — united nations itself. the un should not share the fate of the league of nations. the secretary general also made clear— secretary general also made clear his _ secretary general also made clear his concern about the perversion of the concept of peacekeeping. troops entering the territory of another country _ the territory of another country without its consent are not impartial peacekeepers. nor are they— not impartial peacekeepers. nor are they peacekeepers at all, as he — are they peacekeepers at all, as he pointed out. they are called — as he pointed out. they are called invaders. yet we know today— called invaders. yet we know today that these persistent calls — today that these persistent calls for the respect of international law, diplomacy and dialogue continue to be unheeded. we underline that the russian — unheeded. we underline that the russian federation use of force against — russian federation use of force against ukraine is completely unjustified and unacceptable. it unjustified and unacceptable. it must — unjustified and unacceptable. it must be met with unity,

firmness _ it must be met with unity, firmness and determination in solidarity— firmness and determination in solidarity with ukraine. the european union has responded to the latest — european union has responded to the latest violations, including with additional restrictive measures. we stand ready— restrictive measures. we stand ready to — restrictive measures. we stand ready to adopt more wide—ranging political and economic sanctions. russia's sanctions _ economic sanctions. russia's sanctions against ukraine are not a — sanctions against ukraine are not a matterjust for ukraine or for— not a matterjust for ukraine or for europe. they have severe implications globally for every un member state and the rules based _ un member state and the rules based international order. we urge — based international order. we urge the — based international order. we urge the russian federation as a party— urge the russian federation as a party to— urge the russian federation as a party to the conflict to reverse _ a party to the conflict to reverse the recognition of the so-called _ reverse the recognition of the so—called people's republic, uphold — so—called people's republic, uphold its commitments, abide by international law, and return _ by international law, and return to the discussions within— return to the discussions within the normandy format and the collateral contact group. it the collateral contact group. it has — the collateral contact group. it has a _ the collateral contact group. it has a clear responsibility under— it has a clear responsibility under international law to work to find — under international law to work to find a — under international law to work to find a peaceful settlement of the — to find a peaceful settlement of the conflict. we strongly urge — of the conflict. we strongly urge russia to respect the

principles of the un charter, to refrain— principles of the un charter, to refrain from any further escalatory actions, and to engage _ escalatory actions, and to engage in meaningful diplomacy. we reiterate the unwavering support _ we reiterate the unwavering support of estonia, latvia, lithuania _ support of estonia, latvia, lithuania for ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its international recognised borders _ its international recognised borders. where, within the international community, stand international community, stand in solidarity with ukraine. thank— in solidarity with ukraine. thank you. well, that was a special statement from the u.n.'s of the council meeting that was caught on the hop slightly of course with putin and we have the secretary general stepping up the secretary general stepping up now to speak. this is the saddest moment in my tenant is secretary general

of the united nations. i started this meeting of the security council addressing resident region and telling him from the bottom of my heart, stop your troops from an offensive to ukraine, give peace a chance because too many people have really died. during the meeting, president putin announced a special military operation into donbass, and required the... ukrainian troops to lay down their arms. so, in the present circumstances, i must change my appeal, and i must say

president putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to russia. in the name of humanity, do not allow to start in europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century. with consequences not only devastating for ukraine, not only tragic for the russian federation, but with an impact we cannot even foresee in relation to the consequences of the global economy in the moment when you are emerging from the covid and so many developing countries absolutely need to have space for the recovery, which would be very,

very difficult with higher prices of oil, with the end of exports from ukraine, and with rising interest rates caused by instability in international markets. these conflicts must stop now. markets. these conflicts must step nova— stop now. that is a secretary general there, _ stop now. that is a secretary general there, speaking - general there, speaking obviously about this news we have been hearing that vladimir putin has instructed his troops to go into ukraine, which is essentially an official declaration of war, and he was very, very powerful there, where he was saying bring the troops back, he was calling at the saddest day of his tenure, and he was very, very passionate about that. that was a secretary general speaking just now. now i think we can go to james waterhouse who is in

kyiv for us. your reaction please do what we have heard over the last few hours that india doesn't like russia is attacking ukraine. —— that it does indeed. colleagues have heard fibres explain explosion that this stage. brute heard fibres explain explosion that this stage.— heard fibres explain explosion that this stage. we are very in the centre _ that this stage. we are very in the centre of— that this stage. we are very in the centre of kyiv _ that this stage. we are very in the centre of kyiv and - that this stage. we are very in the centre of kyiv and there i the centre of kyiv and there have been faint explosions as i say in a full 180 degrees angle far in the distance. we have had a message from government officials saying the invasion has become, a number of cruise and missile strikes in here. he also talked about troops crossing into odessa, to the south, as well as crossing the border with east in highclere. colleagues have heard a loud explosion, as well as a troop presence in south—west russia.

