welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines. russia launches a full—scale assault on ukraine with missiles hitting multiple targets for vladimir putin has this warning.— this warning. translation: whoever tries _ this warning. translation: whoever tries to _ this warning. translation: whoever tries to interfere i this warning. 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. have never been experienced in histo . , ., history. cues on the road in ukraine's — history. cues on the road in ukraine's capital— history. cues on the road in ukraine's capital in - history. cues on the road in ukraine's capital in kyiv - history. cues on the road in| ukraine's capital in kyiv with an exodus of fearful residence. we've had armoured personnel carriers hear the whole line of

traffic for as far as the eye can see trying to get out. the russian advance has been met with universal condemnation and tougher sanctions from the west. , ., , , ., west. putin is the aggressor, putin chose _ west. putin is the aggressor, putin chose this _ west. putin is the aggressor, putin chose this war - west. putin is the aggressor, putin chose this war and - west. putin is the aggressor, putin chose this war and now west. putin is the aggressor, i putin chose this war and now he and his country will bear the consequences. it's eight in the morning in singapore, and two am across ukraine — where russian military forces have been carrying out an offensive by land, sea and air. there have been casualties on both sides — ukraine says 137 lives have been lost — and many thousands of ukrainians are seeking shelter. the first confirmation of the invasion came at around six in the morning in moscow when president putin announced

a special military operation was under way in ukraine's eastern donbas region. its purpose, he said — the demilitarisation and denazification of ukraine. as he spoke, missile strikes were reported across ukraine — including in the capital kyiv. russia said it had destroyed more than 70 military targets. that included 11 airfields. damage was reported from all across ukraine — including in the far west, hundreds of kilometres from the russian border. soon after came the land invasion, with russian tanks and troops advancing. they breached the border in three main directions, from the east, the south and the north, including from belarus, russia's long time ally. we will look at all of today's developments in a military conflict, the like of which hasn't been seen in europe for eighty years. we begin with this report from our international correspondent, orla guerin. one of the opening salvos

in russia's war on ukraine. a missile strike on an airport in the west of the country. in kyiv today, a frightening new dawn for europe and ukraine. this city of three million awoke to sirens and invasion. one awoke to sirens and invasion. of the dark as since i war one of the dark as since world war ii. it darkens guys as russian attack helicopters targeted a military airport outside kyiv. ukraine says several was shot down. the invasion was by air sea and land. president putin insisted it would never come warning that no one should try to stop him.

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. hours after he spoke this was the picture in cities across the country. images showed moscow forces streaming in. ukraine's beleaguered president zelensky addressed the nation dressed for battle. translation: what do we hear today? - it's notjust rocket explosions, combat and the roar of aircraft, this is the sound of a new iron curtain lowering and closing russia away from the civilised world. our national task is to make this curtain

not on our territory but in the homes of russians. ukrainians were not safe in their own homes today. here, the aftermath of a strike on a block of flats in hard kyiv, ukraine second city. missile fragments two fragments now on display in the playground. from early morning in eastern ukraine we found cues at atms, now there is war people want cash in their pockets and fair it may run short. like many here she is trying to comprehend what his violent ukraine, trying to work out how to protect her two—year—old. translation: we are shocked, we are totally shocked. - we are afraid for our children, for our families. are you thinking about trying to move?

translation: where can i go? we don't know where to go. who will have us? nobody, nowhere is waiting for us. i don't know, i just don't know. more cues at the petrol stations. many want to be ready for whatever may come. like andre who felt the explosions overnight. translation: i heard it clearly, the earth . was really shaking. so we got up and now we are waiting for fuel. we will buy some so we can be mobile in case our communications are cut. we have to prepare. what else can we do? in the battle

for ukraine russia is controlling the skies. here, ukrainian forces respond. with small arms fire, they are outgunned and have been suffering losses. we don't know how many. the attack is a projection of russians strength and western weakness. frenzied international diplomacy and the threat of sanctions failed to stop it. this nation is now under sustained assault. a day has changed everything for ukraine and for security in europe.

