this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: officials in ukraine's second city kharkiv say russians forces have attacked the city centre with rockets and cruise missiles. dozens are said to have been killed. the country's president accuses russia of war crimes. temperature the terror is aimed at breaking our resistance. as a major russian armoured convoy stands just outside ukraine's capital kyiv, russia warns it will launch "high precision" strikes aimed

at technology centres. eu, us and british envoys have walked out of a speech by the russian foreign minister sergei lavrov at the un human rights council in geneva. the un says more than 650,000 refugees have fled ukraine since russia invaded last thursday. i'm in eastern poland, the country taking the largest number of refugees. they keep coming, desperate for safety. hello and welcome to viewers in the uk and around the world. president zelensky of ukraine has told european leaders "nothing will break us" as russia's invasion approaches the evening of its sixth day. satellite pictures show a huge russian military convoy advancing towards the capital, thought to be around a0 miles long. fighting continues across

the country, with mr zelensky accusing russia of committing war crimes, after the second largest city, kharkiv was bombed. he claims eyewitness accounts suggest civilians are being deliberately targeted. a prosecutor at the international criminal court says he wants to investigate. the areas in red here, show the parts of ukraine now under russian control, with the fighting highlighted in several key cities and regions. meanwhile hundreds of thousands of people, continue to flee to neighbouring countries. the united nations says more than 660,000 have already left. and there's growing concern over the potential humanitarian crisis building for those who can't get out. our first report, is from our kyiv correspondent, james waterhouse. freedom square, kharkiv, russia's

so—called liberation. a local government building and everything around it hit by a missile. an opera house and concert hall were also hit. at least 20 people are known to have been injured so far. translation: today our enemy started bombing the city centre and the residential areas. bombing the city centre and the residentialareas. now, we bombing the city centre and the residential areas. now, we are counting the victims among the civilian population. he has no choice but to commit war crimes, our army is strong, we hold our positions. army is strong, we hold our positions-— army is strong, we hold our ositions. , , ., , ., positions. the russians might have slowed, positions. the russians might have slowed. but — positions. the russians might have slowed, but they _ positions. the russians might have slowed, but they keep _ positions. the russians might have slowed, but they keep coming. - positions. the russians might have slowed, but they keep coming. in l positions. the russians might have l slowed, but they keep coming. in the north—east, authorities say 70 soldiers have been killed in an artillery strike. this footage claims to show the aftermath of a strike. in the south, there are reports russian troops have taken over. ukraine's government has accused moscow of surrounding its city. including the capital.

translation: kharkiv and kiev are the most important targets for russia now. the terror is aimed at breaking us, breaking our resistance. they're advancing on our capital in the same way they're advancing on kharkiv, that is whooty why the defence of the capital is the key priority. why the defence of the capital is the key priority-— the key priority. ukrainian resistance _ the key priority. ukrainian resistance has _ the key priority. ukrainian resistance has slowed - the key priority. ukrainian resistance has slowed the | the key priority. ukrainian - resistance has slowed the advance. the key priority. ukrainian _ resistance has slowed the advance. a satellite captured a 40—mile russian convoy. today not as many people are taking advantage of the break in the curfew. whether people have been taking shelter, or taking up weapons, they have seen the pictures from other locations in this vast country of what is happening and given russian reinforcements are arriving outside the city, they will be preparing for what is to come. the cost to soldiers and civilians is rising, this girl was in her final year at primary school.

officials say she and her parents officials say she and her parents were shot dead by a sabotage group. volodymyr zelenski has accused russia of committing war crimes by targeting civilians. a claim a prosecutor said he will investigate. as this production line of petrol bombs suggest, things won't change. ukraine's battle for sovereignty could be about to enter one of its darkest chapters. the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov said this morning that it was now time for the us to remove its nuclear weapons from europe, and he accused ukraine of trying to acquire nuclear weapons itself. russia has also denied it's targetting civilians. 0ur correspondent jenny hill is in moscow. do you detect a greater need perhaps on the part of the kremlin to

justify what is happening in ukraine? �* ., justify what is happening in ukraine? ., , ., justify what is happening in ukraine? �* ., , ., ., ukraine? i'm not sure that i do. i thinkthat — ukraine? i'm not sure that i do. i think that the — ukraine? i'm not sure that i do. i think that the kremlin _ ukraine? i'm not sure that i do. i think that the kremlin is - ukraine? i'm not sure that i do. i think that the kremlin is in - ukraine? i'm not sure that i do. i think that the kremlin is in reallyj think that the kremlin is in really defiant mode. we have heard them repeatedly insisting that they do not target civilian infrastructure and they are categorically rejecting any potential claims that they might have committed war crimes in ukraine. and they dismiss allegations, accusations that they may have been using cluster bombs and vacuum bombs as hoaxes. they also remain defiant when it comes to sanctions, saying that western sanctions, saying that western sanctions will never change their position on ukraine. i was looking at my lap top, because i wanted to bring you some extra lines coming in on russian agency. russia is telling kiev residents living near what they describe as military communications infrastructure to evacuate. but we

are hearing here that there may be a second round of russian/ukrainian peace talks tomorrow. this is russian wire, state agencies, quoting russian sources. it is hard, given what is going on in ukraine and given the statements coming out of moscow, to imagine that those peace talks can go anywhere, although we did last nig hearfrom a member of the russian delegation saying there may be some potential for progress. but what we are hearing from the foreign minister also here, sergey lavrov, i think reminds us of the perhaps broader ambitions behind the war in ukraine. he was very angry, saying it is unacceptable that american nuclear weapons are stationed within european countries, countries like germany that host nuclear weapons on behalf of america as a part of the nato commitments. he demanded that

those countries return those weapons immediately. and this of course is from a country which let us not forget has placed its own nuclear deterrent forces on a state of special alert. deterrent forces on a state of specialalert. it it deterrent forces on a state of special alert. i— deterrent forces on a state of special alert. it it seems russia is seekin: special alert. it it seems russia is seeking to — special alert. it it seems russia is seeking to extend _ special alert. it it seems russia is seeking to extend its _ special alert. it it seems russia is seeking to extend its sphere - special alert. it it seems russia is seeking to extend its sphere of i seeking to extend its sphere of influence and we did hear from ukraine's foreign minister that kiev was ready to talk to russia, but wouldn't be attending talks if it was just about ultimatums. is there a sense in russia if the talks were to start, it would get for example that massive military convoy to slow down while talks take place? i’m that massive military convoy to slow down while talks take place? i'm not sure it does —

down while talks take place? i'm not sure it does and _ down while talks take place? i'm not sure it does and i _ down while talks take place? i'm not sure it does and i base _ down while talks take place? i'm not sure it does and i base that - down while talks take place? i'm not sure it does and i base that on - down while talks take place? i'm not sure it does and i base that on the l sure it does and i base that on the he peace talks russia said it wouldn't cease hostile is the. it has previously suggested it might do that if ukraine had come to the table earlier, but refused because belarus is not a neutral country in this conflict. my sense here, is that the kremlin�*s position is simply not shifting. and when it comes to talking about ultimatums, what we have to go on i think is what we have to go on i think is what we have to go on i think is what we heard yesterday from the kremlin after vladimir putin spoke with emmanuel macron and vladimir putin had expressed a desire to resolution to an end to the conflict, but only if russia's demands are met and those demands are well known now, he wants to see, are well known now, he wants to see, a demilitarisation of ukraine and to see ukraine established as a

so—called neutral country. he also said he wants to see crimea, which russia annexed in 2014 recognised as russian and then we come back to these remarks by sergey lavrov, which clearly remind us of the broader ambition here, which most analysts assume is that vladimir putin is seeking notjust to return ukraine, orsorry putin is seeking notjust to return ukraine, or sorry not to make sure ukraine, or sorry not to make sure ukraine is in control, is controlled by russia, but it has wider ambitions too, to try and change the security infrastructure of the west. thank you very much. the un says that more than 660,000 people have already left ukraine.

0ur correspondent is on the he border with poland. this our correspondent is on the he border with poland.— our correspondent is on the he border with poland. this is a few minutes from _ border with poland. this is a few minutes from the _ border with poland. this is a few minutes from the border- border with poland. this is a few minutes from the border and - border with poland. this is a few. minutes from the border and every couple of minutes, buses are bringing people to what is a huge warehouse that has been turned into a temporary welcome centre, somewhere where people can get something to eat, somewhere people can just get their thoughts together, because this is the first time that people have reached the safety of poland after having spent days and days travelling kilometres to get to poland. the buses are full, mainly with women and children. the priority is to get the women and children away from the border and to here into an area where they can just get something hot to drink, something

warm and just gather their thoughts and think about what the next steps are. this is the polish fire brigade, the guys in yellow, they have been working here tirelessly. we have been here all day and it is the same guys on the same shift and they are patiently, carefully helping every single person that comes off these buses, carrying suitcases, helping with children, we have seen so many times they have been lifting babies from buses to bring them down here. because these people are shattered. as we have been hearing, there are kilometres, 40 kilometre tail backs on the border into ukraine. so these people are exhausted. they have left most of their possessions behind, grabbing small suitcases, the roller—wheeled suitcases, all the most important things in their world, to bring to, to come here and

think about what happens next. it is the bewilderment that we keep seeing on their faces. they're then moved into a large building, like i say, it has been turned into, it is a massive warehouse, like a big shopping mall type warehouse and there is row upon row of camp beds, where people can just get a bit of sleep. these people are shattered. they're exhausted. as you can understand. now, it's, given the numbers we are seeing and we have been reporting from various parts of the border of poland and ukraine for the border of poland and ukraine for the past three days, given the sheer volume of people that we are seeing, it is so many people, you can understand, yesterday the polish border guard said 100,000 people crossed the border. today they estimate it is 400,000 people who have come into poland from the

ukraine and the polish government stipulating once again that everybody is welcome, every nationality is welcome, everybody who is fleeing from ukraine who fears for their safety, who wants to come to poland is welcome and that is what we are seeing, a whole team of volunteers, emergency services, helping those people who are bewildered, who are tired and who just need to rest.— the refugee crisis is deepening, with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing their homes to find safety. 0ur correspondent nick thorpe is on the hungary—ukraine border. tell us about the numbers coming into the country there, nick? yes. into the country there, nick? yes, well this is — into the country there, nick? yes, well this is a _ into the country there, nick? yes, well this is a place, _ into the country there, nick? yes, well this is a place, i'm _ into the country there, nick? yes, well this is a place, i'm in - into the country there, nick? yes, well this is a place, i'm in the - well this is a place, i'm in the primary school, it is normally a

sleepy village, but it is now packed with people. this particular centre is run by the baptist charity here, the baptist church charity in hungary. the numbers to hungary so far, we expected to pass 100,000 by tonight, coming from five different border crossings. this is one of the most hectic ones i have seen, but well organised. a mother here explained to the people running this centre that her eight—year—old son needs insulin and they're trying to organise that for her, because of his diabetic condition. so scenes like this up and down the board we are ukraine, up more than 100,000 as of this evening. earlier i visited another border crossing. life of this evening. earlier i visited another border crossing.- of this evening. earlier i visited another border crossing. life is a uzzle for another border crossing. life is a puzzle for the — another border crossing. life is a puzzle for the children _ another border crossing. life is a puzzle for the children of - another border crossing. life is a l

puzzle for the children of ukraine. 0ne puzzle for the children of ukraine. one day you're living happily at home. the next you wake up in a sports hall in a strange country. what of these kids left behind? and what lies ahead of them? one group of refugees continues theirjourney. plenty more are on the way. the humanitarian effort at each border crossing is run by a different aid group. here it is the maltese charity service. we group. here it is the maltese charity service.— group. here it is the maltese charity service. group. here it is the maltese chari service. ~ . , ., charity service. we have people who are sta in: charity service. we have people who are staying two _ charity service. we have people who are staying two days, _ charity service. we have people who are staying two days, three - are staying two days, three days perhaps, because they have no clue how to go home. they're happy to flee from ukraine and now that they're here in hungary, they have no, you know, options or plans for a new life. we no, you know, options or plans for a new life. ~ . w'

no, you know, options or plans for a new life. ~ . a ., . new life. we were checking out which border to cross _ new life. we were checking out which border to cross for _ new life. we were checking out which border to cross for two _ new life. we were checking out which border to cross for two or _ new life. we were checking out which border to cross for two or three - border to cross for two or three days _ border to cross for two or three days our— border to cross for two or three days. 0urfriends border to cross for two or three days. our friends took 35 hours to cross _ days. our friends took 35 hours to cross. as — days. our friends took 35 hours to cross. ~ , , .,, days. our friends took 35 hours to cross. a , . days. our friends took 35 hours to cross. as people crossed the border, the 're cross. as people crossed the border, they're brought _ cross. as people crossed the border, they're brought to _ cross. as people crossed the border, they're brought to the _ cross. as people crossed the border, they're brought to the village - cross. as people crossed the border, they're brought to the village hall. i they're brought to the village hall. this local man volunteered, because he speaks several languages. the infrastructure is expanding by the hour. the great step forward is that people ask where you want to go and help organise transport to take you there. it is an amazing logistical effort. since the influx of migrants began, people of colour fleeing the country have complained of facing discrimination by ukrainian forces.

the bbc has heard that people were prevented from catching buses and planes. we prevented from catching buses and lanes. ~ ., ., prevented from catching buses and lanes. ., ., ., ., ., , planes. we are not allowing any black peeple — planes. we are not allowing any black peeple to _ planes. we are not allowing any black people to enter. - planes. we are not allowing any black people to enter. held - planes. we are not allowing any black people to enter. held up i planes. we are not allowing any| black people to enter. held up at the border- _ black people to enter. held up at the border. and _ black people to enter. held up at the border. and in _ black people to enter. held up at the border. and in the _ black people to enter. held up at the border. and in the freezing i the border. and in the freezing cold. in this viral video, a man says ukrainian security forces are not allowing dozens of black people to cross to safety. emit; not allowing dozens of black people to cross to safety.— to cross to safety. only ukrainian are allowed- _ to cross to safety. only ukrainian are allowed. in _ to cross to safety. only ukrainian are allowed. in this _ to cross to safety. only ukrainian are allowed. in this video, - to cross to safety. only ukrainian are allowed. in this video, it - are allowed. in this video, it a- ears are allowed. in this video, it appears to _ are allowed. in this video, it appears to show _ are allowed. in this video, it appears to show nonwhite . are allowed. in this video, it - appears to show nonwhite people being prevented from going to the border. people push and yell, as black people are left stranded at a train station. we also obtained this

video from iranians in ukraine. in one they're told to collect rubbish to be allowed to continue their journey. as more and more people flee, the story of prejudice grow. i met many non—ukrainians who shared stories of facing discrimination as they tried to flee. some said they were not sold train tickets. 0thers were not sold train tickets. others that they were pushed back to the end of queue. but they did not want to be filmed, as they hoped to return to the ukraine one day. we were return to the ukraine one day. - were tired and hungry, we hadn't slept for two days and we were just angry about it, because they take the ukraine ians out and leave us in their country. it was cold and dark. they were treating us like animals. telling us to sit down, stand up, firing guns in the air to scare us. to what kind of people they did

that? _ to what kind of people they did that? �* , ., to what kind of people they did that? ~ , ., a, to what kind of people they did that? ~ _, a, , a, to what kind of people they did that? �* ., , ., ~ ., ., that? anyone that is not ukrainian. this man from _ that? anyone that is not ukrainian. this man from india _ that? anyone that is not ukrainian. this man from india tells _ that? anyone that is not ukrainian. this man from india tells me - that? anyone that is not ukrainian. this man from india tells me that l this man from india tells me that ukrainian soldiers pushed them with gun buts. the ukrainian soldiers pushed them with nun buts. . ., gun buts. the universal creditian arm first gun buts. the universal creditian army first -- _ gun buts. the universal creditian army first -- ukrainian _ gun buts. the universal creditian army first -- ukrainian army - gun buts. the universal creditian . army first -- ukrainian army pushed army first —— ukrainian army pushed the gun— army first —— ukrainian army pushed the gun in_ army first —— ukrainian army pushed the gun in my— army first —— ukrainian army pushed the gun in my face, _ army first —— ukrainian army pushed the gun in my face, my— army first —— ukrainian army pushed the gun in my face, my friend's - army first —— ukrainian army pushed the gun in my face, my friend's facej the gun in my face, my friend's face and no _ the gun in my face, my friend's face and no behaviour— the gun in my face, my friend's face and no behaviour good. _ the gun in my face, my friend's face and no behaviour good. we - the gun in my face, my friend's face and no behaviour good.— the gun in my face, my friend's face and no behaviour good. we asked the ukrainian border _ and no behaviour good. we asked the ukrainian border force, _ and no behaviour good. we asked the ukrainian border force, but _ and no behaviour good. we asked the ukrainian border force, but haven't i ukrainian borderforce, but haven't received a response. the ukraine has been home to tens of thousands of foreign students seeking an education. many here tell me they have experienced racism before. but as this war continues, people of colour fear it will only get worse.

