to erase his country, as putin's forces intensify their attacks on key ukrainian cities. russian paratroopers have landed in kharkiv in the north—east, with reports of street fighting, sustained rocket fire and airstrikes on the city. explosions. the bombardment of cities continues. here a tank shells an apartment building northwest of the capital, kyiv. translation: they have an order to erase our history, _ to erase our country, to erase us all. a 40—mile—long convoy of russian armoured vehicles remains about 15 miles north of the capital, kyiv. below ground in our bomb shelter,

the adrenaline has run out. people are visibly tired, visibly upset from everything that is going on. and when you come up, it's this — empty, and you can feel the tension. more than 800,000 people have streamed over ukraine's borders with neighbouring countries, seeking safety from russian attacks. borisjohnson says there is evidence russia has committed war crimes. and us presidentjoe biden brands vladimir putin a dictator and says the russian president misjudged how the west would hit back once he invaded ukraine. athletes from russia and belarus will have to compete under a neutral flag in the 2022 winter paralympics in beijing. supply disruption fears sees the price of oil rising above $110 a barrel — its highest level since 2014 — and fuels concerns of higher prices at the pumps. coming up in the sport later in the hour on the bbc news channel, an emotional win for elina svitolina

on the women's tour, who says it is her mission to unite the tennis community to stand with ukraine. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. russia's invasion of ukraine is in its seventh day and fighting continues across much of the country. russian paratroopers have landed in ukraine's second largest city, kharkiv, with street fighting and missile strikes reported there. the situation is unclear in the black sea port of kherson, where russia claims it has taken control but the city's mayor disputes his city has fallen. there has been little reported movement of the huge russian military convoy on a route into the capital.

looking at the situation in ukraine today, the areas in red here show the parts of the country now under russian control, with the main battles highlighted in several key cities and regions. meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people continue to flee. the united nations says more than 800,000 have now left. our first report is from our kyiv correspondent, james waterhouse. the invasion which isn't stopping. 0vernight, the shelling in it kharkiv became more intense. this morning, even as the clean—up continued, another missile strike which killed four people according to officials and the total is now 25 at least but for now, kharkiv is still under ukrainian control although authorities say russian paratroopers were deployed. the ukrainian leader has described the onslaught as terrorism. translation:

this is beyond humanity, such a missile strike show that for many people in russia, kyiv is completely foreign. they know nothing about our capital, about our history, but they have an order, to ubla our history, our country, erase us all. 0n the edge of kyiv, moscow's advance has also been frustrated but not neutralised. the biggest advance is approaching from the west. search for survivors in the city. this hospital was sheuedin in the city. this hospital was shelled in a district of kyiv. in the centre apart from the occasional air raid siren, quiet. below ground in our bomb shelter, the adrenaline has run out, people are visibly tired and visibly upset from everything going on. when you come

up, it is this, empty. you can feel the tension. moscow has urged people living here to leave as it lists new targets but for so many people, that is not an option. despite the might of what awaits out of sight, this city is not planning on dropping its guard. translation: what city is not planning on dropping its guard. translation:— city is not planning on dropping its guard. translation: what you see here is the people's _ guard. translation: what you see here is the people's attempt - guard. translation: what you see here is the people's attempt to - guard. translation: what you see here is the people's attempt to self| here is the people's attempt to self organise and not let this some into our land because we have nowhere to go back to or run away and were not going to do that, we are tired of being afraid so we are waiting for them but not with flowers, with molotov cocktails, bare hands or not just bare hands but they won't leave this place alive.— this place alive. ukraine is 'ust about holding i this place alive. ukraine is 'ust about holding onto * this place alive. ukraine is 'ust about holding onto its �* this place alive. ukraine is 'ust about holding onto its key h this place alive. ukraine isjust - about holding onto its key locations but russia is claimed to have taken the southern city of kherson. i think i should stop recording before somebody shoots me.— think i should stop recording before somebody shoots me. although the ma or somebody shoots me. although the mayor claims _ somebody shoots me. although the