so many their worst fears have become reality. clive meyer he spent the day with the people in kyiv as they waited to learn what might happen next. ukrainian troops burn piles and piles of documents. what they contain, we don't know. but so great is the fear they could fall into russian hands, they must be destroyed. the enemy is literally at the gates. not far up the road, ukrainian armour, in a capital city braced for the worst. and in the trafficjam, in every vehicle on this highway sit families who, forweeks, have prayed for peace. this is the main road out of the capital. that way is poland, it's lviv in the west, and the city there. amoured personal and a whole line of traffic as far

as the eye can see trying to get out. the nearby petrol station is doing brisk business. in an atmosphere of dread. but while some fear for their lives, others will wait for the moment. we want to stay in our apartment with our family. we don't want to leave and we are staying in kyiv. are you worried about what's going on? of course we worry, because i woke up at 5am and i listened. and until now, i don't believe about it, the situation, but we will wait. benaeth the city streets shelter from the storm. kyiv�*s warren of train tunnels under kyiv are now train tunnels are now bomb shelters. alexander is down here with his wife and two—year—old son. i am very, very scared

for my boy, he says. also biding their time, in an apartment in the heart of the capital, a group of young civil rights activists with dreams for their country. like yuri, aged 21, convinced ukraine can prevail over mighty russia. we win. you think you will win? yes, we will win. ukrainians and ukrainian army will win. i believe. you will survive this. yeah. a hopeful assessment, but his friend is not so confident. are you worried about your life, about what could happen? yeah, of course, it's scary because it's a war. a war too close — as we talk, the country's defenders passed by, the hopes of this land,

its future on their shoulders. that's the picture on the ground. meanwhile the kremlin insist its operation will last as long as necessary. president putin announced the action and warrant that any outside interference would lead to in an immediate response never previously experienced in history. but there have been protestant dozen of cities as steve rosenberg reports. there are moments that change the course of history. would this be one? russia invaded ukraine. its president threatened the west... translation: if anyone tries to stand in our way or even i threaten our country, our people, they should know russia will respond immediately, and this will lead to such consequences the likes of which you have never experienced in your history.

russian state tv went into overdrive, backing the assault, claiming ukrainian soldiers were surrendering en masse. a different mood here, at one of russia's last—surviving independent papers. to show solidarity with ukraine, tomorrow's edition will be in russian and ukrainian. the paper's editor, dmitry muratov, won last year's nobel peace prize. he believes that president putin has done irreparable damage to his country. translation: unfortunately, i have to say very bitter words. l i think that today, february 24th, russia's future was taken away from it. our peace—loving russian people will now feel the hatred of the world, because we are starting a third world war in

the centre of europe. 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. the actions of a government can demonise a whole nation, but keep in mind — amongst the public here, there is little support for war with ukraine. i'm sorry, so shocked. ijust can't help crying. i think that most of russia don't support this, it's horrible. and why don't they support it? because it's not our war, its war by putin, biden or anyone else, not our nation. "i think the ukrainian soldiers will surrender," she says, "and they should.

it's terrible to be at war with ukraine." in moscow tonight, hundreds took to the streets. "no to war," they chanted, determined to make their voices heard. but they were silenced. you can arrest people, but you can't force people to support the invasion of a neighbouring country. this is not a conflict the russian public wants. this is the kremlin�*s war. you're watching newday on the bbc. still to come on the programme. how world leaders have been reacting to the russian military invasion. prince charles has

chosen his bride. the prince proposed the lady diana spencer three weeks ago. she accepted, she says, without hesitation. as revolutions go, this had its fair share of bullets. a climax in the night outside the gates of mr marcos' sanctuary, malacanang, the name itself symbolising one of the cruellest regimes of modern asia. the world's first clone has been produced i of an adult mammal. scientists in scotland i have produced a sheep called dolly using a cell from another sheep. i warren beatty and faye dunaway announced to the world - that the winner of best film was la la land. _ the only trouble was it wasn't. the mistake was only put right in the middle of gushing - speeches by the team behind the modern musical. - not for 20 years have locusts been seen in this part of africa. some of the swarms have been ten miles long. this is the last time the public will see this pope. very soon, for the sake of the credibility and authority of the next pope, benedict xvi will, in his own words, be hidden from the world