the white house says it doesn't plan to change its alert level in response to russia.- to change its alert level in response to russia. the united states has _ response to russia. the united states has no _ response to russia. the united states has no desire _ response to russia. the united states has no desire or- response to russia. the united | states has no desire or intention for conflict with russia. and we think provocative rhetoric regarding nuclear weapons is dangerous and adds to the risk of miscalculation and we will not indulge in it. we are assessing vladimir putin directive and we see no reason to change our alert levels. what is your assessment of what vladimir putin was trying to do by putting those forces on special alert? was it purely to intimidate? as we look at this huge convoy of armoured vehicles, it looks as if he

is planning more conventional warfare? ~ ., is planning more conventional warfare? ~ . �* , warfare? well, vladimir putin's roblem warfare? well, vladimir putin's problem in _ warfare? well, vladimir putin's problem in this _ warfare? well, vladimir putin's problem in this situation i i warfare? well, vladimir putin's problem in this situation i think warfare? well, vladimir putin's i problem in this situation i think is very clear. he has launched an illegal war of aggression. it doesn't appear to be going well. his forces are sustaining enormous losses. the war does not appear to be pop you loorp at home. —— popular at home and it has led to some biting sanctions against russia. in this circumstance, i think putin hopes that there could be some value in threatening nuclear use, which is cemly what he did —— essentially what he did. it not clear whether he merely seeks to deter us intervention, where he was threatening to use nuclear weapons if the us doesn't lift sanctions, which is a preposterous notion. part

of the danger is that putin's motives in issuing this threat are not clear. �* . ., , ., ., not clear. and it could be a mix of all of those _ not clear. and it could be a mix of all of those motives? _ not clear. and it could be a mix of all of those motives? yes, - not clear. and it could be a mix of all of those motives? yes, i- not clear. and it could be a mix of all of those motives? yes, i think| all of those motives? yes, i think that is right- _ all of those motives? yes, i think that is right. to _ all of those motives? yes, i think that is right. to be _ all of those motives? yes, i think that is right. to be clear, - all of those motives? yes, i think that is right. to be clear, i - all of those motives? yes, i think that is right. to be clear, i don't i that is right. to be clear, i don't think nuclear use is imminent. what does concern me is if this war drags on, which unfortunately appears likely at the moment, if the best case for putin is an eventual victory in a drawn out blood bath, and the worst case for putin in his mind could be being deposed at home. in that circumstance, using nuclear weapons to change the conflict and cause ukraine to give up or the us to back down, that could appear to putin like a sensible thing. we are a long way from that, but i do not dismiss the possibility of further escalation. ~ .,

dismiss the possibility of further escalation. ~ . . ., escalation. what check would there be on putin — escalation. what check would there be on putin among _ escalation. what check would there be on putin among those _ escalation. what check would there be on putin among those around i escalation. what check would there i be on putin among those around him, if he was to even think further about going down that route? $5 i about going down that route? as i understand _ about going down that route? as i understand it, _ about going down that route? e; i understand it, the about going down that route? is i understand it, the nature of the command and control system around the russian leader himself is somewhat opaque. it seems on pape per, legally putin has sole responsibility. the chief of the defence staff in russia has some role to play in relaying that order. as i understand it, they cannot veto the order. on the other hand we have examples in the us at least where... at the end of nixon administration, they were told don't relay any nuclear use. i think that is unlikely to help in russia. but that is the only conceivable check there could be on russian nuclear use is

if people around putin acted in an extra legal way. i don't think that is likely. but it is the only theoretical check on him that i can see. ., , , theoretical check on him that i can see, ., , , . theoretical check on him that i can see. . , , . ., see. even as we see evidence that russia's invasion _ see. even as we see evidence that russia's invasion of _ see. even as we see evidence that russia's invasion of ukraine i see. even as we see evidence that russia's invasion of ukraine has i see. even as we see evidence that. russia's invasion of ukraine has not gone as swiftly as moscow had planned, we are also seeing evidence i think in what the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov said today of moscow's ambition, or plans to extend its sphere of influence beyond ukraine and influence nuclear policy beyond ukraine towards the west. sergey lavrov was saying it is time for the us to remove its nuclear weaponry from european soil. would you agree that is part of vladimir putin's plans to influence nuclear policy in the west? i wouldn't read too much into lavrov's wouldn't read too much into lavrov�*s remarks. russian policy for decades, i think before it was soviet policy,

was that the us should remove nuclear weapons from europe. sergey lavrov was giving a speech on disarmament and was repeating long—standing russian points. i wouldn't read too much into sergey lavrov�*s remarks. you wouldn't read too much into sergey lavrov's remarks.— lavrov's remarks. you don't think it is more pertinent, _ lavrov's remarks. you don't think it is more pertinent, given _ lavrov's remarks. you don't think it is more pertinent, given the - is more pertinent, given the situation in ukraine? irlat is more pertinent, given the situation in ukraine? not really. i mean, situation in ukraine? not really. i mean. he — situation in ukraine? not really. i mean. he was — situation in ukraine? not really. i mean, he was giving _ situation in ukraine? not really. i mean, he was giving a _ situation in ukraine? not really. i mean, he was giving a speech i situation in ukraine? not really. i mean, he was giving a speech at| situation in ukraine? not really. i l mean, he was giving a speech at an international disarmament conference. if anything, international disarmament conference. ifanything, i international disarmament conference. if anything, i think that you know, a slice silver lining could be that russia, it may be some tiny hint that russia wanted a negotiated way out of this. there is no way the us will agree to remove nuclear weapons from europe. but if lavrov is talking in general terms about arms control, it is possible there is some kind of negotiations

to be had as a way of ending this conflict. the key negotiations will be ukraine and russia of course, but you know maybe there is an auxiliary role to play, but it is not going to, lavrov is putting his most extreme demand out first. any negotiation will have to be on rolled back terms from that. thank ou. borisjohnson has travelled to eastern europe, where he's due to meet nato's secretary general, and visit british troops. this morning in poland, he accused vladimir putin of using "barbaric and indiscriminate tactics against innocent civilians". he also said the russian president, had "fatally underestimated" the resistance of the ukrainian people, and the resolve of the west to act. here's ben wright. homes destroyed, lives up ended.

families scattered. in ukraine's biggest cities the russian invasion is closing in. western leaders have responded with condemnation, sanctions and weapons for ukrainian forces. 0n sanctions and weapons for ukrainian forces. on a visit to poland, which borders ukraine, borisjohnson said vladimir putin had made a colossal mistake. i’m vladimir putin had made a colossal mistake. �* ., _, . ., mistake. i'm more convinced than ever as this _ mistake. i'm more convinced than ever as this hideous _ mistake. i'm more convinced than ever as this hideous conflict i ever as this hideous conflict progresses that putin will fail. and i believe that putin must fail and we will succeed in protecting and preserving a sovereign, independent and democrat ukraine. the preserving a sovereign, independent and democrat ukraine.— and democrat ukraine. the prime minister then _ and democrat ukraine. the prime minister then headed _ and democrat ukraine. the prime minister then headed into - and democrat ukraine. the prime. minister then headed into warsaw, where he was pressed to do more by a journalist from ukraine. irlata where he was pressed to do more by a journalist from ukraine.— journalist from ukraine. nato not willin: to journalist from ukraine. nato not willing to defend, _ journalist from ukraine. nato not willing to defend, because i journalist from ukraine. nato not willing to defend, because nato i journalist from ukraine. nato not| willing to defend, because nato is afraid _ willing to defend, because nato is afraid of— willing to defend, because nato is afraid of world war three, but it is already— afraid of world war three, but it is already starting and it is ukrainian chitdren— already starting and it is ukrainian children taking the hit. when already starting and it is ukrainian

children taking the hit.— children taking the hit. when you talk about the _ children taking the hit. when you talk about the no-fly _ children taking the hit. when you talk about the no-fly zone. i children taking the hit. when you talk about the no-fly zone. as i l talk about the no—fly zone. as i said to volodymyr zelenski i think a couple of times, unfortunately the implication of that is that the uk... would be engaged in shooting down russian planes, would be engaged in direct combat with russia. that is not something that we can do. ~., , russia. that is not something that we can do— we can do. many ukrainians are fleein: we can do. many ukrainians are fleeing the _ we can do. many ukrainians are fleeing the fighting _ we can do. many ukrainians are fleeing the fighting and - we can do. many ukrainians are fleeing the fighting and their i fleeing the fighting and their country. in poland, borisjohnson said the uk could take in 200,000 or more refugees, extending again its visa scheme for ukrainians with family members here. labour's leadership, which today had a briefing at the mod, have been calling for the uk to be doing more. what is needed is a simpler route to sanctionry and a simple scheme that allows families tojoin sanctionry and a simple scheme that allows families to join up again in the face of this russian aggression in their country.—

in their country. diplomatics efforts are _ in their country. diplomatics efforts are taking _ in their country. diplomatics efforts are taking place i in their country. diplomatics efforts are taking place at i in their country. diplomatics efforts are taking place at a | efforts are taking place at a meeting of the un human right council. , , ., �*, council. the blood is on putin's hand, council. the blood is on putin's hand. not _ council. the blood is on putin's hand. notjust _ council. the blood is on putin's hand, notjust of _ council. the blood is on putin's hand, notjust of innocent i hand, not just of innocent ukrainians, but the men he has sent to die _ ukrainians, but the men he has sent to die he— ukrainians, but the men he has sent to die he is— ukrainians, but the men he has sent to die. he is violating international law, including the i. un charter. but international law, including the i. un charter-— international law, including the i. un charter. �* ., ., , _ un charter. but words and actions by western leaders _ un charter. but words and actions by western leaders have _ un charter. but words and actions by western leaders have not _ un charter. but words and actions by western leaders have not yet - western leaders have not yet persuaded russia to pull back. when russia's foreign minister was addressing the united nations earlier he was given a diplomatic boycott. he addressed the un human rights boycott and the un conference on disarmament. he was attending virtually due to travel sanctions but even then, before he began, many western investors walked out. they

speak to our correspondent in geneva. hello to you. i want to begin by asking you, really, about the international criminal court and the international criminal court and the suggestion, indeed, that russian officials including the president could face charges at the icc. what with those charges be and what is the icc itself saying? iurethat with those charges be and what is the icc itself saying?— the icc itself saying? what we're heafina the icc itself saying? what we're hearin: is the icc itself saying? what we're hearing is charges _ the icc itself saying? what we're hearing is charges of _ the icc itself saying? what we're hearing is charges of war - the icc itself saying? what we're hearing is charges of war crimes| the icc itself saying? what we're i hearing is charges of war crimes but i have put a bit of a hazard warning on that. i mean, we are a long way off from that at the moment. if you look at other conflicts around the world, where there is absolute the cast—iron evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity, myanmar, syria, for example, the perpetrators have not really at all, or most of them, not had their day in court. so

we are a long way off that. nevertheless, the definition of a war crime, you know, killing civilians, targeting civilians, using weapons which are so indiscriminate that they cannot help but kill civilians and destroy civilian infrastructure, we are hearing from the un human rights, for example, indications that some of this has happened and unfortunately, those like it may be starting to happen more with this increased fighting. we are a long way off that. that does not mean to say that a huge amount of watching and gathering evidence is not going on. it is pretty hard, these days, with the way information technology works, to hide this kind of evidence. we have loads of it for syria, loads of it from myanmar, venezuela, even. yemen. lots and lots of evidence of human rights

violation so if russia is doing it, russia will be found out. i think thatis russia will be found out. i think that is what human rights activist would tell you.— that is what human rights activist would tell you. you're emphasising the fact it is _ would tell you. you're emphasising the fact it is a _ would tell you. you're emphasising the fact it is a long _ would tell you. you're emphasising the fact it is a long way _ would tell you. you're emphasising the fact it is a long way down i would tell you. you're emphasising the fact it is a long way down line i the fact it is a long way down line but it is just another signal to moscow, isn't it, orat least another attempt to suggest to moscow that it will be further isolated, attali will be kept of what is going on in ukraine. as for those ambassadors walking out while he was making his address, what did you make of that? a pretty unusual situation, i think, make of that? a pretty unusual situation, ithink, and make of that? a pretty unusual situation, i think, and certainly not something we've seen very often before. the other mic i've seen it i now many years covering the united nations in geneva. that was way back when iran's former president got up and started criticising israel and the investors got up and walked out. they did it again today not once but twice that of the un conference on disarmament and then the un human

rights council. had the foreign minister in here in person, this is a proud man who loves to be on the diplomatic stage at geneva. i think he would have been absolutely furious. watching it he almost certainly is furious but, you know, the speech that he gave both times, he gave it to the backs of diplomats walking out the room and i think this is one of the things, diplomacy is trying to do. every single trick in the book to show rusher, you need to change course. you're isolated, you are at risk if not already becoming an absolute pariah state, these economic sanctions could go on for a long time even if you stop fighting now, because of what you have done. and there is still this, you know, is someone going to seek common sense and try to stop but at the moment, listening to him, he

sounded still very, very belligerent and what is a shame, really is that one of the things he asked for, nuclear arms reduction in europe, was on the table between washington and moscow in the biden administration. instead of this war and invasion in ukraine, europe could be talking about that and, you know, for normal people like me and you let alone the poor people of ukraine, of course that is what we would all want. thank you. i can talk now to a former marine and open source intelligence analyst and a senior fellow at the foreign policy research institute. thank you for joining us. i want to talk about what we can verify about the tactics being used in ukraine at the moment. ukrainians number of accusations against russia, haven't they?

including that it has used a cluster of your munitions in residential areas and it has used vacuum bombs, the thermo barrick munitions. what evidence is there, if any, at this stage, to support these claims. i have not seen evidence of those weapons yet but i wouldn't be surprised if they have. they brought in these rocket launch systems which saw the move into ukraine. it is not clear to me yet, but i would not be surprised in future their use. cluster munitions and multiple launch systems quite heavily. the rockets they�* re launch systems quite heavily. the rockets they're using and deployed as munitions if they need to and there was one photo from earlier, a few days ago, showing a canister carrying those munitions on the

ground so i did not see them themselves because cluster musicians have a high rate, particularly they will be evidence left behind. i did not see any myself but they didn't use rockets which could use those. i must apologise with the us secretary of state anthony blinken and speaking and we need to go to the news conference. let's listen the humanitarian _ news conference. let's listen tie: humanitarian crisis will news conference. let's listen ii�*uéi humanitarian crisis will only get worse. look at crimea where russians occupation has come with extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities. the brutal repression of consent. the kremlin is ramping up within russia, it was shutting human rights organisations and harassing, poisoning anti—corruption activist and anti—corru ption activist and political opponents. anti—corruption activist and political opponents. authorities have reportedly detained thousands of russians peacefully protesting the elevation as well as journalist

covering the demonstrations. russian officials issued a warning to the country's press that any reporting that refers to the assault as, quote, an attack, and invasion when a declaration of work and quote, in other words that tell the truth, will result in media outlets being blocked and fined. in russia's prosecutors office at any russian who assist a foreign country, for an organisation or international organisation or international organisation during its so—called operation may be imprisoned for up to 20 years. these are the human rights abuses this council was created to stop. if we cannot come together now, when will we come together? we must send a resolute and unified message to president putin to unconditionally stop this unprovoked attack as the high commissioner is done. and immediately withdraw russian forces from ukraine. we must condemn,

firmly and unequivocally, russia's attempt to topple a democratically elected government and its gross human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. and we must take steps to hold the perpetrators accountable. this cancer�*s decision to hold an urgent debate on the crisis in ukraine is an important step towards ensuring documentation and accountability. i thank the many members who have supported it. we must underscore russia's obligation, even in its unlawful invasion, to respect international humanitarian law, including as it relates to the protection of civilians in the conflict. council members should stop using language implying that all sides by equal responsibility for the unprovoked attack of one side. this is not evenhanded. it is wrong. and fails to place accountability where it belongs. the same goes for members who argue, falsely, that denouncing human rights abuses is politicising the

situation. it is failing to speak up about human rights abuses that politicise the situation. we must reject russia's attempt to falsely justify this attack as a defence of human rights. misappropriating terms that we reserve for the worst atrocities and disrespecting every victim of those crimes. finally, we must press the kremlin to respect the human rights of all russians including the rights of citizens to peacefully express dissent and journalist to report the news. and provide information to the families of russian soldiers who deserve to know the fate of loved ones killed in president putin's war of choice. 0ne in president putin's war of choice. one can reasonably ask whether the un member state that tries to take over another un member state while committing a horrific human rights abuses and causing massive humanitarian suffering should be allowed to remain on this council. even as we focus on the crisis in ukraine, it is farfrom the even as we focus on the crisis in ukraine, it is far from the only part of the world where the cancer�*s

attention is needed. in belarus, the regime is brutally repressing civil society and the country's pro—democracy movement using transnational repression to silence critics abroad and enabling russia's invasion of ukraine. in recent days, belarusian authorities are detained hundreds of people demonstrating peacefully against russia's attack. in china, the government continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity against muslims and other minority groups. we urge the high commissioner to release without delay her report on the situation there. we must redouble our efforts to address the growing humanitarian crisis in afghanistan and press the taliban to respect the rights of all afghans including by stopping the unjust detentions ofjournalists, and in reprisals, allowing afghans to be educated and to work in every sector. the human rights crises in burma, cuba, the dprk, iran, south sudan, syria, venezuela and yemen

among others also demand this council's ongoing attention. in each of these places we must not only denounce abuses that work to stop them and hold perpetrators responsible. yet, to moment when the world needs both moral clarity and unity from this council, some governments are arguing that sovereignty gives companies the right to do whatever they want within their borders. it is no coincidence that many of the government making this argument are systematically abusing human rights and have been eerily silent in the face of russia's they quit assault on ukraine's sovereignty. the universal declaration on human rights begins with the wide universe because nations decided there are some mice that every person, every wire is entitled to enjoy. members of the scans of a special responsibility to strengthen, not weaken, those rights. 0ne responsibility to strengthen, not weaken, those rights. one way to do

thatis weaken, those rights. one way to do that is by welcoming scrutiny of our own records. in september, the united states issued a formal, standing invitation to all un experts who advise on human rights issues, we urge every council member to take this step. we know we have work to do to advance human rights at home. every member does. what matters is that we all hold ourselves to the same standards and work to address our shortcomings, as we are doing. here is what else you can expect from the united states on this council. first, we are committed to working with other countries including those we don't always agree with to advance rights as members are seen in their engagement with permanent representatives of the un in geneva, now you do if a new ambassador to the human rights council. second, we have heard repeatedly that the united states has often focused more on strengthening civil and political rights than we have on strengthening economic, social rights. people around the world are looking to us

to do both and we hear that call. third, we will continue to counter anti—israel bias and the disproportionate focus on israel in the council. the commission of inquiry and standing agenda item seven are a stain on the council's credibility. we strongly rejected. fourth, we will keep fighting for the human rights of lgbt qi fourth, we will keep fighting for the human rights of lgbt 01 plus people, people with disabilities, members of ethnic and religious minorities, women and girls and all marginalised populations and people in vulnerable situations. in recent days, people on average continent have, to demonstrate against russia's invasion for the rights of ukrainians. they understand that, if we allow the rules of the international order to be flagrantly trampled anywhere, we weaken them everywhere. as an estonian student protester put it, if ukraine is not a country, then president putin can say estonia is not a country either. we stand for these rules not in