mayor claims it _ somebody shoots me. although the mayor claims it is _ somebody shoots me. although the mayor claims it is still _ somebody shoots me. although the mayor claims it is still being - somebody shoots me. although the mayor claims it is still being held i mayor claims it is still being held in some areas. officials say 200 people have died there. the cost of this attack, and defence, is going up. the future of this country has changed for ever. 0ur chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, joins me from kyiv. what is the situation there this morning? to what is the situation there this mornin: ? ., , x' what is the situation there this morninu? ., , , ., ., what is the situation there this mornin? ., , ., , morning? to pick up on what james said, the future _ morning? to pick up on what james said, the future of— morning? to pick up on what james said, the future of the _ morning? to pick up on what james said, the future of the country - morning? to pick up on what james said, the future of the country has i said, the future of the country has changed for ever, the face of what was a vibrant european capital has changed beyond recognition. where i am standing, i can see the streets are completely empty and it is so eerie and on this side, these elegant apartment blocks, not a single light in any window, the life has dropped downstairs. the mayor of the city, the former champion boxer vitali klitschko, told the residents to stay inside, the defence of the city gets more important by the day. there is that a snake like armoured convoy less than 20 miles on the edge of the city, and it doesn't

seem to be moving very much. we hear there could be problems with fuel or there could be problems with fuel or the troops might be unhappy about moving forwards but on many of the road leading into kyiv, they are littered with the burnt out carcasses of military vehicles. we know there has been heavy fighting on the entrances to kyiv and there is a warning that there could be strikes on security buildings right here in the capital. many people have fled but many are staying to stand their ground. even if they are underground now, there are many who have come above ground and signed up to fight, picking up a gun for the very first time. this is a capital, there is fear but also a very strong, you can feel it, defiance of fighting back and no sense now of when the russians inched closer. three explosions this morning on the edge of the city, sirens wailing at least three times.— least three times. everyone is braced. least three times. everyone is

braced- lyse _ least three times. everyone is braced. lyse doucet, - least three times. everyone is braced. lyse doucet, thank. least three times. everyone is l braced. lyse doucet, thank you least three times. everyone is - braced. lyse doucet, thank you very much, from kyiv. as the fighting intensifies, thousands of ukrainians are trying to escape, with many seeking safety in a number of countries to the west. more than 800,000 refugees have fled the ukraine conflict, according to the united nations, many arriving in neighbouring eu countries. two thirds of those fleeing have arrived in poland — more than 450,000 in total since the invasion began. 0ur correspondent rob cameron is at the ubla border crossing in slovakia. from there his sent this report. day seven russia's war on ukraine. a war that will soon have driven a million people from their homes, uprooting them from their daily lives, separating wives from husbands, fathers from children. this border crossing in the carpathian mountains between slovakia and ukraine usually sees a few hundred people crossing each day but behind those buildings is a

queue of cars several miles long. people are waiting up to 1a hours to cross. part of an exodus of people that spans ukraine's entire western border. poland, slovakia, hungary, romania, moldova, or part of a rapidly growing humanitarian crisis. these women fled their homes in the southern port city of kherson, 500 miles away, now surrounded after heavy bombardment by russian forces. translation: ma; heavy bombardment by russian forces. translation:— translation: my daughter is crying, we 'ust translation: my daughter is crying, we just arrived — translation: my daughter is crying, we just arrived and _ translation: my daughter is crying, we just arrived and it _ translation: my daughter is crying, we just arrived and it was _ translation: my daughter is crying, we just arrived and it was scary. - translation: my daughter is crying, we just arrived and it was scary. we . we just arrived and it was scary. we crossed the whole of ukraine and sort houses being blown up. poland is seeinr sort houses being blown up. poland is seeing unprecedented _ sort houses being blown up. poland is seeing unprecedented numbers l sort houses being blown up. poland| is seeing unprecedented numbers of people, well over half a million. early at the polish prime minister, matias moroni have skied, visited the european council president,

charles michel, offering comfort and solace to a shocked europe. but even those far from the fighting in the west of the country are not taking any chances. giuliana who is 17, is from just across the border from slovakia in the ukrainian carpathian regent. slovakia in the ukrainian carpathian recent. �* , ., ., regent. because i have a little brother, little _ regent. because i have a little brother, little sister, - regent. because i have a little brother, little sister, my - regent. because i have a little l brother, little sister, my mother and father decided to leave the country, maybe one month, two weeks, i don't know how long... is this war. ., , , . , . war. coping with such unprecedented numbers could _ war. coping with such unprecedented numbers could place _ war. coping with such unprecedented numbers could place a _ war. coping with such unprecedented numbers could place a huge - war. coping with such unprecedented numbers could place a huge strain i war. coping with such unprecedentedj numbers could place a huge strain on the economies and social fabric of ukraine's western neighbours. for now, they are coping, just. but with ukraine's densely populated areas now under siege from russian artillery, these scenes of confusion and suffering could bejust