for the rest of his life. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani in singapore, our headlines. european union leaders have agreed to packages but they say will have severe consequences for russia but some critics say didn't go far enough. the us presidentjoe biden has also announced new sanctions on technology exports, banks and individuals which he said would impose a severe cause on the russian economy. with the details here start diplomatic correspondent james details here start diplomatic correspondentjames landau. for correspondent james landau. for days, correspondentjames landau. for days, for weeks western politicians paid court to pull the russian leader back from the russian leader back from the brink. yet their diplomacy, their deterrence, their phone calls failed. now the world must face the consequences of this man's defiance. a burden

that inevitably falls largely on this man's shoulders. putin is the aggressor, _ on this man's shoulders. putin is the aggressor, putin - on this man's shoulders. putin is the aggressor, putin chosel is the aggressor, putin chose this war. and now he and his country will bear the consequences. today i am authorising additional strong sanctions and new limitations on what can be exported to russia. this is going to impose severe cost on the russian economy both immediately and over time. economy both immediately and over time-— over time. after consulting g7 artners over time. after consulting g7 partners the _ over time. after consulting g7 partners the us _ over time. after consulting g7 partners the us impose - partners the us impose sanctions on five big russian banks including the state bank spare bed. it made her heart for russian firms to do business in foreign currency and occurred russians ability to import vital technology. this evening the french president spoke to mr putin and demanded an immediate hall to moscow's offensive that he said marked a turning point in european history. marked a turning point in euroean histo . ~ ,, �* european history. translation: - resident european history. translation: president putin _ european history. translation: president putin has _ european history. translation: president putin has not _ european history. translation: president putin has not only - president putin has not only attacked ukraine, he has

floated the solvency of ukraine and because the most serious attack on peace and stability in europe for decades. tonight aaron brussels _ in europe for decades. tonight aaron brussels eu _ in europe for decades. tonight aaron brussels eu leaders - aaron brussels eu leaders agreed their own package of sanctions freezing russian assets, blocking its banks access to european financial markets but not it would seem curbing any sales of russian gas. theiraim, to curbing any sales of russian gas. their aim, to avoid division. the concern felt particularly by those on the front line.— front line. we have to be united around _ front line. we have to be united around massive . united around massive sanctions, severe sanctions on putin, on russia. we cannot allow to cross another rubicon for putin. ~ . v allow to cross another rubicon for putin-— for putin. what's very important _ for putin. what's very important is - for putin. what's very - important is the sanctions are coordinated, edits between the european union, the united states. _ european union, the united states, canada, great britain, japan, — states, canada, great britain, japan, australia throughout the democratic world.— japan, australia throughout the democratic world. nato promised to do even _ democratic world. nato promised to do even more _ democratic world. nato promised to do even more to _ democratic world. nato promised to do even more to reinforce - to do even more to reinforce its eastern flanks but made

clear no troops would be sent to ukraine, which is not a member of the military alliance.— member of the military alliance. , ., , alliance. the kremlin is aim is to reestablish _ alliance. the kremlin is aim is to reestablish its _ alliance. the kremlin is aim is to reestablish its sphere - alliance. the kremlin is aim is to reestablish its sphere of. to reestablish its sphere of influence, rip up the global rules that have kept us all safe for decades and subvert the values that we hold dear. in a recorded statement to downing street bar two boris johnson did however produce ukraine more defensive weapons. ukraine more defensive weapons. ukraine is a country that for decades_ ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose _ democracy and the right to choose its own destiny. we and the world — choose its own destiny. we and the world cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out. we cannot and will not just looh— we cannot and will not just look away. our mission is clean _ look away. our mission is clear. diplomatically, politically, economically and eventually military. this hideous barbaric venture of