opposition to any government but rather because we see our shared interest in striving for a world where all people of all nations enjoy human rights and peace and security and because history has shown is the darkness and suffering that comes when these rules are abandoned. people in ukraine and around the world are looking to as to stand up and stand together. we must not let them down. anthony brink in addressing the un human rights council and saying if one un member state is trying to take over another un member state should that first date actually be a member of the un human rights council? —— mike anthony

saying if we can't come together now, when can we? is it a mess and a unified message that president putin should unconditionally stop this aggression on ukraine and was talking about repression by the kremlin within russia as well. just one of the line to bring you. the g7 presidency saying that sanctions are having what they describe as a massive impact on the russian economy. although for people on the ground in ukraine trying to defend themselves, that is probably the least of their concerns at the moment. i can go back now to rob lee. rob, i appreciate your patience, waiting to come back to us. i began by asking you what evidence there

was about the type of weaponry, the type of munitions that russia is using in ukraine. but we have been talking quite a bit today as well with various guests about the nuclear issue and, despite those threats issued by president putin, the desire, i guess, on his part, to intimidate others through them mention of nuclear power, do you think the evidences, with this huge armoured convoy on the way to kyiv that president putin is intent on a conventional war in the sense of using his artillery?— using his artillery? yes. so, you know, using his artillery? yes. so, you know. we _ using his artillery? yes. so, you know. we are — using his artillery? yes. so, you know, we are moving _ using his artillery? yes. so, you know, we are moving to - using his artillery? yes. so, you know, we are moving to phase. | using his artillery? yes. so, you i know, we are moving to phase. what they try to do is reach kyiv as quickly as possible with light forces to try to take a surrender. 0ver forces to try to take a surrender. over the optimistic scenario. and we are moving to a second phase because that failed, the issue is, if russia

wants to take the cities the risk is going to go up dramatically. and the problem is if they resist urban warfare, there is difficulties to take a city without destroying much of the city. without inflicting civilian casualties and so on. as there are more forces around kyiv they would need to take it with heavy force on the problem is they are not good ways of getting around that if they want to take the city. on that point, we are about to hear an interview which achieve international corresponded with a former security adviser to the ukrainian government, and in that interview he was saying that he thinks this convoy, the aim of this convoyis thinks this convoy, the aim of this convoy is to surround, to encircle kyiv and basically wait. do you think that could be a plan by the russian forces because kyiv could

possibly would have a quite a long time? you are suggesting that was the tactic that they were going to encircle, lay siege, if you like, to the ukrainian capital. do you think thatis the ukrainian capital. do you think that is a possibility? it is possible- _ that is a possibility? it is possible. i— that is a possibility? it is possible. i think- that is a possibility? it is possible. i think the i that is a possibility? it s possible. i think the problem that is a possibility? it s possible. ithink the problem is possible. i think the problem is this war goes on, the costs go up. and that is the former responds united against russia's actions but also the domestic response. the economy is now feeling the effect of sanctions and other measures. so every day this war goes on, right, it is more likely will see a greater response from countries. if russia conducts a cedarjust expands the timeline here. i'm not sure it is what russia wants. at the same token, for going to kyiv and start inflicting casualties and inked destroying the city those risk go up as well. it would become a risk that

opinion would shift dramatically if they are seeing these scenes. it is a bit difficult to predict and what russia has done so far as being somewhat restrained in some of the military. it is obviously concerning and something that should be done but they have deployed the air force. they have not done that. the fear is they will increase when they do that. the cell with a strike this morning, and the cruise missile strike, that the concern is that they're going to start doing this to cab and we will start more aggressive, you know, action in the future which could lead to much greater destruction on civilian casualties. abs, greater destruction on civilian casualties-— greater destruction on civilian casualties. �* ., ., casualties. a word, if you would come on how— casualties. a word, if you would come on how challenging i casualties. a word, if you would come on how challenging it i casualties. a word, if you would come on how challenging it is i casualties. a word, if you would j come on how challenging it is at casualties. a word, if you would i come on how challenging it is at the moment differentiate between what is information, as opposed to disinformation. it information, as opposed to disinformation.— disinformation. it is always difficult in _ disinformation. it is always difficult in these _ disinformation. it is always difficult in these conflicts. | disinformation. it is always i difficult in these conflicts. on the difficult in these conflicts. 0n the one hand, everyone has a cell phone, camera phone and everyone has access

to the internet to upload things. there is a wealth of information out there and commercial satellite companies posting photos to show this kind of evidence, the evidence of the russian convoy moving towards kyiv. that is really useful but at the same time a lot of time videos are posted without context or that becomes an issue as well. this becomes an issue as well. this becomes an issue as well. this becomes a problem. it is difficult to get context for a lot of these videos. if you research, and what is happening, so when you triangulate things you can get a picture of what is going on and you might not necessarily otherwise be able to do. thank you very much for your thoughts on ukraine today. earlier

achieve international corresponded spoke to the former ukraine secretary of the defence counsel. he was speaking from an undisclosed location in ukraine and she began by asking for his thoughts on that russian armoured vehicle convoy advancing on kyiv. i think all these actions in the past, including indiscriminate, you know, bombing of ukraine's second city today, was the act of intimidation and threatening the population and obviously the population and obviously the population of kyiv. the goal is to

threaten, the goal is to send a signal that we will not stop. you know, the civilian area will also suffer. the waiters received is people are not scared. of course, it is scary but i think that any cause they will defend the city and the country. and putinjust does not understand that the people will be defending the city until the last moment and all these hundreds of tanks that are moving now towards kyiv, a lot of it will be destroyed by our defence forces. and russia will pay a very heavy price. share by our defence forces. and russia will pay a very heavy price. are you confident of — will pay a very heavy price. are you confident of that? _ will pay a very heavy price. are you confident of that? it _ will pay a very heavy price. are you confident of that? it has _ will pay a very heavy price. are you confident of that? it has been i confident of that? it has been commented on here in ukraine and

around the world that, she mentioned yourself, ukraine has put up a surprisingly strong resistance against the russian armed forces but, looking at that column, miles long, it looks like they have the manpower and the firepower to overwhelm the city. does ukraine really have that kind military force to fight back and push it away? first of all, we have several tens of people joining first of all, we have several tens of peoplejoining in kyiv so first of all, we have several tens of people joining in kyiv so these people are, you know, there will be hunting tanks and armed vehicles on the streets. there will be not even single support for russians to feel that they are in a safe place. they will be under attack every moment, every second. and, you know, for kyiv it is a huge city. it is a huge city. and it has some bottlenecks

which russian forces willjust get stuck there. so i think they also understand this and that is why the goal is actually to surrender, to encircle the city and try to, during this, using this blockade to kind of to surrender. i think the attacks themselves, they will be suicidal. i don't think, they may try doing it, but after a couple of attempts they will have to retreat. unfortunately, what potentially could come next is a bombardment which is obviously a terrible thing for the city but i think we will have to go through this. ., , . , ., , ., this. the former security adviser to the ukrainian _ this. the former security adviser to the ukrainian government - this. the former security adviser to | the ukrainian government speaking there _ the ukrainian government speaking there a— the ukrainian government speaking there. a reminderthat the ukrainian government speaking there. a reminder that the last few minutes— there. a reminder that the last few minutes we've had us secretary of state _ minutes we've had us secretary of state suggest that russia should be stripped _ state suggest that russia should be stripped of its human rights council membership. that stripped of its human rights council

membership-— stripped of its human rights council membershi. ., .,, .,, ~ .., membership. that was as mr lincoln addressed the _ membership. that was as mr lincoln addressed the human _ membership. that was as mr lincoln addressed the human base - membership. that was as mr lincoln addressed the human base counsel i membership. that was as mr lincoln i addressed the human base counsel and he said that a president putin was to achieve his aims in ukraine, the humanitarian situation in ukraine would worsen. we can just show you some live pictures where the uk prime minister is visiting a number of eu and nato states. he was in poland earlier where he heard from one journalist imploring poland earlier where he heard from onejournalist imploring him, one journalist imploring him, imploring onejournalist imploring him, imploring the west, to do more to help ukraine. this is the estonian prime minister speaking just now. that is prime minister speaking 'ust now. that |~ ., prime minister speaking 'ust now. that |~ . ., ., ,,., prime minister speaking 'ust now. that |~ . ., ., , ., that is and outright aggressor and russia, that is and outright aggressor and russia. from _ that is and outright aggressor and russia, from a _ that is and outright aggressor and russia, from a difficult _ that is and outright aggressor and russia, from a difficult neighbour| russia, from a difficult neighbour to a rogue state. britain has unleashed 200,000 soldiers against a free and sovereign country. their

targets, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, innocent ukrainian lives. and we, unfortunately, expect to witness even more horrors including indiscriminate bombings. we mourn the lives lost in putin's wall. also seeing dangerous neglect of nuclear safety by russian troops. we have just learned belarusian we have just learned bela rusian troops we have just learned belarusian troops have also entered ukraine. there is no doubt, belarus is a co—aggressor in this conflict. the whole international community must now stand up against the evil. allies have been united against the aggression since the very beginning and i'm very glad to say that. we have witnessed a fundamental change across the democratic world. all in support of ukraine. and in isolating

the aggressor. some of them seemed even unthinkable a few days ago. nato needs a defence strategy. nato should be prepared to defend the most vulnerable part of nato which is the baltic countries. this includes, on land, establishing permanent forward presence. establishing a credible defence posture and a sense of urgency in developing nato's upgraded defence plan. at the same time, we need to continue our urgent support to ukraine. military aid is critical here. estonia will continue with support as we provide significant military financial and humanitarian

aid. we cannot stop until we had stopped putin. this is what we simply must do for ending the brutal violence and destruction and for helping the brave people of ukraine. and ukraine should be given a very clear signal tojoin the eu. the security of ukraine is the security of europe. although there is no direct military threat at our borders, nato must take a leap now and adopt rapidly to the new security situation. we must move from forward presence to forward defence and from air policing to our defence. i welcome the decisions already taken to strengthen defence here. we are today where we can witness the real collective efforts and commitment of nato. i would like

to thank the united kingdom and all the allies who are already present here in estonia, and also sending additional troops to baltic regions. we must work together to help ukraine and to strengthen our own defence. thank you. borisjohnson the floor boris johnson the floor is yours. great _ boris johnson the floor is yours. great to— boris johnson the floor is yours. great to see you and to be here again in tapa at this very important mission. nato is perhaps unique in the history of defensive alliances, it has stood not for aggression, but for peace and stability and a during those years the alliance has been tested many times in the cold war in the balkans and in afghanistan. this matters, because the world has become a more dangerous place. a few short days ago we all stood witness to scenes we hoped we would never see again on the continent of europe. a sovereign democratic

people fighting for their lives against a foe who wishes to subjugate them by force. as we realised the extent of vladimir putin's ambitions, the world has been rightly united in praise of the bravery of the ukrainian people, led by president volodymyr zelenski. and like colleagues here i have had the privilege of speaking to volodymyr zelenski virtually every day since the russian invasion and heard his determination that the freedom his people have experienced news never be snatched away and it is clearer day—by—day from the way the ukrainians are responding that vladimir putin has made a disastrous miscalculation and the ukrainians have mounted an astonishing

resistance. we as the international community have a responsibility to do everything we can to help the ukrainians. that is why the uk has trained 22,000 members of ukrainian armed force and provided defensive military support and we have a responsibility to all ukrainians, that why the uk provided humanitarian aid to the ukraine and the region and why we have deployed humanitarian experts and hundreds of military experts to ukraine's neighbours to help them shelter those seeking sanctuary and we have announced the first phase of a humanitarian route for people to come to the uk. it is also why the uk has swiftly executed the biggest package of sanctions ever imposed

against a g20 nation. and we have seen organisations from banks to oil companies, to football leagues, to singing competitions who have made it clear that vladimir putin and his regime must be isolated from the international community for his actions. as we support the people of ukraine, we must also shore up our shared resilience, both to protect our people and our values. these are nothing more than defence sieve measures. —— defensive measures, which have been the measure of nato or the more than 70 years and i want to clear, we will not fight russian forces in ukraine and our reinforcements, like these reinforcements, like these reinforcements in tapa are within the borders of nato members and they are profoundly the right thing to do. thank you all very much. thank

ou. do. thank you all very much. thank you- secretary _ do. thank you all very much. thank you. secretary general _ do. thank you all very much. thank| you. secretary general stoltenberg. it is great to be with you here at tapa and to be back and we are here to meet the soldiers that are defending estonia, our alliance and our values. these soldiers are keeping our nation safe and free and we owe them a debt of gratitude. thank you to estonia for hosting our group so well and being such a staunch nato ally. let me also thank the united kingdom and you boris for leading this nato multinational group here at the tapa base in estonia and for doing so for the last five years. and also for doubling you were contribution over the last few weeks, with more british troops coming to estonia. this really makes a huge difference

and demonstrates nato solidarity. we stand together in this time of crisis. the people of ukraine are fighting bravely against brutal and unprovoked russian invasion. we utterly condemn the kremlin's war. allies are imposing severe costs on russia through sanctions. we are increased nato presence across the alliance to deter and defend and we are stepping up our support to help ukraine. nato allies are sending ukraine. nato allies are sending ukraine antitank weapons, air defence missiles and imyou in addition. ally —— ammunition and providing financial help and humanitarian aid. i commend estonia and the united kingdom for their assistance, you are providing to ukraine. 0verthe

assistance, you are providing to ukraine. over the last weeks, in response to russia's attack on ukraine we have increased our defensive presence in the air, on land and at sea. with all over a hundred jets at high alert, operating from 30 different locations. and over 120 ships from the baltic sea to the mediterranean. the uk, the us and other allies are deploying thousands more troops to the eastern part of the alliance. for the first time in our history, we are deploying the nato response force. because there must be no doubt, no room for misunderstanding, our commitment to article 5 of washington treaty is iron—clad. we will protect and defend every inch of nato territory. credible

deterrence prevents conflict and preserves peace. nato is a defensive alliance. we do not seek conflict with russia. 0ur message to president putin is, stop the war, pull out your forces president putin is, stop the war, pull out yourforces and president putin is, stop the war, pull out your forces and engage in good faith in diplomatic efforts. the world stands with ukraine in calling for peace. so it is great to be with you here together and we stand united in the condemnation of the russian invasion of the ukraine. thank you. we are now at your disposalfor thank you. we are now at your disposal for questions. thank you. we are now at your disposalfor questions. please thank you. we are now at your disposal for questions. please state your name and media organisations you're representing and to whom the question is addressed.— question is addressed. hello, i'm from estonian _

question is addressed. hello, i'm from estonian television - question is addressed. hello, i'm from estonian television and i i question is addressed. hello, i'm i from estonian television and i have a question— from estonian television and i have a question for boris johnson. from estonian television and i have a question for borisjohnson. your country— a question for borisjohnson. your country has — a question for borisjohnson. your country has supported volunteers in ukraine, _ country has supported volunteers in ukraine, in— country has supported volunteers in ukraine, in which circumstances should — ukraine, in which circumstances should nato get directly involved in fighting _ should nato get directly involved in fighting in ukraine?— fighting in ukraine? thank you and look, i'm fighting in ukraine? thank you and look. i'm going — fighting in ukraine? thank you and look, i'm going to _ fighting in ukraine? thank you and look, i'm going to be _ fighting in ukraine? thank you and look, i'm going to be very - fighting in ukraine? thank you and look, i'm going to be very clear- look, i'm going to be very clear about this, because you're not quite right in what you say about supporting volunteers going to fight on the ground, the uk is not actively doing such a thing. but i understand of course the feelings of people who feel emotionally engaged in this conflict. because i cannot think of a time in international affairs when the difference between right and wrong, between good and bad, between good and evil, has been so obvious. and it is clear that the people of ukraine have right on their side and i can understand why people feel as they do. but we have

laws in our country about international conflicts and how they must be conducted. 0n international conflicts and how they must be conducted. on your point, as has been stressed, nato is a defensive alliance. i think for any nato member to get involved actively in conflict with russia is a very, very, is a huge step which is not being contemplated to by any member. you would have to go to parliaments and peoples to get agreement for such a step. that is not on the agenda. what is on the agenda is offering the humanitarian support that we are offering the... the logistical, the military support, that we are offering in ever—growing quantities, but also the economic pressure that the wes with the west

is now applying to the putin regime. 0ne is now applying to the putin regime. one thing is clear, that vladimir putin miscalculated two things. he miscalculated the strength of the ukrainian resistance and he also miscalculated and underestimated the strength of western unity and western resolve to ensure that putin must fail. . ~ western resolve to ensure that putin must fail. ., ,, , ., british broadcasters, a question to all three _ british broadcasters, a question to all three of— british broadcasters, a question to all three of you, kharkiv is under bombardment, kiev is being surrounded and has a column of heavy armour— surrounded and has a column of heavy armour stretching towards us. do you think that _ armour stretching towards us. do you think that given the tactics being deployed by russian forces edging

towards _ deployed by russian forces edging towards indiscriminate use of munitions means that given russia's superiority _ munitions means that given russia's superiority that cities in ukraine will fall? — superiority that cities in ukraine will fall? and one specific one for you prime — will fall? and one specific one for you prime minister, the un security council— you prime minister, the un security council is _ you prime minister, the un security council is at — you prime minister, the un security council is at the heart of the system _ council is at the heart of the system of global security, britain like russia is a permanent member, do you _ like russia is a permanent member, do you think— like russia is a permanent member, do you think that you would support moves _ do you think that you would support moves to— do you think that you would support moves to suspend russia from the un security— moves to suspend russia from the un security council?— security council? yes, what we are seeinu in security council? yes, what we are seeing in ukraine _ security council? yes, what we are seeing in ukraine is _ security council? yes, what we are seeing in ukraine is really... i security council? yes, what we are seeing in ukraine is really... very i seeing in ukraine is really... very horrifying to see what kind of steps they're taking and now they are you know escalating this crisis. the question whether the cities will fall, ithink question whether the cities will fall, i think we underestimate the ukrainians' motivation and will to

