this is bbc news, i'm lyse doucet live in ukraine where russian troops have taken control of a key city. kherson in the south has fallen. russian soldiers are on the streets. it's the first major urban area, now under the control, of the russian army. the strategic port of mariupol, has come under heavy fire, the battle for the city is intense. ukraine's president says the invaders will not win. "we will rebuild every single house, every single street, every single city."

and we say to russia learn reparation. we will not forget everyone who died. russia says the west is failing to understand their mission. they are listening to us but they are not hearing us. they are trying to force on us their own understanding of how europe should live henceforth. if russia attacks nato territory then _ if russia attacks nato territory then nato will act. i�*m if russia attacks nato territory then nato will act.— if russia attacks nato territory then nato will act. i'm in london and an investigation _ then nato will act. i'm in london and an investigation into - then nato will act. i'm in london| and an investigation into possible war crimes as russia is accused of bombing civilians in ukraine. a humanitarian catastrophe. the united nations says more than one million people, have now fled ukraine. we are reporting live from the border.

we're in the ukrainian capital, kyiv, on the eighth day of russia's invasion, after a night of missile strikes on targets on the outskirts, and late morning there have been numerous rocket attacks which we can clearly hear to the north west. the country's second city of kharkiv, has also endured rocket fire and cruise missiles, with residential areas being hit. ukraine's embattled president, vlodomyr zelensky, says his country's defences are holding out, and "we have nothing to lose but our freedom". but it comes as the

port city of kherson in the south falls to the russians, the first major urban area to be taken. elsewhere, that large column of russian military vehicles heading here to kyiv, on the northern approach road, and it remains within 20 miles or so of the capital. today, russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov, said moscow was ready for talks to end the fighting, but would not stop targetting the country's military infrastructure. our first report, is from our kyiv correspondent, james waterhouse. it has taken eight days for ukraine's first major for city to fall. . he was visited by armed guests and there is now a curfew. in mauripol heavy shelling. hundreds have thought to have died. the fear

that the invaders will take stronger measures is being realised. in the east, more bombardment but still in ukrainian hands. we east, more bombardment but still in ukrainian hands.— ukrainian hands. we will restore every house. — ukrainian hands. we will restore every house, every _ ukrainian hands. we will restore every house, every street, - ukrainian hands. we will restore| every house, every street, every city and we say to russia learn the words of reparations and contributions. you will reimburse of the everything you did against our state, every ukrainian in full and we will not forget everyone who died. to we will not forget everyone who died. ., ., ., ., «a we will not forget everyone who died. ., ., ., ., , died. to the north, oiltanks burned from attacks — died. to the north, oiltanks burned from attacks from _ died. to the north, oiltanks burned from attacks from the _ died. to the north, oiltanks burned from attacks from the sky. - died. to the north, oiltanks burned from attacks from the sky. there i died. to the north, oil tanks burned | from attacks from the sky. there are reports hospitals will hit overnight. and in kyiv, more explosions. this station was evacuated after a missile landed there. today, a different view. so this is what an exodus to light. people driving to the central station, heading away from the

fighting and now the authorities are having to remove vehicles that people are not coming back for. moron looking to leave. it people are not coming back for. moron looking to leave. if there's an opportunity — moron looking to leave. if there's an opportunity to _ moron looking to leave. if there's an opportunity to enter— moron looking to leave. if there's an opportunity to enter poland i moron looking to leave. if there's an opportunity to enter poland or| an opportunity to enter poland or hungary. 50 an opportunity to enter poland or huma . y” an opportunity to enter poland or hunua . ,, .,�* an opportunity to enter poland or hunua . .,�* an opportunity to enter poland or hunua . ., hungary. so you won't come back to cive? hungary. so you won't come back to give? yes. — hungary. so you won't come back to give? yes. if— hungary. so you won't come back to give? yes, if everything _ hungary. so you won't come back to give? yes, if everything becomes. give? yes, if everything becomes normal. give? yes, if everything becomes normal- the _ give? yes, if everything becomes normal. the russian _ give? yes, if everything becomes normal. the russian armed - give? yes, if everything becomes. normal. the russian armed convoy remains 30 — normal. the russian armed convoy remains 30 kilometres _ normal. the russian armed convoy remains 30 kilometres north. - normal. the russian armed convoy remains 30 kilometres north. it's l remains 30 kilometres north. it's supposedly having issues with food and fuel. negotiators from both ukraine and russia will meet this afternoon for more talks. expectations are low on both sides. james waterhouse, bbc news in kyiv. i'm joined now by sergiy petukhov, former deputy justice minister for ukraine, who during that time launched legal cases against russia in the international court of justice.

