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 to help his country. translation: putin started a war against ukraine, against the whole democratic world. he wants to destroy my country, he wants to destroy our country, everything we have been building, what we live for. nato and western leaders have responded with tough rhetoric to the attack. their attempts to find a diplomatic way out of the crisis clearly failed. sadly, what we have warned against for months has come to pass — despite all calls on russia to change course and tireless efforts to seek a diplomatic solution. for all his bombs and tanks and missiles, i don't believe that the russian dictator will ever subdue the nationalfeeling of the ukrainians and their passionate belief that their country should be free.

we'll be live in moscow, brussels, washington and from across ukraine with the very latest, and we'll be asking what the international community can do to end. we'll also be looking at the wider economic impact of end the war. and in london, iam ben and in london, i am ben brown with the dow's other news. all remaining legal covid restrictions have been lifted in england nearly two years after the first rules were introduced. and the queen postpones her engagements for the second time this week after testing positive for covid. and on the bbc news channel, stay with us for continuing coverage of russia's invasion of ukraine, with analysis and reports from around the world.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc�*s news at one from the ukrainian capital, kyiv. well, president putin actually carried out what so many warned — and feared about — for so many weeks. the nato secretary—general, jens stoltenberg, said it was a brutal act of war of the type we thought was part of history in europe. the ukrainian government called full—scale invasion, saying there have been multiple explosions from cruise and ballistic missiles in several cities, and russian tanks and troops have poured in across the borders to the east, the south and in the north. russian fighterjets have also been heard in the skies. in an address to the nation, mr putin said anyone who tried to interfere with russia's operation

would face consequences that have never been experienced in history. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has declared martial law. he urged his citizens not to panic, insisting his country would emerge victorious. and nato says it is activating its defence plans, bolstering its presence in front line states. in the last hour, boris johnson has said this hideous and barbaric venture must end in failure. well, our correspondent paul adams, failure. well, our correspondent pauladams, here in failure. well, our correspondent paul adams, here in kyiv, has this round—up of the day's dramatic events. until early this morning, some here seem to have doubted that he would do it. not any more. the west warned vladimir putin was about to attack. he said he had no such plans. that fiction now utterly exposed. explosions right across this vast country.

in the far south—west, a missile struck an airport. unverified images from ukraine's northern and southern borders seem to show columns of russian armour entering from belarus and crimea. within hours, russian tanks were reported to be on the streets of ukraine's second largest city, kharkiv. whatever rush it says, this attack will not be surgical. —— whatever russia says. to the east of kharkiv, emergency workers battled to control fires in residential building is hit by rockets. the number of civilian casualties is rising. at mariupol in the south, another airport on fire. this country's civilian infrastructure is being heavily struck. there are no more flights in or out. a glance at the map shows a country under attack from east to

west, north to south. earlier, a snarling russian leader said this was all in self defence and warned ukrainians to lay down their arms. translation: we ukrainians to lay down their arms. translation:— ukrainians to lay down their arms. translation: we will strive for the demilitarisation _ translation: we will strive for the demilitarisation and _ translation: we will strive for the demilitarisation and denazification i demilitarisation and denazification of ukraine. russia cannot feel safe, develop and exist with the constant threat emanating from the territory of modern ukraine. in threat emanating from the territory of modern ukraine.— of modern ukraine. in kyiv, ukraine's— of modern ukraine. in kyiv, ukraine's embattled - of modern ukraine. in kyiv, - ukraine's embattled president, who must now fear for his job, appealed to the world. translation: , ., ., ., translation: putin started a war auainst translation: putin started a war against ukraine, _ translation: putin started a war against ukraine, against _ translation: putin started a war against ukraine, against a - translation: putin started a war against ukraine, against a whole l against ukraine, against a whole democratic world. he wants to destroy— democratic world. he wants to destroy my country, he wants to destroy— destroy my country, he wants to destroy our— destroy my country, he wants to destroy our country, everything we have been— destroy our country, everything we have been building, what we live for. have been building, what we live for~ 50 _ have been building, what we live for, ., ., , , have been building, what we live for. ., ., , ., for. so far, all the signs are that this attack _ for. so far, all the signs are that this attack is _ for. so far, all the signs are that this attack is working _ for. so far, all the signs are that this attack is working out - for. so far, all the signs are that| this attack is working out exactly the way western leaders have been warning for weeks. the country is being attacked from all directions, and the fear now has to be that some of those russian troops are heading here, to the capital. some people