protect their cities. of course, we also know that the forces are not really equal. so one needs to really conquer the cities and other one is to keep those cities under control. so i think there is going to be a lot of resistance from ukrainians and this even if you know temporarily russia takes hold of the cities, it is still very hard to keep, as there is no support from the ukrainian side. so i think what we have seen and ukrainians have really surprised everybody is by their motivation to fight for their country, to fight for their freedom. i think the same would be here, because we have already lost our freedom once and we don't want to lose is a second time. so i think all the nation is up to defend their country. and to take it back even

after you know building the resistance in... in the nation willing to take those back. just to on our willing to take those back. just to on your point _ willing to take those back. just to on your point about _ willing to take those back. just to on your point about what - willing to take those back. just to on your point about what is i on your point about what is happening in kharkiv, it is absolutely sickening and it reminds me, if you remember the shelling of sarajevo market and the shelling of innocent people in bosnia, it has the feel of an atrocity committed deliberately against a civilian centre. i think that coming to your second point, you know, within the un structures, it is very difficult to move people without a vote and clearly where you've a veto in the security council, there is a paradox, we can't vote the change the rules without the agreement of the rules without the agreement of the russians. but what is happening is that i think that the... great

middle of the un congregation is starting to realise quite how horrific this is. with every day that goes by, as they watch the her rowism of the resistance and see the shelling, like the missile in kharkiv and the destruction of civilian pop ligss, i think people's stomachs are being turned by what is happening and they're seeing that it is necessary to stand up against russian aggression to support the ukrainians and to endorse our strategy, which is that president putin must not be allowed to succeed, he must fail in ukraine. latte succeed, he must fail in ukraine. we are seeing a new wave of attack against — are seeing a new wave of attack against ukraine, against innocent people _ against ukraine, against innocent people and a column of heavy russian

armour— people and a column of heavy russian armour that— people and a column of heavy russian armour that is moving towards kiev will bring _ armour that is moving towards kiev will bring more death, more suffering _ will bring more death, more suffering and more civilian casualties. that is why we need to continue _ casualties. that is why we need to continue to— casualties. that is why we need to continue to provide support to ukraine — continue to provide support to ukraine and we continue to call on russia _ ukraine and we continue to call on russia to — ukraine and we continue to call on russia to stop this bloody war and why we _ russia to stop this bloody war and why we need to impose costs by the heavy _ why we need to impose costs by the heavy sanctions on russia. why we should _ heavy sanctions on russia. why we should also — heavy sanctions on russia. why we should also once again commend the bravery— should also once again commend the bravery and — should also once again commend the bravery and the courage of the ukrainian _ bravery and the courage of the ukrainian people, the ukrainian armed — ukrainian people, the ukrainian armed forces and the ukrainian president. _ armed forces and the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelenski. this is horrifying. this is unacceptable. a question — is horrifying. this is unacceptable. a question for boris johnson, by the middle _ a question for boris johnson, by the middle of— a question for boris johnson, by the middle of the — a question for boris johnson, by the middle of the march, _ a question for boris johnson, by the middle of the march, the _ a question for boris johnson, by the middle of the march, the uk - a question for boris johnson, by the middle of the march, the uk will. middle of the march, the uk will have _ middle of the march, the uk will have sent — middle of the march, the uk will have sent here _

middle of the march, the uk will have sent here about _ middle of the march, the uk will have sent here about 2,000 i middle of the march, the uk will- have sent here about 2,000 troops, that is— have sent here about 2,000 troops, that is definitely— have sent here about 2,000 troops, that is definitely a _ have sent here about 2,000 troops, that is definitely a big _ have sent here about 2,000 troops, that is definitely a big support- have sent here about 2,000 troops, that is definitely a big support for. that is definitely a big support for us, but _ that is definitely a big support for us, but what _ that is definitely a big support for us, but what would _ that is definitely a big support for us, but what would happen... i that is definitely a big support for. us, but what would happen... what would _ us, but what would happen... what would have — us, but what would happen... what would have to — us, but what would happen... what would have to happen _ us, but what would happen... what would have to happen or— us, but what would happen... what would have to happen or would i us, but what would happen... what . would have to happen or would would be the _ would have to happen or would would be the trigger — would have to happen or would would be the trigger point _ would have to happen or would would be the trigger point for _ would have to happen or would would be the trigger point for you _ would have to happen or would would be the trigger point for you to - be the trigger point for you to double — be the trigger point for you to double it _ be the trigger point for you to double it or— be the trigger point for you to double it or triple _ be the trigger point for you to double it or triple it, - be the trigger point for you to double it ortriple it, or- be the trigger point for you to double it or triple it, or whati be the trigger point for you toi double it or triple it, or what is the limit? _ double it or triple it, or what is the limit?— double it or triple it, or what is the limit? well, thank you very much, the limit? well, thank you very much. we _ the limit? well, thank you very much. we are _ the limit? well, thank you very much, we are proud _ the limit? well, thank you very much, we are proud to - the limit? well, thank you very much, we are proud to be - the limit? well, thank you very i much, we are proud to be working here with ourfriends, much, we are proud to be working here with our friends, with our french friends, our danish friends and of course with our wonderful estonian hosts and i'm delighted that we are doubling it. it is a big commitment that we are making. i think that you know we will always keep things under review. but what... you can take it from me that our priority is the safety, the security of our friends and partners across the whole of eastern frontier of nato and we are increasing our presence notjust in estonia, in

poland, in the skies above romania and the uk is beefing up our presence. and the message we need to get over and i think we are collectively is that if vladimir putin thinks he is going to push nato back by what he is doing, he is gravely mistaken. this will end up with a fortified and strengthened nato on his western flank. he will have more nato, not less nato. thank ou. have more nato, not less nato. thank you. unfortunately _ have more nato, not less nato. thank you. unfortunately this _ have more nato, not less nato. thank you. unfortunately this is _ have more nato, not less nato. thank you. unfortunately this is all _ have more nato, not less nato. thank you. unfortunately this is all the - you. unfortunately this is all the time that we have. thank you everyone for coming.- everyone for coming. danish television. _ everyone for coming. danish television. go _ everyone for coming. danish television. go on. _ everyone for coming. danish | television. go on. something everyone for coming. danish - television. go on. something tells me this will, you will have a brilliant question. {lit me this will, you will have a brilliant question.— me this will, you will have a brilliant question. of course i will. brilliant question. of course i will- you _ brilliant question. of course i will. you have _ brilliant question. of course i will. you have doubled - brilliant question. of course i will. you have doubled your. brilliant question. of course i - will. you have doubled your troops here, _ will. you have doubled your troops here, dehmark_ will. you have doubled your troops here, denmark is _ will. you have doubled your troops here, denmark is due _ will. you have doubled your troops here, denmark is due to _ will. you have doubled your troops here, denmark is due to arrive - will. you have doubled your troopsl here, denmark is due to arrive next week, _ here, denmark is due to arrive next week, would — here, denmark is due to arrive next week, would you _ here, denmark is due to arrive next week, would you like _ here, denmark is due to arrive next week, would you like to _ here, denmark is due to arrive next week, would you like to see -

here, denmark is due to arrive next i week, would you like to see denmark increase _ week, would you like to see denmark increase the — week, would you like to see denmark increase the number— week, would you like to see denmark increase the number of— week, would you like to see denmark increase the number of troops? - week, would you like to see denmark increase the number of troops? fill. week, would you like to see denmark increase the number of troops? till [i increase the number of troops? all i can sa is increase the number of troops? all i can say is i — increase the number of troops? all i can say is i had _ increase the number of troops? all i can say is i had a — increase the number of troops? can say is i had a great conversation with your prime minister the other day, she was robust and understands the problem very well. i'm glad that denmark is increasing its contribution, we work well with our danish friends and of course it is always good that denmark is contributing more. i hesitate to go beyond that. thank you. hesitate to go beyond that. thank ou. �* ., , you. based... studio: - you. based... studio: jens| you. based... _ studio: jens stoltenberg and you- based--- — studio: jens stoltenberg and the you- based--- _ studio: jens stoltenberg and the uk studio: jens stoltenberg and the uk prime minister borisjohnson on a nato base in estonia, joined by the estonia prime minister there, who said belarus was a co—aggressor in the conflict in ukraine and nato should be prepared to defend the most vulnerable and she named those as the baltic nations. borisjohnson talking about the bravery of the

ukrainian people. he said president putin had shattered peace. but he said we shall not fight russian forces in ukraine. as for the secretary general of nato, jens stoltenberg, he spoke of soldiers defending our values and he said we will defend every inch of nato territory. he said we do not seek a conflict with russia, but urge it to engage in good faith negotiations, good faith diplomacy. borisjohnson is still speaking. irate good faith diplomacy. boris johnson is still speaking.— is still speaking. we have to accept the reality that _ is still speaking. we have to accept the reality that involves _ is still speaking. we have to accept the reality that involves shooting . the reality that involves shooting down russian planes, as i said, in an answer to the first question, thatis an answer to the first question, that is a very, very big step and it is simply not on the agenda of any nato country. thank you all very much. thank you.— nato country. thank you all very much. thank you. this concludes the ress much. thank you. this concludes the press conference. _

press conference. studio: a reiteration of what nato nations are prepared and are not prepared to do. borisjohnson saying there was no suggestion that any planes would be shot down by nato forces, any russian planes would be shot down and he said we will not fight russian forces in ukraine. you have the jubgs difference between what nato can do as a huge convoy of russian military vehicles bears down on the ukrainian capital. ukraine says those russian forces are preparing to lay siege to the capital kyiv. russia's defence minister urged citizens in the ukrainian capital in sensitive areas to leave their homes the, warning it

should begin high precision strikes. volodymyr zelenski has asked for international help in closing the skies ore his country as satellite shows a huge convoy of russian vehicles. the areas in red on the map show the parts of ukraine now under russian control, with the fighting in several key cities and regions. hundreds of thousands of people continue to flee to neighbouring countries. the un says more than 660,000 have already left ukraine and there is concern over the potential humanitarian crisis building for those who can't get out. with the latest here is tim muffett and a warning this report contains distressing images. the regional government head quarters in kharkiv, where a russian missile strike caused a huge explosion.

translation: today our enemy has started bombing the city centre and the residential areas. firing with grad systems and cruise missiles. they have hit a building in the central square. they have hit a building in the centralsquare. now they have hit a building in the central square. now we are counting the victims among the civilian population. he has no choice but to commit war crimes. ourarmy population. he has no choice but to commit war crimes. our army is strong and we hold our positions. russia had said the mission does not include the targeting of civilians, but this appears to show civilian bodies being taken from the site. ukraine has filed an application before the un's top international exhort of justice, before the un's top international exhort ofjustice, accusing russia of planning acts of genocide. earlier in ukraine's second city, there were fears that russia had used cluster bombs, according to

military experts. this used cluster bombs, according to military experts.— military experts. this is a residential _ military experts. this is a residential area... - military experts. this is a residential area... ? - military experts. this is a - residential area... ? authorities say shells _ residential area... ? authorities say shells killed _ residential area... ? authorities say shells killed a _ residential area. .. ? authorities say shells killed a number- residential area... ? authorities say shells killed a number of. say shells killed a number of civilians. volodymyr zelenski addressed an emergency session of european parliament. translation: i'm ha- european parliament. translation: i'm happy that _ european parliament. translation: i'm happy that we — european parliament. translation: i'm happy that we have _ european parliament. translation: i'm happy that we have unified, - european parliament. translation: i'm happy that we have unified, all. i'm happy that we have unified, all the countries of eu, but i did not know that this is the price they will have to pay and it is a tragedy for me and a tragedy for every ukrainian and our state. this high price, very high price. thousands of people who were killed. two revolutions, up with war. —— one war. and five days of full—scale invasion. he war. and five days of full-scale invasion. . . , . invasion. he received a standing ovation. compare _ invasion. he received a standing ovation. compare that _ invasion. he received a standing ovation. compare that response| invasion. he received a standing i ovation. compare that response to this. there was a mass walk out from the un's human rights council during a speech by russian foreign

minister, sergey lavrov. during which he seemed to give a new justification for the invasion of ukraine. ., ., justification for the invasion of ukraine. ., ._ . . ukraine. today the danger that volodymyr _ ukraine. today the danger that volodymyr zelenski _ ukraine. today the danger that volodymyr zelenski 's - ukraine. today the danger that volodymyr zelenski 's regime l ukraine. today the danger that - volodymyr zelenski 's regime poses to international security have increased after the authorities based — increased after the authorities based in — increased after the authorities based in kyiv started playing dangerous games linked to acquiring nuctear— dangerous games linked to acquiring nuclear weapons. we must respond to this danger _ nuclear weapons. we must respond to this danger. gn nuclear weapons. we must respond to this dan . er. nuclear weapons. we must respond to this dancer. ., this danger. on the road to the ukrainian capital, _ this danger. on the road to the ukrainian capital, images - this danger. on the road to the ukrainian capital, images show this danger. on the road to the i ukrainian capital, images show a russian convoy longer than first thought, heading to a city shaken by an air strike thought, heading to a city shaken by an airstrike on thought, heading to a city shaken by an air strike on a radar centre. where residents are digging trenches to try and protect their neighbourhood. at least 70 ukrainian soldiers were killed in a russian missile strike on this base on sunday. in the southern ukrainian

port city, russian tanks could be seen on the streets. ukrainian officials say troops have begun an assault on kherson in the south. any hopes russian troops may have had they would be welcomed by ukrainians have long since disappeared. in eastern ukraine, this was how a crowd greeted a russian mill friday vehicle. as tim said, the prosecutors at the international criminal court said he plans to open an investigation into alleged war crimes in ukraine as soon as possible. let's go to our correspondent in the haigh. tell us more about what the icc is saying at this points. t more about what the icc is saying at this oints. ., ., �* , this points. : one of the world's top prosecutors _ this points. : one of the world's top prosecutors at _ this points. : one of the world's top prosecutors at the - this points. : one of the world's - top prosecutors at the international

criminal court said he believes there is sufficient evidence to believe that possible war crimes are being committed in ukraine right now. and in the last few hours actually the last hurdle for him opening an investigation has been removed, because lithuania, which is a member of the icc has asked him to go ahead and conduct an investigation. previously, he would have had to ask for the judges' permission to go ahead. he has already started. he asked his team to start gathering, preserving any evidence of war crimes. we heard from the ukrainian president volodymyr zelenski he has said he believe bes believes war crimes are being committed. things like attacks on civilians and civilian buildings, thing that are nothing to do with military infrastructure. also the use of things like cluster munitions, orvacuum bombs, the use of things like cluster munitions, or vacuum bombs, the type

of weapons that cause indiscriminate injury, because they can't be targeted. we saw in tim's report there the targeting of freedom square in kharkiv. the offer has government building and a concert hall. so these are the types of alleged crimes that they hope to investigate. that means that he believes that these types of crimes may be committed and in intervening he asking all side to refrain from further violence. he asking all side to refrain from furtherviolence. but he asking all side to refrain from further violence. but russia and ukraine, neither of the countries are members of the icc but ukraine has given the iccjurisdiction, russia has not. if it gets to point where russian individuals are indicted by this court on the basis of the evidence, then the kremlin would have to agree to an extradition before anyone could

stand trial and the icc is a court of last resort and gets involved when countries are unwilling or unable to conduct trial and focuses on individual criminal responsibility and they will look at people at the top of the chain of command. people at the top of the chain of command-— people at the top of the chain of command. , . , , ., command. experience tells us, that the ath command. experience tells us, that the path between _ command. experience tells us, that the path between an _ command. experience tells us, that the path between an investigation l the path between an investigation being opened and anyone actually appearing before the icc is a long one isn't it?— one isn't it? absolutely and there are no guarantees _ one isn't it? absolutely and there are no guarantees that _ one isn't it? absolutely and there are no guarantees that this - one isn't it? absolutely and there are no guarantees that this will i are no guarantees that this will happen. but it is a statement too of how serious the prosecutor believes the situation is. another reason for the situation is. another reason for the international community to pay attention to what is happening here. and it also reminds people of the laws which both sides are expected to operate within under the geneva convention and the hague convention

there are certain norms that guide both sides to stay away from civilians, to not target civilian infrastructure, civilian buildings. so it focussed minds and yes these things take a long #250i78. time. it is the use of law as a weapon of war to try to bring about a peaceful resolution. you heard in tim's report there is another case, which ukraine is hoping to bring against russia under the genocide convention. that is a different court, the international court of justice, accusing russia of making false claims about genocide to use that as a pretext for this invasion. thank you very much. as the russian military convoy makes its way to kyiv, ordinary citizens have heeded

the call to take up what arms they can find to defend the city and of course notjust ordinary citizens, but mps. i'm joined course notjust ordinary citizens, but mps. i'mjoined by course notjust ordinary citizens, but mps. i'm joined by a person who became ukraine's youngest mp and is preparing to defend the capital. to security situation did not permit, but ijust wonder, what can you tell us about the situation you find yourself in, security allowing? i don't want you to get too much detail away but tells what is happening around you right now? todayis happening around you right now? today is the preparation of defences for the convoy in mentioned. the point is to protect kyiv in every way to face and destroy whatever versions there were tears. the

skirmishes on the outskirts as russian ties to besiege the city. they are unable to. we are pushing them back time and time again the matter how many trips they throw at us we still capture them and destroy them and keep our city supply from them and keep our city supply from the south and the west. the point here is that in general we are getting ready for the russian attack. we had incursions in the city. we had a major one which we destroyed. russia does not want stop in anyway and shooting. we just had a rocket about ten minutes ago, destroying our biggest town in kyiv and many more seem to be following. i mean, we have some reports today that russia will suit and rocketing the oldest cathedral in kyiv. there was a big announcement deploring that idea issued by ukrainian churches. this is a war that is