artillery, these scenes of confusion and suffering could be just the beginning. rob cameron, bbc news, on the slovak ukrainian border. in a moment we can speak to our correspondent nick thorpe in hungary, but first let's speak to my colleague kasia madera, who's on the polish side of the border with ukraine. so many people coming through. how are the authorities managing to help them? every day, thousands of people are coming and every day, the local authorities and local volunteer groups are ready to welcome them, to bring them here. this is a przemysl train station, one of a number of places that has been transformed into an emergency welcome reception area. the ticket hall is full of people trying to work out what their next steps are, the waiting areas within the hall itself have lines and rows upon rows of camp beds where people can get some sleep but bearin where people can get some sleep but bear in mind, these people havejust crossed the border, coming from

lviv, and now they are in poland and trying to work out what happens next. priorities are basic things, getting your phone charge, getting a sim card, working out which country they move on to come if they stay in poland. poland has a very high number of ukrainians already living here, a lot of people have family and friends here, a lot do not. what do they do? a huge volunteer effort has rallied together to try to help these people and the numbers continue to rise.— these people and the numbers continue to rise. thank you for the moment. 0ur correspondent nick thorpe is in tiszabecs near the hungary—ukraine border. how does the situation compare there? ., , , how does the situation compare there? . , , , , there? hungary is second in this stranue there? hungary is second in this strange league _ there? hungary is second in this strange league table _ there? hungary is second in this strange league table with - there? hungary is second in this| strange league table with poland really, now 120,000 people, close to that, crossing into hungary, and the single biggest number have crossed

here at tiszabecs. 27,000 so far since the conflict began. in this particular primary school where i'm standing, this has a turnover of about 3000 people per day it is my second day here, and one gets used to, during the course of the day, talking to so many people and even getting to know some names. but the turnover is such that when we came back this morning, most of those people had already moved on so there is quite a fast turnover. it does not feel like a fast turnover as people sit around all day and wait but they are all being taken on in a very efficient way to other cities in hungary or even beyond, to vienna, prague. also... just some disturbance going on in the background there. but the stories here that we are hearing from different people, very difficult stories, and obviously they are watching the situation, looking back

to ukraine where they have come from very closely indeed. hick to ukraine where they have come from very closely indeed.— very closely indeed. nick thorpe in hunua very closely indeed. nick thorpe in hungary and _ very closely indeed. nick thorpe in hungary and kasia _ very closely indeed. nick thorpe in hungary and kasia madera - very closely indeed. nick thorpe in hungary and kasia madera in - very closely indeed. nick thorpe in i hungary and kasia madera in poland, thank you. in russia, the leading political opposition figure, alexei navalny, has said from jail that russians should protest daily against the war. mr navalny has long been the most prominent face of russian opposition to president vladimir putin. 0ur correspondent jenny hill in moscow. what has alexei navalny been saying? he is urging russians to take to the streets and, in his words, fight for peace. he has even given timings, seven o'clock every weekday evening and two o'clock at weekends. mystic navalny, who of course was poisoned with a nerve agent in 2020, has long been a thorn in the side of the kremlin —— mr navalny put it but it's difficult to predict what kind of affect his call will have because people have been protesting and the authorities have been cracking down. just yesterday, 300 people were

detained forcibly taking part in an anti—war demonstration. vladimir putin appears to be intensifying his efforts to control the narrative. for him, this is a special military operation and the media are not allowed to refer to it as a war or invasion or attack. and overnight, a radio station which had flouted those rules was taken off air and access to its website was blocked as well as the website of an independent television station. what has kremlin been saying today on the situation in ukraine? the kremlin essentially is not shifting its basic positions. today we again heard that sanctions, although they will be a heavy blow to russia, can be managed, in effect they will not sway the kremlin from its current course. but a spokesman has spoken about peace talks later, saying russia is willing to engage in a second round of negotiations. at this stage, it's hard to imagine what kind of progress can be

