thank you, general sir richard us. thank you, general sir richard shirreff, a former deputy supreme commander of nato in europe. this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. russia has invaded ukraine. missiles have struck key targets in the capital and the east of ukraine and there are reports of several deaths. president putin of russia issues this warning to the world. translation: whoever tries to interfere with us, - or threaten our country, should know that russia's response will be immediate and lead to such consequences that have never been experienced in history. it will be difficult, it will be tough _ it will be difficult, it will be tough but the fact is we are on our land, _ tough but the fact is we are on our land. it_ tough but the fact is we are on our land. it is— tough but the fact is we are on our land. it is our— tough but the fact is we are on our land, it is our country and we will defend, — land, it is our country and we will defend, we — land, it is our country and we will defend, we will resist. the

president _ defend, we will resist. the president of _ defend, we will resist. the president of ukraine - defend, we will resist. he: president of ukraine has urged his people to stay calm and stay home. translation: russia has carried out strikes on our military _ infrastructure and on our border guards and border detachments. explosions were heard in many cities of the ukraine. we are imposing martial law in all regions of our state. there is widespread international condemnation of russia's actions. we will target strategic sectors of the russian economy by blocking their access to technologies and markets that are key for russia. in london, borisjohnson has been chairing an emergency cobra meeting on the crisis. the uk government says it stands shoulder—to—shoulder with the people of ukraine. we will respond, both in terms of economic— we will respond, both in terms of economic support, _ we will respond, both in terms of economic support, in _ we will respond, both in terms of economic support, in terms - we will respond, both in terms of economic support, in terms of. economic support, in terms of military— economic support, in terms of military suriport _ economic support, in terms of military support and, - economic support, in terms of military support and, as - economic support, in terms of military support and, as i- economic support, in terms of military support and, as i say, i economic support, in terms of . military support and, as i say, in terms _ military support and, as i say, in terms of— military support and, as i say, in terms of a — military support and, as i say, in terms of a punitive _ military support and, as i say, in terms of a punitive sanctions - terms of a punitive sanctions package _ as news of the russian attack

spread, oil prices soared to above 100 dollars a barrel for the first time in seven years. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. this is our special coverage of the russian invasion of ukraine. in the last few moments, we have heard another explosion here in the ukrainian capital, trying to establish know exactly where the explosion happened but in the vicinity here of the centre of kyiv, from where we are broadcasting. and about half an hour ago, just beneath

me in the main square, we saw along convoy of ukrainian military vehicles going through the centre of the city. this comes, of course, just hours after russia launched an invasion of ukraine, its troops moving in from several directions. and, in a televised address, president putin announced he was offering what he called" special military operations" in the donbas area in eastern ukraine, aimed he said, at the de—militarisation and the denazification of ukraine. russia says it is targeting military infrastructure with what the kremlin call "high—precision weapons". missile, strikes and explosions have been reported in several parts of ukraine. ukraine's foreign minister has accused president putin of launching a full—scale invasion. leaders around the world have strongly condemned the offensive.

russian military convoys have entered ukraine from several directions, including from neighbouring belarus. earlier this week, president putin announced he would recognise the independence of two self—proclaimed people's republic of donetsk and luhansk in eastern ukraine. martial law has been declared here in the last few hours in ukraine and in the past halfan hours in ukraine and in the past half an hour, president zelensky called on all citizens who are ready to defend the country to come forward. and he said the government will issue weapons. in his televised address, president putin vowed retaliation against those who would interfere with what he called this operation. translation: whoever tries to interfere with us, - or threaten our country, should know that russia's response will be immediate and lead to such

consequences that have never been experienced in history. we heard from ukraine's president zelensky. he said in a message on facebook that the government would impose martial law across the state, but, again, he has urged calm from citizens. translation: russia has carried out strikes on our military _ infrastructure and on our border guards and border detachments. explosions were heard in many cities of the ukraine. we are imposing martial law in all regions of our state. a minute ago, i had a telephone conversation with president biden. the united states has already begun preparing for international support. we need you to be calm today. if possible, please stay at home.

in the last few moments, we have heard from an adviser to the ukrainian president that 44 people have died in the past few hours, ever since russia launched its invasion of ukraine. let's get another perspective on this deepening crisis. i'm nowjoined by ukrainian mp lesia vasylenko. we spoke to you yesterday and you said that there was going to be a state of emergency imposed and now it has been upgraded to martial law. what is your first reaction to what you are seeing unfolding in your country? it you are seeing unfolding in your count ? . :. you are seeing unfolding in your count ? , :, ., country? it is a nightmare. honestly. _ country? it is a nightmare. honestly. i— country? it is a nightmare. honestly, i could - country? it is a nightmare. honestly, i could never- country? it is a nightmare. i honestly, i could never even country? it is a nightmare. - honestly, i could never even in my worst dreams imagine this kind of situation developing. it is surreal

that we have to witness this in the middle of europe in the 21st century. it is unjust, it is unfair, clearly an invasion, an attack on ukraine, notjust ukrainian military but ukrainian civilians. we just had reports of a building being shelled where there are civilian casualties, children among them. it is war at its worst. : , :, , :, :, its worst. and you must have heard as we did. — its worst. and you must have heard as we did. this _ its worst. and you must have heard as we did, this explosion _ its worst. and you must have heard as we did, this explosion in - its worst. and you must have heard as we did, this explosion in the - as we did, this explosion in the past few minutes and i can see behind the foreign ministry here, quite close to the centre of the capital, the plumes of white smoke rising in the air and, of course, earlier this morning, we also heard the emergency sirens sounding as well. what you think ukraine should be doing now?—

be doing now? well, introduce martial law _ be doing now? well, introduce martial law for _ be doing now? well, introduce martial law for sure, _ be doing now? well, introduce martial law for sure, but - be doing now? well, introduce martial law for sure, but the i be doing now? well, introduce - martial law for sure, but the appeal to ukrainian people is still to keep calm, keep a cool head as far as it is possible in these drastic times and these awful situation we are all in. at the moment, ukraine is doing all of that, fighting back with all we have, but i am afraid this will not be enough and we need the utmost support from all western allies, from nato allies, the eu, the states, canada, to come together, to stand for ukraine, notjust with more robust sanctions but also with military presence here on the ground. we need an emergency resolution of the un general assembly, not of the security council, because we have the veto power of russia, the biggest aggressor state in the world there, but it is possible to go by the same example as was done in 1950 during the korean war, when the general assembly made the decision to

introduce un peacekeepers and the same should be done now for ukraine. ukraine cannot withstand the largest army in europe on its own. are ukraine cannot withstand the largest army in europe on its own.— army in europe on its own. are you confident you _ army in europe on its own. are you confident you will _ army in europe on its own. are you confident you will get _ army in europe on its own. are you confident you will get the - army in europe on its own. are you confident you will get the support i confident you will get the support you need? we have seen in one western capital after another this morning statements of support, statements that more sanctions will be imposed. do you sense that the world is standing behind ukraine now? , :, : :, world is standing behind ukraine now? , , world is standing behind ukraine now? , now? the political support is always there and has _ now? the political support is always there and has always _ now? the political support is always there and has always been - now? the political support is always there and has always been there. it| there and has always been there. it is great to receive messages from friends and colleagues from all around the world as well as to see the twitter hashtags and the tweets and the very different political statements from governments and parliaments from all over, this is great and we are grateful for that and thankful for that but it is not enough. we need a robust stance against a totalitarian aggressive power. we need to stop it now and

stand together with ukraine for democracy and security in the world. i am sure that your phone has not stopped ever since we heard the first explosion is here. you have been contacted by fellow parliamentarians, by friends, family. we hear people fleeing but also people going to work. how would you describe the rhythm of the city now? ~ . you describe the rhythm of the city now? ~ , :, , now? well, the thing is, i have been in parliament — now? well, the thing is, i have been in parliament since _ now? well, the thing is, i have been in parliament since around _ now? well, the thing is, i have been in parliament since around 7am - now? well, the thing is, i have been in parliament since around 7am this| in parliament since around 7am this morning. i haven't been out yet so i don't even know what the response in the city is like because we have beenin the city is like because we have been in and out of meetings, in and out of votes and we are on standby as we are waiting for the decree of the president on the full globalisation of the —— mobilisation of the ukrainian people because that is something we will have to work out soon. :. ~ is something we will have to work

out soon. :, ,, ,:, is something we will have to work out soon. :, ,, y:, , : :, out soon. thank you very much for 'oinin: us out soon. thank you very much for joining us with _ out soon. thank you very much for joining us with your— out soon. thank you very much for joining us with your observations l joining us with your observations this morning at these dramatic times, notjust for ukraine but the entire region. as we have been reporting on the last half an hour, there was another explosion here in the ukrainian capital kyiv. we are uncertain as to where it actually happened but i think we can show you a map of the city that i think we believe where this exactly, where this latest explosion was. this now shows you the map of all of the major cities in the ukraine and where explosions have been taking place. you see the yellow at the bottom, the two areas recognised as independent by russia on monday, that was when we really sensed that this crisis was escalating by the day and then it was today in the early hours of the

morning where russian forces started advancing in several different directions and explosions in major cities. as we have been reporting, they haven't stopped. this is all part of what president putin has described as a "special military operation". well, the world is watching, most of all of course ukrainians and their immediate neighbours. earlier, ispoke ukrainians and their immediate neighbours. earlier, i spoke to the estonian prime minister and she gave us her reaction to these latest developments. tote us her reaction to these latest developments.— developments. we had the intelligence _ developments. we had the intelligence information . developments. we had the - intelligence information before, so we were expecting it and, also, alarming our ministers and cabinet members to be alert to make decisions, so we did early this morning. eitherway, it is decisions, so we did early this morning. either way, it is our independence day today, otherwise, it would be a happy day, but we woke up it would be a happy day, but we woke up to this terrible news. so everything we were afraid of that we

knew from the intelligence reports actually has come true and this is so frightening that this can happen in 2022. 50 so frightening that this can happen in 2022. i. so frightening that this can happen in 2022. ,:, :, :, :, ~ , in 2022. so you are looking very closel , in 2022. so you are looking very closely. as _ in 2022. so you are looking very closely. as so — in 2022. so you are looking very closely, as so many _ in 2022. so you are looking very closely, as so many world - in 2022. so you are looking very i closely, as so many world leaders are, at at these intelligence reports, what was predicted as happening, that russian forces have moved in from several directions. what you think it's going to happen next? how far do you believe these russian forces are going to go and for how long? we russian forces are going to go and for how long?— russian forces are going to go and for how lon? ~ :, ,, . for how long? we heard putin speech and he was very _ for how long? we heard putin speech and he was very open _ for how long? we heard putin speech and he was very open his _ for how long? we heard putin speech and he was very open his plans, - for how long? we heard putin speech and he was very open his plans, so i and he was very open his plans, so this is very frightening, threatening everybody. so he intends to go far. the question is how far we really let them go. of course, ukraine is going to fight and, in estonia, we are going to help ukraine with all of the means we

can, politicalsupport ukraine with all of the means we can, political support but also practical support. also, defence, weaponry that we can send to ukraine and, of course, we must do everything on the eu and nato level for this aggression not to expand. we have this morning decided to start the article for consultations in nato, which means that if they are triggered, we can also move on with the nato defence plan, which is really crucial to our region. you are speaking — really crucial to our region. you are speaking to _ really crucial to our region. you are speaking to us _ really crucial to our region. you are speaking to us with the estonian, the european and the nato flag behind you. it must be a very jarring realisation that even that kind of support hasn't stopped president putin from carrying out

his plans. president putin from carrying out his lans. ~ ,:, :, president putin from carrying out his lans. ~ :, :, �* his plans. well, so far, we don't see any military _ his plans. well, so far, we don't see any military at _ his plans. well, so far, we don't see any military at our - his plans. well, so far, we don't see any military at our border. l his plans. well, so far, we don't l see any military at our border. we are part of nato, part of the eu and we have article v in nato which says an attack on one is an attack on all, so if any nato countries are attacked, it is going to be attacking nato as search and i think it is a bit too big a fight for putin to take, even if he threatens, but, of course, we have to prepare and we also have to prepare for the aggression going on in ukraine going even further. we are almost exactly the same kilometres distance from kyiv as berlin, for example, so it is equally detrimental to europe. at is equally detrimental to europe. at some point today, if it hasn't

happened already, you or the president of estonia will speak with president of estonia will speak with president zelensky. what will be the message at this hour? we president zelensky. what will be the message at this hour?— message at this hour? we are trying to su ort message at this hour? we are trying to support ukraine _ message at this hour? we are trying to support ukraine with _ message at this hour? we are trying to support ukraine with all _ message at this hour? we are trying to support ukraine with all the - to support ukraine with all the means we can get. we also have an eu summit coming this evening where all of the prime ministers of the european union will gather and discuss the situation, so we must impose the strongest sanctions that we have against putin, because, you know, one is the deterrent effect that right now doesn't may be worked that right now doesn't may be worked that well, but also there is the weakening effect of the adversaries that he doesn't move any further, which is also important. the estonian _ which is also important. the estonian prime _ which is also important. the estonian prime minister speaking earlier to bbc news. she, like everyone else, waking up this morning to the news that russia had

invaded ukraine. many are telling us they are not surprised, many had predicted it and the question still remains, where will this all end and when will it end? let's get another perspective. we can speak now to sir tony brenton, the former uk ambassador to moscow, were you surprised by this? yes, i didn't think this would happen so i'm feeling a bit foolish this morning. putin was much more cautious than i expected to be and the fact that this looks like a full—scale invasion of ukraine with no clear statement about how much he's going to end up occupying and what going to do with it is even more worrying. what can one say because you mock one can say a couple of things. first of all, we didn't take putin seriously enough and that is one lesson from this, i guess, that, if we had been more responsive in the negotiations which he imposed on us than we might have avoided this. the second thing i would say is that, yes, there is now

going to be lots of condemnation, already happening of course, lots more sanctions already in the works. none of that is going to alter putin's intended because now he is set on it. the sanctions in particular, he had obviously already costed in. he is a man who takes russia's national security much more seriously than he takes russia's national prosperity and is pursuing what he sees as necessary actions to protect russia's security. finally, the main point is a lot now depends on how the war ends. it is not inconceivable they will take all of ukraine, the biggest operation since the world war, they could get bogged down, they could get defeated, face guerrilla action, who knows what and, if russia eventually has to withdraw and there is a vivid memory of them having to do this in 1979 in afghanistan, that could be the end

of the putin regime. if, on the other hand, they win, you are facing a significantly more visible, more for your worthy, frankly, russia in the world —— mcafee are worthy. and the world —— mcafee are worthy. and the idea that you will sanction until the economy collapses doesn't really cut eyes. we will have to find a way of living with this expanded russia and indeed history shows, everyone is very angry at the time and emotions, and people begin sooner or later, it could be quite a longtime in sooner or later, it could be quite a long time in this case, to get back to business as usual and i would guess that is putin's calculation. yes, we seem a long way at the moment from business as usual but to pick up on your first comment. there were many — pick up on your first comment. there were many long-time _ pick up on your first comment. there were many long-time putin - pick up on your first comment. there were many long—time putin watchers who said he won't do it, he is too cautious, it doesn't make sense but then there were others saying he is a different man. we heard advisers to president macron of france, after

he had the five, six hour—long discussion across the long table in moscow, they came out of it saying he is different now, he is angry, fully seized upon this history, this attachment to ukraine. is it possible that there is something different about the russian leader now which is why we are seeing this unfolding in the way it has? melt. unfolding in the way it has? well, es, he is unfolding in the way it has? well, yes, he is different. _ unfolding in the way it has? well, yes, he is different. the - unfolding in the way it has? well, yes, he is different. the putin - unfolding in the way it has? all yes, he is different. the putin who i knew was as i say very cautious and calculated in the risks he takes and calculated in the risks he takes and that putin would certainly not undertake an operation like this. i wouldn't overstated, i'm pretty confident that he is still rational. his view of why he is now doing what he's doing is he had no other way of getting russia's security concerns paid attention to and, you know, that has driven him. if i had to i don't advise something on which he is visibly out of control, it is on the subject of ukraine itself. he has this pan— slavic view that

ukraine ought to be part of russia. i never really believed he was going to act on it, but i was wrong and, yes, we need to revise our views of putin and of therefore russia's behaviour in the light of what he has just done. you behaviour in the light of what he hasiust done-— behaviour in the light of what he has just done. behaviour in the light of what he has 'ust done. :, :, :, ~ :, , has 'ust done. you have remarked, as a hasjust done. you have remarked, as a diplomat. — hasjust done. you have remarked, as a diplomat. that _ hasjust done. you have remarked, as a diplomat, that perhaps _ hasjust done. you have remarked, as a diplomat, that perhaps we, - hasjust done. you have remarked, as a diplomat, that perhaps we, the - a diplomat, that perhaps we, the west, should have been more responsive to president putin's demands in the negotiations, but, from what we heard, these were really thick, dark red lines that one, ukraine should not be allowed tojoin one, ukraine should not be allowed to join nato one, ukraine should not be allowed tojoin nato and i had to be a guarantee and, two, they should be a rolling back of the kind of nato that president putin repeatedly said it threatens him, but these were decisions made by sovereign nations after the break—up of the soviet union who said they did want to be part of nato, they did want to have nato forces stationed in their

countries, so how could there have been more responsive, a better response from the western nato when president putin seem to have those really stubborn red lines? melt. president putin seem to have those really stubborn red lines?— really stubborn red lines? well, we never really — really stubborn red lines? well, we never really tested _ really stubborn red lines? well, we never really tested putin's - really stubborn red lines? well, we never really tested putin's red - never really tested putin's red lines because we never even really addressed the serious things he was demanding. we offered a few negotiations on missile dispositions in ukraine and elsewhere, so we never got anywhere near to discovering what putin's real red lines wear and, yes, discovering what putin's real red lines wearand, yes, i discovering what putin's real red lines wear and, yes, i agree with you, in an ideal world, we pay attention to what all sovereign states want and if ukraine wants to retain the right to join nato, states want and if ukraine wants to retain the right tojoin nato, even in though it isn't going to do so for the next 20 years or even ever, you have to pay attention to it but in the real world of real politics, finally what decides these things is force and the threat of force. we blindly assumed that we could have negotiations and maintain our blind

liberal values and putin were back down and we were wrong. 5ir liberal values and putin were back down and we were wrong. sir tony brenton, down and we were wrong. sir tony brenton. l — down and we were wrong. sir tony brenton, i don't _ down and we were wrong. sir tony brenton, i don't know _ down and we were wrong. sir tony brenton, i don't know when - down and we were wrong. sir tony brenton, i don't know when we - down and we were wrong. sir tony| brenton, i don't know when we are going to get back to, your phrase, business as usual but thank you for joining us with your very long perspective on what is unfolding now in the region. let's catch up on what is happening on the ground, we will go to eastern ukraine to join sarah rainsford. sarah, what have you been hearing and seeing in the last few hours?— you been hearing and seeing in the last few hours? well, a couple more exlosions last few hours? well, a couple more exolosions in — last few hours? well, a couple more explosions in the _ last few hours? well, a couple more explosions in the distance _ last few hours? well, a couple more explosions in the distance from - explosions in the distance from where we are and certainly a repeat of what we heard this morning that woke me up with a little bit of a jolt and then to hear president putin declaring war on ukraine. as you have been hearing, he is calling this a special operation in the donbas region, which is where we are now but it is obviously a heck of a lot wider, this is a war that is taking in many cities in ukraine now, an invasion of russian troops across various borders, so it is big