vladimir— hideous barbaric venture of vladimir putin must end in failure _ vladimir putin must end in failure. ., ., , failure. the united nations security council _ failure. the united nations security council met - failure. the united nations security council met in - security council met in emergency session to discuss the actions of one of its own. in fact, its current president, an invasion by this man's country in clear breach of the very purpose of this body. president putin, stop your troops _ president putin, stop your troops from attacking the ukraine. give peace a chance. too _ ukraine. give peace a chance. too many _ ukraine. give peace a chance. too many people have already died~ — too many people have already died. �* , . too many people have already died. ,. , too many people have already died. �* ,. , ., too many people have already died. ,. , ., died. but such pleas are now fallin: died. but such pleas are now falling on — died. but such pleas are now falling on deaf— died. but such pleas are now falling on deaf heirs. - died. but such pleas are now falling on deaf heirs. and - died. but such pleas are now| falling on deaf heirs. and the people of ukraine are paying the price. what's happening in ukraine is also affecting the community of ukrainians around the world. desperately worried about their families living in the midst of this conflict. the tire from the ukrainian world congress,

the ukrainian world congress, the international body of ukrainian communities has just been to ukraine to visit her family and is now back in melbourne where she spoke to me from. she told me herfamily is safer now but that many ukrainians are fleeing the country. ukrainians are fleeing the count . , ., , country. yes, i have been in with my _ country. yes, i have been in with my family _ country. yes, i have been in with my family about - country. yes, i have been in with my family about 20 - country. yes, i have been in i with my family about 20 hours ago. and been in touch with friends by but not by other social media means. natalia, what are they _ social media means. natalia, what are they telling - social media means. natalia, what are they telling you - social media means. natalia, i what are they telling you about the situation on the ground? talk us through some of the things that they've been experiencing as they go through, the escalations and tensions and invasion that was a right now. tensions and invasion that was a right nova— a right now. basically my morning _ a right now. basically my morning yesterday - a right now. basically my. morning yesterday started from... i was listening to live emergency meeting and started receiving messages from friends in kyiv saying look, there are sounds of explosions everywhere. we don't it was

happening, we cannot see fire or anything but we can hear big sounds. i kept receiving those messages and people telling me they evacuate and trying to get families in the car and drive in the city. i called my parents and luckily my parents just came back from odesa overnight on a train and they were on the bus going home from train station. at the big relief for me. this train station. at the big relief for me.— train station. at the big relief for me. as you point out, relief for me. as you point out. there _ relief for me. as you point out, there are _ relief for me. as you point out, there are people - relief for me. as you point out, there are people who j relief for me. as you point - out, there are people who are already trying to leave and we've heard from the united nations high commissioner for refugees who told the bbc a short while ago that more than 100,000 people have already left their homes with a few thousand crossing into moldova and romania. poland also setting up reception points. how difficult is it at this point in time for people to

just up and leave the place they lived their entire lives and try go somewhere else? it’s and try go somewhere else? it�*s heartbreaking. lots of ukrainians already had emergency bags packed and their documents and water. but even the thought of leaving possibly forever into unknown is heartbreaking. including the challenges of leaving, not enough petrol at the petrol stations, there is heavy traffic on the roads so people are challenged all the way through. are challenged all the way throu~h. ~ �* , are challenged all the way throu~h. �* , . ., , through. we've seen sanctions cominu through. we've seen sanctions coming into — through. we've seen sanctions coming into place _ through. we've seen sanctions coming into place from - through. we've seen sanctions coming into place from the - coming into place from the international community, are they enough in your view to stop but russia is doing right now to ukraine? i stop but russia is doing right now to ukraine?— now to ukraine? i believe in the ukrainian _ now to ukraine? i believe in the ukrainian world - now to ukraine? i believe in | the ukrainian world congress believes there is a lot more that our partners and nato