this was after russia annexed crimea and moved into the dom basque region. how complex will it be legally after russia's invasion of ukraine? , , , ., legally after russia's invasion of ukraine? , i, ., , legally after russia's invasion of ukraine? , , , ., , ., ukraine? these type of cases are alwa s ukraine? these type of cases are always hard _ ukraine? these type of cases are always hard to — ukraine? these type of cases are always hard to launch _ ukraine? these type of cases are always hard to launch and - ukraine? these type of cases are always hard to launch and prove. always hard to launch and prove because the evidence is on the ground and you don't control the territory usually where the evidence can be found. we've seen this happening when we were bringing the case of the european court of human rights on the violation of human rights that occurred in occupied crimea. these other territories controlled by russia and we had to use in the right ways of getting evidence, hearing witnesses and getting all the information about

human rights violations. so, the situation is not much different. i know already that there is a government team working on documenting war crimes. 0nce government team working on documenting war crimes. once it had been committed right now in the east of the country and in the south of the country and they are doing a tremendousjob at the country and they are doing a tremendous job at what we have to do first thing is to stop it from happening because the legal proceedings will take ages, years or decades to get through. the important thing now is to stop shelling of the cities in the —— in ukraine. shelling of the cities in the -- in ukraine. ~ �* , ., , , shelling of the cities in the -- in ukraine. �* , ., ,, . ukraine. we've seen other cases such as s ria ukraine. we've seen other cases such as syria where — ukraine. we've seen other cases such as syria where they've _ ukraine. we've seen other cases such as syria where they've tried _ ukraine. we've seen other cases such as syria where they've tried to - as syria where they've tried to launch legal cases in front of world courts but often it's a case of establishing that there is evidence that commanders ordered certain

actions, evidence that there was deliberate targeting of individuals. especially you know the intent is very hard to establish because you need to prove to the international courts that there was a specific intent to target civilians or target civilian infrastructure and their was no justification for it. we have seen that for example and it is very complicated, the downing of m h 17 that happened when 298 innocent people died as a result of the attack launched through the russian military on russian territory. although it was possible to

establish the movement, it required interception of the conversation of the actual people who did that to establish their intent. cases now ongoing in the netherlands and lets see how it develops there. but, it requires direct evidence and this suggestion means that we would have to rely on the intercepted conversation. i'm sure that we will be looking after the people who perpetrated that, whether it was russia or anywhere else, because we'd need witnesses who would testify and who made this decision, how it was communicated, where their safeguards provided or not? and so forth. so, many legal questions that can take years to get through and the work of hundreds of lawyers around the world collecting evidence and presenting it in a court proceedings. in and presenting it in a court proceedings.— and presenting it in a court proceedings. and presenting it in a court ”roceedins. ., ., , ., proceedings. in other words, you are underlinin: proceedings. in other words, you are underlining that _ proceedings. in other words, you are underlining that you _

proceedings. in other words, you are underlining that you need _ proceedings. in other words, you are underlining that you need evidence, | underlining that you need evidence, witness, lawyers. it will take time. it would take money. it will take commitment and expertise. does ukraine have this or know where to go for this?— go for this? look, we are much better prepared _ go for this? look, we are much better prepared now _ go for this? look, we are much better prepared now as - go for this? look, we are much better prepared now as we've l go for this? look, we are much - better prepared now as we've started this legal war against russia in 2014. we have at least 15 different proceedings opening criminal cases, interstate applications, arbitrations against russia or russian owned companies on many different violations they have committed since occupying crimea into thousand i4. committed since occupying crimea into thousand 14. we will definitely need reinforcement but we do have the experience, the competence and people who are seeds and in this type of proceedings. people from around the world. —— seasoned in

this. thank you forjoining us with your expertise and as he underlines, this legal battle is being launched when the battle on the ground is still being waged. in britain, the uk defence secretary has warned that the consequences of russia's war in ukraine will ripple throughout europe. notjust for weeks but months and years to come. representaives of nato countries, have been meeting across europe, but russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov, has sought to jusitfy his country's invasion of ukraine, by saying its aspirations to join nato, had posed a threat to russian security. here's our diplomatic correspondent, caroline hawley.

images of before and after russia's invasion shows why the west is determined to stand together not just to stop the war but to hold president putin to account for what he has done. nato has been beefing up he has done. nato has been beefing up its defences and military alliances on the eastern flank. britain has doubled the number of troops in the baltic state of estonia when the defence secretary is today. estonia when the defence secretary is toda . , ., estonia when the defence secretary istoda . ., , is today. the message to president putin is "step- _ is today. the message to president putin is "stop. it _ is today. the message to president putin is "stop. it isn't _ is today. the message to president putin is "stop. it isn't too _ is today. the message to president putin is "stop. it isn't too late - is today. the message to president putin is "stop. it isn't too late to i putin is "stop. it isn't too late to stop what you are doing, what you have done so far is illegal and you risk being isolated." and this could be for decades to come. risk being isolated.�* and this could be for decades to come.— risk being isolated." and this could be for decades to come.— be for decades to come. from the kremlin, be for decades to come. from the kremlin. no _ be for decades to come. from the kremlin, no hint _ be for decades to come. from the kremlin, no hint of _ be for decades to come. from the kremlin, no hint of retreat. - kremlin, no hint of retreat. russian's foreign minister described the western response as hysteria. they are listening to us but they are not— they are listening to us but they are not hearing us. they are trying to force _ are not hearing us. they are trying to force on — are not hearing us. they are trying to force on us their own understanding of how europe should live henceforth. to be honest, the following — live henceforth. to be honest, the following comparisons come to mind for me _ following comparisons come to mind for me at_ following comparisons come to mind for me. at one time, both napoleon