and in this part of eastern ukraine, i think people are particularly concerned, or certainly as concerned as anywhere else because this is the area mr putin has made clear he thinks should be part of the rebel republics he recognised formally a few days ago. we had from the russian defence ministry recently saying that there is a counter operation going on, a response to what he said is ukrainian aggression. essentially what is happening now is on fire front at the frontline which has been in place for some eight years. russian troops trying to push forward, not just the local militia, russian troops trying to push the ukraine military back so serious fighting going on and we know from some people we have spoken to here who have relatives down there that at least three civilians have been killed in that firefight and we understand from the russian military, they have pushed forward some way. the question is how far they push out quickly and what kind of resistance they could meet. the russian military is claiming they are calling on people to surrender,

claiming that ukrainian soldiers are surrendering en masse. 0f claiming that ukrainian soldiers are surrendering en masse. of course, this is a war and there are lies and propaganda. the question is of course how long the ukrainians can stand firm. certainly the result we have been hearing about in recent days and weeks is very firm, many ukrainian saying this is their land, they will not give it up. they have been fighting for eight years to defend this land and they don't plan on giving up now but of course, they are being faced now with the very real bite of the russian military and so this is a very difficult developing situation —— the real might. developing situation -- the real mirht. . developing situation -- the real mirht. , : :, _ might. yes, indeed, changing by the houn might. yes, indeed, changing by the hour- earlier— might. yes, indeed, changing by the hour. earlier today, _ might. yes, indeed, changing by the hour. earlier today, you _ might. yes, indeed, changing by the hour. earlier today, you reported - hour. earlier today, you reported how you saw both people leaving the city but also people going to work. how would you describe the rhythm of the city now?— the city now? yes, it is all a bit eerie, the city now? yes, it is all a bit eerie. really. — the city now? yes, it is all a bit eerie, really, the _ the city now? yes, it is all a bit eerie, really, the son _ the city now? yes, it is all a bit eerie, really, the son has - the city now? yes, it is all a bit eerie, really, the son hasjust i the city now? yes, it is all a bit - eerie, really, the son hasjust come out, it is actually a beautiful day and there are people going about almost business as usual. the buses are running, we spoke to people who

said their parents have gone to work today, so, in a sense, on one level, there is this kind of normal life continuing. we have had people around here walking their dogs in the park. 0n the other hand, there are queues of course for petrol, people preparing to get out of here as quickly as they can. we have had conversations with people here who are trying to evacuate relatives much closer to the frontline, so people are worried, people are scared. some are leaving, some are making plans for now. there are queues at the atm machines, there is a limit on how much money people can take out and we have seen hughes at some shops. so you don't get a sense of an all—out rush for the exit and all that panic but even last night, when i was talking to them before this happened, people were telling me this was scared because they have lived in what is known as the donetsk people's republic, it was violent, it was all for they have told me that don't want that again and they know this time it wouldn't just be the militia, it would also be russian troops that would occupy this land be russian troops that would occupy this [and so they don't want that to

happen at all. this land so they don't want that to happen at all-— happen at all. and, sarah, the mobilisation _ happen at all. and, sarah, the mobilisation that _ happen at all. and, sarah, the mobilisation that was - happen at all. and, sarah, the mobilisation that was called i happen at all. and, sarah, the| mobilisation that was called by president zelensky, you talked about the defiance that you heard and you visited reservists here in kyiv when you were here, is that going to have a profound impact?— you were here, is that going to have a profound impact? well, the numbers that i have heard _ a profound impact? well, the numbers that i have heard that _ a profound impact? well, the numbers that i have heard that the _ a profound impact? well, the numbers that i have heard that the president. that i have heard that the president has called for are not enormous so far. there are, i think, has called for are not enormous so far. there are, ithink, more has called for are not enormous so far. there are, i think, more than 200,000 reservists in this country. so far, he hasjust 200,000 reservists in this country. so far, he has just called 200,000 reservists in this country. so far, he hasjust called up 200,000 reservists in this country. so far, he has just called up 36,000 but that was before the war began. certainly, we were told that the military recruitment office in the next town, or a couple of tans away from here, they said they had had a real surge in people coming up, getting their call—up papers and returning to report for duty. i would expect that obviously to increase in the coming days, so yes, people already being told now that essentially anyone can get a weapon, they will be handing out weapons

here. just a couple of days ago now, the parliament passed a law making it easier to get a firearm. a couple of days before that, we were hearing that even in kyiv, shops that sold guns were running out of ammunition so people are trying to do what they can to defend their land, their property, this country, which vladimir putin has made quite clear he doesn't believe even exists as a nation and what we are seeing now is his attempt to make that a reality. sarah rainsford, thank you very much forjoining us from the eastern ukraine, where shejust forjoining us from the eastern ukraine, where she just reported, there are explosions taking place there. in the last hour, we had an explosion taking place here but, as sarah reported there, she still sees people walking their dogs in the park, buses running on time, people going to work, hoping against hope they can keep on with their life as they can keep on with their life as they knew it, even though now there is a palpable worry and, for some people, fear that life as they knew

it is now slowly changing beyond all recognition. we are going to continue our spatial coverage of the russian invasion of ukraine here on bbc news, but, for now, i will hand you back to the studio in london. thank you and thank you very much for your messages as well. darius says i am a native ukrainian living in lancashire and my parents and friends are in ukraine. my biggest worry is that the people of ukraine will be left behind. there has been no focus on the humanitarian side or any support so far. putin is talking about the denazification of ukraine, allowing his military to kill civilians as they see fit. this has to be prevented and discussions must start taking place now about providing far—reaching support for the regular people in ukraine.

this is from evgenia, my mum flew in from kyiv last night, all my friends are there, the ukrainian army will do what they can to stop russia, but russia wants to create panic. stop panicking, do what they can to stop russia, but russia wants to create panic. stop panicking, help do what they can to stop russia, but russia wants to create panic. stop panicking, help ukraine, do what they can to stop russia, but russia wants to create panic. stop panicking, help ukraine, we do what they can to stop russia, but russia wants to create panic. stop panicking, help ukraine, we need britain and the west to help us. and this is from paul, my wife is currently in dnipro in ukraine, i hope i pronounce that correctly, visiting family. she has uk citizenship but will not leave her family. i was recently going to visit myself but cancelled after the tensions escalated. now i am worried about my wife's safety, i don't understand why president putin thinks he can take ukraine, like he did cry me, and get away with it. maybe because he did take romeu and get away with it. we can talk to a student at university college london who is from ukraine, and i gather you have spoken to yourfamily

from ukraine, and i gather you have spoken to your family in the capital, kyiv, how are they? what did they say to you?— capital, kyiv, how are they? what did they say to you? thank you for invitin: did they say to you? thank you for inviting me _ did they say to you? thank you for inviting me to _ did they say to you? thank you for inviting me to speak, _ did they say to you? thank you for inviting me to speak, and - did they say to you? thank you for inviting me to speak, and my - did they say to you? thank you for. inviting me to speak, and my parents are not now in the capital, they are in the south of ukraine, in the 0dessa region. there have been a lot of explosions because russia attacked ukraine from all possible borders, north, south, east. my parents, luckily, they are in the countryside already, so i hope it will be easierfor them countryside already, so i hope it will be easier for them to survive during this time, because russia is targeting some strategic objects, key objects, different military structures. my sister is still in odessa. she is working in state 0dessa. she is working in state administration and yesterday they had to come to work, they continue

to do their work. but later, like at this time, they were asked to leave and find some safe spaces, and she is trying to move to some countryside or something, because it is pretty dangerous to stay. xyour is pretty dangerous to stay. your arents is pretty dangerous to stay. your parents in _ is pretty dangerous to stay. your parents in the — is pretty dangerous to stay. your parents in the south _ is pretty dangerous to stay. your parents in the south of _ is pretty dangerous to stay. your parents in the south of ukraine, tell us where they are specifically, and have they themselves heard explosions? it and have they themselves heard exolosions?_ explosions? it is odessa region, eah, i explosions? it is odessa region, yeah. ljust _ explosions? it is odessa region, yeah. liust had _ explosions? it is odessa region, yeah, ijust had a _ explosions? it is odessa region, yeah, ijust had a call— explosions? it is odessa region, yeah, ijust had a call with - explosions? it is odessa region, yeah, ijust had a call with them| yeah, ijust had a call with them just one hour ago and i asked to them, can they hear something and yeah, they answered that they could hear sounds of explosion, but they couldn't see any signs. my sister told me that in odessa there were some sounds of explosions. fik.

told me that in odessa there were some sounds of explosions. ok. and ou sa some sounds of explosions. ok. and you say you — some sounds of explosions. ok. and you say you hope _ some sounds of explosions. ok. and you say you hope they _ some sounds of explosions. ok. and you say you hope they are _ some sounds of explosions. ok. and you say you hope they are going - some sounds of explosions. ok. and you say you hope they are going to l you say you hope they are going to survive because they are in the countryside?— countryside? well, it is safer, because right _ countryside? well, it is safer, because right now— countryside? well, it is safer, because right now russia - countryside? well, it is safer, because right now russia is i because right now russia is targeting big cities and key objects, keep military objects and aspects of state administration or something like that. so it is not possible to find anything like that in the countryside. i am probably exaggerating, i am very emotional right now, but there are some victims amongst civilians, because russia is targeting, light, cities, there are different explosions, and they are trying to fight with the military services, so yeah, i think that the danger of civilian deaths is pretty high, so that is why everyone is in danger. i was checking to my friends just how they

are doing, they are leaving their apartments for bomb shelters, but honestly panic is pretty high, and people are disoriented, but the only nazi in the region is putin and his government, and he was saying that all these bombings are staged by ukraine, not russia, it is very pathetic and miserable, i don't know how people can still support, people in russia can still support its government. in russia can still support its government-— in russia can still support its government. in russia can still support its rovernment. :, :, , :, :, government. how do you feel about what is happening _ government. how do you feel about what is happening in _ government. how do you feel about what is happening in your— government. how do you feel about what is happening in your country? | government. how do you feel about| what is happening in your country? i feel horrible. like, i am trying to find ways, how else can i help, except of talking about it here, except of talking about it here, except of talking to my friends in london, that we need to support ukraine, we need to push to educate for some governmental answers from

the uk, from other western countries. ifeel very the uk, from other western countries. i feel very worried, because as i said, there is a huge danger that a lot of people can die, and people are dying right now because they are reading information about all these deaths. i think it is impossible that this is happening right now in 2022, like in 2022 putin just invades right now in 2022, like in 2022 putinjust invades a right now in 2022, like in 2022 putin just invades a whole independent country, just doing it independent country, just doing it in a very cynical way, just because he can. and everybody is just watching. but ukraine is defending itself, ukraine has a strong army, ukraine has a lot of people who volunteer to go to some territorial defence, and it will not be easy for putin at all. but we hope for international support, for military assistance, for humanitarian assistance, for humanitarian assistance, for humanitarian assistance, for political assistance, for political assistance, because putin will not

stop at ukraine, you know? it is just a matter of time.— stop at ukraine, you know? it is just a matter of time. anna, thank ou ve just a matter of time. anna, thank you very much _ just a matter of time. anna, thank you very much for _ just a matter of time. anna, thank you very much for talking - just a matter of time. anna, thank you very much for talking to - just a matter of time. anna, thank you very much for talking to us. i just a matter of time. anna, thank| you very much for talking to us. we really appreciated, thank you. thank ou. we are going to talk now about a modern tactic of war for that russia has used successfully in the past, and it is cyber attacks, joe tidy is our cyber reporter. tell us what you know about in the last 2a hours. well, yesterday, ukraine was hit with ddos attacks, which stands for distributed denial of service, and it is the type of attack is very blunt, unsophisticated. if you think about the day that tickets go on sale for glastonbury or another popular festival, everyone sale for glastonbury or another popularfestival, everyone has that computer system, they go to the website, too many requests, and the site goes down. we saw that

happening yesterday and into the evening on multiple sites in ukraine, government websites and banks. it is the third time it has happened since january, and ukraine is probably the most attacked country. usually, the finger of blame is pointing out russia, but we have been waiting to see whether the activity will be ramped up during the crisis, and it looks like it has. late last night, we saw a very dangerous attack, a type of attack, that they call a wiper. this is a form of attack where a computer system is infiltrated, and the hackers take over all the data and wipe the data. sometimes it is disguised as a ransomware attack, this is the thing where a hacker will encrypt a computer system's data and charge money, usually bitcoin, to get the data back. i wiper attack gives no chance to get that data back, it destroys the system. this has come from two cyber security companies, they have

discovered this being used in ukraine. they say there are hundreds of affected systems. we don't know whether that is hundreds of companies or systems within a couple of companies, but there is a real concern this could spread, and we have already seen this attack take out systems in lithuania as well. it has been a concern that any attack on ukraine is awful and part of this building of chaos and fear that goes with a military attack, but it could spread. in with a military attack, but it could sread. . with a military attack, but it could sread. , :, with a military attack, but it could sread. ,:, :_ :, spread. in terms of cyber attack, if ou have spread. in terms of cyber attack, if you have gas _ spread. in terms of cyber attack, if you have gas tanks _ spread. in terms of cyber attack, if you have gas tanks going - spread. in terms of cyber attack, if you have gas tanks going on, - you have gas tanks going on, crossing borders, and you are attacking computer networks in a country, what impact does it have on a population? melt country, what impact does it have on a population?— a population? well come up with somethin: a population? well come up with something like _ a population? well come up with something like a _ a population? well come up with something like a ddos _ a population? well come up with something like a ddos attack, i a population? well come up with something like a ddos attack, it| a population? well come up with l something like a ddos attack, it is about spreading confusion and fear. these are taking down websites that offer information. last week we saw attacks on banks. we don't know the extent of yesterday's tax on banks, but it could mean people cannot get money out of atms and that sort of

thing. but mainly it is about spreading confusion and fear, giving the population the idea that things are out of control. they used it in crimea, the russians, and in georgia as well. and we were expecting this in the cybersecurity world, but it is the wiper attacks that are a real concern, because if that it is a government institution or something like a critical infrastructure organisation, that could cause real problems, and when you have got a military incursion with that, it causes problems for people just trying to fight on the streets. russia will deny they are behind any cyber attacks. russia will deny they are behind any cyber attacks-— russia will deny they are behind any cyber attacks._ how| cyber attacks. they always do. how do we know — cyber attacks. they always do. how do we know it _ cyber attacks. they always do. how do we know it is _ cyber attacks. they always do. how do we know it is russia? _ cyber attacks. they always do. how do we know it is russia? what - cyber attacks. they always do. how do we know it is russia? what we l cyber attacks. they always do. how i do we know it is russia? what we are seeinr is do we know it is russia? what we are seeing is very — do we know it is russia? what we are seeing is very quick — do we know it is russia? what we are seeing is very quick attribution - do we know it is russia? what we are seeing is very quick attribution in - seeing is very quick attribution in the western world. it used to be the case that the likes of gchq or the fbi would take a longtime case that the likes of gchq or the fbi would take a long time to decide whether or not russia was guilty of this sort of thing, sometimes blaming a country years after it

happened. but after last week, within 48 hours we sold the uk cyber authority is putting the blame squarely at russia for the attacks that took place.— that took place. thank you very much, that took place. thank you very much. joe. _ that took place. thank you very much. joe. joe _ that took place. thank you very much, joe, joe tidy, _ that took place. thank you very much, joe, joe tidy, i- that took place. thank you very much, joe, joe tidy, i cyber - much, joe, joe tidy, i cyber reporter. earlier, lyse doucet spoke to the president of the oxford alumni ukrainian society, and he has travelled this morning after leaving his home in ukrainian capital, kyiv. there are big queues at gas stations and next to stores, but i think it is more of confident resolve than panic. people are just following their plans. and what do you think their plans are? so, from my perspective, people i talk to, it is first taking their families somewhere safe and then following the advice and commands of the central government, so we trust our military, we trust our government,

so we will be seeing what is happening next. we have just heard from president zelensky, in his comments, saying that ukrainian citizens are now authorised to carry guns. we had to hearing reports that many more ukrainians were going to the gun shops. what do you think the impact of this will be? so i think that, for the last couple of months, there was a big uptick in procuring arms and joining armed forces and territorial defence, so i think it means people will resist, people believe they should be resisting and that no—one is supporting here. what were your reactions this morning when you first realised that this is it, it is happening, what so many predicted and feared but could not bring themselves to believe what would happen, when you realised the invasion was beginning,

what went through your mind? well, i think our fears were just realised, it is happening, it is real. it is 2021, middle europe, and it is still happening. it is outrageous. i was angry that it is still possible and that the people in russia still allow the government to behave so, and their president. just hearing that her majesty the queen has posed bound two virtual events that she was due to be taking part in today. the queen has postpone two virtual events that she was meant to be taking part in today because of what is happening in the east of europe. an e—mail here from one viewer, should countries ban all

russian national is carol travelling to and from russia, stopping flights to and from russia, stopping flights to and from russia? surely that would have an immediate and dramatic impact on everyday life and hopefully question the actions of the current regime. slavko says, i am a polish national in the uk, i am really worried about the situation in the ukraine, as the country's safety and integrity will have a significant impact on my home country. ifeel the uk government should impose more severe sanctions on russia and russian citizens in the uk. let's talk now to a member of the ukrainian parliament, who is joining us from ukraine. thank you very much for talking to us. first of all, what is it like for you in the capital right now?- of all, what is it like for you in the capital right now? thank you for havin: the capital right now? thank you for having me- — the capital right now? thank you for having me- so _ the capital right now? thank you for having me- so i— the capital right now? thank you for having me. so i woke _ the capital right now? thank you for having me. so i woke up _ the capital right now? thank you for having me. so i woke up at - the capital right now? thank you for having me. so i woke up at 4:30 - the capital right now? thank you for having me. so i woke up at 4:30 in| having me. so i woke up at 4:30 in the morning because i was hearing explosions, and we were hearing the

explosions, and we were hearing the explosions every ten or 15 minutes for about two hours after that. then we had to go to the parliament, because the parliament had to declare martial law in the country, so we gathered in the parliament and declared the martial law. we are currently waiting in governmental quotas for further decisions that need to be made by the ukrainian parliament, which obviously would include full mobilisation for military purposes. we have heard another set of explosions just 40 or 50 minutes ago. what we understand right now is that they are targeting mainly military institutions, they are targeting weapon storages, and they have been targeting the airports. they have been targeting primarily the military airports, and i praise our military forces, because they knew about these attacks in advance, and they have

taken off all the aeroplanes that had been located there at the time, so they haven't hit a single ukrainian aeroplane in those attacks. , :, , ukrainian aeroplane in those attacks, , :, , ., attacks. sorry to interrupt. can i ask ou, attacks. sorry to interrupt. can i ask you. what — attacks. sorry to interrupt. can i ask you, what do _ attacks. sorry to interrupt. can i ask you, what do you _ attacks. sorry to interrupt. can i ask you, what do you think - attacks. sorry to interrupt. can i- ask you, what do you think president putin is going to do? is that his ambition, to take over the whole of ukraine and get rid of your president? i ukraine and get rid of your president?— ukraine and get rid of your resident? , , :, , :, :, :, president? i guess anyone who heard his seech president? i guess anyone who heard his speech the _ president? i guess anyone who heard his speech the other— president? i guess anyone who heard his speech the other day _ president? i guess anyone who heard his speech the other day about - his speech the other day about ukraine not being a sovereign state, about ukraine being created by lennon, and about ukraine not having a right to get out from the soviet union, i guess everyone can understand a right to get out from the soviet union, i guess everyone can understand that a right to get out from the soviet union, i guess everyone can understand that they a right to get out from the soviet union, i guess everyone can understand that they are a right to get out from the soviet union, i guess everyone can understand that they are simply hating ukraine. he hates the very fact that ukraine exists, and he does want to destroy us as a sovereign state. that is why he is doing what he is doing right now. and he has been doing that for perhaps eight years, but now it is

