paralyse their energy sector as well. and there was a message from both sides — please, stop. a feeling like you're fighting with yourself and, like, with your friends and with your brothers, so it's... i'm sorry. sjust 5 just recap on the sjust recap on the main points of our top story this hour and as rockets and gunfire have continued to hitch the ukrainian capital kyiv, the united states, britain, europe and canada have announced new financial sanctions against russia. the measures will block russia's access to the swift banking system, measure the growing anger at the invasion of ukraine. let's remind you of the major developers that have taken place in the last hour. the ukrainian capital kyiv is braced for another night of russian assault

after forces failed to break through. a curfew is now in place until monday morning. financial sanctions, then, and as well as restrictions on the swift banking system, the assets of some russian banks in europe will also be frozen and they will be action against the assets of oligarchs. the number of ukrainians crossing into neighbouring countries is rapidly rising, more than 115,000 people have now entered poland. and chelsea's football club owner, russian owner, roman abramovich may have taken a movement to protect his assets from tighter sanctions. he has transferred stewardship of the club to its charitable foundation. in ukraine, russian troops are spreading out to the north, east, and south, gaining territory particularly in the east and the map

they're showing how much of ukraine is in russian control. a key figure in a defence of ukraine is the president, volodymyr zelensky, he is hardly a conventional politician, he was a comedian before running for office. but his defiance of russia and regular tv appearances appear to be inspiring ukrainians. so, we have taken a close look at how he has been handling the crisis. ukraine's president address the nation on friday. translation: the enemy has marked me as number one target. my family is the number to target. they want to destroy ukraine politically by destroying the head of state. mr zelensky is facing down a nuclear power. four years ago, he was a comedian with a tv series. he played a character who accidentally becomes president. that became reality when, with no political experience, he ran for office and he won.

it was a landslide victory. it promised to tackle corruption, and it promised something new. translation: | will vote | for zelensky because there is hope that this man, who comes from the people, can better understand us and break the system that exists in the country. but to his critics, this was a man without the necessary substance. transaltion: i don't think he or the other candidates l will stand up to putin. they'lljust have a laugh, drop - to their knees and give him ukraine. that hasn't happened. as the russian military gathered on ukraine's border, president zelensky was visiting his troops and sending this message. we'rejust speaking about our independence. that's it — that we are deciding what we want. we are deciding what we'll do. days later, a man who once made people laugh was leading them against an invasion. and while russia bombarded the capital on friday, for a time there was speculation about the president's whereabouts. russian state media claimed he'd fled the country. he hadn't.

translation: we are all here, our soldiers are here. _ the citizens of our country are here. we are all here protecting our independence, our country, and it will continue to be this way. this was outside the president's office in central kyiv on friday evening. he would warn — "this night will be difficult, very difficult. "but the morning will come." the night was difficult. russia's onslaught continued. morning would come too, and as it did, we heard from the president again. translation: listen, i am here. we will not lay down our weapons. we will defend our state — because our weapon is our truth. putin wants control of ukraine. president zelensky stands in his way, and with danger all around, reports emerge the americans had offered an evacuation, to which mr zelensky replied, "i need ammunition, not a ride." in the middle of all of this, the president raised the stakes further, tweeting. ..

but as the president looks west, his capital city hosts an invasion by russia to the east. back in 2019, it was hosting a celebration. the new president told his supporters, "i will never let you down." he can't have imagined that promise would be tested like this. as we've been hearing, many people in the united kingdom have loved ones caught up in the conflict and john henley is one of those. his wife elaine is currently sheltering inside a metro station in the city of kharkiv in new york —— in ukraine. johnjoins us now. i saw that big side, how are you feeling? very nervous, to be honest. what very nervous, to be honest. what news do you _