achieved, not least because of what we are seeing in ukraine, but also because the kremlin's demands have not changed. it wants to see demilitarisation of ukraine, it wants to see ukraine established as a neutral country, and in addition to that, it has said it wants crimea, which it annexed in 2014, to be recognised as a russian. jenna; be recognised as a russian. jenny hill, be recognised as a russian. jenny hill. thank — be recognised as a russian. jenny hill. thank you — be recognised as a russian. jenny hill, thank you very _ be recognised as a russian. jenny hill, thank you very much. - in his first state of the union address to congress since taking office, president biden has described vladimir putin as a dictator, who must be made to pay for his invasion of ukraine. mr biden said the russian leader had badly miscalculated when he launched his premeditated and unprovoked attack, leaving him more isolated than ever. 0ur correspondent, nomia iqbal, reports from washington. the president of the united states. this was a big moment for president biden to remind people what he stands for, both at home and abroad. the address is usually about domestic issues but this time it was dominated by one thing. six days ago, russia's vladimir

putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world, thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. but he badly miscalculated. a rare moment of unity amongst such a divided chamber. there was also a special guest. the ukrainian ambassador to the united states is here tonight, sitting with the first lady. let each of us, if you're able to stand, stand and send an unmistakable signal to the world and to ukraine. thank you. more bipartisan applause and more straight talking on further plans to punish vladimir putin and those close to him. tonight i am announcing that we willjoin our allies in closing off american airspace to all russian flights, further isolating russia and adding an additional squeeze on her economy. he has no idea what's coming. he was defiant from beginning to end. this is our moment to meet

and overcome the challenge of our time, and we will! as one people, one america, the united states of america! god bless you all and may god protect our troops. thank you. go get him! that last comment, go get him, it was an unscripted moment, something president biden is known for, but it summed up his determination to rally and unite americans and others around the world who are looking to him for leadership. nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. 0ur correspondentjane o'brien is in washington. biden's approval ratings in the us have been abysmal. what difference will his speech make at home? he did get a slight bump in the polls after last night's speech but it was probably because of his stirring comments on ukraine.

americans do broadly support his use of sanctions instead of military intervention. but mr biden didn't explain how the sanctions against russia would increase the economic pain at home. and he didn't explain how he would protect americans from their effects. and the economy is their effects. and the economy is the biggest issue that americans are most concerned about. the rest of his speech, after he talked about ukraine for 12 minutes was all about the problems he faces at home. and again, he didn't really explain how he was going to offset the rampant inflation, the high cost of living that ordinary americans are experiencing. the measures he proposed all need legislation and he doesn't have the support of congress. even key members of his own party do not support increased spending. so it's very difficult to see how last night's speech will have reassured people at home. jane

o'brien, have reassured people at home. jane o'brien. thank _ have reassured people at home. jane o'brien, thank you. prime minister's questions today was dominated by the war in ukraine. 0ur political correspondent nick eardleyjoins us. what happened ? what happened? good afternoon. quite a moment at the _ what happened? good afternoon. quite a moment at the start _ what happened? good afternoon. quite a moment at the start of _ what happened? good afternoon. quite a moment at the start of prime - a moment at the start of prime minister's questions today, with the ukrainian ambassador sitting in the gallery. i think we can show you just now, there was a long and emotional standing ovation from mps in the house of commons. not something you see very often at parliament but such is the feeling at the moment. there were also some really significant comments in today's exchanges from the prime minister about what has been going on in ukraine and some of the bombing we have seen from russian forces in the last few days. boris johnson said, for the first time, that he believes what president putin has been overseeing in ukraine is a war crime.

putin has been overseeing in ukraine is a war crime-— is a war crime. what we have seen already from _ is a war crime. what we have seen already from vladimir _ is a war crime. what we have seen already from vladimir putin's - is a war crime. what we have seen i already from vladimir putin's regime in the _ already from vladimir putin's regime in the use _ already from vladimir putin's regime in the use of— already from vladimir putin's regime in the use of the munitions that they— in the use of the munitions that they have — in the use of the munitions that they have already been dropping on innocent _ they have already been dropping on innocent civilians, mr speaker, in my view. — innocent civilians, mr speaker, in my view, already fully qualifies as a war— my view, already fully qualifies as a war crime. and i know the icc prosecutor— a war crime. and i know the icc prosecutor is already investigating and i_ prosecutor is already investigating and lam _ prosecutor is already investigating and i am sure the whole house will support— and i am sure the whole house will support that. and i am sure the whole house will support that-— support that. there were also questions _ support that. there were also questions today _ support that. there were also questions today about - support that. there were also questions today about why i support that. there were also | questions today about why the support that. there were also i questions today about why the uk hadn't gone further in the sanctioning people seem to be close to president putin's regime. we think there are about 16 people who the us and european union have sanctioned but have not faced action from the uk yet. in particular, the labour leader sir keir starmer brought up current chelsea owner roman abramovich and asked why he hadn't been added to the list. we should say that mr abramovich has previously denied being close to president putin and we have approached him for comment today. but the government doesn't want to