an face in his life, and he is doing everything irrationally, but what i can tell you from recent news that we are hearing is that ukraine armed forces are fighting back. all the rumours that they have taken over the country, they are very much overrated. ukrainians have even taken back smaller towns in the donbas area, which they were trying to take. there are major fights happening right now to the south in the city closest that has been attacked, and some fightings around kharkiv, the second biggest city in ukraine, to the east. there were rumours that they are close to taking over how give, but that is not true. :. :. r' taking over how give, but that is not true. :, :, ,~' ,:, taking over how give, but that is not true. :, :, ,~' , :, :, taking over how give, but that is not true. :, :, y:, :, ,:, not true. can i ask you what you

think of western _ not true. can i ask you what you think of western nations - not true. can i ask you what you think of western nations should | not true. can i ask you what you i think of western nations should do to try and deter president putin from going any further, to help ukraine? i from going any further, to help ukraine? :. :. from going any further, to help ukraine? :, :, i. from going any further, to help ukraine? :, : :, ukraine? i am asking you so much, on behalf of the — ukraine? i am asking you so much, on behalf of the whole _ ukraine? i am asking you so much, on behalf of the whole of _ ukraine? i am asking you so much, on behalf of the whole of ukraine, - ukraine? i am asking you so much, on behalf of the whole of ukraine, on - behalf of the whole of ukraine, on behalf of the whole of ukraine, on behalf of the families of ukrainian soldiers who have already died, on behalf of the families of the 15—year—old kid who was killed at his home in kharkiv region this morning, in the shelling attacks, please introduce all the possible sanctions. there is no way for diplomacy right now. there is no place for argument, saying that if we introduce this it might provoke him. he has already provoked. there is no way it can get any worse. it can only stop if he has no money and if he has no political support. so strongest economic sanctions, making sure that the economy stops functioning, making sure that all his cronies are getting scared of

the individual sanctions. specifically to the united kingdom, please just kick out of the country all the sons and daughters of all the russian oligarchs, of all putin's cronies who are currently studying in the west. let them go back to moscow and tell their parents they have been kicked out of the universities because their parents have supported the invasion to ukraine. that is probably when they will understand how much it can hurt on a personal level. so i am asking you to do this. we shall do our best in ukraine, but without stronger sanctions from the west, economic sanctions and military support, we are grateful to the united kingdom, but we really need more right now, it will be very difficult for us to stand. that more right now, it will be very difficult for us to stand. that is a really clear _ difficult for us to stand. that is a really clear message. _ difficult for us to stand. that is a really clear message. thank - difficult for us to stand. that is a really clear message. thank you | difficult for us to stand. that is a i really clear message. thank you for talking to us, we appreciated. a member of parliament, yeah, i am asking you, she said, on behalf of ukraine and the people who have already died, can you stop putin

getting access to money? can you bring down tough economic sanctions to make sure the russian economy stops functioning, can you kick out the sons and daughters of russian oligarchs who are studying at universities in the west? we will stay in kyiv and talk to maria, who awoke to the sound of shelling in the capital this morning. maria is a research director at the european expert association, which focuses on international security. how are you? well, the situation is very worrying, i am actually in kharkiv, which is the second—largest city in ukraine, on the east, 1.5 million city, and we have here major shelling today in the morning, and now it is also distant shelling that we hear, and our military reports that they have already shut down

four russian tanks, that were already on ukrainian soil. so russia is now invading ukraine not only by shelling and missiles, but also on the operational level on the ground. are you going to stay? yes. the operational level on the ground. are you going to stay?— are you going to stay? yes, i am auoin to are you going to stay? yes, i am going to stay. — are you going to stay? yes, i am going to stay. i _ are you going to stay? yes, i am going to stay, i am _ are you going to stay? yes, i am going to stay, i am not _ are you going to stay? yes, i am going to stay, i am not going - are you going to stay? yes, i am going to stay, i am not going to l going to stay, i am not going to leave. we know where to go if they start to use aeroplanes and strikes from the air, because we have shelters here. but i am also ready to fight, because it is our land, and we didn't threaten russia with anything. we are a free democratic community which wanted to be part of europe, and what is going on, it is unbelievable, so i do not have any place to go. my home is here, and i will defend it with all the means

that i have. will defend it with all the means that l have-— will defend it with all the means that i have. how will you defend our that i have. how will you defend your home? _ that i have. how will you defend your home? well, _ that i have. how will you defend your home? well, me _ that i have. how will you defend your home? well, me and - that i have. how will you defend your home? well, me and my i that i have. how will you defend - your home? well, me and my friends, we were going — your home? well, me and my friends, we were going on _ your home? well, me and my friends, we were going on the _ your home? well, me and my friends, we were going on the train _ your home? well, me and my friends, we were going on the train to - your home? well, me and my friends, we were going on the train to a - we were going on the train to a territorial defence unit, and now all in the territorial defence unit, they are gathering and being instructed on what to do and how to fight, and the minister of defence and the general staff said that all the men and women who are capable of fighting now should go and do their duty. so ukrainians are ready to fight and to resist, and we are already doing that, and russia is spreading disinformation, saying that ukraine is surrendering. it is not true, they even posted a message today saying that they have already occupied kharkiv — it is not true as well. so the ukrainian army holds

the city, but the situation can worsen at any moment now. ok. you talked about _ worsen at any moment now. ok. you talked about essentially _ worsen at any moment now. ok. you talked about essentially being - talked about essentially being members of the territorial army, you would be prepared to buy weapons and fight russian soldiers? yeah. fight russian soldiers? yeah, because we — fight russian soldiers? yeah, because we are _ fight russian soldiers? yeah, because we are defending - fight russian soldiers? yeah, | because we are defending our fight russian soldiers? yeah, - because we are defending our land, we have never threatened to rush out with anything, and it is russian soldiers who now come here. kharkiv is a russian speaking city, and that means that russian soldiers are now here to kill, you know, people who speak the same language as them, and thatis speak the same language as them, and that is unbelievable, what is happening. i neverthought that is unbelievable, what is happening. i never thought that putin would actually start a war, and now he behaves the same as hitler did in 1939, looking fora pretext and then invading the neighbouring country.-

pretext and then invading the neighbouring country. there have been a number— neighbouring country. there have been a number of _ neighbouring country. there have been a number of people - neighbouring country. there have been a number of people who - neighbouring country. there have l been a number of people who have compared putin to hitler because of what has happened in the last 24 hours, and of course in his address in the early hours of the morning, president putin himself tried to justify going into ukraine by saying it was about denazification of ukraine. what do you think that means? ~ :. ~ means? well, while we were talking, the shellin: means? well, while we were talking, the shelling can _ means? well, while we were talking, the shelling can be _ means? well, while we were talking, the shelling can be heard _ means? well, while we were talking, the shelling can be heard now, - means? well, while we were talking, the shelling can be heard now, also l the shelling can be heard now, also major shelling is happening outside of my house. major shelling is happening outside of my house-— of my house. maria, if you need to no of my house. maria, if you need to go somewhere _ of my house. maria, if you need to go somewhere else, _ of my house. maria, if you need to go somewhere else, then - of my house. maria, if you need to| go somewhere else, then please... no, we can go on. can you please repeat the question because... what were you asking? repeat the question because. .. what were you asking?— were you asking? president putin, in his early morning _ were you asking? president putin, in his early morning address _ were you asking? president putin, in his early morning address this - his early morning address this morning, tried to justify his invasion of your country by saying he was going to do nuts if i

ukraine. i wasjust he was going to do nuts if i ukraine. i was just asking what you thought that meant. —— denazify. complete lies that putin users because he wants to get control over ukraine. there are no nazis here, no discrimination of russian speaking population, nothing like that, but what putin and his propaganda media have been doing very intensively,, they were trying to create a pretext to show something for their population, and now i am monitoring russian media, because that is my job, i do research into disinformation, and what is going on there, it isjust disinformation, and what is going on there, it is just disgusting, because they are praising his actions here in ukraine, and praising the killings of ukrainian citizens, and that is just something

you cannot believe that is happening right now. so putinjust you cannot believe that is happening right now. so putin just wanted to show something to his population, because he was not speaking about some kind of aggressive nazis, since 2014, since that time, 14,000 ukrainians have already been killed in that war by the russian backed troops, and now they decide that they cannot change anything with the russian troops in donbas and invade the country with the thank you very much for talking to us, please take care. . ~' much for talking to us, please take care. :, ~ , :, , much for talking to us, please take care. :, ~ y:, , :, :, care. thank you. this e-mailfrom elena, i care. thank you. this e-mailfrom elena. i live _ care. thank you. this e-mailfrom elena, i live in _ care. thank you. this e-mailfrom elena, i live in london, _ care. thank you. this e-mailfrom elena, i live in london, or- care. thank you. this e-mailfrom elena, i live in london, or my - elena, i live in london, or my family are in kyiv, my family says food has been swept from the shells because of gridlock on the roads they cannot go anywhere, i am devastated, scared, feeling so powerless, as i cannot help them. thank you for your coverage. if you

want to get in touch, you are very welcome. hello, again. wherever you are today, it is going to be windy and that wind will accentuate the cold feel of the day. the met office also has a yellow weather warning in force for snow and frequent lightning across parts of northern ireland and scotland. we could have up to 20 centimetres of lying snow on higher ground in scotland and between 1—7 centimetres at lower levels. colder air has been filtering in behind this weather front, which brought rain this morning across parts of england and wales and we've got another system enhancing the showers in the north. so, as we go through the afternoon, it will brighten up across england and wales. still a few showers. any wintriness will be in the hills at lower levels, it's likely to be sleet or indeed rain and we still have some snow on higher ground across northern ireland and scotland. now, these are the gusts of wind

that you can expect. so, as you can see, wherever you are, it's going to be windy and temperatures today ranging from four in the north to eight in the south, but when you add on that wind chill, it will feel close to freezing, if not below. we hang on to the thunderstorms for a time this evening, before they fade. it will still be windy but, by the end of the night, for some in the west, the wind will be slowly easing and under clear skies in scotland and sheltered parts of northern england, we will see a touch of frost. there's also the chance we could see some ice on untreated surfaces. that leads us into friday, where we've got this ridge of high pressure building in, settling things down, but you can see the isobar is still quite close together in the east initially, and that means that, in eastern areas, it's going to be a windy start, but, as this ridge of high pressure builds in, things settle down. we'll have a lot of dry weather, there will be a fair bit of sunshine around. but, through the afternoon, the cloud is going to start to build out towards the west, heralding the arrival of another weatherfront, which is going

to introduce some rain. temperatures tomorrow not as low as today, 5—11 degrees, and it will feel that bit better because the wind will also be lighter. now, high pressure remains in the south as we go through the weekend, but you can see weather fronts flirting with the west and they will bring in some rain, particularly as we go through saturday night into sunday. but, essentially, as we go through this weekend, for many of us, it's going to be a quieter weekend, certainly nothing like last weekend and, for england and wales, there will be a fair bit of sunshine at times.

this is bbc news. the headlines... russia launches a full—scale attack on ukraine from multiple directions. we have these images of the russian military crossing the border back to the south. missiles have struck key targets. several debts have been reported, ukraine's president issues this update. translation: russia has carried out strikes on our military _ infrastructure and on our border guards and border detachments. explosions were heard in many cities of the ukraine. we are imposing martial law in all regions of our state. long queues build in kyiv as people try to escape. you's say it is your�*s worst moment for more than 80

years. these are among the darkest hours for europe — these are among the darkest hours for europe since the end of world war ll _ for europe since the end of world war ii. . . :. for europe since the end of world war ii. ,, :, :, for europe since the end of world war". ,, :, :, :, ._ war ii. russian tanks already re orted war ii. russian tanks already reported to _ war ii. russian tanks already reported to be _ war ii. russian tanks already reported to be on _ war ii. russian tanks already reported to be on ukraine's l war ii. russian tanks already - reported to be on ukraine's second city of kharkiv. we are expecting a statement from the nato secretary general. welcome to bbc news. russia has invaded ukraine by land, airand sea invaded ukraine by land, airand sea in what president putin has said a special military operation. ukraine says russian military vehicles event at the country from many directions including from occupied crimea and from belarus to the north. cruise and ballistic missiles have hit military headquarters and airports

including bt kyiv international airport. let's go straight to the ukrainian capitalfor airport. let's go straight to the ukrainian capital for topic and join our respondent lyse doucet. you join us in kyiv this morning, the capital of ukraine, a country now under invasion in several directions. from russian forces. eight hours since the first explosions were heard here in kyiv and in so many other parts of this country. in the last hour, we also heard an explosion, saw an explosion here in the capital in this direction and there is an acrid smell still in the air that we can taste and feel, the sense of the explosion still happening here and in eastern ukraine with many ukrainians now asking how far will this invasion go and how long will our lives be turned upside down like this. let's take a look at the latest developments in the past eight hours. in a televised address

the russian president launched what he called a special military operation in the donbas region, aimed at what he said was the demilitarisation and removal of notification. russia says it is targeting military infrastructure. ukraine's foreign minister has accused mr putin of launching a full—scale invasion. leaders around the world have strongly condemned this offensive. russian military convoys have entered ukraine from all directions — including from neighbouring belarus. earlier, this week president putin announced he would recognise the independence of two self—proclaimed people's republics of donetsk and luhansk in eastern ukraine. martial law has been declared in ukraine.

president zelensky called on all citizens who were ready to defend the country to come forward. and he said the government will issue weapons to those who do volunteer. in his televised address, president putin vowed retaliation against those who interfere with the operation. which is still under way. translation: whoever tries to interfere with us, - or threaten our country, should know that russia's response will be immediate and lead to such consequences that have never been experienced in history. let's hear more from a president zelensky, telling citizens those who volunteer could bear arms in the

site. translation: russia has carried out strikes on our military - infrastructure and on our border guards and border detachments. explosions were heard in many cities of the ukraine. we are imposing martial law in all regions of our state. a minute ago, i had a telephone conversation with president biden. the united states has already begun preparing for international support. we need you to be calm today. if possible, please stay at home. seeing right across this country different rhythms of life now, the roads out of many of the major cities including here in kyiv are nowjammed with vehicles as people try to flee somewhere they believe they will be safer. and yet in other cities including here in the capital kyiv, people continue to go about

their daily lives. taking the buses and going to work. this is a world that has been turned upside down. earlier we spoke to the ukrainian member of parliament to ask her her reaction to the events. it is member of parliament to ask her her reaction to the events.— reaction to the events. it is a nightmare. _ reaction to the events. it is a nightmare, honestly, - reaction to the events. it is a nightmare, honestly, i- reaction to the events. it is a nightmare, honestly, i could| reaction to the events. it is a - nightmare, honestly, i could never evenin nightmare, honestly, i could never even in my worst dreams imagine this kind of situation developing. it is surreal that we have to witness this in the middle of europe in the 21st—century and it is unjust, unfair, clearly an invasion, an attack on ukraine, notjust ukrainian military bed on ukrainian civilians. we have had reports of a building in kharkiv being shelled, civilian casualties, children among them. it is war at its worst. and them. it is war at its worst. and ou them. it is war at its worst. and you must _ them. it is war at its worst. and you must have _ them. it is war at its worst. and you must have heard _ them. it is war at its worst. and

you must have heard as we did the explosion just in the past few minutes and i can see behind the foreign ministry here quite close to the centre of the capital the plumes of white smoke rising in the air. early this morning we also heard the emergency sirens sounding as well. what do you think ukraine should be doing now? idale what do you think ukraine should be doini now? ~ :. what do you think ukraine should be doini now? ~ :, :, : doing now? we have introduced martial law _ doing now? we have introduced martial law but _ doing now? we have introduced martial law but at _ doing now? we have introduced martial law but at the _ doing now? we have introduced martial law but at the moment. doing now? we have introduced . martial law but at the moment that people, ukrainians need to keep calm and keep a cool head as much as possible in these drastic times and this awful situation we are all in. at the moment ukraine is doing all we can, we are fighting back with all we have but i'm afraid that this will not be enough and we need the be i'd of all western allies, nato allies, from the eu, from the states, from canada to come together

to stand for ukraine, notjust with more robust sanctions but also with military presence here on the ground. we need an emergency resolution of the un general assembly, not of the security council because we have the biggest aggressive state in the world in another organisation. the general assembly made the decision to introduce un peacekeepers in previous times and the same should be done now for ukraine. eyre previous times and the same should be done now for ukraine.— be done now for ukraine. are you confident he _ be done now for ukraine. are you confident he will— be done now for ukraine. are you confident he will get _ be done now for ukraine. are you confident he will get the - be done now for ukraine. are you confident he will get the support | confident he will get the support you need? we have seen western capital after another, statements of support, statements that more sanctions will be imposed. do you sense that the world is standing behind ukraine now? the political

su ort is behind ukraine now? the political support is always _ behind ukraine now? the political support is always there _ behind ukraine now? the political support is always there and - behind ukraine now? the political support is always there and has i support is always there and has always been there. it is great to receive messages from friends and colleagues from all around the world as well as to see the twitter hashtags and the tweets and different political statements from governments and parliaments all over. we are grateful for that and thankful for it but it is not enough. we need a robust stance against the totalitarian aggressive power, we need to stop it now and stand together with ukraine for democracy and security in the world. i am sure your phone has not stopped ever since we heard the first explosions here, contacted by fellow parliamentarians, friends, family. we hear people fleeing and also people going to work. how would you describe the rhythm of the city now? the thing is, i have been in parliament since around 7am this

morning, i don't even know what the response is right now because we have been in and out of meetings and votes and we are on standby as we are waiting for the decree of the president and the ukrainian people because this is something else... speaking to me earlier. let's cross to moscow, we have more details from russian officials about what they call these special military operations now unfolding across ukraine. we have reports from our colleagues on the ground of heavy fighting in the direction of the city of kharkiv and is fighting in the city itself. we can speak to the bbc russian service will stop can you update us us what the latest is right now. moscow claims the military is coming forward to the ukrainian borders,

that the military is still destroying military infrastructure of the ukraine. they are denying that they are carrying missile attacks on the cities or the residential areas but the report from the towns near kharkiv show thatis from the towns near kharkiv show that is untrue because there are already photos and videos of homes which were destroyed by the missile attacks from people there. and which were destroyed by the missile attacks from people there.— attacks from people there. and we have any sense — attacks from people there. and we have any sense of _ attacks from people there. and we have any sense of where _ attacks from people there. and we have any sense of where this - attacks from people there. and we have any sense of where this is - have any sense of where this is heading if you look at the military formations on the ground where the russian forces and heavy armouries are moving?— are moving? russian forces are movin: are moving? russian forces are moving forward _ are moving? russian forces are moving forward to _ are moving? russian forces are moving forward to the - are moving? russian forces are moving forward to the capital i are moving? russian forces are| moving forward to the capital of ukraine, kyiv, and and there were reports of missile attacks on the grounds near kyiv. if we come to the

statement that putin's aim is demilitarisation and de—nazifying, that effectively means that the troops could either isolate kyiv either enter in the city itself because putin also won the russian military is going to make arrests of ukrainian officials responsible for the so—called genocide of people in donetsk and other regions. and the so-called genocide of people in donetsk and other regions.- donetsk and other regions. and we also heard that _ donetsk and other regions. and we also heard that if _ donetsk and other regions. and we also heard that if necessary - donetsk and other regions. and we also heard that if necessary forces | also heard that if necessary forces from belarus could join in. is there any sense that that is a likely development?— any sense that that is a likely development? that is correct, ltelarusian _ development? that is correct, belarusian government - development? that is correct, . belarusian government confirmed development? that is correct, - belarusian government confirmed that and now russian troops are coming through the belarusian and ukrainian border but there is still a