and hitler_ for me. at one time, both napoleon and hitler set the task of subjugating europe. now the americans have taken over. but as russia writes _ americans have taken over. but as russia writes a _ americans have taken over. but as russia writes a new _ americans have taken over. but as russia writes a new history - americans have taken over. but as russia writes a new history of - russia writes a new history of europe with the lives of ukrainians, american and europe countries are united, overcoming the divisions to respond. this is a prime minister of hungary visiting the border with ukraine. he was once one of president peter bosz—mac closest allies. president peter bosz-mac closest allies. ~ . , president peter bosz-mac closest allies. ~ ., , ., president peter bosz-mac closest allies. ., , ., ., ., , ., allies. what is going on now is war. war is can — allies. what is going on now is war. war is can only _ allies. what is going on now is war. war is can only be _ allies. what is going on now is war. war is can only be stopped - allies. what is going on now is war. war is can only be stopped by - war is can only be stopped by negotiation, peace talks and ceasefires. it depends on the russian delegates. the ceasefires. it depends on the russian delegates. ceasefires. it depends on the russian deleaates. ., ., , russian delegates. the delegation is on its way to — russian delegates. the delegation is on its way to meet _ russian delegates. the delegation is on its way to meet at _ russian delegates. the delegation is on its way to meet at border - russian delegates. the delegation is on its way to meet at border of - on its way to meet at border of belarus. it's a second round of talks this week. ukraine wants to talks this week. ukraine wants to talk about humanitarian corridors to help save it civilians but expectations, again, are low.

caroline hawley, bbc news. as diplomats continue to wrangle, the ordinary people of ukraine remain caught in the crossfire. it's the people of ukraine who remain trapped in this intensifying battle. denys andrushchenkojoins me now from cherkasy in central ukraine. he and his wife have a newborn who is two—weeks old and plan who is two weeks old and plan to head to a bomb shelter today to find cover. thank you very much for taking time tojoin us here on bbc news. i thank you very much for taking time to join us here on bbc news.- to 'oin us here on bbc news. i want to join us here on bbc news. i want to thank you _ to join us here on bbc news. i want to thank you for _ to join us here on bbc news. i want to thank you for this _ to join us here on bbc news. i want to thank you for this opportunity - to thank you for this opportunity and also to thank the united kingdom their continued support of ukraine. we congratulate you on your newborn, born into a war. tell us about the circumstances your family are living in at the moment? what is it like their? ~ �* ,

in at the moment? what is it like their? ~ 3 . in at the moment? what is it like their? ~ �*, ., , ., their? well, it's a strange feeling because the _ their? well, it's a strange feeling because the town _ their? well, it's a strange feeling because the town right _ their? well, it's a strange feeling because the town right now - their? well, it's a strange feeling because the town right now is - because the town right now is probably one of the most calm places in ukraine. we're right in the centre and just a few rockets landed here but generally our defences are working fine. also people are preparing really well to meet the aggressor. we have a thousand people in territorial defence groups. civilians have helped to prepare for thousands of molotov cocktails. we've even had them delivered in the region. there are defences on the outskirts of the town and we have started to deliver tank traps to other towns as well. but in terms of our routine, it's stressful. we don't get good sleep because we have this aircraft alarm every time and we have to go to the bomb shelter.

0ur we have to go to the bomb shelter. our little son is our little light in this dark hour. pare our little son is our little light in this dark hour.— our little son is our little light in this dark hour. are you like so many ukrainians _ in this dark hour. are you like so many ukrainians in _ in this dark hour. are you like so many ukrainians in touch - in this dark hour. are you like so many ukrainians in touch with i many ukrainians in touch with relatives where the russian advance is much closer?— is much closer? yes, we have some friends who — is much closer? yes, we have some friends who are _ is much closer? yes, we have some friends who are trapped _ is much closer? yes, we have some friends who are trapped in - is much closer? yes, we have some friends who are trapped in mauripol| friends who are trapped in mauripol and other towns and the situation there is very dangerous. kyiv, as well. we have tried to accept in this town lots of refugees. you can observe cars with numberplates from kyiv and other towns. many people have tried to migrate if they can but the roads are long and it's hard to get across the border. it takes days to do that. so this currently is a safe spot so far but the people