full—scale in every direction, in every way. this is by no means an operation. it is unimaginable because this is thousand kilometres from the black sea and we are fighting at every single point because our nation wants freedom. i want to bring back to something you decide a moment ago and it is something i had an interview former national security adviser to ukraine. you said that you thought this huge convoy heading towards the capital, the plan is for it to lay siege to kyiv, to surround, to encircle the city. do you believe, have any intelligence that that is what the planners?— have any intelligence that that is what the planners? yes. it is very much the plan — what the planners? yes. it is very much the plan because _ what the planners? yes. it is very much the plan because they - what the planners? yes. it is very much the plan because they are l much the plan because they are trying to do it. they went through the chernobyl exclusion zone and took over the nuclear power plant in chernobyl and created the rest of

the whole of europe by destroying the whole of europe by destroying the infrastructure. they also are going from the eastern border and basically trying to block as off in the east of kyiv and they've been making different airborne incursions all over the place around kyiv and thankfully, our people are beating them back. i'mjust thankfully, our people are beating them back. i'm just listening to the sound of people just arming themselves with hunting rifles to push away the invader there. where are ou push away the invader there. where are you and — push away the invader there. where are you and the _ push away the invader there. where are you and the rest _ push away the invader there. where are you and the rest of _ push away the invader there. where are you and the rest of the - are you and the rest of the ukrainian people who have stayed to defend, whether it is kyiv other parts of the country, you are and have been widely praised showing bravery against odds which are stacked against you in terms of the sheer amount of equipment that russia has at its disposal. are you

finding your courage from? the reality is. _ finding your courage from? the reality is, this _ finding your courage from? the reality is, this for _ finding your courage from? tue: reality is, this for a country finding your courage from? “tt9 reality is, this for a country is whether we want to exist or not. and we look at the previous generation. my we look at the previous generation. my great grandfather who went through the stair second world war all the way to europe. my great grandmother lives to a genocide with stalin. we see this as our challenge, our test of our nation. we are going to pass that test as they passed theirs and continue our nation moving forward. i had they passed theirs and continue our nation moving forward.— nation moving forward. i had an interview a _ nation moving forward. i had an interview a few _ nation moving forward. i had an interview a few days _ nation moving forward. i had an interview a few days ago - nation moving forward. i had an interview a few days ago was i nation moving forward. i had an. interview a few days ago was one nation moving forward. i had an - interview a few days ago was one of my colleagues at the bbc and talking about the gun you are carrying and you said something along the lines well, when you are fighting to survive you learn how to this equipment pretty quickly. have you literallyjust equipment pretty quickly. have you literally just learned equipment pretty quickly. have you literallyjust learned in the last few days how to handle that gun or perhaps you had some experience before that? had perhaps you had some experience before that?—

before that? had very little but also, in schools _ before that? had very little but also, in schools in _ before that? had very little but also, in schools in ukraine - before that? had very little but also, in schools in ukraine we i before that? had very little but i also, in schools in ukraine we are trained how to handle basic weapons in case of mobilisation or anything else. the point is it was useless, talking with soldiers who are actually experienced in the last eight years of fighting in the east and the point here is that they have those skills that they're willing to give up to anybody and i am very much from benefiting from the fact that i'm with many soldiers and a mighty man of soldiers as well her teaching me how to handle the weapon in a way we can actually give you a chance to survive this ordeal. taste chance to survive this ordeal. we have heard some suggestions that russia might be trying to use vacuum bombs, thermo barrick munitions which are banned, have you heard or seen anything to suggest that is the case. yes. the russians have been using various ammunitions and the

point as it is difficult to make out what is coming in. what will be dropped on ukraine and where it is heading. the reality is the shade using everything it has an ukraine because putin has been consistent and clear. it does not see us as a nation. it does not see is as a state and he wants to destroy it. time and time again, over the last 20 years he said it and now i'm glad the word is standing with us to truly face it. thank you. ukraine's youngest mp just a few years ago telling me in the last few minutes that he thinks that the russian plan is to lay siege to the ukrainian capitalfor is to lay siege to the ukrainian capital for that is to lay siege to the ukrainian capitalfor that huge is to lay siege to the ukrainian capital for that huge armoured column of tanks and armoured vehicles to surround the city and lay siege to it. '5 foreign minister

has told the un conference on disarmament in geneva that it is time for us nuclear weapons in europe to go home. in a pre—recorded message she also to offer a new justification for russia's invasion of ukraine saying it is to prevent you from acquiring its own nuclear weapons. many ambassadors from the uk, germany, australia, canada and america as well as the eu, walked out when he began to speak. we can go now to moscow here from our correspondence there. i just want to bring about something you are telling me a couple of hours ago. you are hearing some details about apparently further talks between representatives of russia and ukraine. potentially happening sometime in the next 24—hour is. can you tell us any more about that? i you tell us any more about that? i don't have more details, i am afraid. it looks as though talks are potentially scheduled for tomorrow. we will have to see what comes of

that. in the meantime we have had some updates. moscow is saying to citizens of kyiv to leave areas where there are military communicational technology installations because they intend to strike them. that is a direct warning to citizens of kyiv from moscow. the defence ministry is also saying that russian forces have now taken control of the entire coastline so that ukraine has now no access to that coastline. that is not something, of course, i can verify from here. it is this what we have been told by the defence ministry much earlier said they fully expected to be encircling one area by the end of the day. the kremlin are denying allegations that russian troops are targeting civilians infrastructure and denying to that they have been using cluster

bombs are vacuum bombs saying that the accusations they may have been doing so are hoaxes. a defiant stance and you had, sergei love rough talking earlier, making demands of the west and telling you european countries to host american weapons on their soil to hand them back to america which gives us a sense, of course, of the broader ambitions behind russia's or vladimir putin's wore in ukraine. it vladimir putin's wore in ukraine. it is not the first time russia has made those demands. well before this current conflict in ukraine happen. to your mind, jenny, does that say that the kremlin are still sounding pretty confident, pretty robust about what it is doing in ukraine rather than trying to justify the action? t

rather than trying to 'ustify the action? ~ �* , rather than trying to 'ustify the action? ~' �*, , :, , action? i think the kremlin's stands siml has action? i think the kremlin's stands simply has not _ action? i think the kremlin's stands simply has not shifted. _ action? i think the kremlin's stands simply has not shifted. we - action? i think the kremlin's stands simply has not shifted. we know i simply has not shifted. we know because they have told us so, that, whilst they have a desire to see the situation in ukraine resolved, they say it can only be resolved, in effect, if russia's demands are met and those demands that ukraine is demilitarise. it is aware that they use a lot and that ukraine is established as a neutral country. we know that vladimir putin sees ukraine as a territory which he would like to see being brought under russian control. and, in addition to that, only if crimea, which russia annexed in 2014, is recognised as russian. these demands are there. actually the one about crimea is relatively new. we only heard that from the kremlin yesterday. although perhaps it is not surprising, given putin's general ambitions, as we are aware of them in the region. but the

kremlin does not seem to be budging so it is going to be very interesting to see these peace talks do go ahead tomorrow because my understanding is that the ukrainian side have said they are only going to attend peace talks if there is a chance that russia turns up with something other than ultimatum so if they do go ahead tomorrow it is going to be very interesting to see whether russia is prepared to give any ground. my suspicion, looking at all the messaging coming out of the kremlin thus far, is not.— kremlin thus far, is not. thank you very much- — kremlin thus far, is not. thank you very much. let's _ kremlin thus far, is not. thank you very much. let's talk _ kremlin thus far, is not. thank you very much. let's talk about - kremlin thus far, is not. thank you very much. let's talk about the i very much. let's talk about the refugee situation because the united nations says more than 660,000 people have left ukraine since the russians invaded six days ago. most are women and children. neighbouring poland has taken in close to a00000 and there are reports of people waiting for up 60 hours in freezing temperatures to cross the border. elsewhere there are queues of

traffic at the frontier with romania 20 kilometres long and 100,000 people across the border into hungary by the end of today from where our eastern europe correspondent nick thorpe reports. life is a puzzle for the children of ukraine. one day you're living happily at home. the next, you wake up in a sports hall in a strange country. what have these kids left behind, and what lies ahead of them? one group of refugees continues their journey. plenty more are on the way. the humanitarian effort at each border crossing is run by a different aid group. here at beregsurany, it is the maltese charity service. we have people who are staying two days, three days perhaps, because they have no clue how to go home. i mean, they are happy to flee from ukraine and now that they are here in hungary, they have no options or plans for a new life.

we were checking out which border to cross for probably two or three days because we have friends who were trying to cross the polish border and it took them 35 hours to cross. as people cross the border into hungary, they are picked up by minibus and brought here, to the village hall. this local man volunteered because he speaks several languages. the infrastructure is expanding by the hour. the great step forward is that people ask where you want to go and help organise transport to take you there. it is an amazing logistical effort. nick thorpe, bbc news, beregsurany. people of colour fleeing the country

have complained about facing discrimination and borders by ukrainian forces. somebody is appearing to show discrimination went viral online. the bbc has obtained other similar videos as well as testimony from non—ukrainian refugees that they were prevented from catching buses and trains going to the border. the ukrainian border of us did not respond to the bbc�*s request for a comment. a man says they are not allowing black people to cross into safety. and in this video, it appears to show non—white people being prevented from going to the border. people push and yell as black people are left stranded at a train

station. we also obtained this video from iranians living in ukraine. in one of them, they are told to collect rubbish from the border to be allowed to continue theirjourney as more and more people flee to safety in poland. the stories of prejudice grow. over the past few days, here at the border, i met many non—ukrainians who shared stories of facing discrimination as they tried to flee. some said they were not so train tickets and other said they were pushed back to the end of the queue. but they did not want to be filmed, as they hope to go back to ukraine one day and pick up their lives. taste ukraine one day and pick up their lives. ~ lives. we were tired, we were hunt , lives. we were tired, we were hungry. we — lives. we were tired, we were hungry. we had _ lives. we were tired, we were hungry, we had not— lives. we were tired, we were hungry, we had not slept i lives. we were tired, we were hungry, we had not slept for i lives. we were tired, we were i hungry, we had not slept for two days because of all of this and, you know, we were just angry about it and everything, because why would they take ukrainians out first and

leave us in the country. it was cold, it was dark, it was just so chaotic. they are treating us like animals telling us to sit down, stand up, pushing us, firing guns in the airto scare stand up, pushing us, firing guns in the air to scare us and all sorts. what kind of people did that? anyone who is not ukrainian. _ what kind of people did that? anyone who is not ukrainian. this _ what kind of people did that? anyone who is not ukrainian. this man - what kind of people did that? anyone who is not ukrainian. this man from | who is not ukrainian. this man from india tells who is not ukrainian. this man from india tells me _ who is not ukrainian. this man from india tells me that _ who is not ukrainian. this man from india tells me that ukrainian - india tells me that ukrainian soldiers pushed him with the gun butts. , , :,: soldiers pushed him with the gun butts. , , y butts. push gun in my face. my friend face. _ butts. push gun in my face. my friend face. no _ butts. push gun in my face. my friend face. no behaviour- butts. push gun in my face. my| friend face. no behaviour good. butts. push gun in my face. my i friend face. no behaviour good. we contacted the border force about these allegations but have not received a response. ukraine has been home to tens of thousands of foreign students seeking an education. many here tell me they have experienced racism before. but, as this war continues, people of colour here fear it will only get worse. and joining me now in the

studio is the head of consultancies at the lenny henry sent centre for diversity who has penned an open letter in the coverage of the conflict. he is the author of the book black british lives matter. . the overriding theme is pleased that issues of antiracism also be a victim of this war? tell us what you mean about that. i victim of this war? tell us what you mean about that.— mean about that. i think that journalists. _ mean about that. i think that journalists, news _ mean about that. i think that journalists, news editors i mean about that. i think that i journalists, news editors every day need to make decisions as to the global importance in strategic importance of a conflict. you have to. whether you are going to do one concept, cover one conflict more than another. that is only natural. however, what we are increasingly seeing in ourjournalism, time and time again, people are valuing the victims of the ukrainian commentators if they are more worthy of our sympathy than the victim of

other conflict. now, the victims, all life should equal the same. you know, the victims that are dying in all parts of the world to come in conflicts all over the globe, should be exactly the same. so we should not confuse the strategic importance and global importance of award by the need to journalists and we have to make those difficult news judgments as journalists, we are then conflating that with the sympathy we should have for the victims. :, , ::, : :, , sympathy we should have for the victims. :, , : , victims. now, this conflict has been ha enin: victims. now, this conflict has been happening for _ victims. now, this conflict has been happening for six — victims. now, this conflict has been happening for six days _ victims. now, this conflict has been happening for six days now - victims. now, this conflict has been happening for six days now and i i happening for six days now and i know that, over that time, the bbc, let's talk about ourselves, suddenly we were getting these reports that people of colour, people who are not white were being told, handled differently, treated for the at the border in some circumstances. we began investigating and reporting on that so we have done ourjob but are you saying that has not been the case across the board in the media? you might know, i am saying the bbc

has not done itsjob. i don't think any broadcaster can cover itself in glory when it comes to this. we had one of your. even though we have been reporting on the situation. you like that is equivalent to saying even though i have not made of these people, let's not look at people i have made it. justjob does not mean that that means you should not have a look at ways that do you have for just because you have done good reporting on african refugees does not mean that we don't elsewhere when you've talked about black people or you had one of your own presenters on twitter penned an apology for not following up on one of your contributors talking about how he should have more sympathy because the victims were blonde and blue—eyed. and the very fact that one of your presenters is apologising on twitter should not be forgotten about, right? because you

are covering another aspect when it comes to race. i don't think anyone it should be forgotten about. but what i'm saying is that we have been investigating this and ijust wonder, you know, reflecting on our coverage of afghanistan, when the taliban took control again, and the amount of coverage that we gave to that, it is commensurate to the amount of coverage that we are giving here in ukraine as well. just looking at camino, different sets of circumstances but circumstances in which people are being forced to leave the home that they have known for most of their lives.— for most of their lives. absolutely. but it is for most of their lives. absolutely. ltut it is the _ for most of their lives. absolutely. but it is the language _ for most of their lives. absolutely. but it is the language of _ for most of their lives. absolutely. but it is the language of the i for most of their lives. absolutely. but it is the language of the bed i l but it is the language of the bed i want to single out the bbc but i did not came on to talk about the bbc for came on to talk about the generaljournalistic coverage. the generaljournalistic coverage. the generaljournalistic coverage as of people saying these are relatively civilised europeans when they are referencing ukrainian victims. you know, as if somehow they are different from other conflicts. we've had people talk about, we

should have sympathy because they are blond and blue—eyed. we have had sympathy that this is not a third world country despite the fact, is that this makes a slightly different, despite the fact that if you look at the gdp per capital of ukraine, it falls well below jamaica, namibia, laboured on and nobody ever says, there are people like us, when they are referring to african countries and then refer to the gdp of that country. these are dog whistles. the gdp of that country. these are dog whistles-— the gdp of that country. these are dog whistles. you want the media, broadl , dog whistles. you want the media, broadly. to — dog whistles. you want the media, broadly, to talk _ dog whistles. you want the media, broadly, to talk about _ dog whistles. you want the media, broadly, to talk about the - broadly, to talk about the significance of this in the context of the fact that we have a global superpower, russia, and the impact that this conflict could have for the rest of the world? element where we have sympathy for the victims and we have sympathy for the victims and we have sympathy for the victims and we have to have sympathy for the victims, right? we don't have undue sympathy for the ukrainian victims more so than other conflict. the victims of all wars are absolutely terrible and we need to have sympathy for the victims of all the words. and we should not conflate that sympathy, whether we should have more or less for those victims

because of the actual conflict may because of the actual conflict may be more or less important journalistically. thank you so much for talking to us. over the weekend, president putin put russia prospect nuclear forces on special alert. the move caused alarm in many european capitals and in washington but the white house as it does not plan to change its own alert level then response. the mac no desire for conflict with russia. and we think provocative rhetoric like this, regarding nuclear weapons, is dangerous, adds to the risk of miscalculation, should be avoided and will not indulge in it. we are assessing president putin's directive and at the time we see no reason to change our own alert levels. a white house spokesperson the foot of the white house has ruled out the possibility of a no—fly zone over ukrainian airspace over views the view it as an act of war. someone who can explain what this all means is the former cia officer who now works for the

atlantic council in washington. let's begin, thank you forjoining us. let's begin with that issue of space. obviously there is a great deal of concern on the part of the west, not to take any action that could be seen as an escalation when nuclear weapons are in the conversation.— conversation. yes, that is absolutely _ conversation. yes, that is absolutely right. - conversation. yes, that is absolutely right. i - conversation. yes, that is absolutely right. i think. conversation. yes, that is i absolutely right. i think the conversation. yes, that is - absolutely right. i think the biden administration and nato allies have tried to strike this balance between providing the support ukrainians need to defend themselves but not taking actions that would be so provocative and is glittery to russia that it could lead to a direct nato russia war and so i think something like a no—fly zone would probably be too risky from the point of view of the white house and its nato allies. d0 point of view of the white house and its nato allies.— its nato allies. do you think though that nato and _ its nato allies. do you think though that nato and western _ its nato allies. do you think though| that nato and western governments feel curtailed because of this? they

may have a desire to do more to help but they know that russia is prepared to do things that they are not prepared to in terms of, i'm not talking about nuclear power here, by the way, but other military action. so that poses lots of questions for nato, doesn't it? lots of questions for the white house and other western governments about the diplomacy that they would use that as a country and the personality of vladimir putin who is prepared to think what might be unthinkable to others. , :, , :, :, :, others. yes. putin does have lavage in this crisis. _ others. yes. putin does have lavage in this crisis, given _ others. yes. putin does have lavage in this crisis, given his _ in this crisis, given his willingness to use direct military force to back that force up with threats of nuclear war. and this is russia's military strategy. ifor one was not surprised to see these nuclear threats, one was not surprised to see these nuclearthreats, it one was not surprised to see these nuclear threats, it is a russian strategy to backstop aggression with nuclear threats. the united states and nato have said they had taken military options, direct military options off the table which makes

sense given their desire to avoid escalation but it does limit their options. a no—fly zone, for example, it sounds nice and would be nice if we could eliminate russian planes from the sky but in practice, what that means is that if russian plane does fly over ukraine to enforce the no—fly zone we would have to shoot those planes down and so, that would be a direct military action against russia and would raise these risks of escalation. russia and would raise these risks of escalation-— russia and would raise these risks of escalation. thank you very much for our of escalation. thank you very much for yourtime- _ of escalation. thank you very much for your time. let _ of escalation. thank you very much for your time. let me _ of escalation. thank you very much for your time. let me just - of escalation. thank you very much for your time. let me just tell i of escalation. thank you very much for your time. let me just tell you | for your time. let me just tell you that the world athletics federation has banned russian athletes from competition any further action from the world of sport amongst others to isolate russia. you are watching bbc news.