probability that belarusian forces will join probability that belarusian forces willjoin but in the meantime they are only reports of russian army and russian military and i don't think that will be the likely option to belarusians to join now. that will be the likely option to belarusians tojoin now. only that will be the likely option to belarusians to join now. only encase probably if russian forces will be fighting civilian, having heavy losses. in this case a joint operation with belarus is a possibility. $5 operation with belarus is a possibility-— operation with belarus is a ossibili . a :, ,, :,~ possibility. as we are speaking, we look at the readouts _ possibility. as we are speaking, we look at the readouts of _ possibility. as we are speaking, we look at the readouts of the - possibility. as we are speaking, we look at the readouts of the call - look at the readouts of the call with journalists with the kremlin and there was a question being asked, what happens after the military operation, not intending to occupy ukraine, to which the answer was, no one is talking about occupation. do we know what the scenario would be? that

occupation. do we know what the scenario would be?— occupation. do we know what the scenario would be? that is correct that the kremlin _ scenario would be? that is correct that the kremlin spokesperson - scenario would be? that is correct| that the kremlin spokesperson has told journalists that but at the moment if we are keeping in mind but in's statement about the de—nazifying of ukraine, it would mean russia would probably try install... try to hold elections there. it is also a possibility. it is likely russia will not occupy the other regions apart from luhansk and donetsk but could still interfere in the positions in the government of the positions in the government of the ukraine if they are talking about de—nazifying like that and the like that. there are already reports from a belarusian president that he is keeping the option to gather in

minsk ukrainian leaders and russian leaders to hold peace talks, but there were no developments on that for now. so it is really difficult to predict what is going to happen with the ukrainian government in the upcoming hours or days, but what we know for sure is that the russian military is destroying ukrainian military is destroying ukrainian military infrastructure and probably will make them surrender. 5tark will make them surrender. stark times. thank _ will make them surrender. stark times. thank you _ will make them surrender. stark times. thank you very _ will make them surrender. stark times. thank you very much - will make them surrender. stark times. thank you very much for bringing us the latest from moscow and where this seems to be heading. as we have been reporting what happens now, the invasion of ukraine from several directions, has been described as a special military operation as the demutualisation,

the de—nazifying of ukraine, we have heard from our colleagues in russian saying that the russian military formations, heavy fighting in some parts of ukraine and they seem to be heading in the direction of the capital kyiv where we are now reporting on in all the latest military developments. also the diplomatic developments right around the world as the world wakes up to this russian attack on ukraine. let's bring in our ukraine correspondent. i know you have been looking at all the latest details and it is fast moving. tell us what you have seen and where the heaviest fighting now seems to be. idale you have seen and where the heaviest fighting now seems to be.— fighting now seems to be. we are caettin fighting now seems to be. we are getting reports — fighting now seems to be. we are getting reports of— fighting now seems to be. we are getting reports of heavy - fighting now seems to be. we are getting reports of heavy fighting i fighting now seems to be. we are | getting reports of heavy fighting in kharkiv to the north—east of ukraine, 25 miles from the border, a population of 1.4 million so it will cause a lot of concern. officials to the south say 18 people have been killed after military strike on a

military unit in a village on the outskirts. this coincides with president zelensky�*s speech, well away from his previous messaging of stay calm, we haven't seen evidence of an escalation. he hasjust encouraged his citizens to go to the hospital to donate blood for service personnel. he has also said anyone who wants a weapon will be issued with one and he has signed off with the now iconic glory to ukraine that so many now say more frequently these days but we are getting more reports of attacks from different directions where we are stirred is more quieter than it has ever been for so we can smell smoke, that is the sound of soldiers down below burning paperwork. there are more regular checkpoints as a result of the state of emergency, the martial law that is now being imposed on this country. fiend law that is now being imposed on this country-— this country. and the explosions, there was one _ this country. and the explosions, there was one here, _

this country. and the explosions, there was one here, we - this country. and the explosions, there was one here, we spoke i this country. and the explosions, there was one here, we spoke to | there was one here, we spoke to sarah raynsford, she said there were still explosions in eastern ukraine but not much detail on what is causing the explosions, what is happening. idale causing the explosions, what is happening-— causing the explosions, what is haueninu. ~ , :, :, ., causing the explosions, what is haueninu. ~ , :, :, :, ., happening. we 'ust heard another one there. if happening. we 'ust heard another one there. ifyou — happening. we just heard another one there. if you ask _ happening. we just heard another one there. if you ask the _ happening. we just heard another one there. if you ask the kremlin, - happening. we just heard another one there. if you ask the kremlin, they - there. if you ask the kremlin, they are targeting military sites. this morning, we understand an air base, an airport was targeted outside of the city, mid morning we had a much louder explosion except suggesting it was closer to the centre of the city where we are, just over the horizon there. as you can appreciate, it is hard to pinpoint exactly what the russian troops are targeting. what is coinciding with air strikes and artillery strikes at his advancing troops from the north, the reports that the border has been broken. the suggestion by belarusian officials that they would join russian troops, they would be willing to come we don't know if they have, this was long a security concern that there would be an advance from the north. we have seen

advance from the north. we have seen a concentration of fighting to the south, east, the north—east there have been explosions reported in the south—west as well. ukrainian is trying to escape their capital city and get to safety and they have thought the west might be a safe bet, but it is clear this is a full—scale assault and that enduring feature of unpredicted ability, not knowing what is going to happen next, goes on for ukraine. idale knowing what is going to happen next, goes on for ukraine. we heard hours aio next, goes on for ukraine. we heard hours ago reports. _ next, goes on for ukraine. we heard hours ago reports, official— next, goes on for ukraine. we heard hours ago reports, official reports i hours ago reports, official reports from russia saying they were meeting no resistance, that the ukrainian soldiers were laying down their arms. we heard from so gay in moscow saying that is what president putin, the russian forces are hoping to see. —— we heard from sergei. but we are hearing from them putting up a fierce fight. are hearing from them putting up a fierce fi . ht. , are hearing from them putting up a fierce fiiht. , ~' :, :, , fierce fight. they said, ukrainians, that they would _ fierce fight. they said, ukrainians, that they would fight _ fierce fight. they said, ukrainians, that they would fight through i fierce fight. they said, ukrainians, that they would fight through theirj that they would fight through their military, citizens as well, ordinary people saying they would fight. we have seen pictures of troops

mobilising to the south—east, we have reports of prolonged fighting in luhansk and donetsk which is in so much fighting but it stuff that has been the heart of where the eight—year war has been so far. but what goes alongside attacks and bomb strikes also becomes an exchange of words and claims that we have a claim from the kremlin that ukrainians have laid down arms, that is clearly not happen, and also the ukrainian forces say they have shut down six jets, ukrainian forces say they have shut down sixjets, but ukrainian forces say they have shut down six jets, but with no confirmation. but it is now about both countries trying to betray a strong front. what is clear is fighting is very much happening in more and more pockets of ukraine, the question is whether that fighting will arrive here on the capital and whether ukraine will be overwhelmed or not.— capital and whether ukraine will be overwhelmed or not. thank you very much for that _ overwhelmed or not. thank you very much for that update _ overwhelmed or not. thank you very much for that update on _ overwhelmed or not. thank you very much for that update on what i overwhelmed or not. thank you very much for that update on what is i much for that update on what is happening on the ground. we will bring you now to the press

conference ofjens stoltenberg in nato, the nato secretary general. idale nato, the nato secretary general. we now nato, the nato secretary general. - now have a war in europe on a scale and of a type we thought belonged to history. we have just and of a type we thought belonged to history. we havejust finished and of a type we thought belonged to history. we have just finished a meeting of the north atlantic council to discuss the situation. the council also addressed requests by bulgaria, the czech republic, estonia, latvia, lithuania, poland, romania and slovakia to hold urgent consultations under article four of the washington treaty. this is a grave moment for the security of europe. russia's unjustified and unprovoked attack on ukraine's —— ukraine is putting countless lives at risk. with the air and missile attacks, ground forces and special forces from multiple directions

targeting military infrastructure and major urban centres. this is a deliberate, cold—blooded and long planned invasion. despite its litany of lies, denials and this information, kremlin's intentions are clearfor information, kremlin's intentions are clear for the world to see. russia's leaders bear full responsibility for their reckless actions and the lives lost. nato allies condemn the invasion of ukraine in the strongest possible terms. it is a blatant violation of international law. an act of aggression against a sovereign, independent and peaceful country. and a serious threat to security. we

call on russia to immediately cease its military action, withdraw forces from ukraine and choose diplomacy. we fully support ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and ukraine's right to self defence. russia is using force to try and rewrite history and deny ukraine it's free and independent path. nato's core task is to protect and defend our allies. there must be no room for miscalculation or misunderstanding. an attack on one will be regarded as an attack on all. this is our collective security guarantee. today the north atlantic council decided to activate our defence plans, i'd request our top

military commander —— at request. this is a prudent and defensive step to protect and shield our nations during this crisis. and it will enable us to diploma capabilities including the noto —— to where they are needed. in response to a ship is not massive military build—up, we have strengthened our collective defence on land, at the end in the air. in the last weeks, allies from north america and europe have deployed thousands or more troops and placed more on standby. we have over 100 jets at high alert protecting our airspace. and more than 120 allied ships at sea from the high north to the mediterranean. all this shows that our collective

defence commitment is ironclad. we will continue to do what ever is necessary to shield lines from aggression. i have called a virtual summit of nato leaders tomorrow to address the way forward. russia is now facing consequences imposed by the whole international community. the kremlin's aim is to re—establish its sphere of influence. rip up the global rules that have kept us safe for decades. and submerge the values that we hold deal. —— subvert. this is the new normal for our security. peace cannot be taken for granted. freedom and democracy are contested

by authoritarian regimes and strategic competition is on the rise. we must respond. with renewed resolve and even stronger unity. north america and europe together nato. we are an alliance of 30 democracies standing as one. we will protect our people and our values. democracy will always prevail over autocracy. freedom will always prevail over oppression. and then i'm ready to take your questions. idale i'm ready to take your questions. we will no i'm ready to take your questions. we will go to interfax ukraine. secretary general, we all know that nato will _ secretary general, we all know that nato will not — secretary general, we all know that nato will not fight _ secretary general, we all know that nato will not fight for _ secretary general, we all know that nato will not fight for ukraine i secretary general, we all know that nato will not fight for ukraine but i nato will not fight for ukraine but don't _ nato will not fight for ukraine but don't you — nato will not fight for ukraine but don't you think _ nato will not fight for ukraine but don't you think it _ nato will not fight for ukraine but don't you think it is _ nato will not fight for ukraine but don't you think it is time - nato will not fight for ukraine but

don't you think it is time for- nato will not fight for ukraine but don't you think it is time for nato| don't you think it is time for nato to build _ don't you think it is time for nato to build an — don't you think it is time for nato to build an anti—putin _ don't you think it is time for nato to build an anti—putin coalition. l to build an anti—putin coalition. nalo's — to build an anti—putin coalition. nalo's stands _ to build an anti—putin coalition. nato's stands in _ to build an anti—putin coalition. nato's stands in solidarity i to build an anti—putin coalition. nato's stands in solidarity withl nato's stands in solidarity with ukraine and nato allies are imposing severe costs on russia for their reckless invasion of ukraine. nato allies and close correlation with european partners are imposing severe economic sanctions on russia to demonstrate that we follow up on what we said and that is that it will be a high price for a shepherd —— for russia to pay. we will also supply practical is about to ukraine and help them to build a much stronger better equipped, better

trained armed force today than ukraine had in 2014. and i would like to recognise the professionalism and the brave yim —— bravery of the ukrainian people in standing up against invasion. we continue to stand together, condemning the russian full—scale invasion of ukraine and the allies stand together in sending a message that we will never accept the brutal violation of international law that we see taking place is russia knowing they'd ukraine. idale we see taking place is russia knowing they'd ukraine. we will go to lzkloomberg- _ knowing they'd ukraine. we will go to bloomberg. to _ knowing they'd ukraine. we will go to bloomberg. to show— knowing they'd ukraine. we will go to bloomberg. to show any - to bloomberg. to show any information _ to bloomberg. to show any information that _ to bloomberg. to show any information that nato i to bloomberg. to show anyj information that nato allies to bloomberg. to show any i information that nato allies face a direct— information that nato allies face a direct threat — information that nato allies face a direct threat from _ information that nato allies face a direct threat from russia - information that nato allies face a direct threat from russia at - information that nato allies face a direct threat from russia at the i direct threat from russia at the moment— direct threat from russia at the moment and _ direct threat from russia at the moment and would _ direct threat from russia at the moment and would nato - direct threat from russia at the i moment and would nato reconsider military— moment and would nato reconsider military intervention _ moment and would nato reconsider military intervention in _ moment and would nato reconsider

military intervention in ukraine? i military intervention in ukraine? nato _ military intervention in ukraine? nato is — military intervention in ukraine? nato is the — military intervention in ukraine? nato is the strongest _ military intervention in ukraine? nato is the strongest alliance i military intervention in ukraine? nato is the strongest alliance in| nato is the strongest alliance in history and make no mistake, we will defend and protect every ally against any attack and every inch of nato territory and that is the reason we also have to increase our presence in the eastern part of the alliance with thousands massed troops, ships and planes over the last weeks. to send a very clear message that an attack on one all will trigger a response from her the lions and we do so not to provoke a conflict but to prevent a conflict. we do defensive, it is prudent, measured but it is necessary because we see the aggressive actions of russia against ukraine and therefore they need to be no misunderstanding that anything like that could be done against an nato allied country.

in the next statement you say we are deploying — in the next statement you say we are deploying additional— in the next statement you say we are deploying additional defensive - deploying additional defensive forces — deploying additional defensive forces and _ deploying additional defensive forces and increase _ deploying additional defensive forces and increase the - deploying additional defensive i forces and increase the readiness of forces _ forces and increase the readiness of forces is _ forces and increase the readiness of forces is this— forces and increase the readiness of forces. is this now _ forces and increase the readiness of forces. is this now today— forces and increase the readiness of forces. is this now today more i forces and increase the readiness of forces. is this now today more force is being _ forces. is this now today more force is being sent— forces. is this now today more force is being sent as— forces. is this now today more force is being sent as a— forces. is this now today more force is being sent as a result _ forces. is this now today more force is being sent as a result of- forces. is this now today more force is being sent as a result of the i is being sent as a result of the fact that — is being sent as a result of the fact that the _ is being sent as a result of the fact that the invasion - is being sent as a result of the fact that the invasion has i is being sent as a result of the fact that the invasion has nowl fact that the invasion has now happened _ fact that the invasion has now happened or— fact that the invasion has now happened or are _ fact that the invasion has now happened or are you - fact that the invasion has now happened or are you there i fact that the invasion has now i happened or are you there referring to what _ happened or are you there referring to what has— happened or are you there referring to what has already _ happened or are you there referring to what has already been _ happened or are you there referring to what has already been done i happened or are you there referring to what has already been done as i to what has already been done as reinforcements. _ to what has already been done as reinforcements. i— to what has already been done as reinforcements. i understand i to what has already been done as i reinforcements. i understand there will now— reinforcements. i understand there will now be — reinforcements. i understand there will now be the _ reinforcements. i understand there will now be the ability— reinforcements. i understand there will now be the ability to _ reinforcements. i understand there will now be the ability to assemble| will now be the ability to assemble the fee _ will now be the ability to assemble the fee jtf— will now be the ability to assemble the fee jtf without _ will now be the ability to assemble the fee jtf without having - will now be the ability to assemble the fee jtf without having to i will now be the ability to assemble the fee jtf without having to come back for— the fee jtf without having to come back for approval. _ the fee jtf without having to come back for approval. are _ the fee jtf without having to come back for approval. are you - the fee jtf without having to come back for approval. are you still- back for approval. are you still willing — back for approval. are you still willing to — back for approval. are you still willing to sit _ back for approval. are you still willing to sit down _ back for approval. are you still willing to sit down with - back for approval. are you still. willing to sit down with president putin— willing to sit down with president putin or— willing to sit down with president putin or other— willing to sit down with president putin or other representatives i willing to sit down with president putin or other representatives of| putin or other representatives of the russian _ putin or other representatives of the russian government - putin or other representatives of the russian government after. putin or other representatives of. the russian government after this putin or other representatives of- the russian government after this or are you _ the russian government after this or are you suspending _ the russian government after this or are you suspending your— the russian government after this or are you suspending your offer- the russian government after this or are you suspending your offer to i are you suspending your offer to hold talks — are you suspending your offer to hold talks on _ are you suspending your offer to hold talks on other— are you suspending your offer to hold talks on other issues - are you suspending your offer to hold talks on other issues and i hold talks on other issues and the nato _ hold talks on other issues and the nato russia — hold talks on other issues and the nato russia council? _ this invasion doesn't come as a surprise. we were warned about this for months. and sadly, what happened

this morning, during the night, was something that allied security and intelligence services have predicted for a long intelligence services have predicted fora longtime. we have tried to prevent it by calling on russia to engage in diplomatic efforts, by telling russia they will be severe costs, economic sanctions, if they invade ukraine further, but what has happened over the last hours demonstrates that russia, despite our diplomatic efforts and despite our diplomatic efforts and despite our clear message of economic sanctions, decided to once again invade ukraine. but since we have been warning against this for a long period of time, we have also taken prudent measures to prepare ourselves, and that is the reason why we have over the last months and weeks significantly increased the presence of nato troops in the eastern part of the alliance, ground

forces but also air and naval forces. in the coming days and weeks, they will come even more. so weeks, they will come even more. so we will further increase and we are increasing our presence in the eastern part of the alliance, and today we activated nato's defence plans that gives our members more authority to move forces and to deploy forces when needed, and of course they could also be elements of the nato response force, so we are ready, we are adjusting our posture, but what we do is defensive, is measured, and we don't seek confrontation. we want to prevent the conflict in any attack against a nato allied country. we have reached out to russia for weeks

and months, and what we have seen is that the russian message has been that the russian message has been that they have never taken these talks seriously, because while we were trying to find a political solution, they were planning for this invasion, and while we were trying to find a political solution, they were day by day week by week increasing their military presence increasing their military presence in readiness on the border with ukraine and now they have launched the invasion, so russia has shut the door to a political solution. we regret that. but that is sadly the reality which has a severe and very serious consequences for the people of ukraine but also actually impacts the security for all of us, and that is the reason why we stepup our presence in the part of the alliance. presence in the part of the alliance-— presence in the part of the alliance. :, ,. , :, :, :, ,. alliance. thank you for taking the ruestion. alliance. thank you for taking the question. actually, _