very nervous, to be honest. what news do you have? _ very nervous, to be honest. what news do you have? i _ very nervous, to be honest. what news do you have? i spoke - very nervous, to be honest. what news do you have? i spoke to - news do you have? i spoke to her earl this news do you have? i spoke to her early this evening. _ news do you have? i spoke to her early this evening. she _ news do you have? i spoke to her early this evening. she has - news do you have? i spoke to her early this evening. she has spent| early this evening. she has spent the last three nights down at a metro station. i spoke to herjust before nine o'clock our time, and then she sent me a text which is read, "tanks are close, we can hear sporadic explosions." i had got a last message from her about 9:30pm uk time. �* , .. ., last message from her about 9:30pm uk time. �* , ., .,, ., last message from her about 9:30pm uk time. �* , ., ., ., uk time. any indication as to what her lans uk time. any indication as to what her plans will _ uk time. any indication as to what her plans will be? what _ uk time. any indication as to what her plans will be? what are - uk time. any indication as to what her plans will be? what are her i her plans will be? what are her options? fist her plans will be? what are her 0 tions? �* ., , her plans will be? what are her otions? �* ., , ., , �* options? at the moment, she doesn't have access — options? at the moment, she doesn't have access to — options? at the moment, she doesn't have access to a _ options? at the moment, she doesn't have access to a car. _ options? at the moment, she doesn't have access to a car. she's _ options? at the moment, she doesn't have access to a car. she's with - options? at the moment, she doesn't have access to a car. she's with her . have access to a car. she's with her mother and brother. have access to a car. she's with her motherand brother. her have access to a car. she's with her mother and brother. her mother isn't in great health, so she is in kharkiv, so travelling really isn't an option. the option is to stay where she is. i listen to the radio frequently and spent the last few days of the metro station. they live about five minutes away, so they can go back to apartments. they can get

warm food, etc, and then look listen to the radio. at the moment, there is no function. to the radio. at the moment, there is no function-— is no function. how it has kharkiv been effective? _ is no function. how it has kharkiv been effective? i'm _ is no function. how it has kharkiv been effective? i'm not - is no function. how it has kharkiv been effective? i'm not sure. - is no function. how it has kharkiv been effective? i'm not sure. i'mj been effective? i'm not sure. i'm only hearing _ been effective? i'm not sure. i'm only hearing what _ been effective? i'm not sure. i'm only hearing what she's - been effective? i'm not sure. i'm only hearing what she's telling i been effective? i'm not sure. i'm i only hearing what she's telling me, but there's a lot of people down the station — small children, elderly people, dogs, etc — queuing for feud. that's as far as i know. —— forfood. feud. that's as far as i know. -- for food-— feud. that's as far as i know. -- forfood.~ ., ., ,, for food. what sort of assets she sa s for for food. what sort of assets she says for food _ for food. what sort of assets she says for food and _ for food. what sort of assets she says for food and water -- - for food. what sort of assets she | says for food and water -- access says for food and water —— access she has. how she managed to tell you if there's going to be a limit? hat if there's going to be a limit? not ofthe if there's going to be a limit? iirrt of the moment. she bought food a few days ago and they think they've got about ten days worth of food. they have water at the moment. there is cueing for soup not far from the station. at the moment, she's ok.

does this come as a surprise to both of you? does this come as a surprise to both of ou? , ~ ., ., of you? yes. i left ukraine on the valentine's _ of you? yes. i left ukraine on the valentine's day, _ of you? yes. i left ukraine on the valentine's day, 14th _ of you? yes. i left ukraine on the valentine's day, 14th of - of you? yes. i left ukraine on the valentine's day, 14th of this - of you? yes. i left ukraine on the i valentine's day, 14th of this month, and we were booked in to do her english test in kyiv for a final part of her visa. unfortunately, that was cancelled, understandably, so we're unsure what the next step is, but like everyone, it's happened incredibly quickly. in is, but like everyone, it's happened incredibly quickly.— incredibly quickly. in terms of the authorities. _ incredibly quickly. in terms of the authorities, how _ incredibly quickly. in terms of the authorities, how much _ incredibly quickly. in terms of the authorities, how much help - incredibly quickly. in terms of the authorities, how much help is - incredibly quickly. in terms of the i authorities, how much help is elena getting and how much help are you getting and how much help are you getting from the british authorities? i getting from the british authorities?— getting from the british authorities? . , , , authorities? i have spoken, but they are extremely _ authorities? i have spoken, but they are extremely busy. _ authorities? i have spoken, but they are extremely busy. i _ authorities? i have spoken, but they are extremely busy. i don't - authorities? i have spoken, but they are extremely busy. i don't expect i are extremely busy. i don't expect any... there's no way for her to go at the moment. we don't have the relevant documentation for her to leave. she would leave her —— would not leave her mother. she has a