these are obviously very worrying signs and suggests something large—scale, as i say, we don't yet know what the target specifically is. vladimir putin said he has no plans to occupy, but that he has launched special military operation. the out of the people of ukraine will be free to choose who runs this country, and he said justice and truth will be on russia's side. he also urged ukrainian forces to surrender. this has been the fear all along since the eight years ago that a revolution toppled the last president, there was another one down there in fact approximate direction. a revolution eight years ago that topped the last moscow leading president. this is a sensitivity for ukrainian. there has been a russian aggression in which the country has politically leaned more towards potential european union membership, nato

membership, which is a core part of this crisis. given the escalations we have seen since last april, when troops started to gather on ukraine's borders, that there has always been he would come to this point that all of that gathering, that movement of troops, the heightening of political language transpire into air strikes of this kind. president biden has called the events of these early morning as an unapproved and unjustified attack. he as an unapproved and unjustified attack. as an unapproved and un'ustified attack. unjustified attack. he said the ress of unjustified attack. he said the press of the — unjustified attack. he said the press of the entire _ unjustified attack. he said the press of the entire world - unjustified attack. he said the press of the entire world are i press of the entire world are with the people of ukraine. it has been described as a full—scale invasion by russia. very wiring developments. i very wiring developments. i just want to get a sense of what people are feeling in kyiv? how scared are people?

the last days of been very difficult for ukrainians in the capital. the worry has been mainly because of the uncertainty. they have often said they will stay and fight, but i do not exactly know what that means we have one of the worlds most powerful army building up on the border. would it be in a circle meant of kyiv, it is now taking the form of air strikes, missile strikes as well as troop movement in different parts of ukraine. fist movement in different parts of ukraine. �* , . , ukraine. at the un security council begetting _ ukraine. at the un security council begetting a - ukraine. at the un security i council begetting a statement from the ukrainian representative. let's have a listen. ., ., ., listen. you can ask an aggressor _ listen. you can ask an aggressor to - listen. you can ask an aggressor to abstain l listen. you can ask an | aggressor to abstain at listen. you can ask an - aggressor to abstain at this stage of peaceful resolution

under chapter six beer cannot ask an aggressor, believe it or not, to abstain from vote under chapter seven when the council deals with the aggression. i have also asked the secretary general of the united nations to produce the copies of the decisions of the security council and the general assembly dated 1991 that, in accordance with article four, of the charter, welcome the desire of the russian federation to be a member of this organisation stop thank you. this organisation stop thank ou. ., this organisation stop thank ou. ., ., " you. reporter: you work physically _ you. reporter: you work physically emotional - you. reporter: you work| physically emotional during this speech. you mentioned the fact most— this speech. you mentioned the fact most of your speech was obsolete _ fact most of your speech was obsolete by the time you had

the chance to read it. what is the chance to read it. what is the message to the world at this moment, as we heard from russia — this moment, as we heard from russia the — this moment, as we heard from russia the fact that a special operation in donbass was lodged but they— operation in donbass was lodged but they have been bobbing and explosions in kyiv, that from the black— explosions in kyiv, that from the black sea special forces have — the black sea special forces have started entering ukrainian territory — have started entering ukrainian territory was personally, what is your— territory was personally, what is your feeling? you have family. _ is your feeling? you have family, people in ukraine right now? — family, people in ukraine right now? ~ , . family, people in ukraine right now? . , ., ., family, people in ukraine right now? ~ , ., ., now? well, it is a war. if you do not remember _ now? well, it is a war. if you do not remember what - now? well, it is a war. if you do not remember what war l now? well, it is a war. if you | do not remember what war is, pull out a footage of the war. it means thousands and thousands of people killed, if not millions. what i want from their world is i want the world to rally, against the russian federation. from the aggressors. all right. it is