are not waiting to find out what happens next. the roads out of kyiv jammed with traffic, most of it heading west. these people don't want to be liberated by vladimir putin. after weeks of extraordinary bout, this suddenly looks like panic. —— extraordinary calm. made morning, and twojets panic. —— extraordinary calm. made morning, and two jets fly over the city, it is not clear who is, but it seems only a matter of time before russia controls the air and much besides. pauladams, bbc news, kia. —— kyiv. sirens woke residents early this morning here in kyiv, a city which prayed for peace but prepared for war. my colleague nick beake has been finding out what people here think of the last night's extraordinary events — and what they fear will follow now. sirens the invasion, the attack that russia promised would never happen has now

started, and ukrainian government is urging people to stay calm, and it is appealing to international community to stop president putin now. we soon find lana and her mum. russia forced them from their home and crimea eight years ago. now they are on the move again.— are on the move again. very, very nervous, are on the move again. very, very nervous. and _ are on the move again. very, very nervous. and i _ are on the move again. very, very nervous, and i am _ are on the move again. very, very nervous, and i am very _ are on the move again. very, very nervous, and i am very scared, i are on the move again. very, very| nervous, and i am very scared, but are on the move again. very, very l nervous, and i am very scared, but i must be strong. nervous, and i am very scared, but i must be strong-— must be strong. after the overnight attacks from _ must be strong. after the overnight attacks from the _ must be strong. after the overnight attacks from the skies, _ must be strong. after the overnight attacks from the skies, many - must be strong. after the overnight attacks from the skies, many are i attacks from the skies, many are taking refuge underground. this feels like one of the safest places in the city today, notjust because there are lots of soldiers about, but because the metro is doubling up as a bomb shelter, and overnight, families have come down here, they are trying to follow the news of what is happening and work out what they will do next. this two—year—old is still smiling, but his mum and dads are worried.— is still smiling, but his mum and i dads are worried._ the dads are worried. eight bombs. the wall starts- —

dads are worried. eight bombs. the wall starts- -- _ dads are worried. eight bombs. the wall starts. -- war. _ wall starts. —— war. translation: i am very, very scared for my boy. then both parents ask, where art nato to help us? when the bombs started falling, this man's manager helped people leave their homes. he says he is ready to fight on the front line and die for his country. on the front line and die for his count . ., ._ on the front line and die for his count . . ._ ., , ., country. run away to serve our country. — country. run away to serve our country. our — country. run away to serve our country, our children, - country. run away to serve our country, our children, our- country. run away to serve our- country, our children, our mothers, and defend our country from russian occupation. and we will fight all day. occupation. and we will fight all da . , . ., ., occupation. and we will fight all da. ., ., ., day. many are fearful of what will come next. _ day. many are fearful of what will come next, among _ day. many are fearful of what will come next, among them - day. many are fearful of what will come next, among them alex - day. many are fearful of what will. come next, among them alex yee. if russia will occupy kyiv, which i don't _ russia will occupy kyiv, which i don't believe will happen, because i believe _ don't believe will happen, because i believe in _ don't believe will happen, because i believe in our army, well, it will

believe in our army, well, it will be like — believe in our army, well, it will be like another nazi occupation. it be like another nazi occupation. [it is still be like another nazi occupation. it is still eerily quiet in the heart of the capital. it seems many have followed government advice to stay at home. lots of people will have heard russia's claimed that it carried out targeted attacks on ukrainian military. i have to tell you, people are saying it does not feel like that to them. instead, they feel they are under attack and that president putin has declared war on them. nick beake, bbc news, kyiv. well, what about russia? in an address on state television, vladimir putin said his country had no choice but to defend itself against what he suggested were threats from modern ukraine. and that moscow would try to what he called denazify this country. from moscow, steve rosenberg. from the president of russia, a fateful decision. vladimir putin said "military operation". but really, the kremlin was launching a full—scale invasion of ukraine.