i talk to, they say that there is a danger of the humanitarian crisis. in one week there might be famine if we don't get enough products, enough food coming from the west. it's much harder in mauripol, believe me. 50. harder in mauripol, believe me. so, the road is — harder in mauripol, believe me. so, the road is getting ever harder to get food supplies to the town for now. but it's relatively calm at the moment? , ., , _ now. but it's relatively calm at the moment? , ., , ., ., moment? yes. people say that we are awake from — moment? yes. people say that we are awake from a — moment? yes. people say that we are awake from a shortage _ moment? yes. people say that we are awake from a shortage of— moment? yes. people say that we are awake from a shortage of food - moment? yes. people say that we are awake from a shortage of food so - moment? yes. people say that we are awake from a shortage of food so we | awake from a shortage of food so we are signalling our partners from abroad who have been giving us tremendous support, from the international community, from friends and our rotarian clubs are helping bringing food and residence —— medicines. iwant helping bringing food and residence —— medicines. i want to point out that there are people who are raising funds in various ways, even

crypto currency and they can send money across ukraine so that people can buy what they can buy locally. but, again, in a matter of time, we urge for enough of supplies of the medicine from the west because what is here is not enough and all the storages in kyiv, we are cut off from them, unfortunately. $5 storages in kyiv, we are cut off from them, unfortunately. as we see russian forces _ from them, unfortunately. as we see russian forces advancing _ from them, unfortunately. as we see russian forces advancing from - from them, unfortunately. as we see russian forces advancing from many | russian forces advancing from many directions, are you getting the kind of information you may need if the advance comes closer to the town? i think so. i believe in our military and we have a great self organisation of people. people don't want to leave. i think many people who wanted to leave they did this

last month, or even a week before. it was our conscious decision, my wife and me to give birth to our son, luke, here and then help as we can with the situation. we had another circumstance which vented us from doing mobility across ukraine, my wife had to go to hospital so i had to look after my son. i had to collect my wife and hospital because the russians are bombing hospitals. we are very grateful you have taken time to speak to us despite the growing stress in your life with you, your wife and your little son, i hope you remain safe. you have an eyewitness account here, from just

south of kyiv. it's in a central part of the country, relatively safe but the growing concern of possible famine as the roads are cut—off and people can't get supplies of places that they are needed, including mauripol, which is now surrounded by russian forces. here in kyiv, there still food on the shelves but it is being emptied quickly which is why the adviser to the ukrainian president today issued an urgent call for humanitarian corridors that in this worsening war, that people do not sufferfor lack in this worsening war, that people do not suffer for lack of essential food and water. but with every day that passes, this conflict intensifies and so to be have humanitarian crisis. —— so too. i will now hand you back to london. let's bring you some breaking news

that we've had coming. according to reports, ukrainian delegation of negotiators have now arrived by helicopter for talks with the russian side in belarus. russian state has said that the reporter on the ground has confirmed that the ukraine delegation has now arrived. this will now be the second round of talks between the russians and ukrainians. they have already been talks which ended three days ago with no progress. ukrainians describing those talks is very difficult. the second round of talks should be now imminent. the ukrainian delegation had now arrived with the russian side in belarus, to talk. the russian foreign minister, sergei lavrov, has again sought to justify the invasion by repeating moscow's view that ukraine's aspirations tojoin nato represented a threat to russia's security. translation: the west,

by all means possible, . is trying to avoid reaction to our completely clear, transparent, based on current agreements, proposals with regard to the architecture of security in europe. i mentioned the key principle that was approved at the highest level and the relationship between russia and nato. of course, every country is free to choose the union, but no country can strengthen their security at the cost of other countries' security and no organisation can say they can dominate in the northern atlantic space. and this is what nato is actively doing — trying to bolster the security of the west at the expense of russia's security. ukraine's deputy prime minister has said nato is partially responsible for civilian deaths in the country by refusing to enforce a no—fly zone over ukraine. in a military context, a no—fly zone is designed to stop

aircraft from entering banned airspace, usually to prevent attacks or surveillance. nato members have refused to establish one over ukraine as they are worried it would escalate the conflict and bring western forces into direct combat with russian air power. the us and european allies have sent and are continuing to send military equipment and funding to ukraine, but have repeatedly said they will not be sending troops to fight russia. i've been speaking to the us ambassador to nato, julianne smith. i started by asking for her response to the accusation that nato has blood on its hands and is partially responsible for civilian deaths because it's refusing to establish a no—fly zone. nato is not considering a no—fly zone. we do not believe that nato needs to be party to this conflict. what nato allies are doing is providing tremendous amount of legal and humanitarian assistance. many

ally in fact every ally in the alliance has stepped forward after russia went into ukraine and made offers of assistance and that is flowing. the united states has put forward over $1 billion of security assistance in the past year. the us will continue to look at the security needs of ukraine and provide additional assistance as necessary. but do you accept that nato is partially to blame for what's happening in ukraine now? ida. what's happening in ukraine now? no. russia is what's happening in ukraine now? firm russia is the aggressor. it's undertaking an unprovoked and unpremeditated attack. we warned that this could happen and nato has been ready for it but had no question in my mind that the aggressor right now is russia. mata aggressor right now is russia. nato is insistin: aggressor right now is russia. nato is insisting that _ aggressor right now is russia. nato is insisting that the _ aggressor right now is russia. nato is insisting that the door to enlargement is very much remaining open. is that good idea, given that russia believes this is an act of