alliance. thank you for taking the question. actually, two _ alliance. thank you for taking the i question. actually, two questions. i would _ question. actually, two questions. i would like _ question. actually, two questions. i would like to — question. actually, two questions. i would like to hear— question. actually, two questions. i would like to hear your— question. actually, two questions. i would like to hear your reaction i question. actually, two questions. i would like to hear your reaction to i would like to hear your reaction to what _ would like to hear your reaction to what president _ would like to hear your reaction to what president putin— would like to hear your reaction to what president putin said - would like to hear your reaction to what president putin said this- what president putin said this morning — what president putin said this morning when _ what president putin said this morning when he _ what president putin said this morning when he announced i what president putin said this. morning when he announced the military— morning when he announced the military operations, _ morning when he announced the military operations, he - morning when he announced the military operations, he said i morning when he announced the military operations, he said that| military operations, he said that any country— military operations, he said that any country that _ military operations, he said that any country that interferes i military operations, he said that any country that interferes withl any country that interferes with them _ any country that interferes with them would _ any country that interferes with them would face _ any country that interferes with them would face consequencesj any country that interferes with - them would face consequences greater than you _ them would face consequences greater than you have — them would face consequences greater than you have seen _ them would face consequences greater than you have seen in _ them would face consequences greater than you have seen in your— them would face consequences greater than you have seen in your history, i than you have seen in your history, which _ than you have seen in your history, which we _ than you have seen in your history, which we take _ than you have seen in your history, which we take a _ than you have seen in your history, which we take a threat _ than you have seen in your history, which we take a threat of— than you have seen in your history, which we take a threat of a - than you have seen in your history, which we take a threat of a nuclear| which we take a threat of a nuclear attack. _ which we take a threat of a nuclear attack. so — which we take a threat of a nuclear attack. so what _ which we take a threat of a nuclear attack, so what is _ which we take a threat of a nuclear attack, so what is your— which we take a threat of a nuclear attack, so what is your response i which we take a threat of a nuclearj attack, so what is your response to that _ attack, so what is your response to that he _ attack, so what is your response to that he did — attack, so what is your response to that he did not _ attack, so what is your response to that. he did not specify— attack, so what is your response to that. he did not specify what i that. he did not specify what interference _ that. he did not specify what interference means. - that. he did not specify what interference means. in- that. he did not specify what interference means. in the i that. he did not specify what i interference means. in the second question. — interference means. in the second question. very— interference means. in the second question, very simple. _ interference means. in the second question, very simple. can - interference means. in the second question, very simple. can the i interference means. in the second i question, very simple. can the nato russia _ question, very simple. can the nato russia founding _ question, very simple. can the nato russia founding act _ question, very simple. can the nato russia founding act be _ question, very simple. can the nato russia founding act be upheld i question, very simple. can the natoj russia founding act be upheld under the circumstances? _ russia founding act be upheld under the circumstances? thank— russia founding act be upheld under the circumstances? thank you. i russia founding act be upheld under the circumstances? thank you. thel the circumstances? thank you. the threatening — the circumstances? thank you. threatening rhetoric by president putin and the aggressive actions by russia of course is the reason why we are saying that we are now faced with a new normal for our security. and we need to consult closely all allies and we will do that tomorrow when the leaders meet at the virtual summit. what does this mean for our

longer term relationship with russia? how shall we continue to defend and protect allies in this new security reality? and how can we make sure that we uphold the values we believe in, freedom and democracy, faced with a more aggressive authoritarian regime in moscow? a regime which is willing to openly contest our values, and to use force to try to coerce other nations. so this will have some long—term effects on our security, on how we respond, and how nato is reacting, and also how our relationship with russia can evolve. we don't hold answers today, but there will be a new reality. it will be a new europe. after the invasion we saw today. and then will come the

fact that we are so closely coordinating, so closely working together in nato. we stood together in warning against the russian aggression, the plans. we stood together in russia and tried to prevent the attack, and now we stand together in responding to the attack, and that is exactly what we are doing. that was the first question. the second question, that is part of this new reality, and there will be a different reality and we need to respond, but this is not the day to draw the conclusions, but we will have an important discussion among leaders tomorrow. thank you for the question. mr secretary— thank you for the question. mr secretary general, today ukraine has called _ secretary general, today ukraine has called on _ secretary general, today ukraine has called on turkey to close the

bosporus and dardanelles straits for russian _ bosporus and dardanelles straits for russian vessels. is that an action that was— russian vessels. is that an action that was discussed in this morning as meeting, and other similar actions — as meeting, and other similar actions that have been discussed today? _ actions that have been discussed toda ? :. :. . actions that have been discussed toda ? :, :, , :, actions that have been discussed toda ? :, :, ,: ,, actions that have been discussed toda? :, :, ,: ,, :, today? that was not discussed in a meetin: today? that was not discussed in a meeting today. — today? that was not discussed in a meeting today, turkey _ today? that was not discussed in a meeting today, turkey has - today? that was not discussed in a meeting today, turkey has a i today? that was not discussed in a l meeting today, turkey has a special role when it comes to the bosporus straits, but this was not an issue in the meeting this morning. what we discussed this morning was the need to activate the defence plans. we made a decision to activate those plans which enables us to move forces more quickly to where they are needed, and also to release a statement where we express strong condemnation of the russian invasion of ukraine, and also announced that we are going to have a nato summit, a virtual nato summit, tomorrow.

thank you for the question. could you talk— thank you for the question. could you talk a — thank you for the question. could you talk a little _ thank you for the question. could you talk a little bit _ thank you for the question. could you talk a little bit more - thank you for the question. could you talk a little bit more about. thank you for the question. could i you talk a little bit more about the activation— you talk a little bit more about the activation of— you talk a little bit more about the activation of the _ you talk a little bit more about the activation of the defence _ you talk a little bit more about the activation of the defence plans? i activation of the defence plans? what _ activation of the defence plans? what exactly _ activation of the defence plans? what exactly does _ activation of the defence plans? what exactly does this - activation of the defence plans? what exactly does this change, i activation of the defence plans? i what exactly does this change, and when _ what exactly does this change, and when was _ what exactly does this change, and when was the — what exactly does this change, and when was the last _ what exactly does this change, and when was the last time _ what exactly does this change, and when was the last time this - what exactly does this change, and when was the last time this was - when was the last time this was done? _ when was the last time this was done? thank— when was the last time this was done? thank you. _ when was the last time this was done? thank you.— when was the last time this was done? thank you. these plans are lans we done? thank you. these plans are plans we have _ done? thank you. these plans are plans we have developed - done? thank you. these plans are plans we have developed over- done? thank you. these plans are plans we have developed over the| plans we have developed over the years to make sure that we have plans in place to react to crises like the one we are faced with now, and they are defensive plans, they are prudent plans, and they are plans that cover the whole eastern edge of our alliance from the barents sea down to the mediterranean, and they give our military commanders samoa authorities within politically defined guidelines, and frameworks, to deploy forces where they deem it needed, and that is exactly what we have agreed today. so these again are defensive plans, ensuring that

we have forces at sufficient readiness in the right place throughout europe.- readiness in the right place throughout europe. readiness in the right place throuuhout euroe. ., ., . throughout europe. have the force has ever been _ throughout europe. have the force has ever been activated _ throughout europe. have the force has ever been activated before? i l has ever been activated before? i don't has ever been activated before? don't know has ever been activated before? i don't know whether it is right for me to answer that question, because i don't know whether it has been made public before, sol i don't know whether it has been made public before, so i only say that we activate them today. is made public before, so i only say that we activate them today. is the nato resnonse _ that we activate them today. is the nato response force _ that we activate them today. is the nato response force inside - that we activate them today. is the nato response force inside ukraine i’ilht nato response force inside ukraine right now? — nato response force inside ukraine riaht now? ., ., ., ., ., right now? know, there are no nato combat heaps. _ right now? know, there are no nato combat troops, no _ right now? know, there are no nato combat troops, no nato _ right now? know, there are no nato combat troops, no nato troops - right now? know, there are no nato combat troops, no nato troops at i combat troops, no nato troops at all, inside ukraine. we have made it clear that we don't have any plans or intention of deploying nato troops to ukraine. what we have made

clear is that we have increased and we are increasing nato troops in the eastern part of the alliance on nato territory. ukraine is a highly valued partner and we have supported crane for many years. we helped them to build a more modern, capable armed force. we have helped them to train, equip and in many different ways to strengthen their armed forces. we helped them with cyber defences in different ways. but we don't have nato troops in ukraine, and we don't have any plans to send nato troops into ukraine. but we are there to protect and defend all nato allies, so we support ukraine, we provide absolute security guarantees for nato allies, and we demonstrate that commitment by increasing the presence in the eastern part of the alliance. taste presence in the eastern part of the alliance. ~ , ., ., ~ ., alliance. we will try to take a coule alliance. we will try to take a coople of _ alliance. we will try to take a couple of questions - alliance. we will try to take a couple of questions online i alliance. we will try to take a - couple of questions online before we come _ couple of questions online before we come back— couple of questions online before we come back to the press room, so we

will go _ come back to the press room, so we will go to— come back to the press room, so we will go to the — come back to the press room, so we will go to the new york times. thank you, secretary general, two quick questions — you, secretary general, two quick questions. does nato, do you still have _ questions. does nato, do you still have military deacon flexion contacts _ have military deacon flexion contacts with russian forces today, are those _ contacts with russian forces today, are those ongoing? —— de—confliction contacts? _ are those ongoing? —— de—confliction contacts? and secondly, a lot of allies— contacts? and secondly, a lot of allies are — contacts? and secondly, a lot of allies are going to want to supply weapons — allies are going to want to supply weapons to ukraine. do you see this as a major— weapons to ukraine. do you see this as a major risk of nato russia conflict? _ as a major risk of nato russia conflict? and where else do you see the risk— conflict? and where else do you see the risk of— conflict? and where else do you see the risk of conflict now between russia — the risk of conflict now between russia and nato countries that could spill over— russia and nato countries that could spill over into something worse? thank— spill over into something worse? thank you. — spill over into something worse? thank you, sir. we spill over into something worse? thank you, sir.— spill over into something worse? thank you, sir. we have increased the presence _ thank you, sir. we have increased the presence in _ thank you, sir. we have increased the presence in the _ thank you, sir. we have increased the presence in the eastern - thank you, sir. we have increased the presence in the eastern part i thank you, sir. we have increased| the presence in the eastern part of the presence in the eastern part of the alliance and activated nato

defence plans today to make sure that we do not see any spill over to nato territory, because as long as russia knows that an attack on a nato ally will trigger a response from the whole alliance, they will not attack, because we are the strongest alliance in history, and we stand together and make clear that we are committed by our collective defence commitments. that is the best way to prevent any attack and spill over from the tragedy, the heinous attack we see in ukraine to spill over into any nato allied country. nato allies have provided support to ukraine in many different ways over the last years, especially since 2014. nato has helped them with cyber defences and with different trust funds for

different activities, and different capacity measures to help them to strengthen their naval forces and other elements of their armed forces, but then on top of what nato has done as an alliance, nato allies also provided military equipment, including defensive weapons, and other types of support training. it will be a national decision in what way allies continue to provide support, so that is for individual nato allies to decide. de—confliction is extremely important for us. there have been contacts with our military commanders and russia, and we continue to reach out to them to make sure we do everything we can to ensure de—confliction. taste make sure we do everything we can to ensure de-confliction._ ensure de-confliction. we will next no to ensure de-confliction. we will next 90 to helsinki- _ ensure de-confliction. we will next go to helsinki. what _ ensure de-confliction. we will next go to helsinki. what is _ ensure de-confliction. we will next

go to helsinki. what is your - ensure de-confliction. we will next l go to helsinki. what is your message to the partnership — go to helsinki. what is your message to the partnership countries, - to the partnership countries, finland — to the partnership countries, finland and sweden, in this situation, at least in finland there is discussion about possible nato membership, but is this realistic during _ membership, but is this realistic during the — membership, but is this realistic during the crisis, thank you? finland — during the crisis, thank you? finland and sweden are very close partners, and i have taken careful note of the very clear message both from finland and sweden that even though they don't apply for membership now, they strongly believe that nato should not sign any kind of agreement with russia based on what russia has proposed, to sign a legally binding agreement ending any enlargement of nato in the future. so i have seen that sweden and finland, for them it is a question of self—determination, the sovereign right to choose their own path, and then the potential in the future also to apply for nato

membership. so for me, the very clear messages from sweden and finland have underpinned how important it is that nato allies do not compromise on core values, including the right of every nation to choose its own path, meaning whether it wants to belong to nato or not belong to nato. nato respects those decisions regardless if it is yes or no to joining nato. those decisions regardless if it is yes or no tojoining nato. we those decisions regardless if it is yes or no to joining nato. we very much value the close partnership with finland and sweden. it is important for nato, it is important for finland and sweden, and we see how closely we work together, increase our ability to operate together, interoperability and also political consultations. and therefore i have invited sweden and finland to the virtual summit

tomorrow, the nato summit tomorrow, so at the nato summit we will have sweden, finland and the two eu presence, our eu partners, finland and sweden. taste presence, our eu partners, finland and sweden-— and sweden. we will go to polish radio. ifi and sweden. we will go to polish radi0- if i may — and sweden. we will go to polish radio. if i may follow _ and sweden. we will go to polish radio. if i may follow up - and sweden. we will go to polish | radio. if i may follow up question. when exactly _ radio. if i may follow up question. when exactly this _ radio. if i may follow up question. when exactly this high _ radio. if i may follow up question. when exactly this high readinessl when exactly this high readiness element — when exactly this high readiness element of the nato response force may element of the nato response force nray be _ element of the nato response force may be deployed? is it after the summit— may be deployed? is it after the summit tomorrow?— may be deployed? is it after the summit tomorrow? first of all, we have already _ summit tomorrow? first of all, we have already deployed _ summit tomorrow? first of all, we have already deployed thousands | summit tomorrow? first of all, we l have already deployed thousands of troops, and for instance to poland there are more us forces, there are more forces from the united kingdom and there are all the nations deploying more forces to poland, and also to other countries in the

eastern part of the alliance. more ships in the baltic sea, and more planes policing our airspace. so this is going on, and there will be more forces in the east of the alliance over the next days and weeks. that could include elements of the nato response force, but the most important thing is not exactly which elements or which forces, but the most important thing for poland, for the other allies in the eastern part of the alliance is that there are more nato forces in the east, and there is and they will be even more nato forces in the east in the coming days and weeks.— more nato forces in the east in the coming days and weeks. thank you for the question- — coming days and weeks. thank you for the question. secretary _ coming days and weeks. thank you for the question. secretary general, - coming days and weeks. thank you for the question. secretary general, you | the question. secretary general, you have received apparently very good intelligence in recent weeks, you have _ intelligence in recent weeks, you have shared it, you have been open about— have shared it, you have been open

about it _ have shared it, you have been open about it do— have shared it, you have been open about it. do you have any information of the russian plans ahead? — our intelligence has been very precise, because it has predicted over several months now the military build—up, but also the intentions, the plan of russia to attack ukraine. but of course those plans can always be changed, and we continue to call on russia to change its course and to not attack, and then you saw this morning that they attacked, and that was no surprise because that was exactly what our intelligence services have predicted over several months. we have shared that intelligence to mainly try to prevent russia from attacking. we have shared intelligence not only about the military build—up but

about the military build—up but about russia trying to create a pretext, staged situations that they can use as an excuse, false claims of genocide or the alleged actions inside russia and so on. it is false, it is staged, but we exposed those attempts because we hoped that that could reduce the risk of a military invasion. we have seen that they have stuck to their plans. they have done is they actually plan for a long time ago, and we need to understand that throughout all these weeks and months, when they said that they have no plans of invading ukraine, they had plans. and they were not only having plans, but they actually built up all these forces with one clear aim, and that was to

invade ukraine. and they were telling the world, the public, that they had no plans to invade ukraine. yes, they had plans, and now we are seeing that actually they were serious about invading ukraine all the time. never serious about really engaging in diplomatic efforts. what we see now is a full—fledged invasion of ukraine from multiple directions. we see air, land and navalforces taking part directions. we see air, land and naval forces taking part in those attacks. we don't have a full damage assessment yet, it is too early, but this is extremely serious. it is an attack on a peaceful, sovereign independent nation, and it is a war of a type and scale we actually thought was part of history in europe, but now it is back, and the

people in ukraine are suffering. thank you, this concludes this press conference — conference. studio: nato secretary generaljens stoltenberg just addressing what is happening in ukraine, saying that russia's unprovoked and unjustified attack is put in countless lives at risk. this is a deliberate, cold—blooded and long planned invasion, and russian leaders will bearfull invasion, and russian leaders will bear full responsibility for their reckless actions and lives lost, and critically he was pushed by the journalist in the room in the last few minutes about nato's commitments in terms of troops, and jens stoltenberg saying there were no plans to send alliance troops, to send nato troops to ukraine. let's bring you more reaction from around the world now. we are expecting the uk's prime minister, borisjohnson, to address the nation in about ten minutes' time, and letsjoin our uk

political correspondent rob watson who is across events. rob, what are we expecting to hear from boris johnson? i we expecting to hear from boris johnson? . . . . we expecting to hear from boris johnson? ., , ., . ., , johnson? i was watching as if a- eals johnson? i was watching as if appeals was _ johnson? i was watching as if appeals was that _ johnson? i was watching as if appeals was that nato - johnson? i was watching as if appeals was that nato news i appeals was that nato news conference, and i think it is fascinating, i picked out two points, and i think you will hear them from borisjohnson as well, because it is quite clear that the west's strategy number one is that russia should be punished for what has happened, that is the reference to sanctions, but secondly this mustn't go any further, so there was the repeated reference to article five, that idea that if one nato countries attacked, that is to say, those countries that are bordering where this crisis is unfolding, all of nato would come, and a third point, which i think it's something we are going to talk about a lot, which is that recognition from jens stoltenberg that we are in a new era of geopolitics, that the cold war may have ended in 1989 with a sense of complacency on the european continent about its security, but

that those days are over. and i suspect we are going to have some sort of echo of that in what prime minister borisjohnson will say. he has already said after chairing an emergency meeting of senior government ministers that this is a catastrophe for europe and that more measures will be announced later. tell us about those measures. can we expect further sanctions from the uk? ~ expect further sanctions from the uk? . ., ., , expect further sanctions from the uk? . ., ., ., ., uk? we already know that the foreign secretary liz — uk? we already know that the foreign secretary liz truss _ uk? we already know that the foreign secretary liz truss has _ uk? we already know that the foreign secretary liz truss has summoned - uk? we already know that the foreign secretary liz truss has summoned to l secretary liz truss has summoned to the russian ambassador for a dressing down at the foreign office, and she tweeted that as well as being asked for an explanation for this extraordinary invasion, he would be told that they would be severe sanctions on the way, and that the uk would see part of its role as rallying, trying to unite ukraine's supporters in the west. what about calls from some prominent british mps for further involvement, for possible air support and military involvement as well? how popular is that? i military involvement as well? how

pepular is that?— popular is that? i think we are about to find _ popular is that? i think we are about to find out. _ popular is that? i think we are about to find out. you - popular is that? i think we are about to find out. you are - about to find out. you are absolutely right, there have been at least two senior mps from the governing conservative party who have said that the sanctions announced so far and indeed even more sanctions like what will be announced laterjust won't cut it with president putin, and that if the uk and others are serious, they absolutely should consider potentially certainly sending more aid to ukraine, and a full or partialair aid to ukraine, and a full or partial air corridor. whether the uk government is prepared to do that, and one imagines that is the kind of thing that will be discussed when there is a virtual meeting of g7 leaders later, and of course a virtual nato summit tomorrow, that mr stoltenberg referred to. what mr stoltenberg referred to. what extent do you — mr stoltenberg referred to. what extent do you think— mr stoltenberg referred to. what extent do you think boris johnson extent do you think borisjohnson could announce sanctions particularly on the city of london? we know that there was a meeting in downing street yesterday between the prime minister, government officials and those from the financial

services industry in the uk, which is obviously huge, so i'm sure there will be measures announced, but something that has been pointed out by people who know far more about this issue than i do, and it has been discussed a lot, is that it is not at this stage so much, the problem isn't so much about sanctions, although of course it is important, but there is a stage before that that the uk needs to get to, and that is this problem that there is billions and billions of pounds of russian assets in the uk, but it is all hidden by shell companies, and so there is a lot of pressure for the uk to speed up efforts that it has long promised to get behind who owns all this wealth, who owns all these properties in the uk, and who has all this money here. rob, thank you so much for that. we will bring in that statement from borisjohnson will bring in that statement from boris johnson that we will bring in that statement from borisjohnson that we are expecting about five minutes, but to remind you of the news of the day. russia has invaded ukraine by land, airand sea. president putin is calling this

a special military operation. it has been widely condemned around the world. we will continue to bring you all the development here on bbc news, so do stay with us. hello again. wherever you are today, it is going to be windy and that wind will accentuate the cold feel of the day. the met office also has a yellow weather warning in force for snow and frequent lightning across parts of northern ireland and scotland. we could have up to 20 centimetres of lying snow on higher ground in scotland and between 1—7 centimetres at lower levels. colder air has been filtering in behind this weather front, which brought rain this morning across parts of england and wales and we've got another system enhancing the showers in the north. so, as we go through the afternoon, it will brighten up across england and wales. still a few showers. any wintriness will be in the hills at lower levels, it's likely to be sleet or indeed rain and we still have some snow on higher ground across

northern ireland and scotland. now, these are the gusts of wind that you can expect. so, as you can see, wherever you are, it's going to be windy and temperatures today ranging from four in the north to eight in the south, but when you add on that wind chill, it will feel close to freezing, if not below. we hang on to the thunderstorms for a time this evening, before they fade. it will still be windy but, by the end of the night, for some in the west, the wind will be slowly easing and with under clear skies in scotland and sheltered parts of northern england, we will see a touch of frost. there's also the chance we could see some ice on untreated surfaces. that leads us into friday, where we've got this ridge of high pressure building in, settling things down, but you can see the isobar is still quite close together in the east initially, and that means that, in eastern areas, it's going to be a windy start, but, as this ridge of high pressure builds in, things settle down. we'll have a lot of dry weather, there will be a fair bit of sunshine around. but, through the afternoon, the cloud is going to start to build out towards the west,

heralding the arrival of another weatherfront, which is going to introduce some rain. temperatures tomorrow not as low as today, 5—11 degrees, and it will feel that bit better because the wind will also be lighter. now, high pressure remains in the south as we go through the weekend, but you can see weather fronts flirting with the west and they will bring in some rain, particularly as we go through saturday night into sunday. but, essentially, as we go through this weekend, for many of us, it's going to be a quieter weekend, certainly nothing like last weekend and, for england and wales, there will be a fair bit of sunshine at times.