russian stocks plunged. the rouble hit an all—time low. fears of conflict superseded by the shock of a war and what may come next. i think that, if putin is not stopped now in ukraine, this war would be the beginning of the third world war. vladimir putin comes across now as a leader with an almost messianic idea — to force ukraine back into moscow's orbit, even if that means war. what the public might think about that doesn't come into it. he seems determined to achieve his goal. in the centre of moscow, "we are against the war", she says, "and we want the whole world to know that". but, so far, few russians have come out to protest.

maybe this is why. in russia now, protests end like this. i'm sorry, so shocked. ijust can't help crying. i think that most russians don't support this. it's horrible. and why don't they support it? because it's not our war. it is war putin—biden or anyone else, but not our nation. "i think the ukrainian soldiers will surrender", she says, "and they should". "it's terrible to be at war with ukraine." this is not a conflict the russian public wants. this is the kremlin�*s war. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. let's join our eastern europe correspondent, sarah rainsford, in eastern ukraine.

sarah, the front line in russia's quarrel over the last eight years with ukraine has been where you are in the east, what is the picture looking like now?— in the east, what is the picture looking like now? that line could be movin: , looking like now? that line could be moving. but — looking like now? that line could be moving. but if— looking like now? that line could be moving, but if ukrainian _ looking like now? that line could be moving, but if ukrainian forces - looking like now? that line could bej moving, but if ukrainian forces have been battling pro russian, russian backed forces for the eight years and kept that line pretty much in place, now there militias are backed by the russian army. we know that they have rolled into some areas of they have rolled into some areas of the donbas, and we know that there is some heavy fighting going on along the contact line, as it is known, to the south of where i am now. we know there have been civilians killed today in one area, and that there is, as i say, heavy fighting in places. people here, back a little way from the front line, are worried about what that means. they are worried about an advance from russian troops, about the fighting coming to their doorstep. forthe the fighting coming to their doorstep. for the moment, the fighting coming to their doorstep. forthe moment, life the fighting coming to their doorstep. for the moment, life is kind of going on as normal, children

out and about, parents with babies, people have gone to work today, although school was cancelled. but there is this kind of air of trepidation about what is coming, because people have seen what happens when this area is taken over by the russian backed militias before. now it is the russian army he was there, and they are worried about what that means for their lives going forward. 0k, sarah, for their lives going forward. 0k, sarah. thank _ for their lives going forward. 0k, sarah, thank you, _ for their lives going forward. ok, sarah, thank you, sarah rainsford in eastern ukraine. let's talk to steve rosenberg in moscow. in your report, you said this was the kremlin's war, is there any sense that the public understand what is going on over here and understand why it is happening?— here and understand why it is happening? here and understand why it is haueninu? ., ~ ., ., ,, ., happening? you know, talking to russians, happening? you know, talking to russians. l _ happening? you know, talking to russians, i think _ happening? you know, talking to russians, i think those _ happening? you know, talking to russians, i think those people i happening? you know, talking to l russians, i think those people who watch state television, who get their news from state tv, they generally accept the message that they are receiving, and a message they are receiving, and a message they are receiving is the message that vladimir putin delivered in his

televised address earlier today. in other words, that it is not russia thatis other words, that it is not russia that is the aggressor, russia has been forced to act in a military way because of western aggression, nato aggression, and because ukraine has become... but there was russians who do not get their news from the state media, who perhaps go on the internet and look at what is happening online, i think they have a different view, and we have seen very few people so far publicly protesting, because of the fear of being arrested. the situation is very difficult here for people who have a different view, a critical view of the authorities. this i'm joined here by our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet. we stood in this spot last night on the ten o'clock news and we agreed it felt as if things had changed, and it's quite clear that all that shuttle diplomacy over the last two