aggression and is worried about it and is acting on it? hate aggression and is worried about it and is acting on it?— and is acting on it? nato made it c stal and is acting on it? nato made it crystal clear _ and is acting on it? nato made it crystal clear when _ and is acting on it? nato made it crystal clear when it _ and is acting on it? nato made it crystal clear when it held - and is acting on it? nato made it crystal clear when it held the - and is acting on it? nato made it. crystal clear when it held the nato russia council in early january, nato allies sat down with the russians are met with them and in that meeting we laid out several areas where we would be willing to engage the russians. 0ne areas where we would be willing to engage the russians. one area we weren't willing to engage in was on the question of nato's open—door policy. the message that has been delivered to russia over many months now has been been that that question rests with other countries, such as ukraine and with nato allies. it does not rest with russia. it has no veto power over that and nato allies are united in their feeling that nato's enlargement policy will continue and the door will remain open. continue and the door will remain 0 en. ., ., �* , continue and the door will remain oen. ., ., �*, ., ,, open. even after what's happened in ukraine you'd _ open. even after what's happened in ukraine you'd keep _ open. even after what's happened in ukraine you'd keep the _ open. even after what's happened in ukraine you'd keep the door - open. even after what's happened in ukraine you'd keep the door open? l ukraine you'd keep the door open? there has been no change to nato buzz opened policy, not in recent

days and months.— buzz opened policy, not in recent days and months. back in january you said us and — days and months. back in january you said us and other— days and months. back in january you said us and other nato _ days and months. back in january you said us and other nato members - days and months. back in january you l said us and other nato members would consider other posture moves in eastern and central europe if russia n as ukraine was that what are these? ,, ., n as ukraine was that what are these? ., _, , ., , n as ukraine was that what are these? ., , ., , ., these? so, a couple of these have happened- — these? so, a couple of these have happened. before _ these? so, a couple of these have happened. before russia - these? so, a couple of these have happened. before russia went - these? so, a couple of these have| happened. before russia went into ukraine, nato allies collectively came together and began taking decisions to move posture into central europe. so you had countries like the netherlands, united kingdom and so forthcoming together to take decisions to move troops, fighter jets, closer to central and eastern europe to deter. 0nce russia went into ukraine, we continued to have more discussions about these movements and now there's a foreign

ministerial happening here at the alliance tomorrow where we will begin conversations about longer term posture changes that the alliance may need to take in the weeks and months ahead. you've heard president biden talk about this, how russia has said all along that it doesn't nato posture to be close to its border but because of its actions in ukraine, nato is doing the opposite of what russia wants and that is to move more force posture into central and eastern europe. we will defend every inch of nato's territory. that's been very, very clear. nato's territory. that's been very, very clear-— very clear. given russia has launched — very clear. given russia has launched a _ very clear. given russia has launched a huge _ very clear. given russia has launched a huge military . very clear. given russia has - launched a huge military campaign in a country with land borders with four nato countries and see borders with a fifth, where does that lie need to go for nato to actually get involved and defend?— involved and defend? well, article five applies _ involved and defend? well, article five applies to _ involved and defend? well, article

five applies to every _ involved and defend? well, article five applies to every single - involved and defend? well, article. five applies to every single member of the alliance and all of us are united in ensuring that that article five commitment is ironclad in this moment and that includes the allies that border ukraine right now. but notjust that border ukraine right now. but not just those allies. that border ukraine right now. but notjust those allies. the article five commitment holds for all 30 members of the alliance and we've messaged very clearly to moscow that should they touch nato territory then all allies will come to the defence of that ally. so then all allies will come to the defence of that ally.— then all allies will come to the defence of that ally. so you are runnina defence of that ally. so you are running to _ defence of that ally. so you are running to engage _ defence of that ally. so you are running to engage militarily - defence of that ally. so you are| running to engage militarily with russia if russia enters any nato country? ii russia if russia enters any nato count ? . . . russia if russia enters any nato count ? ,, ., ., ., ., country? if russia attacks nato territo , country? if russia attacks nato territory, nato _ country? if russia attacks nato territory, nato will _ country? if russia attacks nato territory, nato will act. - country? if russia attacks nato territory, nato will act. let's i country? if russia attacks nato i territory, nato will act. let's talk about vladimir— territory, nato will act. let's talk about vladimir putin _ territory, nato will act. let's talk about vladimir putin because - territory, nato will act. let's talk about vladimir putin because in l territory, nato will act. let's talk. about vladimir putin because in the past you pursue the path of diplomacy, de—escalation, some would say that you believe that you believe you are dealing with a rational actor. believe you are dealing with a rationalactor. do believe you are dealing with a rational actor. do you think he is