russia launches a full scale invasion on ukraine. ukrainian cctv captured these images of the russian military crossing the border from crimea to the south. missiles have struck key targets in the capital translation: russia has carried out strikes in our — translation: russia has carried out strikes in our military _ strikes in our military infrastructure - strikes in our military infrastructure and - strikes in our military. infrastructure and land strikes in our military- infrastructure and land on our bodyguard _ infrastructure and land on our bodyguard and _ infrastructure and land on our bodyguard and attachments. i bodyguard and attachments. explosions _ bodyguard and attachments. explosions were _ bodyguard and attachments. explosions were heard - bodyguard and attachments. explosions were heard in - bodyguard and attachments. . explosions were heard in many bodyguard and attachments. - explosions were heard in many cities of the _ explosions were heard in many cities ofthe ukraine. — explosions were heard in many cities of the ukraine, we _ explosions were heard in many cities of the ukraine, we are _ explosions were heard in many cities of the ukraine, we are imposing - of the ukraine, we are imposing nrartial— of the ukraine, we are imposing martial law— of the ukraine, we are imposing martial law in _ of the ukraine, we are imposing martial law in all— of the ukraine, we are imposing martial law in all regions - of the ukraine, we are imposing martial law in all regions of - of the ukraine, we are imposing martial law in all regions of ouri martial law in all regions of our state — long queues have built up as people try to leave the capital to escape the conflict. ukraine has appealed for people to come forward if they want to stay and fight.

russian tanks are already reported to be in ukraine's second city of kharkiv. nato has condemned russia's actions as brutal and cold—blooded. it nato has condemned russia's actions as brutal and cold-blooded.— as brutal and cold-blooded. it ruled out sending — as brutal and cold-blooded. it ruled out sending its _ as brutal and cold-blooded. it ruled out sending its own _ as brutal and cold-blooded. it ruled out sending its own troops - as brutal and cold-blooded. it ruled out sending its own troops into - out sending its own troops into ukraine. hello and welcome to bbc news. in reaction to the russian invasion of ukraine. the british prime minister hasjust of ukraine. the british prime minister has just released a statement. minister has 'ust released a statement.— minister has 'ust released a statement. shortly after four o'clock this _ statement. shortly after four o'clock this morning - statement. shortly after four o'clock this morning i - statement. shortly after four o'clock this morning i spoke l statement. shortly after four i o'clock this morning i spoke to president zelensky of ukraine to offer the continued support of the uk. because our worst fears have now come true and all our warnings have proved tragically accurate. president putin of russia has

unleashed war in our european continent. he has attacked a friendly country without any provocation and without any credible excuse. innumerable missiles and bombs have been raining down on an entirely innocent population, a vast invasion is under way by land, by sea and by air. and this is not in the infamous phrase some far—away country of which we know little. we have ukrainian friends in this country, neighbours, co—workers. ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny. we and the world cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out. we cannot and will not just block away. it is because we have been so alarmed in recent

months that russian intimidation that the uk became one of the first countries in europe to send defensive weaponry to help ukrainians. otherallies defensive weaponry to help ukrainians. other allies have now done the same and we will do what more we can in the days ahead. today in agreement with our allies we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions to hobble the russian economy and to that end we must also collectively sees the dependence on russian oil and gas that for too long has given putin his grip on western politics. our mission is clear, diplomatically, politically, economically and eventually military, it is hideous and barbaric venture of vladimir putin must end in failure. venture of vladimir putin must end infailure. i'm venture of vladimir putin must end in failure. i'm sol venture of vladimir putin must end in failure. i'm so i say to the people of russia who president has just authorised a tidal wave of

violence against a fellow slavic people, to the parents of russian soldiers who will lose their lives, i cannot believe this is being done in your name or that you really want the pariah status it will bring to the pariah status it will bring to the putin regime. i say the ukrainians in this moment of agony, we are with you, we are praying for you and yourfamilies we are with you, we are praying for you and your families and we are we are with you, we are praying for you and yourfamilies and we are on your side. and if the months ahead are grim and the flame of freedom burns low, i know that it will blaze bright again in ukraine because for all his bombs and tanks and missiles, i don't believe that the russian dictator will ever subdue the national feeling of the ukrainians and their passionate belief in their country should be free. i say to the british people and all who have heard the threats from putin against those who stand

with ukraine, we will do everything to keep our country safe. we are joined in our outrage by friends and allies around the world. we will work with them for however long it takes to ensure that the sovereignty and independence of ukraine is restored. because this act of wanton and reckless aggression is an attack not just on and reckless aggression is an attack notjust on ukraine, it is an attack on democracy and freedom in eastern europe and around the world. this crisis is about the right of a free sovereign independent european people to choose their own future. and that is a right that the uk will always defend. the and that is a right that the uk will always defend.— always defend. the british prime minister boris _ always defend. the british prime minister boris johnson, - always defend. the british prime minister boris johnson, that - minister boris johnson, that statementjust minister borisjohnson, that statementjust being released. rob watson is with me for some absolute outrage from boris johnson,

watson is with me for some absolute outrage from borisjohnson, a strong sense of solidarity to ukraine, but any specifics or new specific detail about how britain will respond? before the specifics i think the most important thing is the general point, i think this is huge, that the prime minister says this mission must end in failure. in other words, that sort of recognition we have moved beyond the cold war, this is a moment of global european crisis and the idea this is an attack on freedom and democracy because if you think about it, the uk and the rest of the west are faced with a choice at this point, do you eventually normalise what russia has done and accepted no matter how unwillingly, or make this about the future of your relationship with russia, about the future of vladimir putin? and it suggests so far that the uk wants to go that second path, it cannot stand, this has to be us versus... there west versus putin. taste

stand, this has to be us versus... there west versus putin. we have heard boris _ there west versus putin. we have heard boris johnson _ there west versus putin. we have heard boris johnson before - there west versus putin. we have heard boris johnson before in - there west versus putin. we have heard boris johnson before in the | heard borisjohnson before in the build to d—day and other interviews so was there anything that he just said that was new —— of the build—up to today. said that was new -- of the build-up to toda . �* , said that was new -- of the build-up totoda. to today. anything new? it appears the uk view — to today. anything new? it appears the uk view that _ to today. anything new? it appears the uk view that if _ to today. anything new? it appears the uk view that if you _ to today. anything new? it appears the uk view that if you think - to today. anything new? it appears the uk view that if you think of - the uk view that if you think of this as a geopolitical fork in the road with the uk saying this cannot be allowed to stand, and seeing what can you do about it? you are drawn to the line about further military aid, a massive coordinated sanctions. that is the next stage for us to watch. what will be the sanctions agreed amongst the western powers. and what military aid will there be? and will there be a ukrainian military to give any assistance to or will it collapse and not be able to stand for long? a. and not be able to stand for long? a thank you so much. let's bring you up—to—date and we recap the main developments in this rapidly unfolding crisis. russian forces

have launched a military attack on ukraine, they have bombed military targets near major cities. in a televised address, president putin announced what he called a special military operation in the donbas region for the demilitarisation and denazification of ukraine. there has been organisations called for right now. and as for president zelensky, the ukrainian president, he defend the country and come forward if they are prepared to do so and said the government will issue weapons to those who do volunteer. let's show you where our russian military combines have been entering ukraine, all directions including from neighbouring belarus. we can

show you where there have been reported air strikes as well. strikes happening near eight major cities including the capital kyiv at the international airport. they have not been filmed by the bbc as we are about to show you but they have been verified by us. explosion those were pictures from the airport near kyiv where we have heard from

the ukrainian president giving a statement in the last our heart so. he says his people will not give up their freedom. he says his people will not give up theirfreedom. translation: this their freedom. translation: this mornin: , their freedom. translation: this morning. dear— their freedom. translation: “in 3 morning, dear citizens, this morning has gone down in history, but the story is different, both for our country and for russia. we have severed diplomatic relations with russia, ukraine is defending itself and will not give up its freedom no matter what moscow thinks. the ukrainians, independents and the right to live on their land right to live on their [and according to their will is of the highest value.— according to their will is of the highest value. palm words from president zelensky, _ highest value. palm words from president zelensky, straight - highest value. palm words from president zelensky, straight to | president zelensky, straight to kyiv, letsjoin lyse doucet. can you bring us up to date from what you are hearing right around the country. we are trying to keep across all of the developments because there are several directions in which russian forces seem to be moving, still moving across the border into ukraine, we also hear they are

advancing towards kyiv and we have had a report from the ukrainian border services in the last hour that they are now at the entrance to bts district and the checkpoints about three hours away from the capital where we are broadcasting from. we have heard reports of russian forces advancing in the east, close to kharkiv and heavy fighting reported in a number of major cities across ukraine for we have conflicting reports, the russians are putting out reports that ukrainians are laying down their arms, surrendering en masse from the ukrainian side. we hear ukrainian services as well as civilians taking up weapons are fighting back against the russian advance but what is not in any doubt is this a full frontal assault using all kinds of hardware, troops and military and naval forces as it

russia continues its invasion of ukraine. president zelensky calling for people to come forward, calling for them to fight, but remaining incredibly calm. is there is still a strong sense of disbelief in ukraine today that this has actually happened now? we have to remember we said repeatedly, that ukrainians have lived with this russian threat for the past eight years and more ever since russia annexed crimea and its forces moved into the donbas and eastern ukraine. they always knew there was going to be this threat looming over them and it is woven through the society, religion, language, the economy. it is a permanent presence but what has happened, particularly in the last few days, ever since that decision by the national security council and president putin to recognise those

rebel held areas, that speech by president putin which he said ukraine does not have a right to exist, we really felt the mood changing here. but ukrainians hoping against hope it wouldn't happen and then last night so many ukrainians have told us or posted on social media how they didn't sleep, they knew it in their bones that something was about to happen, and something was about to happen, and so it has. b. something was about to happen, and soithas. m , ,, something was about to happen, and soithas. , ,, ., so it has. a sleepless night for so man , so it has. a sleepless night for so many. rrot _ so it has. a sleepless night for so many. notjust — so it has. a sleepless night for so many, notjust in _ so it has. a sleepless night for so many, notjust in ukraine - so it has. a sleepless night for so many, notjust in ukraine but - so it has. a sleepless night for so | many, notjust in ukraine but right around the world as they watch these events. thank you so much for being with us. we will continue to be with you throughout the day. to remind you throughout the day. to remind you of the developments from today, russia has invaded ukraine by land, air and sea. president putin is calling this a special military operation. ukraine says there was a russian military vehicles have entered the country from so many directions, including from occupied crimea and also from belarus to the

north. we are hearing cruise and ballistic missiles striking military headquarters under airports including kyiv�*s international airport. you are watching bbc news. let's return to the early hours of the russian invasion and a televised address, putin filed a retaliation against those that interfere with their operation translation: however tries to interfere _ their operation translation: however tries to interfere with _ their operation translation: however tries to interfere with us _ their operation translation: however tries to interfere with us or _ tries to interfere with us or threaten our country should know that russia's response will be immediate and lead to such consequences that have never been experienced in history. let’s consequences that have never been experienced in history.— experienced in history. let's take ou experienced in history. let's take you straight _ experienced in history. let's take you straight to — experienced in history. let's take you straight to moscow _ experienced in history. let's take you straight to moscow and - experienced in history. let's take you straight to moscow and join | experienced in history. let's take i you straight to moscow and join our bbc russian. —— bbc russian corresponding. listening to president putin, many assessing the comments as a veiled threat around russia's nuclear weapons. how do you seeit?

russia's nuclear weapons. how do you see it? for russia's nuclear weapons. how do you see it? ., ., , , . ., see it? for now, it is difficult to say whether _ see it? for now, it is difficult to say whether russia _ see it? for now, it is difficult to say whether russia would - see it? for now, it is difficult to i say whether russia would actually use these nuclear weapons. it has for the moment, it looks like russia is conducting this military operation only with ballistic and cruise missiles which are non—nuclear and russian defence ministry is claiming they are destroying only the military objects and military infrastructure of the ukraine, including airports, air bases and other places the military is located. still there was a series of strikes hitting some of the residential areas, we have multiple photos of wounded and even killed ukrainians, just civilians who were there at the base where russian missiles were striking. they say russia is only destroying and

neutralising ukrainian military potential and it is going to denazify the country. it cannot include use of the nuclear weapon. but still, we could go, we couldn't expect a full scale invasion in ukraine from multiple directions, as you have already mentioned. so the situation is quite dangerous here. and what are the narratives running on russian state media at the moment? what is being said about why president putin is doing this? russian state media is resorting to its usual narrative about the help to the russian speaking people in donetsk and luhansk regions which the kremlin decided to recognise as independent countries, so called

donetsk and luhansk are people's republics and russian media is underlying that as leaders of donetsk and luhansk people's republics asked russia to help with the military and russia has these papers signed with them that they should help them, they ask and russia came and it is doing what it has to do and it is stopping the genocide of people in luhansk and donetsk regions. this is pretty much it. also as we heard from the spokesperson of president putin, they told that russia is trying to deter and neutralise ukrainian's military potential and to destroy all nazi officials in the government. we couldn't confirm what it means, actually, because in terms of what the kremlin says, it could

mean only the rest of some people who the kremlin thinks of as maxis or the arrest or killing of ukrainian officials at the kremlin says they are nazi and fascists. that is pretty much it for now for the reaction from the kremlin and the reaction from the kremlin and the narrative from the state media. thank you so much. the nato secretary general has been speaking in the last hour. he said russia had shattered piece on the european continent. . . . . shattered piece on the european continent. , , ., , ., shattered piece on the european continent. ,, ., , ., continent. russia is now facing severe costs — continent. russia is now facing severe costs and _ continent. russia is now facing| severe costs and consequences imposed by the whole international community. the kremlin's aim is to re—establish its sphere of influence, rip up the global rules that have kept us all safer decades and subvert the values that we hold

dear. this is the new normalfor our security. peace cannot be taken for granted. freedom and democracy are contested by authoritarian regimes. also saying he has no plans to send nato troops to ukraine. let's talk about the military might in the region and speak to this retired general. hejoins us region and speak to this retired general. he joins us from region and speak to this retired general. hejoins us from florida. the deceiver step can you tell us how strong the russian army is and how strong the russian army is and how many troops we know they have on the body now stop it is hard to —— border now. it the body now stop it is hard to -- border now— the body now stop it is hard to -- border now. it is hard to tell where the main effort _ border now. it is hard to tell where the main effort is. _ border now. it is hard to tell where the main effort is. we _ border now. it is hard to tell where the main effort is. we have - border now. it is hard to tell where the main effort is. we have been i the main effort is. we have been watching maps and reports showing russian troop deployments all around ukraine, buti russian troop deployments all around ukraine, but i doubt russia can sustain operations for every one of those deployed units so the key now

is to identify what is a distraction and what is really the main aim. i personally believe that most of this is designed to distract as well as to blind kyiv from understanding what is going on. but for sure they have the capability to isolate ukraine from the black sea and other areas which is part of the economic stagnation. areas which is part of the economic staunation. ~ ., , ., areas which is part of the economic stagnation-— areas which is part of the economic staunation. ~ . ,, ~ , stagnation. what you think president putin's endgame _ stagnation. what you think president putin's endgame is? _ stagnation. what you think president putin's endgame is? the _ stagnation. what you think president putin's endgame is? the endgame i stagnation. what you think president putin's endgame is? the endgame isj putin's endgame is? the endgame is the failed state _ putin's endgame is? the endgame is the failed state in _ putin's endgame is? the endgame is the failed state in ukraine _ putin's endgame is? the endgame is the failed state in ukraine where - the failed state in ukraine where the failed state in ukraine where the economy collapses, the zelensky government collapses, the so—called denazification thing coming out of the kremlin so they can get their own dye or somebody in government in kyiv that would be more willing to make concessions. what is happening in belarus is not unrelated. i think the troops in belarus are there to

help bring about the formal final establishment of the union state where belarus also becomes part of russia. taste where belarus also becomes part of russia. ~ . . . russia. we have seen president zelensky call — russia. we have seen president zelensky call up _ russia. we have seen president zelensky call up their _ russia. we have seen president zelensky call up their reservists| zelensky call up their reservists and asking ordinary people to come forward and says he will arm them. how strong is the ukrainian military? how strong is the ukrainian milita ? ., ., , how strong is the ukrainian milita ? ., ., military? thanks to the efforts by the us, military? thanks to the efforts by the us, uk. — military? thanks to the efforts by the us, uk, poland _ military? thanks to the efforts by the us, uk, poland and - military? thanks to the efforts by the us, uk, poland and some - military? thanks to the efforts by i the us, uk, poland and some other allies, this is a much different ukrainian army than the one we saw backin ukrainian army than the one we saw back in 2014. larger, experienced, modern capabilities and i think we will see a very, very tough resistance by ukrainian forces as well as their territorial forces. i don't want to overstate the capabilities of the territorial forces, but they are very early days. this is a much better ukrainian armed force and we have got to continue providing capabilities, something on the scale