such an extensive much of the country but in southern areas it is a different story. a great picture of a head and outbreaks of rain. the cloud responsible for that on the satellite imagery, sitting across southern areas as we go through the afternoon. north of it, though, the clear skies remain. we can see further outbreaks of rain to the west of the day which will turn heavier and more persistent but her do with my particular bid to the far south—west. temperatures, as we head into the evening, much of a muchness. around 5—8 across most areas the best temperatures in the north of the clear skies will drop quite quickly as we go into tonight. one to mist or fog patches. quite quickly as we go into tonight. one to mist orfog patches. plenty of cloud, they will come of england and wales which will work northwards. temperatures here barely change as we go through the night into the morning but parts of northern ireland, scotland, northern ireland, frost demand and it could get as low as —70 parts of

aberdeenshire. on wednesday, there is weather fronts from the south today pushed away northwards. mainly across the western have the country put up a lovely bright start on wednesday. scotland in the finals in england, parts of northern england. cloudier elsewhere. grey and fairly damp and murky days across england and wales and by the end of the day southern scotland. rain, drizzle, coming and going and misty over the that of the best of the sunshine continues centrally. mild in south, chilly day in the north especially with strengthening winds. it remains drizzly to the evening. a milder start but another where the front just edging its way slowly in across western districts first thing on thursday morning. it does look like it will shift its way eastwards. brightening up across these western areas later in the day. breezy in the east. the big question is where

that by the front will lift. basically in between two areas of high pressure as bc. the weather front is start in the middle between them. that will gradually decay as high pressure built around a bit start underneath will see remnants of that when a front so will stay fairly cloudy at times into the weekend.

this is bbc news with the latest on the war in ukraine. russian forces close in on kyiv — this a0 mile long military convoy is heading for the capital — the ukrainian president warns the kremlin wants to cut the city off completely. translation: kharkiv and kyiv are the most important targets for russia now, the terror is aimed at breaking us, breaking our resistance. officials in kharkiv say the russians have attacked the city centre with rockets and cruise missiles targeting civilians. the high commissioner said yesterday that russia's attacks killed at least 100 civilians, including children, and wounded hundreds more and said she expects the real figures are much higher and the casualties keep mounting.

western delegates walk out of a un meeting in geneva as russia tries to defend its actions and denies carrying out war crimes. the humanitarian cost of russia's invasion continues to mount — the un says more than 650,000 refugees have fled ukraine in the last five days. welcome to bbc news. ukraine says russian forces are preparing to lay siege to the capital kyiv, blocking access to food, water, power and other essential supplies. russia's defence minister has urged citizens to close to what it called "militarily sensitive areas" to leave their homes, warning it would shortly begin, what it called "high precision strikes". ukraine's president has again asked

for international help in closing the skies over his country, as satellite pictures show a huge russian convoy of tanks and armoured vehicles just outside kyiv. the areas in red here, show the parts of ukraine now under russian control, with the fighting highlighted in several key cities and regions. meanwhile hundreds of thousands of people, continue to flee to neighbouring countries. the un says, more than 660,000 have already left. here are some of the latest pictures. this is kyiv�*s largest tv mastjust hit in the latest strike. you can see that large plume of smoke, as the russians continue to target various parts of the ukraine's infrastructure and the infrastructure in the capital. let's cross to kyiv now

and our chief international correspondent lyse doucet. everyone in the capital must know this russian convoy is on the the outskirts of city, what is it like now? , :, outskirts of city, what is it like now? ~ :, , :, , now? everyone knows about this convo . i now? everyone knows about this convoy. i think— now? everyone knows about this convoy. i think these _ now? everyone knows about this convoy. i think these are - now? everyone knows about this convoy. i think these are imagesj convoy. i think these are images which have gone right around the world, that they were made available in stark black and grey. the movement of this huge convoy, inching its way toward the ukrainian capital. it is only moving very slowly, but it seems that it is on its way here and the big question is how soon will it come to the edge of the city? but this is the sixth day of russia's invasion and we see not just that convoy, but as you mentioned, there has been the attack close to the tv tower and this very, very warning, this serious warning from the russian defence minister that people should move from two key

security installations, both people who work in those buildings, but also people in the surrounding area. you can sense the mounting anxiety with foreigners and ukrainians, saying should we leave and if we leave is it more dangerous on the roads, maybe we should stay underground. these are questions not just being asked in kyiv, but in kharkiv, in the second largest city n mariupol, as russian forces advance and attack. just look at the latest developments. we have a report from tim muffett, but i must warn you some of the images may be distressing. the warn you some of the images may be distressina. :, :, ,:, distressing. the regional government headquarters — distressing. the regional government headquarters in _ distressing. the regional government headquarters in kharkiv. _ distressing. the regional government headquarters in kharkiv. where i distressing. the regional government headquarters in kharkiv. where a i headquarters in kharkiv. where a russian missile strike caused a huge explosion. russian missile strike caused a huge exlosion. : ,, : russian missile strike caused a huge exlosion. : ,, ~ :, :,

explosion. translation: today, our enem has explosion. translation: today, our enemy has started _ explosion. translation: today, our enemy has started bombing - explosion. translation: today, our enemy has started bombing the i explosion. translation: today, our. enemy has started bombing the centre of kharkiv and the residential areas. firing with grad systems and cruise missile, they hit a building in the central square. now we are counting the victims among the civilian population. he has no choice but to commit war crimes. our army is strong and we hold our positions. army is strong and we hold our positions-— army is strong and we hold our ositions. , , :, , , :, positions. russia said the mission does not include _ positions. russia said the mission does not include targeting - does not include targeting civilians. the ukraine has timed an application before the un's court of justice, accusing russia of planning acts of genocide. earlier in ukraine's second city, there were fears that russia had used cluster bombs. , , :, , :, :, :, bombs. this is a residential area, with no military _ bombs. this is a residential area, with no military objects... - with no military objects... authorities say shells hit

residential buildings, killing a number of civilians. volodymyr zelenskiy today addressed the european parliament. translation: i'm ha- european parliament. translation: l'm happy we — european parliament. translation: l'm happy we have — european parliament. translation: i'm happy we have unified _ european parliament. translation: i'm happy we have unified you, i european parliament. translation: i'm happy we have unified you, all. i'm happy we have unified you, all the countries of the eu, but i did not know that this is the price that it will have to pay and it is a tragedy for me, for every ukrainian and for our state and i mean this high price, very high price. thousands of people who were killed. two revolutions, one war. and five days of full—scale invasion. ihe days of full-scale invasion. he received a _ days of full—scale invasion. he received a standing ovation. compare that response to this. there was a mass walk out from the un human rights council, during a speech by russian foreign minister, sergey lavrov, during which he seemed to give a newjustification for the invasion. give a new 'ustification for the invasion. : ,, : give a new 'ustification for the invasion. : ,, ~ :,

invasion. translation: today the dancer invasion. translation: today the dan . er that invasion. translation: today the danger that volodymyr _ invasion. translation: today the danger that volodymyr zelenskiy's| danger that volodymyr zelenskiy's poses to international security have increased significantly after the increased significa ntly after the authorities increased significantly after the authorities based in kyiv started playing dangerous games linked to plans to acquire their own nuclear weapons. we cannot but respond to this real danger. fin weapons. we cannot but respond to this real danger.— this real danger. on the road to the ukrainian capital, _ this real danger. on the road to the ukrainian capital, satellite - this real danger. on the road to the ukrainian capital, satellite images i ukrainian capital, satellite images show a russian military convoy, far longer than first thought. heading towards a city that russia has said it will attack with precision strikes. this afternoon smoke could be seen rising close to the tv tower in the capital. at least 70 ukrainian soldiers were killed on a strike on this base west of kharkiv on sunday according to authorities. in the southern ukrainian port city of, russian tanks could be seen on the streets. ukrainian officials say russian troops have begun an assault

on kherson in russian troops may have had that they would be welcomed by ukrainians have long since disappeared. in the east, this was how a crowd greeting a russian military vehicle. we have heard that volodymyr zelenskiy said russia was committing war crimes. the us secretary of state antony blinken has told the un human rights council that russian "crimes" in ukraine are "mounting by the hour", with strikes hitting hospitals, schools and residential buildings. mr blinken made his statement via video link. vladimir putin should stop this unprovoked attack. and immediately withdraw russian forces from ukraine. we must condemn firmly and

unequivocally russia's attempt to topple a democratically elected government and its violations of international humanitarian law and we must take steps to hold the perpetrators accountable. this decision to hold a debate on ukraine is an important step towards ensuring documentation and accountability and i thank the members who supported it. we must underscore russia's obligations even in its unlawful invasion to respect international law, including as it relates to the protection of civilians in the connibgt. == civilians in the connibgt. -- conflict- — civilians in the connibgt. -- conflict. we _ civilians in the connibgt. -- conflict. we are _ civilians in the connibgt. —— conflict. we are having to report underground. that is the life now for so many ukrainians and foreigners across this country, every time the air—raid siren sounds, people take to shelters and some live in this underground world, because of the risks in the world

outside. we'rejoined now by rabbi moshe moskovitz and his wife who are in a bunker that's a0 kilometres from russian border. thank you very much forjoining us, here on bbc news. thank you very much for 'oining us, here on bbc news._ thank you very much for 'oining us, here on bbc news.i tell| thank you very much for 'oining us, i here on bbc news.i tell me here on bbc news. thank you. tell me what the situation _ here on bbc news. thank you. tell me what the situation is _ here on bbc news. thank you. tell me what the situation is like _ here on bbc news. thank you. tell me what the situation is like for _ here on bbc news. thank you. tell me what the situation is like for you - what the situation is like for you and yourfamily what the situation is like for you and your family and those around you. and your family and those around ou. , :, and your family and those around ou. ,:,,::_ and your family and those around ou. :, you. ok, so we basically came to kharkiv 1990, — you. ok, so we basically came to kharkiv 1990, sent _ you. ok, so we basically came to kharkiv 1990, sent by _ you. ok, so we basically came to kharkiv 1990, sent by the - you. ok, so we basically came to kharkiv1990, sent by the jewish | kharkiv1990, sent by the jewish nation and we kharkiv1990, sent by thejewish nation and we came here to kharkiv1990, sent by the jewish nation and we came here to the kharkiv1990, sent by thejewish nation and we came here to the end of the soviet union. we were able to build a beautiful communities like in kharkiv and the same all over the ukraine. we were able to build these communities. now we are facing a war. so basically as of tuesday

morning, we heard the bombing started in the city of kharkiv. right away we went to the he synagogue and started to help people. many are leaving the synagogue. yesterday we were able to be outside until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, today to 4 o'clock. we are trying to against the clock to help as many people as possible. on one hand we try to give them food and medicines, on the other to try to give them hope, faith and happiness in these hard times that we are living in. haifa happiness in these hard times that we are living in.— we are living in. how close are russian troops _ we are living in. how close are russian troops to _ we are living in. how close are russian troops to where i we are living in. how close are| russian troops to where you're living? russian troops to where you're livin.? , russian troops to where you're livin? y, , a, russian troops to where you're livinu? , a, ,, living? basically, on sunday morning. —

living? basically, on sunday morning, there _ living? basically, on sunday morning, there was - living? basically, on sunday morning, there was a - living? basically, on sunday morning, there was a whole living? basically, on sunday - morning, there was a whole time the bombings— morning, there was a whole time the bombings were happening outside the city and _ bombings were happening outside the city and on _ bombings were happening outside the city and on sunday morning, they actually— city and on sunday morning, they actually entered the city. so there was tanks — actually entered the city. so there was tanks around and shooting. so everyone _ was tanks around and shooting. so everyone had to stay in lockdown, everyone — everyone had to stay in lockdown, everyone was in their house. a russian — everyone was in their house. a russian tank was actually, was actually— russian tank was actually, was actually whatever. .. russian tank was actually, was actually whatever... not too far away _ actually whatever... not too far away from _ actually whatever... not too far away from the synagogue. by the sunday— away from the synagogue. by the sunday afternoon, around 5.30, although — sunday afternoon, around 5.30, although the russian forces had left, we — although the russian forces had left, we had a quiet night and but then the — left, we had a quiet night and but then the next day started grad rockets — then the next day started grad rockets and this kind of rockets i don't _ rockets and this kind of rockets i don't know — rockets and this kind of rockets i don't know the names of all over the city. don't know the names of all over the city~ last— don't know the names of all over the city. last night was again quiet. we were _ city. last night was again quiet. we were actually planning to try and -et were actually planning to try and get food — were actually planning to try and get food for everybody this morning at 8 o'clock in the morning i was hoping _ at 8 o'clock in the morning i was hoping to— at 8 o'clock in the morning i was hoping to get to the supermarket and -et hoping to get to the supermarket and get food _ hoping to get to the supermarket and get food. at 8 o'clock in the nrorning. _ get food. at 8 o'clock in the morning, we heard the intense bombing — morning, we heard the intense bombing right here in the city and probably— bombing right here in the city and probably the pictures that you're

seeing _ probably the pictures that you're seeing of— probably the pictures that you're seeing of the main buildings, the government building in the main square _ government building in the main square in — government building in the main square in kharkov. so government building in the main square in kharkov.— government building in the main square in kharkov. so does this mean it is 'ust square in kharkov. so does this mean it isiust you're _ square in kharkov. so does this mean it is just you're stuck _ square in kharkov. so does this mean it is just you're stuck there, _ square in kharkov. so does this mean it is just you're stuck there, it - square in kharkov. so does this mean it is just you're stuck there, it is - it is just you're stuck there, it is too dangerous to try to leave, to flee to a safer place? if that is what you would prefer to do? well, we can leave. _ what you would prefer to do? well, we can leave, we _ what you would prefer to do? well, we can leave, we are _ what you would prefer to do? well, we can leave, we are able - what you would prefer to do? well, we can leave, we are able to - what you would prefer to do? vii we can leave, we are able to leave from the beginning to a safer place. we could probably leave now. but as a spiritual leader of the community and the way the has been rabbi send us to the community, we will stay as long as we can. you know it is easy for me just with my wife to go and be in a safer place. but we have to make sure the older people, the people who need help should be able to find help and spiritually help and material help they should be able to find. we look at this as a

boat and maybe the boat is shake and maybe is sinking and the captain is the one who leaves the last. we are trying to manage with the boat and with my family we are here and we hope we will be able to help as many people as possible. our message is we as a rabbi in a community we are not involved in any political issues, we try to tell everybody we have to fight darkness with light, try to do something to try to help the person next to you, try to pray more and eventually we will make our world a better place. as nobody expected this attack or this war. people were talking about but no one was ready. we will not panic, to try to help yourself, the community will try to help you and you should act on faith and light around the world.