or three weeks and months, even, meant nothing. it’s or three weeks and months, even, meant nothing-— meant nothing. it's a breathtaking moment. meant nothing. it's a breathtaking moment- we _ meant nothing. it's a breathtaking moment. we are _ meant nothing. it's a breathtaking moment. we are all— meant nothing. it's a breathtaking moment. we are all searching - meant nothing. it's a breathtaking moment. we are all searching for| moment. we are all searching for words. we are reaching back into history to try and make sense of this moment and, asjens stoltenberg put it, this war is on a scale and of a type that we thought belongs to history. in this year, 2022, the most advanced of intelligence, the worst of warnings, the most intensive of diplomacy couldn't make president putin link. international norms are being shattered. the architecture of all our lives, and a siren to remind you that war has come to kyiv, european a capital, in a city that is going right round the world. if that feels shattering, what is happening in terms of what governs all our lives, think about the lives of tens of millions of

ukrainians, shattered. think of your family, with your suitcase packed, what are you going to do. we spoke to a philosopher who said, ukrainians arejust to a philosopher who said, ukrainians are just trying to live normal lives. i have three daughters but quite possibly this is the end of our normal lives. that siren has just reminded us. be careful. lyse doucet, just reminded us. be careful. lyse doucet. our _ just reminded us. be careful. lyse doucet, our chief _ just reminded us. be careful. lyse doucet, our chief international correspondent. in response... you can hear the correspondent. in response... you can hearthe air correspondent. in response... you can hear the air raid sirens going off. in response to russia's actions this morning, nato, the western military alliance, says it is activating its defence plan. secretary—generaljens stoltenberg warned it would do whatever was necessary to shield member countries from aggression, with 100 jets at high alert and 120 ships at sea. earlier, the european union said president putin was "bringing war back to europe". here's our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. the invasion began as western capitals slept. their leaders woke

to learn the diplomacy and deterrence had failed. their task now to respond to what one called europe's darkest hour since world war ii. in a recorded statement, borisjohnson missed a massive package of economic sanctions to hobble russia macroeconomy. abs, package of economic sanctions to hobble russia macroeconomy. a vast invasion is under _ hobble russia macroeconomy. a vast invasion is under way, _ hobble russia macroeconomy. a vast invasion is under way, by _ hobble russia macroeconomy. a vast invasion is under way, by land, - hobble russia macroeconomy. a vast invasion is under way, by land, sea . invasion is under way, by land, sea and air, and this is not in the infamous phrase some far away country of which we know little. 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 freedom just to be snuffed out. we cannot and will not just look away. he snuffed out. we cannot and will not just look away-— just look away. he promised more defensive military _ just look away. he promised more defensive military support. - just look away. he promised more defensive military support. our i defensive military support. our mission is _ defensive military support. our mission is clear. _

defensive military support. or“ mission is clear. diplomatically, politically, economically and eventually militarily, this hideous and barbaric venture of vladimir putin that ended in failure. this act of wanton and reckless aggression is an attack notjust on ukraine, it's 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. in and that is a right that the uk will always defend.— and that is a right that the uk will always defend. in the early hours, the united — always defend. in the early hours, the united nations— always defend. in the early hours, the united nations met _ always defend. in the early hours, the united nations met in - always defend. in the early hours, i the united nations met in emergency session, the chamber echoing to the sound of shock and condemnation. president putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to russia. in the name of humanity, do not allow to start in europe what

could be the worst war since the beginning of the century. mata could be the worst war since the beginning of the century. nato has already bolstered _ beginning of the century. nato has already bolstered its _ beginning of the century. nato has already bolstered its eastern i beginning of the century. nato has already bolstered its eastern flank| already bolstered its eastern flank in recent days. this morning the military alliance activity plans to pave the way for the deployment of more troops to strengthen its deterrence and defence. the kremlin's — deterrence and defence. the kremlin's aim _ deterrence and defence. the kremlin's aim is _ deterrence and defence. the kremlin's aim is to _ deterrence and defence. tue: kremlin's aim is to re—establish deterrence and defence. t'te: kremlin's aim is to re—establish its sphere of influence, ripped up the global norms that have kept us safe for decades and subvert the values that we hold dear. this is the new normal for our security. peace cannot be taken for granted. the fear now among some nato countries, particularly in baltic states like estonia and other parts of eastern europe, is that president putin might not stop at ukraine.