of the berlin airlift, bringing in capabilities that ukraine can use. but even with that and the toughness and resilience, they are not strong enough surely to defeat the russian forces? it enough surely to defeat the russian forces? . . enough surely to defeat the russian forces? , , ., ., ., forces? it depends on what we are talkin: forces? it depends on what we are talking about- _ forces? it depends on what we are talking about. you _ forces? it depends on what we are talking about. you are _ forces? it depends on what we are talking about. you are right - forces? it depends on what we are l talking about. you are right ukraine does not have a naval capacity to defeat the russian black sea the elite or to stop all russian air power —— black sea fleet. there is a very large ukrainian army defending its own territory and the russian ground attacks would have to be sustained and very unfriendly over difficult ground. i don't think it is the over match there.- difficult ground. i don't think it is the over match there. what is our is the over match there. what is your view _ is the over match there. what is your view of _ is the over match there. what is your view of nato _ is the over match there. what is your view of nato forces - is the over match there. what is your view of nato forces getting | your view of nato forces getting involved? we are seeing jens stoltenberg say there would not be deployed to ukraine but to think thatis deployed to ukraine but to think that is the right call or is there in inevitability of the troops being

on the ground? or by air? i in inevitability of the troops being on the ground? or by air?- in inevitability of the troops being on the ground? or by air? i think my resent on the ground? or by air? i think my present and — on the ground? or by air? i think my present and the _ on the ground? or by air? i think my present and the second _ on the ground? or by air? i think my present and the second general - on the ground? or by air? i think my present and the second general are. present and the second general are correct, the idea of putting troops inside ukraine, it is not a good one, and when i met president zelensky, he said he didn't want troops, he needed the resources and tools to defend ourselves. it is appropriate however to increase nato's readiness along the eastern flank. i mentioned belarus earlier. our cultic allies and poland are very concerned about thousands of russian troops in belarus, so you have this narrow corridor which separates kaliningrad from belarus and three nato allies to the north including the british led the? we don't want it to be isolated. it's important in helping the allies but to send a signal to the kremlin to not let this get out of control and

somehow spill—over into a nato country. somehow spill-over into a nato count . , ., country. very good to get your thoughts- — country. very good to get your thoughts. thank— country. very good to get your thoughts. thank you _ country. very good to get your thoughts. thank you for - country. very good to get your| thoughts. thank you forjoining country. very good to get your - thoughts. thank you forjoining us. straight to brussels, let's try now europe correspondentjessica parker. europe correspondent jessica parker. what europe correspondentjessica parker. what are the latest developments? and awful lot of conversation happening over the course of today, leading up to an emergency summit tonight of european leaders so eu premises will descend on brussels and have an emergency summit to discuss sanctions but of course the european union onlyjust announced its first sanctions package yesterday afternoon, having to move after the latest developments to the next one. the question is how major the sanctions package will be. i am told that moving toward something like cutting rusher from the swift international payment system which would be seen as one of the most drastic measures, not something on the table at the moment but they are

looking at a range of measures that take in energy, the financial sector, the european union certainly saying they will be incredibly tough. but we know the different member states have different interests, may be one to move at different paces that i have heard some diplomats quibbling about the approach from italy and germany saying those countries are being too hesitant and also push back from there for step you can tell there is probably a lot of push and pull in these conversations right now leading to the eu leaders' summit. but you will see the baltic states probably poland being particularly bullish and i think they have felt frustrated with what they have felt sometimes was a naivety about president putin and bishop is my contention is that what are the baltic states calling for? they want to see the toughest sanctions possible. that could be the energy sector, could you see a scenario where the european union start saying it doesn't want to do business with russian gas companies?

that would be a hugely dramatic and very difficult measure to take given the eu gets 40% of its gas from russia. could you see sanctions along those lines? i do not think we are there yet but we have some energy measures are being considered. that is one of the underlying problems for the european union, its reliance on russian gas. of course there are also concerns if it takes measures against russia on a range of areas whether it is financial, on energy, on import export whether pressure could hit back by turning down the taps. energy bills are already incredibly high on the continent, politicians are very well. there could be a countermeasure for every measure and it is about the conversation going on at the moment between politicians and what point they turn around and say to their populations, if we go going to inflict costs on pressure, there will be costed home at the well —— as well.

there will be costed home at the well -- as well.— there will be costed home at the well -- as well. now speaking to sarah rainsford _ well -- as well. now speaking to sarah rainsford in _ well -- as well. now speaking to sarah rainsford in the _ well -- as well. now speaking to sarah rainsford in the donetsk i sarah rainsford in the donetsk region in what must be a terrifying time, a worrying night for everyone there and waking up to some of the worst news imaginable. what is happening there the moment? refill? happening there the moment? really wor inc happening there the moment? really worrying night. _ happening there the moment? really worrying night, lots _ happening there the moment? really worrying night, lots of _ happening there the moment? p-_ii worrying night, lots of people wear on social media way into the early hours of this morning because there were rumours something was coming, there was also a very late address on facebook by the president of ukraine calling people for calm and appealing to the russian people to try to stop the war. that was not successful because then a couple of hours later, we had here in eastern ukraine the first noises of the russian military attack. we have seen since then it is spread across this country. here in eastern ukraine in the donbas region, there has been explosions throughout the

day, but life otherwise is going on relatively as normal. there have been queues at the petrol stations, there are people trying to get money out of the cash machines, there is a an evacuation train for those that want to go and there are a fair number of people heading with their suitcases and bags to the train station including one of our colleagues and some children from an orphanage in this region who have been evacuated, if and when that train arrives. otherwise, normal on the streets most of the day, children on the playground, a lady sitting on the bench with her baby in a pram. i have seen people walking the dog, people went to work this morning was a bit is extraordinary but it is a quite extraordinary but it is a quite extraordinary to put up in 2014 it was occupied, taken over by pro—russian forces and that is why they are worried, they remember what it was like, they don't want its repeated but they do know about violence here and sheltering in their basements and bunkers and there is a certain degree of

ukrainian calm and stoicism about this even if they do fear the worst. it was amazing as you spoke, there was a little girl on her scooter travelling behind you just reflecting that ordinary life is going on but you mention people have bunkers and places to go to keep safe. where do people get their news and information from and how much of and information from and how much of a sense of belief do they have in president zelensky and what he says? i think there has been a rallying around here, his polling wasn't great not so long ago here in ukraine, his popularity had been sliding but certainly i have seen people coming out and saying he has been saying the right thing at the right time so there appears to be a degree of rallying around him and are rallying around the flag. there was an event down the road here last night with people on the main square flying the flag, singing patriotic songs and the anthem and preparing themselves in a way psychologically

for what was to convert i remember one thing in 2014, when this area was ukrainian controlled, people painted blue and yellow paint on the bmp painted blue and yellow paint on the lamp posts and the railings as a stamp of control, but quickly that changed overnight when the pro—russian forces moved in and a coloured everything in red and black. people know here how quickly things can change and that is why even as seem calmer, they are nervous and scared. he even as seem calmer, they are nervous and scared.— even as seem calmer, they are nervous and scared. he lived in moscow for— nervous and scared. he lived in moscow for many _ nervous and scared. he lived in moscow for many years. - nervous and scared. he lived in moscow for many years. can i nervous and scared. he lived in| moscow for many years. can we nervous and scared. he lived in - moscow for many years. can we get your view as to the words of president putin and what he has been saying, hisjustification president putin and what he has been saying, his justification for this invasion, his comments where he says he wants to denazify ukraine. what did you make of what he said and his motivation? frankly, it was really chilling. as i said, i woke up this morning to those explosions, and then i was watching president putin making that

statement on my phone on youtube, and on the one hand i couldn't quite believe what he was saying, because it was so extraordinary, so outrageous, is so extreme. but it is the culmination of everything he has been saying for so many years, ever since the revolution here, the protests in kyiv in 2014, russia, where i lived at the time, was portraying what happened is a fascist coup, a western backed fascist coup, a western backed fascist coup, a western backed fascist coup, and that language always been the way that vladimir putin has referred to what has happened here ever since. so now he is talking about de—nazification, he is talking about de—nazification, he is talking about and demilitarise in comedy weapon eyes in, whatever word he used, ukraine. this language does come from somewhere deep inside the president of russia, and he is clearly on a mission now, he has gone way beyond anything i ever

expected in terms of the impact this will have on him politically in the sanctions that are coming and all the consequences that he will feel, he has gone a lot further than i thought, but it does seem that he is a man on a mission and quite frankly i'm not sure where he is going to stop. i'm not sure where he is going to sto, ., ., ~' i'm not sure where he is going to sto. ., ., ,, . i'm not sure where he is going to sto. ., .,~ . ., i'm not sure where he is going to sto . _ ., ., ~' .., . ., , stop. sarah, take care. we have been talkin: to stop. sarah, take care. we have been talking to people _ stop. sarah, take care. we have been talking to people in _ stop. sarah, take care. we have been talking to people in kyiv _ stop. sarah, take care. we have been talking to people in kyiv to _ stop. sarah, take care. we have been talking to people in kyiv to find - talking to people in kyiv to find out how they are responding to the events today. today many people in kyiv woke to the sounds of explosions. loud bangs could be heard across the city. official said that some of those explosions were coming from trying to shoot down and identify drones. this is the main highway that people take to leave the capital in the western direction, because the airspace is closed and many airports are not working, people are trying to drive to leave the capital. there are huge also queues outside of supermarkets and shops. many are desperately

trying to withdraw cash at cash machines and banks. president zelensky urged people not to panic, and remain calm, but it is hard to do that when there are reports about russian troops crossing into ukraine's mainland. people are now reading and watching news to understand what is happening, and many are extremely worried about the reports of intensive shelling and fighting in the eastern part of the country along the border with russia. let's take you life to kyiv and talk to a ukrainian journalist and talk to a ukrainian journalist and philosopher. good to have you with us here on bbc news. how are you today? plat with us here on bbc news. how are you today?— you today? not very good, not very well. we you today? not very good, not very well- we are _ you today? not very good, not very well. we are living _ you today? not very good, not very well. we are living in _ you today? not very good, not very well. we are living in a _ you today? not very good, not very well. we are living in a very - well. we are living in a very dramatic, very tragic situation. but we are strong and we should be strong, ukraine is a consolidated nation and we should be very strong to counteract this russian aggression. to counteract this russian aggression-— to counteract this russian an uression. ., ., i. .. aggression. how do you intend to counter it personally? _

aggression. how do you intend to counter it personally? ukrainian l counter it personally? ukrainian socie is counter it personally? ukrainian society is a _ counter it personally? ukrainian society is a very _ counter it personally? ukrainian society is a very strong, - counter it personally? ukrainian society is a very strong, and - counter it personally? ukrainian i society is a very strong, and there are many people who have the experience of fighting against russian invasion since 2014, and the spirit of ukrainian people is to resist this aggression militarily or not militarily, even if russians have a military victory, ijust can't imagine how they will live in this country, because about 70% perceive russia as a hostile state, and 80% perceive putin is a very bad person. b5 and 8096 perceive putin is a very bad erson. �* . y ., and 8096 perceive putin is a very bad erson. m l, and 8096 perceive putin is a very bad erson. m ., and 8096 perceive putin is a very bad erson. a ., , ., person. as you said, war has been a fixture of life _ person. as you said, war has been a fixture of life since _ person. as you said, war has been a fixture of life since 2014 _ person. as you said, war has been a fixture of life since 2014 for - person. as you said, war has been a fixture of life since 2014 for so - fixture of life since 2014 for so many people, but it was largely confined to the south—east. where you are in kyiv, that reality is now gone, of course. is there still a sense of shock and disbelief that this is now hitting other cities in kyiv, notjust confined to the east?

yes, it is a very surreal experience, because people in ukraine are normal people, they want to live normal lives and raise their kids. i have three kids, three daughters, and if you go outside right now, you hear the huge explosions, i live near kyiv and there is a unit which is one of the targets of these night missile attacks, so ijust went targets of these night missile attacks, so i just went to a playground, and there was another huge explosion and my kids were frightened. as you leave this normal life and suddenly you understand that this is the end of this normal life, and it is very difficult to accept, but this is not for the first time that ukraine has resisted russian aggression. we experience this 100 years ago for example when we fought for our independence. and no matter how russians try to defeat

and to destroy ukrainians by starving them to death, sending them to gulags, the ukrainian national identity gets stronger and stronger, so we should see this reality in the long—term perspective, and i'm sure that ukraine will be victorious. and that ukraine will be victorious. and do ou that ukraine will be victorious. and do you have _ that ukraine will be victorious. and do you have somewhere safe to take your daughters?— your daughters? well, i have some lans, but your daughters? well, i have some plans. but i'm _ your daughters? well, i have some plans, but i'm not _ your daughters? well, i have some plans, but i'm not leaving, - your daughters? well, i have some plans, but i'm not leaving, i- your daughters? well, i have some plans, but i'm not leaving, i don't. plans, but i'm not leaving, i don't want to leave my country. i want to live here, i want to stay here. this is my land, the land of my kids. if there are tragic circumstances, i will think with my wife had to send our kids somewhere, but many people here in kyiv are not going to move. it is really interesting to talk to you. i hope you and yourfamily do stay safe, and good to get your perspective. thank you forjoining

us from kyiv. perspective. thank you for 'oining us from «mi oleksiy goncharenko is a ukrainian mp in odessa, a port city by the black sea. thank you forjoining us. can you confirm these reports that we are now hearing too that 18 people have died in an air strike on a military base in odessa? in died in an air strike on a military base in odessa?— died in an air strike on a military base in odessa? in my constituency there was an _ base in odessa? in my constituency there was an attack _ base in odessa? in my constituency there was an attack on _ base in odessa? in my constituency there was an attack on another - there was an attack on another military point, and altogether, i think there are not less than 100 victims in the country, may be more, nobody knows, and that is the situation . nobody knows, and that is the situation , ., ., ., situation quest white and how are --eole in situation quest white and how are people in the _ situation quest white and how are people in the country _ situation quest white and how are people in the country dealing - situation quest white and how are j people in the country dealing with this? there must be be notjust fear but panic right now too. this? there must be be not 'ust fear but panic right now too._ this? there must be be not 'ust fear

but panic right now too. some people are panicking. — but panic right now too. some people are panicking, some _ but panic right now too. some people are panicking, some are _ but panic right now too. some people are panicking, some are not. - but panic right now too. some people are panicking, some are not. we - are panicking, some are not. we asked people not to panic because it is the worst thing that could be done. but the situation is extremely difficult, and the russian invasion is under way, and we see that putin is under way, and we see that putin is not going to stop on ukraine, we are going to go further. that is why we are waiting so much from a strong response from the world, because no ukrainians are fighting for the whole civilised world. we want to see also that we will receive some help. see also that we will receive some hel _ ., .. see also that we will receive some hel. . , ., help. so, technically, what with that strong _ help. so, technically, what with that strong response _ help. so, technically, what with that strong response look - help. so, technically, what with that strong response look like? | help. so, technically, what with - that strong response look like? what kind of response would you like to see? pm kind of response would you like to see? �* ,., ., kind of response would you like to see? �* ., ., ,, ., ., ., see? an embargo on russian oil and as, see? an embargo on russian oil and gas. because — see? an embargo on russian oil and gas. because in _ see? an embargo on russian oil and gas, because in each _ see? an embargo on russian oil and gas, because in each barrel- see? an embargo on russian oil and gas, because in each barrel there i see? an embargo on russian oil and gas, because in each barrel there is| gas, because in each barrel there is no ukrainian blood. it is bloody oil and it should be stopped and banned. a full embargo. russian exports of oil and gas, that will punish them

severely. secondly, a swift system to disconnect russia financial systems from the world, and that would similarly influence the russian economy. that is what i think should be done now. taste russian economy. that is what i think should be done now. we heard from yentob — think should be done now. we heard from yentob -- _ think should be done now. we heard from yentob -- jens _ think should be done now. we heard from yentob -- jens stoltenberg - from yentob —— jens stoltenberg today about military support not being sent into ukraine. would you like more military support? taste like more military support? we realise that _ like more military support? - realise that nobody will fight for us, just ourselves. but ijust want to remind you that in 1994, ukraine had the third biggest nuclear weapons arsenal in the world, and we are the first nation in the world which voluntarily gave up its nuclear weapons. and now people are

saying, who would have a nuclear weapon now? it would be impossible. and that is the question. now if we are saying, we are not going to fight for you. but what can nato do, just to make a no—fly zone over ukraine like syria, because russians are using aircraft to bomb civilian objects, and kill civilians. in the zist objects, and kill civilians. in the 21st century in the middle of europe. 21st century in the middle of euro e. �* ., 21st century in the middle of euroe. �* ., i. 21st century in the middle of euroe. �* ., , 21st century in the middle of euroe. �* ., i. , ., 21st century in the middle of euroe. �* ., , ., europe. but do you believe that your military can — europe. but do you believe that your military can withstand _ europe. but do you believe that your military can withstand the _ europe. but do you believe that your military can withstand the russian i military can withstand the russian military can withstand the russian military might? taste military can withstand the russian military might?— military can withstand the russian military might? we will do our best. we wish you — military might? we will do our best. we wish you all— military might? we will do our best. we wish you all the _ military might? we will do our best. we wish you all the very _ military might? we will do our best. we wish you all the very best, - military might? we will do our best. we wish you all the very best, and i we wish you all the very best, and thank you so much forjoining us, as wejust had confirmed thank you so much forjoining us, as we just had confirmed that from the mp for odessa that 18 people have been killed in an attack on a military installation there, that coming from odessa.

let's ta ke let's take you now back to moscow. we can go to sir gaye. ukraine is not an independent _ we can go to sir gaye. ukraine is not an independent country, - we can go to sir gaye. ukraine is not an independent country, it i we can go to sir gaye. ukraine is not an independent country, it is| we can go to sir gaye. ukraine is i not an independent country, it is an illegal oppressive regime which overthrew the legitimate government. now liberation has started. this

overthrew the legitimate government. now liberation has started.— now liberation has started. this is a fla . rant now liberation has started. this is a flagrant breach _ now liberation has started. this is a flagrant breach of _ now liberation has started. this is a flagrant breach of international. a flagrant breach of international law. ukraine is a sovereign country, no matter what you say. what is president putin's end game here, what is his motivation? the president putin's end game here, what is his motivation?— president putin's end game here, what is his motivation? the aim of vladimir putin — what is his motivation? the aim of vladimir putin is _ what is his motivation? the aim of vladimir putin is to _ what is his motivation? the aim of vladimir putin is to take _ what is his motivation? the aim of vladimir putin is to take away - what is his motivation? the aim of vladimir putin is to take away the | vladimir putin is to take away the threat to russian security because the united states has conducted an anti—russia policy from ukraine. 50 anti—russia policy from ukraine. so does president putin want to topple the government in ukraine? iie does president putin want to topple the government in ukraine? he tried to talk with the — the government in ukraine? he tried to talk with the government - the government in ukraine? he tried to talk with the government of - to talk with the government of ukraine, but ukrainian president zelensky would not give any decision which he agreed with.— which he agreed with. president zelensky tried _ which he agreed with. president zelensky tried to _ which he agreed with. president zelensky tried to call— which he agreed with. president zelensky tried to call president| zelensky tried to call president putin, and that call was not taken by your president. he has been ignored. by your president. he has been innored. . ., by your president. he has been

innored. , ., , , , ignored. yes, of course, because he has talked many _ ignored. yes, of course, because he has talked many times _ ignored. yes, of course, because he has talked many times to _ ignored. yes, of course, because he has talked many times to president | has talked many times to president zelensky, and he wanted to take the americans out of the power. but president putin has no right to make demands of president zelensky. it is an independent, sovereign nation. you know, it is not independent, i will repeat you again. the independence of ukraine is the same as the independence of afghanistan and the american occupation. president putin has demanded the issue of human rights. kyiv as an impressive —— oppressive regime

kills those who are politically against them, in odessa the trade union building, and who organises this killing? nobody is punished. sergei markov, you know that ukraine absolutely denies these kind of allegations that civilians have been... ~ ., ., , , allegations that civilians have been... ~ ., , ,, ., allegations that civilians have been... ~ ., , ~ ., ., been... ukraine absolutely know what the are been... ukraine absolutely know what they are doing- _ been... ukraine absolutely know what they are doing. it _ been... ukraine absolutely know what they are doing. it is _ been... ukraine absolutely know what they are doing. it is an _ been... ukraine absolutely know what they are doing. it is an impressive - they are doing. it is an impressive regime which has been imposed by occupation forces, and of course they will disagree. ukrainian people agree. they will disagree. ukrainian people arree. ~ ., , ., agree. what did president putin mean by de-nazification _ agree. what did president putin mean by de-nazification of _ agree. what did president putin mean by de-nazification of ukraine? - agree. what did president putin mean by de-nazification of ukraine? all - by de-nazification of ukraine? all the by de—nazification of ukraine? eii the nazi groups in the ukraine right now should be disarmed, and the leaders of these groups should be punished for war crimes...