late. we have to die just the information, verified information, verified information and will be hearing the security council tomorrow morning. fist the security council tomorrow morninu. �* ., morning. at the end of the speech. — morning. at the end of the speech. the _ morning. at the end of the speech, the ambassador i morning. at the end of the | speech, the ambassador of russia _ speech, the ambassador of russia said it was not an aggression against the ukrainian people but an aggression about those were in power~ — aggression about those were in power. do aggression about those were in ower. ,, , aggression about those were in ower. i. , ., aggression about those were in ower. , ., power. do you believe that back are ou power. do you believe that back are you serious? _ power. do you believe that back are you serious? you _ power. do you believe that back are you serious? you want - power. do you believe that back are you serious? you want me l power. do you believe that back| are you serious? you want me to dissect the crazy, lunatic semantics of a person whose presidency violates the charter, whose presidency declared the war and playing with words and you asked me to interpret it! it is lunacy, it is lunacy, absolutely! that is the ukrainian _ is lunacy, absolutely! that is the ukrainian representative| is lunacy, absolutely! that is i the ukrainian representative at the ukrainian representative at the un security council who gave a special statement about what has happened the last few

hours. let's remind viewers what has happened. there was a special un security council meeting which was called by ukraine but as that was going on, president putin announced a special military operation in donbass on television. over the last few minutes, we have been hearing reports of explosion and shelling across ukraine, notjust in donbass when he said there was going to be military operations, but in kyiv and other key cities. i think we can now go to the research directorjoining us from north—east ukraine. thank you very much forjoining us. give us your reaction if you can do what we have seen in the last few hours.— last few hours. when we started to receive _

last few hours. when we started to receive messages _ last few hours. when we started to receive messages yesterday l to receive messages yesterday night that the real while can begin, i was not believing that. —— war. but i woke up hearing shelling from the centre of that city. it was going for about 20 minutes. we have started to receive messages from all over ukraine that russian troops are all ready to get into ukraine's territory. in kyiv, mariupol, edessa, the major cities on the border. kharkiv, a buildup that as well. —— odesa. russia was apparently preparing for that well because for the last week

they have openly been bringing up they have openly been bringing up weapons and military to the border also. up weapons and military to the border also-— border also. you cannot repeat ourself border also. you cannot repeat yourself or— border also. you cannot repeat yourself or anything _ border also. you cannot repeat yourself or anything like - border also. you cannot repeat yourself or anything like this i yourself or anything like this and said you were not expecting it. how scared are you when you hear the shelling going off in your city? i hear the shelling going off in your city?— hear the shelling going off in ourci ? ., , ., your city? i cannot believe now that it is happening. _ your city? i cannot believe now that it is happening. the - that it is happening. the country in the centre of europe is being attacked by russia and by putin and just that we want to go our runway want to independent and free and for that but putin does is bring russian troops in an shelling cities, slipping cities, with children and everyone. it is something you cannot believe, war the going on. ==

something you cannot believe, war the going on.— war the going on. -- the war. are you _ war the going on. -- the war. are you messaging _ war the going on. -- the war. | are you messaging everyone? war the going on. -- the war. - are you messaging everyone? how is yourfamily? how are you messaging everyone? how is your family? how are people feeling and coping?— feeling and coping? people are t in: to feeling and coping? people are trying to get — feeling and coping? people are trying to get emergency - feeling and coping? people are trying to get emergency kits i trying to get emergency kits ready with documents and everything in case of evacuation starts or the shelling of the buildings began. we were preparing for the worse—case scenario before because we had territorial defence training and people were generally planning where to go and we know where the bomb shelters are but then you can never be prepared for that kind of situation and people of course, i would describe that it is something you cannot believe in so you are like not

really coping with that, that it is really happening right now with ukraine. it is just something that shouldn't happen. that's all. it something that shouldn't happen. that's all.- something that shouldn't happen. that's all. it is mark here. happen. that's all. it is mark here- we _ happen. that's all. it is mark here. we are _ happen. that's all. it is mark here. we are receiving - happen. that's all. it is mark. here. we are receiving reports that— here. we are receiving reports that ukrainian officials are saying _ that ukrainian officials are saying the country may impose martial— saying the country may impose martial law. of course, you are a few _ martial law. of course, you are a few hours _ martial law. of course, you are a few hours into a state of emergency. how weekly has this all happened and what kind of warnings have you been given by the government?— warnings have you been given by the government? yesterday, the state of emergency _ the government? yesterday, the state of emergency was - the government? yesterday, the state of emergency was already. state of emergency was already implemented over ukraine but for the moment, when we heard the officials speak yesterday, the officials speak yesterday, the situation was under control so we were not expecting a full scale invasion to happen. we