now behaving rationally? do you think he is at some people saying is mad? ida think he is at some people saying is mad? ., ., . ., , think he is at some people saying is mad? ., ., , �*, mad? no one can get inside pete in's head. i mad? no one can get inside pete in's head- ithink— mad? no one can get inside pete in's head. i think many _ mad? no one can get inside pete in's head. i think many of— mad? no one can get inside pete in's head. i think many of us _ mad? no one can get inside pete in's head. i think many of us wish - mad? no one can get inside pete in's head. i think many of us wish we - head. i think many of us wish we knew what he's been thinking of the many months and why he has chosen this path of escalation and invasion but what we want to do in recent months is to give him a choice. we laid out to very distinct choices for him. one, he could de—escalate and work with us to romantic channels, through nato and bilaterally with the united states or two, bilaterally with the united states ortwo, he bilaterally with the united states or two, he could choose the path of conflict and we made it clear that the consequences if he did that. right now he is feeling those consequences very much so. but whether his irrational rational, no one can say for sure. what is clear though that we have held up our end of the commitment to ensure that russia pays a price for its invasion

of ukraine. russia pays a price for its invasion of ukraine-— of ukraine. earlier today, the russian foreign _ of ukraine. earlier today, the russian foreign minister- of ukraine. earlier today, the russian foreign minister was| of ukraine. earlier today, the - russian foreign minister was talking about the prospect of nuclear warfare and he said that any prospect of this is in the heads of western leaders. ayu worried about the potential for a western leaders. ayu worried about the potentialfor a nuclear western leaders. ayu worried about the potential for a nuclear war? western leaders. ayu worried about the potentialfor a nuclear war? we the potential for a nuclear war? we do not the potential for a nuclear war? - do not like russia talking about any sort of escalation in this space as it relates to their nuclear posture. we find this rhetoric extremely dangerous and increases the risk of miscalculation. what we have chosen to do at this moment is not to make any major changes. we are in our ability to defend nato territory and the united states is confident about defending the homeland.— the united states is confident about defending the homeland. surely you must be worried _ defending the homeland. surely you must be worried that _ defending the homeland. surely you must be worried that russia - defending the homeland. surely you must be worried that russia have i must be worried that russia have said in the past well, you won't do this, and then they've gone and done it. worried that this could lead to

the use of nuclear weapons? i don't want to get — the use of nuclear weapons? i don't want to get into _ the use of nuclear weapons? i don't want to get into hypotheticals. - the use of nuclear weapons? i don't| want to get into hypotheticals. what we want to do is provide all the assistance that we can to ukraine. we will take it day by day and continue to monitor the situation but we are interested right now in seeing russia leave ukraine calling for a live now tojenny hill in moscow. we have been hearing today from the russian foreign minister, sergei lavrov, and laying the blame for the conflict at the door of nato. unsurprisingly?— conflict at the door of nato. unsurrisinul ? , ., unsurprisingly? yes. the kremlin and the --eole unsurprisingly? yes. the kremlin and the people around _ unsurprisingly? yes. the kremlin and the people around mr _ unsurprisingly? yes. the kremlin and the people around mr putin _ unsurprisingly? yes. the kremlin and the people around mr putin continue. the people around mr putin continue to justify this work, although of course they don't call this a war, nobody here is allowed to call it

that. with severaljustifications. the first is that they say ukraine needs to be, in their words, denazify it. in the second is that nato and its expansion represents a threat to russia and the third we have heard is that ukraine wants to get its hands on nuclear weapons and thatis get its hands on nuclear weapons and that is something russia will not tolerate. again, we heard mr lavrov repeating the accusations against the west and the expansion of nato is something which russia just cannot agree to. and i think it is no surprise what we are hearing because we are hearing this day after day, the kremlin's position is not shifting. it will not cease operations in ukraine. unless ukraine is, in its words, demilitarised, they denazify it, the nazi theme is something that you

strongly, withoutjustification. it is hard to see how these peace talks can really make much on the way of progress. i wasjust can really make much on the way of progress. i was just watching the foreign ministry spokeswoman here telling citizens, addressing russian citizens on state tv, telling them that ukraine is run by nazis we have come to power by fylde means and that the west is simply not agreeing to russia's demands. it is very difficult to see why any progress can really be achieved here. and i think mr lavrov is going on the airwaves to make clearjust how intransigent russia is going to be so very few grounds for optimism stop so very few grounds for optimism sto ; . , so very few grounds for optimism sto_ ., , ., , so very few grounds for optimism sto. ., , ., , ., stop any details from the kremlin about the russian _ stop any details from the kremlin about the russian advance - stop any details from the kremlin about the russian advance in - stop any details from the kremlin about the russian advance in the| about the russian advance in the russian perspective? ii about the russian advance in the russian perspective?— about the russian advance in the russian perspective? if you watch state tv and _ russian perspective? if you watch state tv and listen _ russian perspective? if you watch state tv and listen to _ russian perspective? if you watch state tv and listen to the - russian perspective? if you watch | state tv and listen to the kremlin, it is all going according to plan.