leaders of these groups should be punished for war crimes. . .- punished for war crimes... sergei markov, punished for war crimes... sergei markov. l'm _ punished for war crimes... sergei markov, i'm sorry _ punished for war crimes... sergei markov, i'm sorry we _ punished for war crimes... sergei markov, i'm sorry we have - punished for war crimes... sergei markov, i'm sorry we have to - markov, i'm sorry we have to interrupt you, we are going to live press conference that is going on between the eu in brussels. we are at a watershed moment, and the three _ we are at a watershed moment, and the three of— we are at a watershed moment, and the three of us standing here together— the three of us standing here together is yet more proof of how the european union and nato are responding to the kremlin's action. the world _ responding to the kremlin's action. the world can see that unity is our strength — the world can see that unity is our strength. early this morning president putin ordered atrocious acts of— president putin ordered atrocious acts of aggression against a sovereign and independent country, and innocent people. we will hold russia _ and innocent people. we will hold russia accountable for this outrageous violation of ukraine's sovereignty and the territorial integrity. what is at stake is not 'ust integrity. what is at stake is not just donbas, it is notjust ukraine.

what _ just donbas, it is notjust ukraine. what is _ just donbas, it is notjust ukraine. what is at — just donbas, it is notjust ukraine. what is at stake is the stability of europe _ what is at stake is the stability of europe and the whole international border~ _ europe and the whole international border. president putin chose to bring _ border. president putin chose to bring war— border. president putin chose to bring war back to europe. in a determined and united response, the european _ determined and united response, the european union will make it as difficult — european union will make it as difficult as possible for the kremlin to pursue its aggressive actions~ — kremlin to pursue its aggressive actions. around about 30 minutes ago i had actions. around about 30 minutes ago i had a _ actions. around about 30 minutes ago i had a phone call with president zelensky— i had a phone call with president zelensky and he asked us for whatever— zelensky and he asked us for whatever the different stakeholders can do _ whatever the different stakeholders can do for _ whatever the different stakeholders can do for help. we will later today present— can do for help. we will later today present a _ can do for help. we will later today present a package of massive and targeted — present a package of massive and targeted sanctions to european leaders — targeted sanctions to european leaders for their approval. we will coordinate — leaders for their approval. we will coordinate closely with our partners and allies. — coordinate closely with our partners and allies, the united states and the united kingdom, canada and norway— the united kingdom, canada and norway but also for example japan and australia. this package will include — and australia. this package will include financial sanctions that harshly — include financial sanctions that harshly limit russia's access to financial— harshly limit russia's access to financial markets. the sanctions

will have — financial markets. the sanctions will have a — financial markets. the sanctions will have a heavy impact. russia's economy— will have a heavy impact. russia's economy has already faced intensive pressure _ economy has already faced intensive pressure in — economy has already faced intensive pressure in recent weeks, and these pressures— pressure in recent weeks, and these pressures will now accumulate. the sanctions _ pressures will now accumulate. the sanctions will suppress russia's economic— sanctions will suppress russia's economic growth, increase the borrowing _ economic growth, increase the borrowing costs, raise inflation, intensify— borrowing costs, raise inflation, intensify capital outflow and gradually erode its industrial bases — gradually erode its industrial bases. the second main pillar of our sanction— bases. the second main pillar of our sanction concerns limiting russia's access— sanction concerns limiting russia's access to _ sanction concerns limiting russia's access to crucial technology. we want _ access to crucial technology. we want to — access to crucial technology. we want to cut off russia's industry from _ want to cut off russia's industry from the — want to cut off russia's industry from the technology desperately needed — from the technology desperately needed today to build the future. our measures will weaken russia's technology, technological position, in key _ technology, technological position, in key areas from which the elite makes _ in key areas from which the elite makes most of their money. in this ranges _ makes most of their money. in this ranges from — makes most of their money. in this ranges from high—tech components to cutting—edge software, this will also seriously degrade the russian economy— also seriously degrade the russian economy in all areas in the future. let me _ economy in all areas in the future. let me be — economy in all areas in the future. let me be very clear. it is

president _ let me be very clear. it is president putin who will have to explain — president putin who will have to explain this to his citizens. i know that the _ explain this to his citizens. i know that the russian people do not want this war~ _ that the russian people do not want this war. the european union and nato _ this war. the european union and nato have — this war. the european union and nato have worked closely, and this crisis _ nato have worked closely, and this crisis will— nato have worked closely, and this crisis will bring us even closer together~ _ crisis will bring us even closer together. it is our shared duty to stand _ together. it is our shared duty to stand up— together. it is our shared duty to stand up to — together. it is our shared duty to stand up to the gravest act of aggression on european soil in decades — aggression on european soil in decades. our unity is our best strength _ decades. our unity is our best strength. the kremlin understand this very— strength. the kremlin understand this very well, and that is why they have _ this very well, and that is why they have tried — this very well, and that is why they have tried their best to divide us, but they— have tried their best to divide us, but they have achieved the exact opposite — but they have achieved the exact opposite. we are more united and more _ opposite. we are more united and more determined than ever. we are one union. — more determined than ever. we are one union, one alliance, united in purpose — one union, one alliance, united in --urose. . . one union, one alliance, united in --urose. .,, ., one union, one alliance, united in n-urose. ., ,' purpose. last night, a cataclysm shock europe. _ purpose. last night, a cataclysm shock europe. a _ purpose. last night, a cataclysm

shock europe. a brutal - purpose. last night, a cataclysm shock europe. a brutal attack i purpose. last night, a cataclysm shock europe. a brutal attack by j shock europe. a brutal attack by russia on the ukrainian people, and this unprovoked and unjustified attack is unlike anything on european soil since the end of the second world war. it is an attack on the free and sovereign state of ukraine, and its territorial integrity, a blatant violation of international law, replacing the rule of law by the rule of brutality. an attack on the peace and security of europe. it is also and security of europe. it is also an attack on the foundations of our european union, a project of peace, prosperity, for all europeans. the eu and its member states together with our allies will hold russia accountable. the european council will convene today and will agree in principle on a package of massive and targeted sanctions. we will also

decide on political, financial and humanitarian aid for ukraine and its people. ukraine's cities have been hit, innocent people killed. women, men, children are fleeing for their lives. they need our support more than ever. we will also discuss the geopolitical and human costs, and i do not believe that the russian people want war. you do not want to lose young men to a senseless war serving as cannon fodder for an unjustified, unlawful and foolish war. and we also appealed to belarus and its people. you have the choice not to follow russia's destructive action. you have the choice not to take part in this needless tragedy against your neighbours in ukraine.

and we, the eu, stand rock—solid, united and determined together with nato, together with our allies, partners and friends to hold russia accountable, to support ukraine and to protect peace in europe. we stand shoulder to shoulder with all countries across the world that want what uphold international order for the sake of peace. thank you. thank ou. i the sake of peace. thank you. thank you- i have — the sake of peace. thank you. thank you- i have two _ the sake of peace. thank you. thank you. i have two questions, _ the sake of peace. thank you. thank you. i have two questions, the i the sake of peace. thank you. thank you. i have two questions, the first i you. i have two questions, the first one to _ you. i have two questions, the first one to the — you. i have two questions, the first one to the commission _ you. i have two questions, the first one to the commission president. i one to the commission president. which _ one to the commission president. which of— one to the commission president. which of the _ one to the commission president. which of the next _ one to the commission president. which of the next practical- one to the commission president. which of the next practical stepsi which of the next practical steps the eu _ which of the next practical steps the eu can — which of the next practical steps the eu can take _ which of the next practical steps the eu can take to _ which of the next practical steps the eu can take to help- which of the next practical steps the eu can take to help ukrainel which of the next practical steps i the eu can take to help ukraine cope with internally — the eu can take to help ukraine cope with internally displaced _ the eu can take to help ukraine cope with internally displaced people, i with internally displaced people, and what — with internally displaced people, and what are _ with internally displaced people, and what are the _ with internally displaced people, and what are the next _ with internally displaced people, and what are the next steps i with internally displaced people, and what are the next steps that could _ and what are the next steps that could be — and what are the next steps that could be taken _ and what are the next steps that could be taken to _ and what are the next steps that could be taken to also _ and what are the next steps that could be taken to also help - and what are the next steps that could be taken to also help the i could be taken to also help the neighbouring _ could be taken to also help the neighbouring countries- could be taken to also help the neighbouring countries that i could be taken to also help the| neighbouring countries that are

probably— neighbouring countries that are probably seeing _ neighbouring countries that are probably seeing an _ neighbouring countries that are probably seeing an influx - neighbouring countries that are probably seeing an influx of i probably seeing an influx of refugees— probably seeing an influx of refugees in— probably seeing an influx of refugees in the _ probably seeing an influx of refugees in the next - probably seeing an influx of refugees in the next days i probably seeing an influx of i refugees in the next days and probably seeing an influx of _ refugees in the next days and weeks? and the _ refugees in the next days and weeks? and the question _ refugees in the next days and weeks? and the question to _ refugees in the next days and weeks? and the question to president, - refugees in the next days and weeks? and the question to president, wheni and the question to president, when you called _ and the question to president, when you called the — and the question to president, when you called the meeting _ and the question to president, when you called the meeting yesterday i you called the meeting yesterday before _ you called the meeting yesterday before the — you called the meeting yesterday before the attack, _ you called the meeting yesterday before the attack, did _ you called the meeting yesterday before the attack, did you - you called the meeting yesterday before the attack, did you have i you called the meeting yesterday i before the attack, did you have any indication— before the attack, did you have any indication yesterday— before the attack, did you have any indication yesterday afternoon i before the attack, did you have anyl indication yesterday afternoon when he took _ indication yesterday afternoon when he took the — indication yesterday afternoon when he took the decision _ indication yesterday afternoon when he took the decision to _ indication yesterday afternoon when he took the decision to assemble i indication yesterday afternoon whenl he took the decision to assemble the leaders? _ he took the decision to assemble the leaders? ., ., ~ ., leaders? indeed, we have worked for weeks to be — leaders? indeed, we have worked for weeks to be prepared _ leaders? indeed, we have worked for weeks to be prepared for _ leaders? indeed, we have worked for weeks to be prepared for the - leaders? indeed, we have worked for weeks to be prepared for the worse i weeks to be prepared for the worse to come. _ weeks to be prepared for the worse to come, hoping for the best but being _ to come, hoping for the best but being prepared for the worst, and this was— being prepared for the worst, and this was concerning, strengthening our resilience in the cyber field, making — our resilience in the cyber field, making sure that we can be independent of any kind of pressure from russian gas supplies, and indeed — from russian gas supplies, and indeed to— from russian gas supplies, and indeed to prepare for potential refugees. we have with all the front-line _ refugees. we have with all the front—line member state now explicit contingency plans to welcome and host immediately those refugees from

ukraine. _ host immediately those refugees from ukraine, and where internally displaced people are concerned, we have a _ displaced people are concerned, we have a lot _ displaced people are concerned, we have a lot of readiness for shelter and all— have a lot of readiness for shelter and all the — have a lot of readiness for shelter and all the things that internally displaced people immediately need, and also _ displaced people immediately need, and also financial assistance which is available right now, so the preparedness is fully alerted, and we hope — preparedness is fully alerted, and we hope that there will be as little as possible refugees, but we are fully prepared for them and they are welcome _ fully prepared for them and they are welcome. we fully prepared for them and they are welcome. ~ ., .., ., , ., welcome. we had indications that the situation was — welcome. we had indications that the situation was dramatically _ situation was dramatically deteriorated on the ground, but we didn't know that such an aggression and military invasion, a full—scale military invasion would take place last night. military invasion would take place last niuht. . ~ i. , military invasion would take place last niuht. . ~' ,, , . military invasion would take place last niuht. . ~ , . ., last night. thank you very much. to all three of—

last night. thank you very much. to all three of you, _ last night. thank you very much. to all three of you, ukraine _ last night. thank you very much. to all three of you, ukraine is - last night. thank you very much. to all three of you, ukraine is now i all three of you, ukraine is now under— all three of you, ukraine is now under attack— all three of you, ukraine is now under attack because _ all three of you, ukraine is now under attack because it - all three of you, ukraine is now under attack because it wanted | all three of you, ukraine is now. under attack because it wanted to come _ under attack because it wanted to come closer— under attack because it wanted to come closer to _ under attack because it wanted to come closer to your— under attack because it wanted to come closer to your institutions. i come closer to your institutions. this is— come closer to your institutions. this is why— come closer to your institutions. this is why it— come closer to your institutions. this is why it was _ come closer to your institutions. this is why it was attacked, i come closer to your institutions. this is why it was attacked, over its wish — this is why it was attacked, over its wish to— this is why it was attacked, over its wish tojoin— this is why it was attacked, over its wish to join nato, _ this is why it was attacked, over its wish to join nato, and - this is why it was attacked, over its wish to join nato, and yet i this is why it was attacked, over its wish to join nato, and yet all| its wish to join nato, and yet all of your— its wish to join nato, and yet all of your appeals— its wish to join nato, and yet all of your appeals for— its wish to join nato, and yet all of your appeals for dialogue i its wish to join nato, and yet all. of your appeals for dialogue fallen on deaf— of your appeals for dialogue fallen on deaf ears _ of your appeals for dialogue fallen on deaf ears. we _ of your appeals for dialogue fallen on deaf ears. we saw _ of your appeals for dialogue fallen on deaf ears. we saw the - of your appeals for dialogue fallen | on deaf ears. we saw the build—up happened. — on deaf ears. we saw the build—up happened. nothing— on deaf ears. we saw the build—up happened, nothing you _ on deaf ears. we saw the build—up happened, nothing you did - on deaf ears. we saw the build—upl happened, nothing you did worked. what _ happened, nothing you did worked. what more — happened, nothing you did worked. what more could _ happened, nothing you did worked. what more could you _ happened, nothing you did worked. what more could you have - happened, nothing you did worked. what more could you have done, i happened, nothing you did worked. i what more could you have done, and how do— what more could you have done, and how do you _ what more could you have done, and how do you feel— what more could you have done, and how do you feel today _ what more could you have done, and how do you feel today when - what more could you have done, and how do you feel today when you i what more could you have done, and how do you feel today when you are i how do you feel today when you are sitting _ how do you feel today when you are sitting here — how do you feel today when you are sitting here saying _ how do you feel today when you are sitting here saying that _ how do you feel today when you are sitting here saying that innocent i sitting here saying that innocent lives _ sitting here saying that innocent lives will — sitting here saying that innocent lives will be _ sitting here saying that innocent lives will be lost? _ sitting here saying that innocent lives will be lost? and _ sitting here saying that innocent lives will be lost? and these i sitting here saying that innocent lives will be lost? and these are people _ lives will be lost? and these are people whose _ lives will be lost? and these are people whose only— lives will be lost? and these are people whose only crime - lives will be lost? and these are people whose only crime even i lives will be lost? and these are | people whose only crime even in lives will be lost? and these are i people whose only crime even in the words _ people whose only crime even in the words of— people whose only crime even in the words of the — people whose only crime even in the words of the kremlin _ people whose only crime even in the words of the kremlin are _ people whose only crime even in the words of the kremlin are that - people whose only crime even in the words of the kremlin are that they i words of the kremlin are that they wanted _ words of the kremlin are that they wanted to— words of the kremlin are that they wanted to be — words of the kremlin are that they wanted to be closer— words of the kremlin are that they wanted to be closer to _ words of the kremlin are that they wanted to be closer to europe. i words of the kremlin are that they wanted to be closer to europe. [i wanted to be closer to europe. i think wanted to be closer to europe. think it is very important to remember that there is one state thatis remember that there is one state that is responsible for what is happening now in ukraine, and that is russia. russia is the country which is responsible for the loss of life and the aggressive actions against ukraine, and we have reached out to russia for many years,

actually, and especially during the last months, to engage in dialogue and try to prevent this conflict, but at the same time, as ursula von der leyen said, we have been absolutely prepared for the worst and that is what is happening now. we hope to remember that there is one aggressor, and that is russia who is responsible for what we see evolving in ukraine right now. studio: we leave that press conference live in brussels, ursula von der leyen talking about massive and targeted sanctions, the further limiting of access to financial markets for russia, but speaking as well about the stability of europe being at stake. this is notjust about what is happening in ukraine, and we have also been seeing reports of an address by the french president emmanuel macron who has warned russia of an uncompromising response. he described it as a turning point in european history,

and said we would respond without weakness to this act of war by president macron. do stay with us for continuing coverage. hello. we have had a fair amount of wintry weather across northern britain, and that will continue into the evening hours. the met office issued earlier on a snow and lightning warning across parts of scotland and northern ireland, and very vigorous and intense wintry showers spreading in from the north—west. you can see on the radar here this is where the wintry showers have been falling. rain in the south, a little too mild here for any wintry weather, but it is in the north across scotland in the pennines, parts of northern ireland where we could see snow accumulating, a few centimetres on the ground, very hit and miss, and on top of that some very strong gusty winds, 40 or 50 mph in one or

two spots, so across the highlands no doubt at times we will have temporary blizzards. the temperature this evening will be around three degrees in newcastle, 6 degrees in the south, and it is going to feel cold outside. and i think that warning, that thunder an snow warning, that thunder an snow warning, will continue until at least around eight o'clock this evening, and after that it expires. but the winds tend to ease, the weather clears up a little bit, i think the weather will generally be a lot, heading into friday morning. a touch of frost possible almost anywhere but more especially central and northern areas. this is friday, and northern areas. this is friday, and into the weekend we will see an area of high pressure building in from the south, meaning that the weather will settle, we will lose those cold winds and we will also lose the wintry showers, and in fact friday morning starts of chilly, brate, and then sunshine for the afternoon, but notice behind me there is the next weather system approaching, and that means cloud and rain for approaching, and that means cloud and rainforthe approaching, and that means cloud and rain for the western isles of

scotland and possibly for northern ireland tomorrow afternoon. but for many of us tomorrow, it is going to be a bright if not sunny day with light winds and temperatures of around 10 degrees. here is that high pressure, admittedly the centre of the high will be across parts of europe which is where the best weather will be, and we will be on the edge, meaning that weather fronts will continue to sneak into the north—west through the weekend, so saturday and sunday there was a possibility of rain in the north—west of the uk, but generally speaking for many of us, that weekend is looking fine and dry. that's it from me. goodbye.

today at one, we're live in ukraine as russia invades in a major military assault by land, sea and air. it began before dawn, with assaults on multiple targets in the north, south and east. there were explosions reported near major cities, including here, in the capital, kyiv. as his army moved in, vladimir putin had this warning for anyone trying to stand in his way. translation: whoever tries to interfere with us _ or threaten our country should know that russia's response will be immediate and lead to such consequences that have never been experienced in history. here in the capital, fearing the worst,

some are desperate to leave. their president calls on the international community