thought the scenario that might be happening was russian troops were to make a military operation in donbass, probably in the occupied territories and try to get unoccupied so government—controlled territories. now it is that the government is implementing a military state... make a state of military emergency in kharkiv and some other cities are close and that means any moment probably the government will announce what should the citizens do and i'm sure the military and our armed forces are fully aware of the situation but no announcement for civilians yet. i situation but no announcement for civilians yet.— for civilians yet. i will update _ for civilians yet. i will update our _ for civilians yet. i will update our viewers. i for civilians yet. i will - update our viewers. things are happening so fast. president

putin has announced the invasion of ukraine, what he calls "special military operation" in donbass. stay tuned to bbc news. and i think we can go back to maria, who is in kharkiv. mark wisely asked you, what kind of preparations have you been given, how have you been preparing over the last few weeks and how big a shock has these been? have you been getting official messages from the government and local authorities about what to do if you come under attack? brute authorities about what to do if you come under attack? we have the trainings _ you come under attack? we have the trainings of _ you come under attack? we have the trainings of civil— you come under attack? we have the trainings of civil defence - the trainings of civil defence and territorial units are basically all people who wanted to do that, they could train training and get the knowledge of what to do that — get the training. and probably how to

give or use weapons in case you would have to use that and also, all the major companies and industries and industrial plants here, they have these plans in place this attack happened so people would know what to do and where to go and usually, in the schools, they also have this kind of training like teaching children how to evacuate quickly from the school and where is the shelter so basically people have these knowledge for what to do in the case of emergency but we were not prepared for the full scale invasion. i mean, ordinary citizen in kharkiv, it is 1.5 million cities, the largest industrial centre and nobody was thinking that the initial

shelling is would start and the russian troops might appear here in the nearest time. brute here in the nearest time. we have been — here in the nearest time. we have been covering on bbc news the drills— have been covering on bbc news the drills that have been taking _ the drills that have been taking place in your city and how — taking place in your city and how people have been informed about— how people have been informed about bomb shelters and the like — about bomb shelters and the like can _ about bomb shelters and the like. can you paint a picture for our— like. can you paint a picture for our viewers to have prepared people are and how aware — prepared people are and how aware they are of what to do in case _ aware they are of what to do in case of— aware they are of what to do in case of an— aware they are of what to do in case of an attack on the city itself? _ case of an attack on the city itself? ., , ,, ., itself? people know where the shelters are _ itself? people know where the shelters are because - itself? people know where the shelters are because usually i itself? people know where the i shelters are because usually we have here the training, you know where to go, but then people were not preparing for what happened. i mean, preparing in terms you are actually planning to go there. it was a faraway possibility that you know where the shelter is and you know what to do in case of emergency and you have

your documents and all yacht necessities in one place but actually, no—one was planning to leave the city. —— all yacht necessities. we were not thinking that putin were dead to do that. i for myself, for the last moment was hoping that the last moment was hoping that the deterrent and western sanctions and talks with him would stop him from a major invasion and that he would only concentrate his troops in donbass but now the situation is changing drastically.- is changing drastically. maria, thank you _ is changing drastically. maria, thank you so _ is changing drastically. maria, thank you so much _ is changing drastically. maria, thank you so much for- is changing drastically. maria, thank you so much forjoining| thank you so much forjoining us. sorry under the circumstances but thank you for reading us up—to—date with your city. stay safe and thank you very much indeed speaking to us. the un security council held a

meeting at the request of ukraine as president putin went on television to announce a military operation in donbass. the ukrainian ambassador to the un was involved in a tense stand—off with his russian counterpart. it stand-off with his russian counterpart.— stand-off with his russian counterpart. stand-off with his russian counterart. , ., , counterpart. it is too late, my dear colleagues, _ counterpart. it is too late, my dear colleagues, to _ counterpart. it is too late, my dear colleagues, to speak - counterpart. it is too late, my i dear colleagues, to speak about the escalation, too late. the russian president declared a war. should i play the video of your president? ambassador, should i do that right now? we can confirm it. do not interrupt me please. thank you. then don't ask me questions when — then don't ask me questions when you _ then don't ask me questions when you are speaking. anyway... you declared the war. it is the responsibility of this body to stop the war. so i call on everyone of you to do everything possible to stop the war. orshould i everything possible to stop the war. or should i play the video

of the president declaring