those are lofty principles and the ukrainians we speak to in kyiv are searching for that optimism and that sense that something good will eventually prevail in this very dark time. tell me how big is your community there, the community that you're part of? irate community there, the community that you're part of?— you're part of? we have 25,000 jews in you're part of? we have 25,0001ews in kharkow — you're part of? we have 25,0001ews in kharkov. spread _ you're part of? we have 25,0001ews in kharkov. spread all— you're part of? we have 25,0001ews in kharkov. spread all over— you're part of? we have 25,0001ews in kharkov. spread all over the - in kharkov. spread all over the place _ in kharkov. spread all over the place we — in kharkov. spread all over the place we have... we have messages from _ place we have... we have messages from thousands of them for help. i have _ from thousands of them for help. i have messages of, please help me, my 90-year-old _ have messages of, please help me, my 90—year—old father is stuck and he can't _ 90—year—old father is stuck and he can't nrove — 90—year—old father is stuck and he can't nrove i— 90—year—old father is stuck and he can't move. i have a lady who blind and can't _ can't move. i have a lady who blind and can't get — can't move. i have a lady who blind and can't get out of our house. we managed _ and can't get out of our house. we managed to— and can't get out of our house. we managed to get a few packages out. we had _ managed to get a few packages out. we had very brave drivers who would risk their— we had very brave drivers who would risk their lives to take food for other— risk their lives to take food for other people. i want to also share with my— other people. i want to also share with my husband's message that we feel that _ with my husband's message that we feel that the whole world is... is

caring _ feel that the whole world is... is caring about us and worried about the situation over here. we are extremely— the situation over here. we are extremely touched and we want to take tike _ extremely touched and we want to take like you said, something good shoutd _ take like you said, something good should come out of this madness that every— should come out of this madness that every person have decided to do some iletter— every person have decided to do some better deed, be nicerto their neighbour, make the world a better place _ neighbour, make the world a better place and _ neighbour, make the world a better place and what is happening now is not what _ place and what is happening now is not what people are about. we should become _ not what people are about. we should become good, each one in our own way and through— become good, each one in our own way and through being a better person, caring _ and through being a better person, caring for— and through being a better person, caring for your neighbour, we can learn _ caring for your neighbour, we can learn from — caring for your neighbour, we can learn from this terrible story that we have — learn from this terrible story that we have to — learn from this terrible story that we have to be strong and make the world _ we have to be strong and make the world better. we have to be strong and make the world better-— world better. thank you to both of ou for world better. thank you to both of you for sharing — world better. thank you to both of you for sharing such _ world better. thank you to both of you for sharing such a _ world better. thank you to both of you for sharing such a positive - you for sharing such a positive message at such an anxious time for so many across ukraine and indeed this a story as you know from your messages that is reverberating across the world. we wish you to

stay safe. asnap a snap snot a snapshot of one community in the ukraine. we have reported about indian students about african students, now we heard about a strong jewish community under fire, but still determined to stay and we see much of that determination among ukrainians, they want to continue to stay in their country, even though we have seen thousands are leaving by the day. we will continue to follow all the developments from here, but back to you in london. thank you and let's continue with that final thought. thousands of ukrainians are trying to escape the fighting, with many seeking safety in a number

of countries to the west. the un says, more than 660,000 people have left ukraine since the russian invasion began. most of the refugees are women and children. neighbouring poland has taken in close to a00,000, and there are reports of people waiting for up 60 hours in freezing temperatures, to cross the border. elsewhere, there are queues of traffic at the frontier with romania, 20 kilometres long. 100,000 people will have crossed the border into hungary, by the end of today, from where our eastern europe correspondent nick thorpe has this report. life is a puzzle for the children of ukraine. one day you're living happily at home. the next you wake up happily at home. the next you wake up in a sports hall in strange country. what have these kids left behind and what lies ahead of them? one group of refugees continues theirjourney. plenty more are on theirjourney. plenty more are on the way. the humanitarian effort at each border crossing is run by a

different aid group. here it is the maltese charity service. we different aid group. here it is the maltese charity service.— maltese charity service. we have --eole maltese charity service. we have people who _ maltese charity service. we have people who are _ maltese charity service. we have people who are staying - maltese charity service. we have people who are staying two - maltese charity service. we have | people who are staying two days, three days perhaps, because they have no clue how to go home. i mean they're happy to flee from ukraine and now that they're here in hungary, they have no... you know options or plans for a new life. we were checking out which board rder to cross _ were checking out which board rder to cross for — were checking out which board rder to cross for two or three days. as people to cross for two or three days. people cross to cross for two or three days. is people cross the border to cross for two or three days. 23 people cross the border into to cross for two or three days. 2.3 people cross the border into hungary they're picked up and brought to the village hall. this local man volunteered, because he speaks several languages. the infrastructure is expanding by the hour. the great step forward is that people ask where you want to go and

help organise transport to take you there. it is an amazing effort. let's speak to a guest in odesa. thank you so much for being with us. tell me a little more about what it is like and as i finish that question, i gather the line has dropped out to odesa. apologies for that. let mejust dropped out to odesa. apologies for that. let me just bring you up—to—date with some of the lines coming out of washington. because in the last little while there has been a briefing and the russian move on kyiv is stalled, that is what us officials have been saying. they believe the main advance on kyiv has had no appreciable movement in the last 2a hours, that is according to

those same officials and they talk about the advance being slowed by fuel supplies and also due to rethinking the operation. let's talk to jeffrey edmonds, rethinking the operation. let's talk tojeffrey edmonds, a research scientist, who served as a military analyst for the cia. thank you for being here let us start with that convoy, it is an ominous sight, a0 miles long, it may have been stalled, but it is overwhelming force isn't it? i stalled, but it is overwhelming force isn't it?— force isn't it? i think it is. i think it _ force isn't it? i think it is. i think it is _ force isn't it? i think it is. i think it is the _ force isn't it? i think it is. i think it is the result - force isn't it? i think it is. i think it is the result of- force isn't it? i think it is. i think it is the result of the | think it is the result of the frustrations the russian military had early on, not making a lot of gains, a lot of convoys ambushed. what i think this looks like is sheer brute force used, or going to be used to take really the central aim of the invasion, the centre of gravity and that is kyiv.—

gravity and that is kyiv. let's talk about tactics. _ gravity and that is kyiv. let's talk about tactics, as _ gravity and that is kyiv. let's talk about tactics, as we _ gravity and that is kyiv. let's talk about tactics, as we look - gravity and that is kyiv. let's talk about tactics, as we look at - gravity and that is kyiv. let's talk| about tactics, as we look at these pictures, it is astonishing to imagine the fire power of a0 miles of armoured personnel carriers and tanks, but in terms of tactics, it seems to be a combination of the medieval siege tactics and some of the world's most modern weaponry. i the world's most modern weaponry. i think that's right, i think since the russians saw they couldn'tjust drive into kyiv and it wouldn't go to fall apart on their arrivele, they will resort so more heavy handed tactics. it might be like those we saw in syria, which could be devastated. the russian military said they were use precision strikes. but a lot of the systems are not precision systems. even if you have precision, firing enough missiles into a city, you're likely to hit, to miss your target and incur civilian deaths. you were talkin: incur civilian deaths. you were talking about _ incur civilian deaths. you were talking about tactics, - incur civilian deaths. you were

talking about tactics, because| talking about tactics, because ukraine's president already again today talking about war crimes. i want to some on some pictures from kharkiv and that strike we saw in the centre earlier. because those pictures just demonstrating the intensity of some of the shelling there in kharkiv and of course we saw the pictures also yesterday in some residential areas, where people were talking about the possible use of cluster bombs. just for our viewers, explain cluster bombs and vacuum bombs, the sort of things the russians are being accused of using in this conflict.— in this conflict. cluster bombs, it is a larger _ in this conflict. cluster bombs, it is a larger missile _ in this conflict. cluster bombs, it is a larger missile that _ in this conflict. cluster bombs, it is a larger missile that releases i in this conflict. cluster bombs, it| is a larger missile that releases a lot of smaller bomblets. that is not a precision weapon and is very indiscriminate when you fire it into an urban area. they were meant for

large formations away from cities. that is devastating. the thing we saw in syria and what we see in this column, it is a thermal bomb, that is a bomb that initially releases a bunch of fuel and uses the actual air to ignite the fuel. so you have air to ignite the fuel. so you have a very large explosion above ground thatis a very large explosion above ground that is devastating to people, buildings and infrastructure. i will buildings and infrastructure. i will talk about ordinary _ buildings and infrastructure. i will talk about ordinary ukrainians in a moment, but in terms of ukraine's armed forces, their army, how did they resist all of that? can you see any approach of what you do to repel that? h any approach of what you do to repel that? “ any approach of what you do to repel that? ~ ., , , ., ., that? i think what, this is going to devolve into _ that? i think what, this is going to devolve into urban _ that? i think what, this is going to devolve into urban warfare - that? i think what, this is going to devolve into urban warfare and - that? i think what, this is going to l devolve into urban warfare and that will involve a lot of o' moving around and it becomes an intelligence game of where can you hit the russians that would surprise

them? you need to move quickly. if they start targeting that area, you don't want the get penned down with these bombs and so it slow things down. from the russian perspective, urban warfare can swallow armies and it not throwing a large convoy doesn't make the problem easy. we have seen people making molotov cocktails and you talk of street fighting, would you anticipate the russian forces encircling the city and try to city it out, rather than go in and get involved in street fighting? i go in and get involved in street fiuuhtin ? ~' , . fighting? i think there might be a combination _ fighting? i think there might be a combination of— fighting? i think there might be a combination of both. _ fighting? i think there might be a combination of both. they - fighting? i think there might be a combination of both. they have l combination of both. they have demonstrated they want to get into the city. but i think a part of this is going to be encircling the city to prevent the military from leaving and not allowing munitions to come in. i think it will be a mixture of both and it will be pretty ugly.

thank you very much. we are going to take a short break and we are back with all the latest on the ground and analysis here in a moment or two on bbc news. st david's day and the start to spring. forsome st david's day and the start to spring. for some of you it has been a beautiful start, as far as blue skies and sunshine are concerned. in scotland that sunshine extends through much of the country. in the south and wales it is a different story, a greyer picture with rain. you can see the cloud sitting is still across the southern areas this afternoon. north of it the clear skies remain. from the cloud we will see further rain and will turn heavier particularly towards central and southern england and the far south—west. but temperatures as we head into the ever the evening

around five to eight degrees. the temperatures will drop tonight. one or two fog or mist patch bes. plenty of cloud in southern england and wales. and parts of east anglia. temperatures here barely change through the night into the morning. but parts of northern england and scotland and northern ireland could get as low as minus seven. on wednesday the fronts from the south push north and it is a lovely bright start in scotland and the far north of england and northern ireland. cloudy else and one of those grey and damp and murky days across much of england and wales and northern ireland and by the end of the day southern scotland. rain and drizzle. misty over the hills. the best of the sunshine in central and northern scotland. it remains breezy in the evening. so a milderstart

scotland. it remains breezy in the evening. so a milder start on thursday, but another front edging slowly in across the west first thing on thursday. maybe brightening up thing on thursday. maybe brightening up in the western. still breezy down the east. the question is where that front is going to lie. we are in between two areas of high pressure as we see the week out, a weather front in the middle. that will decay as high pressure builds, but we will see some of the remnants of front and it will stay cloudy into the weekend.

welcome back to bbc news. ukraine says, russian forces are preparing to lay siege to the capital kyiv, blocking access to food, water, power and other essential supplies. ukraine's president has again accused russia of committing war crimes and again asked for international help in closing the skies over his country, as satellite pictures show a huge russian convoy of tanks and armoured vehicles just outside kyiv. the british prime minister has been in poland and estonia — meetying nato allies.

this can correspondence saying everyone knows what is going on on the outskirts has russian forces closing hour by hour. let me shower you some of the latest pictures. their strike on the kyiv tv tower, the mainmast, you can see being hit. the billowing of smoke. i am just reading here the latest officials and reports on the ground same five people been cold in that russian strike on the tv tower. some of the latest details on the ground. t ukraine, a short while ago i was trying to speak to a correspondent in odesa and the land was lost but

we have been able to restore it. tell me how close is the fighting to where you are. i tell me how close is the fighting to where you are-— where you are. i am basically in odesa. where you are. i am basically in odesa- lt— where you are. i am basically in odesa- it is— where you are. i am basically in odesa. it is quite _ where you are. i am basically in odesa. it is quite calm - where you are. i am basically in odesa. it is quite calm but - where you are. i am basically in| odesa. it is quite calm but these few days we had several air warning signals and we had some explosions, especially in military infrastructure but my hometown is a small city near the border of ukraine and now the situation is strictly awful and dangerous. my family are there and they slapped five nights in the basement and now russian troops and russian soldiers are working across the street there.

they're bombed a few residential buildings, few schools and shopping centres. people can't walk across the streets. they are really dangerous and they don't know how much food and medicine we have because the mayor of the cityjust asked for food supplies and some medicine but there is no answer. we don't know how my family is because there are some troubles with the connections that and earlier we are really worried. so emotional and stressed. it is awful. i really worried. so emotional and stressed. it is awful.— stressed. it is awful. itotally understand _ stressed. it is awful. i totally understand that _ stressed. it is awful. i totally understand that what - stressed. it is awful. i totally understand that what a - stressed. it is awful. i totally i understand that what a pleasure talking, we are seeing pictures from where your mother wears, which is

200 kilometres from where you are talking to others. the ukrainian say they still control that town but what are your family is saying because you were telling me there that they have russian troops outside of their homes, have they not? , ., outside of their homes, have they not? ,., _ , , not? the government says this mornin: not? the government says this morning that — not? the government says this morning that everything - not? the government says this morning that everything is - not? the government says this i morning that everything is under control but today's warning is a russian invasion. —— soldiers are already across the street and ignored this fact and now every soldier, when he saw some citizens he asked to evacuate them on the but but it is a trick. they dry to build

a lift shield for them. and i don't no. my mum is calling me, two hours ago, there are in a very dangerous situation. i am ago, there are in a very dangerous situation. lam in ago, there are in a very dangerous situation. i am in a lot of worry. they can't go out of the basement and i don't know how to help them. and ijust mental supporting them but i don't know how to help because it is circled by russian soldiers from the area. it it is circled by russian soldiers from the area.— from the area. it sounds like a nightmare _ from the area. it sounds like a nightmare for— from the area. it sounds like a nightmare for your _ from the area. it sounds like a nightmare for your whole - from the area. it sounds like a i nightmare for your whole family, from the area. it sounds like a - nightmare for your whole family, for them and also you trying to stay in contact and find out details about what is actually happening there but thank you so much forjoining us here on the programme. thank you for your time.

many ukrainians have volunteered to help defend the country. among those who've joined up is the tennis player— sergiy stakhovsky. in an an interview with bbc radio a — he said, he hopes he'll not have to use his gun — but he will if it's necessary. he spoke to the bbc sport presenter karthi gnanasegaram. you only stopped playing tennis a few weeks ago at the australian open. how are you feeling about the moment about where you are leaving your wife and children behind? horrible. i think nobody should ever have that option at all and doing that, but it is very hard for me to say. i'm still not sure how did i do it. i know it is extremely hard on my way. my kids don't know why i'm here. they're too little to understand what is going on. read our kids understand what is going on. read your kids that _ understand what is going on. read your kids that you _ understand what is going on. read your kids that you are _ understand what is going on. read your kids that you are at _ understand what is going on. read your kids that you are at the moment? bi your kids that you are at the moment?— moment? at another tennis tournament. _ moment? at another tennis tournament. i— moment? at another tennis tournament. i don't - moment? at another tennis tournament. i don't know. moment? at another tennis i tournament. i don't know what moment? at another tennis - tournament. i don't know what my wife has told them. that i will be right back. wife has told them. that i will be riaht back. ~ . wife has told them. that i will be right back-— right back. what was your way's reaction? not _ right back. what was your way's reaction? not great. _ right back. what was your way's reaction? not great. she - right back. what was your way's reaction? not great. she did - right back. what was your way's | reaction? not great. she did not seak reaction? not great. she did not s - eak to reaction? not great. she did not speak to me _ reaction? not great. she did not speak to me for _ reaction? not great. she did not speak to me for about _ reaction? not great. she did not speak to me for about a - reaction? not great. she did not speak to me for about a day. - reaction? not great. she did not

speak to me for about a day. it i reaction? not great. she did not| speak to me for about a day. it is hard to explain the motivation of me coming here, actually. it is hard for me to explain even to myself but ijust for me to explain even to myself but i just can't do for me to explain even to myself but ijust can't do any for me to explain even to myself but i just can't do any different, for me to explain even to myself but ijust can't do any different, i think. i cannot see a lot of people putting themselves in harms way, sending their wife and kids away. you don't have any military experience. you know what training you are going to get question regular mac not much training. i know how to use the gun. i hope i do not have to use the can but if i have to, i have to. i admit how scared are you? you make the level of skegness is maximised when you're crossing the border. is not going to be easy to come back. but then you get used to it and you see the people, the energy, how they are trying to incorporate with each other, create obstacles for the russians to pass. they work non—stop to build the fear, i think, and that is the best way to doing it. it is hard to come but what you have decided to give. have you had messages from other tennis players?

yes, a lot. hundreds. i have not been capable of answering all of them. they have been very supportive, of course. all of them but i am not sure if it is not because i didn't know if it is courageous or abnormal. a lot have not been is public but privately they are very supportive. tennis is irrelevant to _ they are very supportive. tennis is irrelevant to you _ they are very supportive. tennis is irrelevant to you right _ they are very supportive. tennis is irrelevant to you right now. - they are very supportive. tennis is irrelevant to you right now. a - irrelevant to you right now. a fellow ukrainian tennis player that she wants the tennis authorities to make russian and belarusian players compete as neutral athletes without flags and anthems. does that help? i flags and anthems. does that help? i would say yes. i know that none of the players are supporting putin. when a ukrainian player steps in the court and has to see the flag of the country which every single trip is carrying while killing civilians, shelling civilian cities, i mean, i think it is unimaginable. russian

tennis players — think it is unimaginable. russian tennis players like _ think it is unimaginable. russian tennis players like the _ think it is unimaginable. russian tennis players like the world - think it is unimaginable. russian - tennis players like the world number one is talked about promoting peace and one who one the war ended by vote no more war. does that make a difference to you in ukraine? yes. difference to you in ukraine? yes, it does. difference to you in ukraine? yes, it does- in — difference to you in ukraine? yes, it does. in turns _ difference to you in ukraine? yes, it does. in turns of _ difference to you in ukraine? 19:3 it does. in turns of perspective difference to you in ukraine? 1.33 it does. in turns of perspective for russian mr putin in particular we could see will support. he loves that russia is successful in sport and can demonstrate the success at the olympics and other sporting events are, of course, that helps because once russia is getting kicked out of every single sport organisation and not being able to compete with their flag, they have been banned from qatar 2022. this helps but it has to continue. pm helps but it has to continue. an incredible interview there and an extraordinary decision by that tennis player and his description of trying to explain it to the outside world but also to his family. let's stay with sport. we have seen so

many sanctions applied in the last 2a hours. let's cross over to the bbc sports centre and our presenter olly foster. all of the fog is now on the paralympics. indeed. you feel that there is a snowballing sanctions against russia. huge decision for the international paralympic commitee, three days before the games opening ceremony, they have called a board meeting tomorrow to discuss the participation of russian athletes at the games in beijing. with calls from so many quarters for them to be thrown out, and also belarus, because of their role in facilitating the invasion of ukraine. the ipc president, andrew parsons has spoken to the bbc today, and says that expelling the russian atheltes could be complex and they have to make sure that any decisison can't be challenged legally.