everything we were afraid of, that we knew from the intelligence before, has actually come true, and this is so frightening that this can happen in 2022. eli this is so frightening that this can happen in 2022— this is so frightening that this can ha en in 2022. . , happen in 2022. eu leaders will meet later today to — happen in 2022. eu leaders will meet later today to discuss _ happen in 2022. eu leaders will meet later today to discuss their _ later today to discuss their response. the european commission president promised tough new sanctions. tt president promised tough new sanctions. , , ., sanctions. it is president putin who is brinuain sanctions. it is president putin who is bringing war _ sanctions. it is president putin who is bringing war back— sanctions. it is president putin who is bringing war back to _ sanctions. it is president putin who is bringing war back to europe i sanctions. it is president putin who is bringing war back to europe and, in these dark hours, the european union and its people stand by ukraine and its people. we are facing an unprecedented act of aggression by the russian leadership against a sovereign, independent country. against a sovereign, independent count . ., . .,, country. further economic sanctions on the table? _ country. further economic sanctions on the table? there _ country. further economic sanctions on the table? there are _ country. further economic sanctions on the table? there are plans i country. further economic sanctions on the table? there are plans to i on the table? there are plans to restrict russia's ability to sell its gas and other energy to the rest of the world and there could be restrictions on russia was not ability to import technology muck

microchips but there is pressure to act fast. we will learn more this afternoon when the prime minister addresses mps at westminster. now we'll get the view from brussels. katya adler is there. we heard some of the folks from nato speaking where you are, and one wonders what the international community can do, given this brazen attack on this country. given this brazen attack on this count . ~ , ,., , given this brazen attack on this count . ~ , ., , country. absolutely, and the eu is extremely worried, _ country. absolutely, and the eu is extremely worried, as _ country. absolutely, and the eu is extremely worried, as we - country. absolutely, and the eu is extremely worried, as we heard i country. absolutely, and the eu is i extremely worried, as we heard from the president of the european commission. she said vladimir putin has brought war back to europe. all 27 eu member states, their leaders will be coming to brussels tonight and they will be wanting to show solidarity outside towards vladimir putin as a warning, towards ukraine as a sign of solidarity to say they're back them, and internally as

well, because the baltic states, estonia, latvia, lithuania, who neighbour russia, are worried, feeling exposed politically and possibly militarily. you member states also border ukraine and are bracing themselves for a possible refugee crisis if ukrainians flee their home. there is a big bang pottage of sanctions the eu is announcing today, a new package, and it says it would have more measures up it says it would have more measures up its sleeve if, as it worries, vladimir putin continues with his aggression. vladimir putin continues with his aggression-— vladimir putin continues with his anression. ., ,, ., ~ aggression. thank you. katya adler live in brussels. _ aggression. thank you. katya adler live in brussels. let's _ aggression. thank you. katya adler live in brussels. let's go _ aggression. thank you. katya adler live in brussels. let's go to - live in brussels. let's go to washington flip the events unfolding in ukraine that took place overnight in ukraine that took place overnight in the united states, late last night, has there been any official reaction? , , �* night, has there been any official reaction? , , r ., , reaction? yes, president biden was monitorin: reaction? yes, president biden was monitoring the _ reaction? yes, president biden was monitoring the situation _ reaction? yes, president biden was monitoring the situation last i reaction? yes, president biden was monitoring the situation last night. monitoring the situation last night as it evolved and he put out a statement saying this was a premeditated war which would cause a lot of suffering, for which the world would hold russia accountable

to he called president zelenskiy of the ukraine and the us would continue support and assistance for ukraine and in the next hour he will hold a virtual meeting with g7 leaders to make sure they are on the same page about this coordinated package of sanctions they have already agreed. we have seen some of those sanctions already rolled out, and mr biden will address the nation later today to talk about what further measures he will take. so far he has sanctioned russian banks and taken steps to cut off russia from western financing. i think we could see more of that. it's about going after the money, not sending troops. the americans will support the resistance, as they have, with arms and weapons.— live now to our political correspondent, nick eardley, in westminster. a sense that more sanctions are going to be applied, but one wonders