daughter about an hour away who's in her mid—20s and a three—year—old granddaughter. they are safe, but it's a huge decision for anyone to make. there is snow on the ground, it's cold and with no access to transport, there isn't much option. they've had some security where she's been staying, but that's all of heard. ~ ., ,. ~' she's been staying, but that's all of heard. ~ ., ,., ~ ., ., of heard. would you like to get out of heard. would you like to get out of ukraine? — of heard. would you like to get out of ukraine? what _ of heard. would you like to get out of ukraine? what sort _ of heard. would you like to get out of ukraine? what sort of— of heard. would you like to get out | of ukraine? what sort of plans have you put in place? what's the final plan? you put in place? what's the final lan? . , you put in place? what's the final ian? ., , ., ., plan? ultimately, we married on the 4th of december _ plan? ultimately, we married on the 4th of december last _ plan? ultimately, we married on the 4th of december last year, - plan? ultimately, we married on the 4th of december last year, and - plan? ultimately, we married on the| 4th of december last year, and we're 11th of december last year, and we're in the process of getting a visa for her to come with me in the uk. but that has stopped. we don't know when we can pick that up again, when she's able to do her final part. all of her documentation has been completed apart from this english

test, and then we can submit our application for a visa. that was her plan. she was excited about that, but the future's unknown. i just but the future's unknown. i 'ust wanted to �* but the future's unknown. i 'ust wanted to clarify, is i but the future's unknown. i 'ust wanted to clarify, is she i but the future's unknown. ijust wanted to clarify, is she able i but the future's unknown. ijust wanted to clarify, is she able or would she like to, or you as a couple like to —— like for her to leave ukraine? i couple like to -- like for her to leave ukraine?— couple like to -- like for her to leave ukraine? i know that's been asked with — leave ukraine? i know that's been asked with me _ leave ukraine? i know that's been asked with me before, _ leave ukraine? i know that's been asked with me before, but - leave ukraine? i know that's been asked with me before, but how. asked with me before, but how critically do you believe with a mother who's not particularly well, and how do you leave? by car, they don't have access. what happens when they get to the next country? i'm talking water, food and shelter. at this stage, whilst many people are making their way to the border, its many millions who aren't. john. making their way to the border, its many millions who aren't. john, we need to leave _ many millions who aren't. john, we

need to leave it _ many millions who aren't. john, we need to leave it there _ many millions who aren't. john, we need to leave it there for _ many millions who aren't. john, we need to leave it there for now. - many millions who aren't. john, wej need to leave it there for now. john henley �*s talking to us about his wife, who is currently in the metro station, seeking shelter in the city of kharkiv. good luck story. thank you. now on bbc news, it's time for — story. thank you. now on bbc news, it's time for the _ —— the papers. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. i'm joined by and, the executive editor of the economist, and benjamin, the late editor and senior reporter at the i newspaper. just taking our viewers to the front pages. we'll start with the observer. it says vladimir putin facing international

isolation as even key allies like china began to desert him. the sunday telegraph reports that the russian invasion is not currently going as the kremlin had planned. the lead story on devised golf news is that ukrainian forces are withstanding the russian assault on the capital and the sunday times carries a first—hand account of life on the streets of the capital —— gulf news. as ukrainian fighters and search for spies. the sunday people has the hide behind, freedom fighters. the independent carries a picture of a young girl whose family are fleeing from the invasion, and calls on the united kingdom to welcome the refugees. so, let us begin our chat, and benjamin, lovely to have you back. we will start off with the telegraph, and benjamin,