talk about those specific cases just yet. the message from the prime minister was that there will be more sanctions to come. the government intends to publish a list of those who are seen to be close to the russian president. there are many in parliament who want that to happen soon and want further action taken. nick eardley in westminster, thank you. you're watching the bbc news at one. our top story this lunchtime... a couple of the latest news lanes we are getting this morning. this has not been confirmed but the ukrainian state emergency services says that more than 2000 civilians have died in a week of war with russia. independent confirmation is not possible but that is the latest information from the ukrainian state emergency service. 2000 civilians.

we know, of course, that we are getting reports from a number of cities across ukraine of civilian deaths. and we are also hearing from reuters saying that the ukrainian port city are suffering mass casualties under water as the defend itself from what they say is a nonstop honest lot from russian forces. the mayor has said in the live broadcast on ukrainian television that the enemy occupying forces of the russian federation have done everything to block the exit of civilians in the city of half—million people. it is a key strategic city. we are also hearing lines from the un nuclear watchdog who has said that they are in contact with all sides to see in what way they can provide assistance requested by ukraine which could include standing staff. they said there was a number of issues and they could be a need for assistance in ukraine. we will try to get more

clarity on what exactly that means. welcome overnight, and in the united states, president biden made his state of the union address just a few hours ago and was scathing about president putin. i am joined by the president putin. i am joined by the president of the council on foreign relations. thank you forjoining us. if i could just first of all, before if i could just first of all, before i go to the state of the union, if you don't mind, we are hearing these lines from the nuclear watchdog who is doing a news conference. you're still talking and talking about a run. he made these comments about ukraine, saying they are looking to see what assistance they can provide. what do you read into that? i know it is difficult because it is in a couple of lines emerging at the moment. ., ., ., ., , , , , moment. there are a dangerous issues vis-a-vis ukraine- _ moment. there are a dangerous issues vis-a-vis ukraine. one _ moment. there are a dangerous issues vis-a-vis ukraine. one is _ moment. there are a dangerous issues vis-a-vis ukraine. one is the _ vis—a—vis ukraine. one is the introduction of the possibility of use by president putin and what is frightening about that is that is, not that i'm thinking that he will do it but he could do it given the lack of checks and balances on his

decision—making power. the other is a in ukraine with all these nuclear power plants and that is the immediate question. so far, these, there is no sign that the russians are laying off them as targets. to the contrary. russia is targeting civilian targets and want to undermine economy and the society, so there's a really frightening scenario where various nuclear power plants could be targeted and that would spend an awful lot of radioactive dust over the territory. tens of thousands of more people would get ill and die and at the moment i don't see any restraint in what the russians are doing. fine moment i don't see any restraint in what the russians are doing. one of the mines that _ what the russians are doing. one of the mines that has _ what the russians are doing. one of the mines that has come _ what the russians are doing. one of the mines that has come in - what the russians are doing. one of the mines that has come in and i what the russians are doing. one of the mines that has come in and that has said they think russia is in control of the site of the power plant but that does not mean that they control the facility. how much kind of attack on those power plants with stand. do know? in terms of,

how protected are they? i am with stand. do know? in terms of, how protected are they?— with stand. do know? in terms of, how protected are they? i am not an exert on how protected are they? i am not an expert on that _ how protected are they? i am not an expert on that but _ how protected are they? i am not an expert on that but is _ how protected are they? i am not an expert on that but is a _ how protected are they? i am not an expert on that but is a fairly - how protected are they? i am not an expert on that but is a fairly old i expert on that but is a fairly old facilities. there's not a whole lot of margin for error and you've got to think about two things. one is the question of physical safety with his pants and the others is that ukrainians have to be in a position to operate them and that means personnel have to be able to get there. what is to circulate around there. what is to circulate around the plant. food and so forth as to reach the people. there is a physical protection and an operational issue and what worries me is not simply that these plants will be targeted without operations will be targeted without operations will be targeted without operations will be disrupted and, as we have seen other parts of the world, when operations are disrupted by storms or floods in the likes, it can be disastrous.— disastrous. that is incredibly alarming- — disastrous. that is incredibly alarming. would _ disastrous. that is incredibly alarming. would you - disastrous. that is incredibly alarming. would you expect| disastrous. that is incredibly i alarming. would you expect the russian authorities to cooperate on this in terms of keeping them save or is that impossible to say at this stage because i was a they will know