what effect that will have, if any, on president putin. t what effect that will have, if any, on president putin.— what effect that will have, if any, on president putin. i think that's a key question _ on president putin. i think that's a key question many _ on president putin. i think that's a key question many will— on president putin. i think that's a key question many will be - on president putin. i think that's a l key question many will be wrestling with in whitehall this afternoon. word from borisjohnson in the past couple of hours that he thinks the uk's worst predictions have come true, that president putin have now launched this massive invasion without any justification for doing so. he is going to spend the next few hours speaking to international leaders, who will be on that g7 call that barbara was talking about, and then this afternoon he will be in then this afternoon he will be in the house of commons, around five pn, outline specific sanctions that the uk is now going to introduce. there was some criticism earlier this week that the uk hadn't gone further with the sanctions it was applying. the government is now saying that it is intending to bring in sanctions that will hobble in time the russian economy, and expect

them to include more individuals, more banks, some key russian sectors and elements of their trade system that goes through london as well. as you say, those are medium—term measures, designed to hobble the russian economy. quite what impact that has immediately isn't clear. thank you, nick eardley, live at westminster. soon after russian forces moved into ukraine, there was a strong reaction from markets around the world. the price of oil surged past $100 a barrel, hitting its highest level for more than seven years. with consumers already facing high energy prices, the price of uk natural gas prices soared by 30%. europe gets nearly half of its gas from russia. and there were steep falls on stock markets across europe. the uk's ftse 100 opened 2.5% down, with russia's moex index plunging by 45%.

well, to make some sense of it all, i'm joined by our business correspondent, theo leggett. it's clear to everyone that events taking place here could have far—reaching effects on all of us right around the world. far-reaching effects on all of us right around the world. far-reaching effects and on _ right around the world. far-reaching effects and on uk _ right around the world. far-reaching effects and on uk consumers - right around the world. far-reaching effects and on uk consumers around others. the biggest impact so far has been the energy markets, and there is a reason for that. russia is one of the world's bigger supplies of crude oil and a major supplier of natural gas, and supplies about 40% of europe's gas needs. a lot of that come through ukrainian territory so there is concern the supplies could be disrupted, either through political means, through sanctions or counter sanctions, or problems within the country itself. that has pushed up gas prices in a very significant way. they are up around 40% on the day, and we have seen the oil price

spike at $105 per barrel stop that means more expensive oil, higher manufacturing costs for companies, batteries have to pay more for the supplies they need, higher transport costs and higher prices for fuel for ordinary motorists, so petrol prices in the uk are already at very high levels in this feed through into the pockets of ordinary people. thank you for that. we will get more from here in a few minutes, but first let's get some more of the day's news from london. all remaining legal covid restrictions in england have been lifted, nearly two years after the first rules were introduced. it means people who test positive are no longer required by law to self—isolate, although they are still advised to do so. coronavirus restrictions have already been lifted in northern ireland but will be more gradually loosened in scotland and wales, as our health reporter

jim reed now reports. from today, there will be no more of this in england. anyone who tests positive for covid will no longer to have to self—isolate in law, or risk a fine if they don't. instead, that legal requirement will be replaced by guidance to stay at home for at least five days. close contacts of those infected are no longer advised to take a lateral flow test for seven days, and a £500 support payment for those on low incomes who test positive will be ended. the prime minister has said this is about learning to live with the virus two years into this pandemic. mr speaker, it is time that we got our confidence back. we don't need laws to compel people to be considerate to others. we can rely on that sense of responsibility towards one another. providing practical advice in the knowledge that people will follow it to avoid infecting loved ones and others.

in london, the requirement to wear a mask on the tube and other transport is also lifted from today. and from april the 1st, free covid testing will come to an end for most people in england. some charities, scientists and doctors are worried restrictions are being relaxed too quickly. covid remains pretty high in circulation around the country and what nhs leaders are worried about is that if too many of our precautions are relaxed at one time, then there will be an increase in the transmission of covid. for lots of people, the current strain of covid—19 can often have quite mild effects. but that is not the case for everyone, and that is particularly not the case for people with other vulnerabilities. the changes today apply to england only. restrictions in scotland, wales and northern ireland are being lifted at different speeds as the omicron wave of this virus passes.

jim reed, bbc news.