everyone is entitled to an opinion. we are hearing voices from athletes, different unions, different sectors of society and everyone is entitled to an opinion. when it comes to the paralympic games, it is up to the board and we need to follow our constitution, follow the values that we stand for is a movement and organisation. i do not want to pre—empt the decision we will make tomorrow because we are 13 people, eight of us former paralympians. i do not want to say my opinion now because i do not want to influence. what the ipc will be mindful of is the reaction of other competing nations, around 70 russian paralympians have already arrived in beijing, they finished second in the medal table last time out, competing as neutrals, they are due to be competing under the flag of the russian paralympic commiteee,

in a similar vein to what happened in the winter olympics, that's an ongoing sanction for historic state sponsored doping. that's a large squad and there will be very few events that don't have a russian in the field,. against the odds the ukrainian parlaympian, about 20 of them, have assembled and are on their way. as we've seen in other sports, some nations and athletes says they will not compete against a russian or belarusian opponents, that could hugely damage the integrity of the competition in beijing. we know that vladimir putin has loved sport and used it as a from of soft power but, bit by bit, russia is now being excluded from that whole sporting world and world

athletics, the latest to pitch in. hugely significant because the last half hour, the world athletics council has been meeting about this as well. and they have announced that russia will not take part in any of their events. in fact, they are banned belarusian athletes as well from all their world series events. big universe that is because that includes the world indoor championships this month. they started just over a fortnight in serbia, i believe. the world championships injuly. that is one of the biggest sports events in the global calendar as well. is taking part in oregon in the usa. athletics nowjoins part in oregon in the usa. athletics now joins football, part in oregon in the usa. athletics nowjoins football, rugby, ice hockey, volleyball, rowing, colon, ice skating, swimming, badminton, they're all building up. they've all imposed various sanctions against either russia or belarus are both under than going underneath the

russian flag. a couple of major sports with decisions to make. tennis, that is going to be an interesting month at the ukrainian, and we reported this in the last hours, pulling out of the tournament and refusing to play against a russian who has just become the tennis number one yesterday. they don't compete for russia in the men's or women's tour but can those tools actually stop them from earning a living. that is in the they're going to have to make and perhaps they will compete as neutrals. formula i, as well. they have taken the russian grand prix of the calendar and we knew that but the calendar and we knew that but the world motor sport council are holding an emergency right now to discuss this crisis and whether the russian driver is going to be able to drive this season. we have to leave it there but thank you for taking us to all of that very significant news they are in terms of the sporting sanctions that are applied. the value of the rouble has again fallen today as western sanctions bite the russian economy, with what the french finance minister described as an 'economic

and financial war�* against moscow. as russia continues its invasion of ukraine share prices across europe have carried on falling and the price of oil has again risen. g7 finance ministers have discussed bringing in yet more sanctions as international companies have moved to distance themselves from the russian market. for more on all this we can speak now to our business correspondent michelle fleury in new york. in terms of us corporations, how have they been responding and in terms of new sanctions, packages, what can we expect? thea;r terms of new sanctions, packages, what can we expect?— terms of new sanctions, packages, what can we expect? they are bracing themselves for _ what can we expect? they are bracing themselves for the _ what can we expect? they are bracing themselves for the impact _ what can we expect? they are bracing themselves for the impact that - themselves for the impact that sanctions are going to have. and they are trying to adjust to these new realities of what they think demand will be going forward. there have been a number of developments from companies announcing that they will cease to do business temporarily in some places, permanently and others. if you look at shipping lines, two companies

have said they will stop taking orders for containerships going to and from russia. that is significant because it will be very hard for things to get in another country, the other thing we are hearing is companies, whether it is car makers, entertainment companies, harley davidson has said stop shipping goods to russia and we have had similar comments. we are seeing how the sanctions are starting to play out and at the same time, you have authority saying they are considering ratcheting up the pressure even more. the one thing is if you look at what has been introduced so far there have been exceptions for oil and gas. that is one area where you could see the tightening of pressure there. we know they have been hit but bitcoin is on the rise. could putin use

bitcoin currency is? you make that is the fear. if you look at the russian economy and the russian bitcoin wallets they have a pretty high number. the reality is while thatis high number. the reality is while that is an option, the beauty is they allow money to transfer across borders. they don't have to weigh about the swift payment issue. the difficulty is you do need to change that digital currency into hard currency and that is where the challenges and limitations are an crypto currency. we have heard from the biden administration. by. crypto currency. we have heard from the biden administration.— the biden administration. a quick thouuht the biden administration. a quick thought because _ the biden administration. a quick thought because we _ the biden administration. a quick thought because we have - the biden administration. a quick thought because we have also - the biden administration. a quick i thought because we have also heard that disney, warner brothers, all halting releases of films to russia

and there are so many ways of applying pressure. we are talking about how it is affecting commodities in daily life a cultural life is being affected. you're talking about the batman film turning red movie that is coming out from disney and another one from warner brothers and others. all of them saying they will stop releases. russia is not a huge box office for them so it is a relatively painless decision. stillsignificantand decision. still significant and showing decision. stillsignificantand showing the cultural and border financial impacts. oil is so high. they're talking about more oil reserves to try to help bring down or cap that price rise that we are seeing at the moment. thank you for taking us through all of that. let's

return to the humanitarian situation with numbers beginning to grow so fast at various borders. officials in poland say that more than 370,000 people have arrived there from ukraine. let's head back to my colleague who is there on the border between ukraine and poland and these numbers are accelerating extraordinarily in poland. the numbers are growing and it is understandable five when you are on the ground here near the border between poland and ukraine. we are just a few minutes away from the border. this is as close as you can get because this is where people who have just crossed get past those last couple of kilometres to this point here. this isjust

last couple of kilometres to this point here. this is just arrived with these people. this was the first time that they've walked, they've got to poland and they are exhausted. they tell the same story. i was really difficultjourney to get to this point. the safety of poland. they have come from all over ukraine. lots of different nationalities notjust polar internationals, lots of different nationalities coming through. everybody the same story. they are tired, they are worried, there are just relieved to get somewhere they can rest for a few moments at least before they start to think about what is the next stage. now, the numbers are growing. they are growing just really quickly, even this morning i on the polish border guards figures and they were talking about 350,000 people have crossed into poland since this crisis began. i have checked now and they are saying aio thousand people have crossed and these will increase an increase when you see this happening every few moments. well, apologies.

that line is breaking up there from the border with poland but you get a sense there, really clearly, those buses still arriving there where casher is as that number approaches nearly a00,000 there in poland. communities around the world and here in the uk are rallying together to support refugees fleeing the conflict in ukraine. a corresponded has been to liverpool and spoke to family members here. here has been to liverpool and spoke to family members here.— family members here. here is my cousin. family members here. here is my cousin- they _ family members here. here is my cousin. they live _ family members here. here is my cousin. they live just _ family members here. here is my cousin. they live just two - family members here. here is my cousin. they live just two blocks i cousin. they livejust two blocks away from where the bombs landed two hours ago. but away from where the bombs landed two hours auo. �* ., away from where the bombs landed two hours ao. �* ., . ., hours ago. but i do have thousand miles away — hours ago. but i do have thousand miles away from's _ hours ago. but i do have thousand miles away from's family - hours ago. but i do have thousand miles away from's family were - hours ago. but i do have thousand | miles away from's family were last night underfire. seo make miles away from's family were last night under fire. seo make this as my dad here. this is my mum. my mum is definitely hiding in a basement under our flat. is definitely hiding in a basement under ourflat. my dad is is definitely hiding in a basement under our flat. my dad is staying is definitely hiding in a basement under ourflat. my dad is staying in a country house and trying to stay

safe as well but i am really worried about them. mr; safe as well but i am really worried about them-— about them. my children are with their grandmothers. _ about them. my children are with their grandmothers. on - about them. my children are with their grandmothers. on monday, j their grandmothers. on monday, russian troops _ their grandmothers. on monday, russian troops finally _ their grandmothers. on monday, russian troops finally arrived - their grandmothers. on monday, russian troops finally arrived in i russian troops finally arrived in dennis's town. they asked them, we don't want you to be here because it is ukraine and we wanted to leave. they are going up to the russian troops on the streets today saying, please leave?— troops on the streets today saying, lease leave? , , _ ., �* please leave? yes. they say we don't want ou please leave? yes. they say we don't want you to — please leave? yes. they say we don't want you to be _ please leave? yes. they say we don't want you to be here. _ please leave? yes. they say we don't want you to be here. we _ please leave? yes. they say we don't want you to be here. we are - please leave? yes. they say we don't want you to be here. we are free - want you to be here. we are free right now. we don't need to be freed. fightbacks growing through a dense text messages, they showed just how desperate the last five days have been. mr; just how desperate the last five days have been.— just how desperate the last five days have been. just how desperate the last five da s have been. g . ., ., days have been. my dad to putin has started the war. _ days have been. my dad to putin has started the war. two _ days have been. my dad to putin has started the war. two minutes - days have been. my dad to putin has started the war. two minutes later. | started the war. two minutes later. ekplosions. — started the war. two minutes later. explosions, explosions. ithink they've — explosions, explosions. ithink they've bombed. a railway. her dad has sent they've bombed. a railway. her dad has spent the _ they've bombed. a railway. her dad has spent the last _ they've bombed. a railway. her dad has spent the last ten _ they've bombed. a railway. her dad has spent the last ten years - they've bombed. a railway. her dad has spent the last ten years of - has spent the last ten years of retirement are growing vegetables and searching out the finest wild mushrooms of care. yesterday, and messages to his daughter, he said he

is willing to risk everything to defend his country. i is willing to risk everything to defend his country.— is willing to risk everything to defend his country. i passed by the army recruitment _ defend his country. i passed by the army recruitment office. _ defend his country. i passed by the army recruitment office. i - defend his country. i passed by the army recruitment office. i have - defend his country. i passed by the army recruitment office. i have a l army recruitment office. i have a car and _ army recruitment office. i have a car and i— army recruitment office. i have a car and t can— army recruitment office. i have a car and i can drive them. your dad. he went to — car and i can drive them. your dad. he went to recruitment _ car and i can drive them. your dad. he went to recruitment office - car and i can drive them. your dad. he went to recruitment office and i he went to recruitment office and signed _ he went to recruitment office and signed up — he went to recruitment office and signed up. he is 74. he went to recruitment office and signed up. he is 7a.| he went to recruitment office and signed up. he is 74.— he went to recruitment office and signed up. he is 74. i feelfor you. thank you- — signed up. he is 74. i feelfor you. thank you- you — signed up. he is 74. i feelfor you. thank you. you are _ signed up. he is 74. i feelfor you. thank you. you are proud - signed up. he is 74. i feelfor you. thank you. you are proud and - signed up. he is 74. i feelfor you. i thank you. you are proud and scared and terrified all at the same time. yes, yes. fin and terrified all at the same time. yes, es. . and terrified all at the same time. yes, es. , , ., , ., , yes, yes. on his phone he shows me the message — yes, yes. on his phone he shows me the message sent _ yes, yes. on his phone he shows me the message sent by _ yes, yes. on his phone he shows me the message sent by his _ yes, yes. on his phone he shows me the message sent by his parents. - here at the place we have hidden other— here at the place we have hidden other documents. _ here at the place we have hidden other documents. your— here at the place we have hidden other documents. your other- here at the place we have hidden- other documents. your other photos, 'ust other documents. your other photos, iust so— other documents. your other photos, just so you _ other documents. your other photos, just so you no — other documents. your other photos, iust so you no if_ other documents. your other photos, just so you no. if anything _ other documents. your other photos, just so you no. if anything happens, i just so you no. if anything happens, you can _ just so you no. if anything happens, you can find — just so you no. if anything happens, you can find it— just so you no. if anything happens, you can find it here. _ just so you no. if anything happens, you can find it here. and _ just so you no. if anything happens, you can find it here. and they- you can find it here. and they removed _ you can find it here. and they removed it _ you can find it here. and they removed it after— you can find it here. and they removed it after so _ you can find it here. and they removed it after so nobody i you can find it here. and they. removed it after so nobody else you can find it here. and they- removed it after so nobody else can find out _ removed it after so nobody else can find out. . , , ~ removed it after so nobody else can find out. . , , ,, .,

find out. that must strike fear in our find out. that must strike fear in your heart- _ find out. that must strike fear in your heart. yes, _ find out. that must strike fear in your heart. yes, yes. _ find out. that must strike fear in your heart. yes, yes. i _ find out. that must strike fear in your heart. yes, yes. i am - find out. that must strike fear in your heart. yes, yes. i am really worried about my family. he has a photo of her new bed. on the floor in her whole. she photo of her new bed. on the floor in herwhole— in her whole. she is afraid of bombings — in her whole. she is afraid of bombings happened, - in her whole. she is afraid of bombings happened, the - in her whole. she is afraid of- bombings happened, the exposure in her whole. she is afraid of— bombings happened, the exposure made cannot the windows out.— cannot the windows out. reading to his messages _ cannot the windows out. reading to his messages there _ cannot the windows out. reading to his messages there is _ cannot the windows out. reading to his messages there is one - cannot the windows out. reading to his messages there is one which - his messages there is one which stands out. riff his messages there is one which stands out-— his messages there is one which stands out. , ., ., , stands out. of thing is going to be ok. i love stands out. of thing is going to be 0k- i love you- — stands out. of thing is going to be ok. i love you. which _ stands out. of thing is going to be ok. i love you. which is _ stands out. of thing is going to be ok. i love you. which is such - stands out. of thing is going to be ok. i love you. which is such an . ok. i love you. which is such an unusual thing for him to say. i know i am his sanity as my dad but he is not an emotional person. he said he woke up to the i was shaking and window shaking anti—heard gunfire and shelling. and he panicked so much that he thought, this is the end here. and so he texted me. he texted my mum and he texted my brother that he loves us, just because he thought that we should know before he. because, yeah. and thatis know before he. because, yeah. and that is how, and that is the first,

that is how, and that is the first, thatis that is how, and that is the first, that is how, and that is the first, that is how i got the news that russia invaded ukraine.- that is how i got the news that russia invaded ukraine. tanya tells me she has — russia invaded ukraine. tanya tells me she has no _ russia invaded ukraine. tanya tells me she has no regret _ russia invaded ukraine. tanya tells me she has no regret that - russia invaded ukraine. tanya tells me she has no regret that no - me she has no regret that no military support has been offered on the ground. i military support has been offered on the round. ., �* ~ military support has been offered on the round. ., �* ,, i. the ground. i don't think your children should _ the ground. i don't think your children should be _ the ground. i don't think your children should be dying - the ground. i don't think your children should be dying for. the ground. i don't think your l children should be dying for my parents — children should be dying for my parents. but children should be dying for my arents. �* . children should be dying for my arents. �* , , , , ., ., parents. but this support showing on a rain , parents. but this support showing on a rainy. cold — parents. but this support showing on a rainy, cold night— parents. but this support showing on a rainy, cold night in _ parents. but this support showing on a rainy, cold night in sheffield, - parents. but this support showing on a rainy, cold night in sheffield, is- a rainy, cold night in sheffield, is a rainy, cold night in sheffield, is a comfort. is a rainy, cold night in sheffield, is a comfort-— a rainy, cold night in sheffield, is a comfort. . . , , a comfort. is really powerful. it is helinu. a comfort. is really powerful. it is helping- lt — a comfort. is really powerful. it is helping- it is? _ a comfort. is really powerful. it is helping. it is? yeah, _ a comfort. is really powerful. it is helping. it is? yeah, yeah, - a comfort. is really powerful. it is i helping. it is? yeah, yeah, because. it makes a — helping. it is? yeah, yeah, because. it makes a difference? _ helping. it is? yeah, yeah, because. it makes a difference? it _ helping. it is? yeah, yeah, because. it makes a difference? it makes i helping. it is? yeah, yeah, because. it makes a difference? it makes a i it makes a difference? it makes a difference- _ it makes a difference? it makes a difference. let's _ it makes a difference? it makes a difference. let's return _ it makes a difference? it makes a difference. let's return to - it makes a difference? it makes a difference. let's return to what i it makes a difference? it makes a | difference. let's return to what we were watching _ difference. let's return to what we were watching an _ difference. let's return to what we were watching an hour _ difference. let's return to what we were watching an hour or- difference. let's return to what we were watching an hour or so i difference. let's return to what we were watching an hour or so ago. i difference. let's return to what we i were watching an hour or so ago. the tv tower hit by a russian strike in the last little while. it was just a stone's throw from the holocaust memorial marking the infamous massacre of soviet dues. president

zelensky has tweeted to the world, what is the point of say never again for 80 years of the world stay silent when a bomb drop on the same site? at least five killed. history repeating. we are back in a moment. after that sensation, strengthening sunshine ever had. areas that sell blue skies today like even parts of scotland, you're going to feel a chill tonight with temperatures widely below freezing. a different story further south. and it is this sort of look more of us will have as we go into weather and stay. there is a cloud which kept things a bit grey, misty and damp across southern areas and have a better rain from that. creeping northwards. clearer skies across scotland, northern ireland and england in much of the night and where we will see temperature drop below freezing, maybe shouted glens in aberdeenshire should see seven. drizzle towards

the south becomes more extensive, edging into wales and parts of england first thing tomorrow morning. damages don't drop yet of the night, seven or 8 degrees compared to the sub zero temperatures especially so across scotland as we start the new day. here is the chart as we go into wednesday. the weather system continues to work northwards. we have a bit more breeze as well across these western areas and even ci’oss across these western areas and even cross got them. there will be more breeze around that will make you feel chili out of start. the cutout rain and drizzle across wales, southern england pushed into northern england, northern ireland for the morning and into the afternoon the sun and parts of scotland. murky over the hills with brightness baking across wales in the south—west. ii or 12 degrees. most places in single figures and well we have got the sunshine in northern scotland, piece of make it feel chillier than today. that breeze, then 20 of the cloud, part you on a drizzle across got the never to go into wednesday evening and overnight. with all that cloud around. a decaying weather front. a

much milder start on thursday for all. a bit of a damp start as well that of the weather front way eastwards away from some western areas. some brightening up the air. meeting resistance from developing south—easterly flow across in the north sea that means a well of rain may grind to a halt. outbreaks of rain continuing into the afternoon and a rather grey and misty look to go with it. temperatures 9—12. the sort of temperatures of the west of the week and into the weekend. high pressure built around our weather front honey gets trapped. plenty of glad of an patchy drizzle turning got drier through the weekend. see you soon.

this is bbc news — with the latest — on the war in ukraine. russian forces target the capital kyiv — they hit the main television tower, killing five people and damaging a holocaust memorial nearby. meanwhile, this huge military convoy is heading for the city — the ukrainian president warns the kremlin wants to cut kyiv off — completely. translation: kharkiv and kyiv are the most important - targets for russia now, the terror is aimed at breaking us, breaking our resistance. russians forces attack ukraine's second city kharkiv with rockets and cruise missiles — targeting civilians. the high commissioner said yesterday that russia's attacks killed at least 100 civilians, including children, and wounded hundreds more and said she expects the real figures are much higher