these facilities are. thea;r stage because i was a they will know these facilities are.— these facilities are. they will obviously — these facilities are. they will obviously know _ these facilities are. they will obviously know where i these facilities are. they will obviously know where they l these facilities are. they will i obviously know where they are. all these facilities are. they will - obviously know where they are. all i can say is that at the moment there is no sign of care or caution or respect for civilian life. it is one thing to use precision guided munitions to go after military targets but we are seeing conventional munitions again cities. against apartment buildings. these are war crimes and if nuclear power plants are in any way targeted or disrupted then again this could be calamitous but there's nothing about the russian operation which shows any respect for innocent die. {biden any respect for innocent die. given that, is any respect for innocent die. given that. is the — any respect for innocent die. given that. is the us _ any respect for innocent die. given that, is the us or— any respect for innocent die. given that, is the us or nato _ any respect for innocent die. given that, is the us or nato doing i that, is the us or nato doing enough? we saw president biden's state of the union speech and we have heard repeatedly the understandable reluctance to secure the skies because that does escalate matters. i the skies because that does escalate matters. , ., the skies because that does escalate matters. . . . . matters. i understand the reticence and the decision _ matters. i understand the reticence and the decision not _ matters. i understand the reticence and the decision not to _ matters. i understand the reticence and the decision not to get - matters. i understand the reticence and the decision not to get directly| and the decision not to get directly involved either with boots on the

ground or no—fly zone. that would turn this into a russia nato russia us confrontation which i think history is suggested would be beyond dangerous. the real question right now is, can we get more arms and munitions to ukrainian troops? can we get more food, water, medicine to civilians in cities that rush as they siege to? those are the questions. i don't think the conversation about direct military intervention by the united states or nato is the correct conversation. if nato is the correct conversation. if what you're about just that, if there was some sort of unintentional problem with nuclear facilities or any kind of accidental involvement in other nato countries, it is alarmingly easy, isn't it? to see how this does escalate. and we are seeing increasing civilian casualties which are going to be unacceptable, surely, for the watching world.— unacceptable, surely, for the watchintworld. . , ,, . watching world. that is the essence ofthe watching world. that is the essence of the russian _ watching world. that is the essence of the russian strategy. _ watching world. that is the essence of the russian strategy. the - of the russian strategy. the military, as we see in places like

syria, uses brutality and casualties and places that are the core of its strategy and since the initial concept of this invasion did not work, or expectations were not met, what we see now is plan b or plan c and we are seeing essentially a medieval strategy was to one of laying siege to populations in economy and was not what i think there hopefully as this can bludgeon ukraine into capitulation a russia can insert a puppet government. the end of the day, russia can level ukraine and kill a lot of ukrainians. but it cannot do a subdue cannot come up with the political situation that would in any way endure so i do not believe mr putin has a strategy that is thought through. the tragedy, though, is that in the process of this failure, a lot of innocent life will be lost.

this failure, a lot of innocent life will be lost-— this failure, a lot of innocent life will be lost. . this failure, a lot of innocent life will be lost. , ., , will be lost. let us give the latest now from the _ will be lost. let us give the latest now from the sporting _ will be lost. let us give the latest now from the sporting world. i will be lost. let us give the latest now from the sporting world. the j now from the sporting world. the governing body of the paralympics has said that russian and belarusian athletes already in beijing for the winter games can compete but under that paralympics flag. ollie foster is of the bbc sport centre. yes, they have said that this is the harshest possible font mash punishment for those russian and belarusian paralympian se who are preparing for the winter paralympics to start just this preparing for the winter paralympics to startjust this friday. but there are many within sport that consider the length of the other sports have gone to over the last 48—72 hours to expel russian and belarusian athletes from various arenas around the globe. they will feel that the ipc, the international panel of the committee simply have not gone far enough. baroness tammy grey thompson, one of great paralympian is said that should they go down this route then it would be a copout