we did hearfrom the kremlin spokesperson this morning we talked about how yesterday for the first time the ministry of defence said 498 russian soldiers have been killed during this came paint off during this campaign and we have no way of verifying that figure but this is the first time we have talked about casualties amongst russian troops in the spokesperson said they would go down in history, the soldiers, as heroes. and that is how this is being pitched to the russian public. if you want to stay tv you will not see the extent of hostilities in ukraine, you won't see what people at home here are watching. and you will be told that this a necessary operation to defend the russian speaking populations of eastern ukraine i guess the aggression, what they say is genocide, baseless lee, perpetrated ljy genocide, baseless lee, perpetrated by the ukrainian government. jenny.

by the ukrainian government. jenny, thank ou by the ukrainian government. jenny, thank you very _ by the ukrainian government. jenny, thank you very much _ by the ukrainian government. jenny, thank you very much indeed. - let's take a look at russia's military strategy. russian forces have taken the city of kherson in southern ukraine and there's fierce fighting in other strategically important cities. the russians surrounding mariupol in the south east are said to be creating a blockade — the water and power are cut off, and officials say a ceasefire is needed to get them restored. meanwhile, stuck 20 miles north of kyiv, there's a 40—mile long russian military convoy, delayed by mechanical problems, ukraine resistance and congestion. so what will russia do next? 0ur security correspondent frank gardner has this assessment. so this is an overview of how ukraine is looking today. the areas in red are the ones that russian forces control. they already had crimea, they annexed that back in 2014. and in the south they have been pushing northwards, they had taken the port city of kherson, that's the first major city that

russian forces have taken since this invasion began a week ago. and they're looking to link up with their forces to the east and eventually control the whole of ukraine's black sea coast, cutting it off from the sea. to the north, the two major cities of kyiv and kharkiv have been coming under attack. if we take a closer look at that, down here is the capital kyiv, there is a massive armoured column that is moving towards it. it seems to be stuck at the moment a few miles north of the capital. but the expectation is that it will look to encircle the city and possibly even lay siege to it. kharkiv has been coming under intense bombardment and there have been a lot of civilian casualties. that was frank gardner. his assessment of the security aspects. some breaking news from mariupol, we mentioned earlier that it has been besieged very much and shelled heavily and the mayor has been speaking out, calling for a chance

to bring in medical supplies and food supplies and water supplies to people living in the city. we have news from the mayor, saying that russian troops encircling the southern port city have created a situation similar to the deadly nazi siege of st petersburg, formerly leningrad, the siege in world war ii. he says they are trying to create a blockade here, just like in leningrad. he also says russian troops have cut off the electricity, food, water and heating. he went on to say that they could not find a way to break us and they are now trying to vent us from repairing water, electricity and heating supplies. russian forces also destroyed a train connection so they cannot evacuate civilians, and to give you an idea of what is going on, mariupol temperatures are forecast to drop to —2, 28 fahrenheit, this weekend so imagine having no electricity, water or

heating in a city with temperatures that low. we will bring you more from our correspondents around the area as and when we get it. let's move on. the united nations says a million refugees have left ukraine since the russian invasion began, and eu ministers are to discuss a plan for residence permits for many of them, with the right to work in eu countries. those fleeing the fighting have mainly entered neighbouring eu states including poland, hungary and slovakia. the larger arrows indicate the biggest population flows. 0ur central europe correspondent nick thorpe reports from the village of tiszabecs on the hungarian— ukrainian border, on the effortt to help those forced to leave their homes. a mountain of gifts for the people of ukraine... ..from the people of hungary. the warehouse next to the primary school in tiszabecs is constantly replenished.

next door, 3,000 people a day are fed, watered, rested and guided on their way. three people. my husband has gone to kyiv to continue fighting. we have many kind people who help with the children, who make, like this, the meals, who make the places to sleep, so they are like "oh, a new place. "oh, that is interesting." so they are ok, i hope. volunteers distribute donations from all over the country. there's something for even the smallest guests. this man drove from the western to the eastern tip of hungary, 600 kilometres, to bring provisions. i saw on the tv last night, help is needed here, food and clothes for the children. the refugees include many roma from ukraine. now they're being looked after by the roma of hungary.

this couple run a guesthouse in a village near the border. they don't charge ukrainians a penny for accommodation or food. "we feel so sorry for them," judit told me. catching up on the latest news from home over an open bible, first corinthians. in the new europe, ukrainian passports are badges of pride and defiance. nick thorpe, bbc news, on the hungary—ukraine border. the largest number of refugees have crossed into poland, where more than half a million have fled ukraine. the bbc�*s, kasia madera, is on the poland—ukraine borderfor us now.