countries can do first of all, let's stop any diplomatic relationships with the country, aggressive country who did such aggressive country who did such a massive act of violence of un charter. plus there is a switch that can be turned off for any financial operations, there is economical sanctions, support and help, military assistance for ukrainians and of course the humanitarian crisis that can be dealt and help with on the ground in europe.- can be dealt and help with on the ground in europe. there are re orted the ground in europe. there are reported to _ the ground in europe. there are reported to be _ the ground in europe. there are reported to be fierce _ the ground in europe. there are reported to be fierce battles - reported to be fierce battles to the north of the ukrainian capital kyiv. and russian forces have captured an air base in the city near chernobyl nuclear power plant. the white house has been speaking and hit it said it's alarmed by

credible reports of hostages at chernobyl following russia's invasion of ukraine. irate chernobyl following russia's invasion of ukraine.- invasion of ukraine. we are outraged — invasion of ukraine. we are outraged by _ invasion of ukraine. we are outraged by credible - invasion of ukraine. we are | outraged by credible reports like russian soldiers are currently holding staff at the chernobyl facilities hostage. this unlawful and dangerous hostagetaking could append that route civil service efforts required to maintain and protect the nuclear waste facilities is obviously incredibly alarming and concerning, we inhabit and we request the release. just before we _ request the release. just before we go _ request the release. just before we go i _ request the release. just before we go i want - request the release. just before we go i want to i request the release. just before we go i want to show you live pictures of what kyiv looks like right now. you can see they are, that's the main independent square in the centre of kyiv. it's about 230 in the morning right now. the streets like very quiet but just in the last couple of hours we've heard from the president of ukraine that i hundred and 37 ukrainian soldiers and civilians have died in the first day of fighting. after that military invasion for that we will have lots more for you throughout

the day here on bbc news. tuesday on the channel thank you so much forjoining us. we're ending the working week on a largely fine and settled note thanks to a ridge of high pressure. the winds and showers continue to ease down during the overnight period. it's a chilly start to friday morning, but there will be a lot of sunshine around and it'll feel a little bit warmer than it did yesterday, too. here's the ridge of high pressure pushing in from the west. you can see fewer isobars, so lighter winds. this weather front, though, may bring more cloud to northern ireland, western scotland later on. could start with a few blustery showers through the morning. these will fade away, the winds will turn lighter, plenty of sunshine bar a little fair cloud into the afternoon. more cloud for northern ireland and western scotland thanks to that weather front i showed you and outbreaks of rain for western scotland. could see a little wintriness over the higher ground as well.

but the temperatures a bit higher than yesterday's, 7—11, maybe 12 degrees across the far southwest. as we head through friday night, it stays cloudy for scotland and northern ireland, quite breezy here, too. for england and wales, we'll have clear skies, lighter winds here, so another chilly night to come. maybe a touch of frost out of town, less cold further north and west where we have more cloud and more breeze. into the weekend, this area of high pressure over the near continent will influence the weather across england and wales. you'll see the further northwest you go closer to this weather front, it's likely to be cloudier and also breezier. so, more cloud for scotland and northern ireland through the day. could see some outbreaks of rain for the northwest of scotland. should be drier further south and east, but for england and wales, another largely fine, dry and settled day. after that chilly start, with all the sunshine around, it'll be quite mild with top temperatures of 10—12 degrees, so feeling quite springlike. similar story for england and wales on sunday, though this weather front may have a bit more influence. this area of low pressure will have more of an influence

across the country during monday to bring us outbreaks of rain. so, sunday starts off dry and bright, plenty of sunshine across england and wales. that weather front, though, fading as it moves its way eastwards to bring a bit more cloud around. but again, scotland and northern ireland probably seeing most of the cloud through the day, and temperatures, again, similar to saturday's — 8—11 degrees. on monday, that area of low pressure i showed you brings wetter conditions for a time on monday, but then, high pressure builds back in and the rest of the week looks largely fine and settled with some spells of sunshine.

this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour as newsday continues, straight after hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. russia's invasion of ukraine is under way. it is an assault on the sovereignty of a european nation. the cost in blood and treasure is sure to be high. this war is a choice, vladimir putin's choice. why did he make it? and why now? my guest is leonid volkov, one of the most prominent

figures in russia's opposition movement led by the