the fierce resistance slows putin's advance in ukraine. this the fierce resistance slows putin's advance in ukraine.— advance in ukraine. this is the sto of advance in ukraine. this is the story of the — advance in ukraine. this is the story of the first _ advance in ukraine. this is the story of the first few _ advance in ukraine. this is the story of the first few days - advance in ukraine. this is the story of the first few days of i advance in ukraine. this is the l story of the first few days of this war at least. the advances putin and his russian troops expected to happen simply haven't materialised, at least not for now. one of the armed force ministered is quoted as saying as russia is way behind it the intended position, and it hasn't taken kyiv. i think this is what's going to pan out in the coming days because russia has these 150,000 troops, while three and a half thousand have already died in just the first couple days. meanwhile, 198 ukrainian civilians are reported to have died, including three children. i think this is what will make things harderfor children. i think this is what will make things harder for putin because not only are ukraine doing much better at having a much fiercer resistance than russia anticipated,

but they also have high morale. it is clear that president zelensky is leading his people, and they are feeling confident to defend their land. this feeling confident to defend their land. �* , . , feeling confident to defend their land. �* , ., , , ., land. as i was listening to benjamin. _ land. as i was listening to benjamin, it _ land. as i was listening to benjamin, it struck- land. as i was listening to benjamin, it struck me, i land. as i was listening to i benjamin, it struck me, how land. as i was listening to - benjamin, it struck me, how do land. as i was listening to _ benjamin, it struck me, how do they know what his timeline was? is about morale? when you see headlines like this, he's not moving as fast as he thought, it makes you wonder how they knew what he wanted to achieve. well, you can actually lead quite a lot at _ well, you can actually lead quite a lot at the — well, you can actually lead quite a lot at the military tactics. but a mere _ lot at the military tactics. but a mere putin has experienced invading countries _ mere putin has experienced invading countries. he's running out of countries _ countries. he's running out of countries to invade. so, we do know quite _ countries to invade. so, we do know quite a _ countries to invade. so, we do know quite a hit. — countries to invade. so, we do know quite a bit, we know that they tend to use _ quite a bit, we know that they tend to use these very big battalions which _ to use these very big battalions which are — to use these very big battalions which are very good for shock and all.

which are very good for shock and alt we _ which are very good for shock and alt we also— which are very good for shock and all. we also know that there are weaknesses to that. we can see that there _ weaknesses to that. we can see that there are _ weaknesses to that. we can see that there are weaknesses and trying to -et there are weaknesses and trying to get airborne troops into a place where — get airborne troops into a place where people are prepared to fight and are _ where people are prepared to fight and are using what limited weaponry they have _ and are using what limited weaponry they have -- — and are using what limited weaponry they have —— shock and awe. we do know _ they have —— shock and awe. we do know quite — they have —— shock and awe. we do know quite a — they have —— shock and awe. we do know quite a lot about russian military— know quite a lot about russian military doctrine. what we also know is that _ military doctrine. what we also know is that when — military doctrine. what we also know is that when you go after a city, he went— is that when you go after a city, he went straight for kyiv. a lot of people — went straight for kyiv. a lot of people thought he wouldn't. in the donhas in— people thought he wouldn't. in the donbas, in those more heavy russian speaking _ donbas, in those more heavy russian speaking parts of ukraine, but he didn't _ speaking parts of ukraine, but he didn't he — speaking parts of ukraine, but he didn't. he wanted the big prize and he wanted — didn't. he wanted the big prize and he wanted to topple the government in kyiv. _ he wanted to topple the government in kyiv. to _ he wanted to topple the government in kyiv, to break the morale of ukraine hy— in kyiv, to break the morale of ukraine by doing that. so it's not that we _ ukraine by doing that. so it's not that we have absolutely part perfect knowledge. but there are playbooks in conflict, _ knowledge. but there are playbooks in conflict, and what tends to happen— in conflict, and what tends to happen is— in conflict, and what tends to happen is they go with the ones they think they've tried out before. they

have troops — think they've tried out before. they have troops who fought in