give us a flavour of what is happening where you are. this give us a flavour of what is happening where you are. this is a lace that happening where you are. this is a place that we _ happening where you are. this is a place that we have _ happening where you are. this is a place that we have been _ happening where you are. this is a place that we have been coming i happening where you are. this is a i place that we have been coming back to time and time again because given the huge number of people that have been coming in from ukraine, this kind of infrastructure system has turned up, created a place where people can come and get processed and get a little bit of rest because they have been travelling for such a long time. this is not forfrom ukrainian border, we have lots of people who have just arrived and you will see them milling around and wondering what to do next. there are buses that bring these people from the border itself, bearing in mind these people have travelled for such a long distance, from various parts of ukraine, to get to poland. and a host of people that are now trying to help them as well because they get here, it is cold, you mentioned

the temperatures in ukraine, it is cold here also. people like these guys, international community, where are you from? the guys, international community, where are you from?— are you from? the netherlands. what are you from? the netherlands. what are ou are you from? the netherlands. what are you going — are you from? the netherlands. what are you going to _ are you from? the netherlands. what are you going to do? _ are you from? the netherlands. what are you going to do? i _ are you from? the netherlands. what are you going to do? i am _ are you from? the netherlands. what are you going to do? i am going - are you from? the netherlands. what are you going to do? i am going to i are you going to do? i am going to cook food- — are you going to do? i am going to cook food. we _ are you going to do? i am going to cook food. we have _ are you going to do? i am going to cook food. we have 7000 - are you going to do? i am going to cook food. we have 7000 kilos i are you going to do? i am going to cook food. we have 7000 kilos of| cook food. we have 7000 kilos of meat with us and vegetables and soap. we want to cook it for ukraine. soap. we want to cook it for ukraine-— soap. we want to cook it for ukraine. ., ~ i. , . , ukraine. thank you very much. this is a real international _ ukraine. thank you very much. this is a real international effort, - is a real international effort, given that you have got hundreds of thousands of people that have come to poland that have left ukraine and only in the space of aboutjust over a week, so this is almost like a warehouse that has been transformed into a resting area and we are not filming inside to protect the privacy of those inside because people are just exhausted but there are rows and rows of camp beds where people can get a little bit of sleep. it is so busy here, movement all the time so people come from the

border on the buses, every few minutes along this road, they come along this little road which is effectively a car park that has been transformed. they come out of the buses and they get moved into the warehouse and get some rest and reassess what their next steps are going to be and then these buses, they load up more people and take them to different parts of the country. this guy has got a sign that says, where are you going to? i don't know who i am picking up. my friend asked me to come here and take someone.— friend asked me to come here and take someone. ., , ., , , take someone. that is happening time and time again. _ take someone. that is happening time and time again, people _ take someone. that is happening time and time again, people from - take someone. that is happening time and time again, people from all i take someone. that is happening time and time again, people from all over. and time again, people from all over poland, notjust poland but all over europe, they are coming up with pieces of paper with destinations on them and offering lifts. this guy,

this is a town not far from here, them and offering lifts. this guy, this is a town not farfrom here, he is going up to the site. these people have just come from the border and they will be helped off the bus and the guys in yellow, they are the polish fire brigade but right now they are just helping people with suitcases, bearing in mind what they have gone through. a lot of women and children. when it comes to ukrainian nationals it is the women and children coming here, and the elderly, because the men have to stay. a lot of reunions. a lot of tears, if we are honest. it has been such a turbulent and difficult time for so many of these people. a lot of non—ukrainian national also coming here, trying to flee from the dangers of ukraine. there have been a high number of international students that study in ukraine, we have spoken to people from all over the world that left

ukraine because they also were scared. they will come across the border. this is a huge effort, if you think about it, just over a week, so many tens of thousands of people have been displaced and have left this neighbouring country to poland. the eu understands that these people need notjust temporary help, this will last for as long as it is needed but these people also need help for the longer future. they need to think about what they will do next. given the large amount of ukrainian nationals that live in poland, lots of the people coming off the buses do have relatives and friends to pick them up. they have something organised. but lots of them do not. so again, it is this whole thing of what happens to them, what happens to them next? you were talking about encouraging people to come here and get their heads sorted out and then think about what happens next in terms of their work permits, where children go to school, medical services and all the

rest of it. a lot for these people to come to terms with, to think about. absolutely. thank you very much indeed. let's get a check on how global markets have been absorbing the latest developments. tadhg enright is here. thank you very much. oil and gas prices continue to soar with oil hitting a ten—year high as the effect of western sanctions on russia are felt around the world. although the sanctions don't currently target russian gas and oil exports — there is a growing reluctance to buy and rely on russian energy. so here are some of the numbers. that oil price jumped close to $120 a barrel at one stage — the highest level since 2012. russia is the world's second biggest exporter of oil and supplies 40% of europe's gas and while it's still flowing and is not subject to any direct sanctions, market watchers report that many individual buyers

are choosing not to buy oil and gas from russia. the prices of other commodities are also going up because of fears that the war will interrupt their supply. the price of wheat has gone up 40% this month, because ukraine and russia are major suppliers of that grain. that's likely to raise the price of foods like bread and pasta. aluminium has risen 30% along with other metals which are produced in the region. the price of many raw materials are at their highest in over a decade. let's focus on the oil aspect of the story to begin with. we're joined by michelle wiese bockmann — commodities analyst at informa. russian oil and gas is still flowing. no direct sanctions but many buyers holding off. the actually acting as if they will ultimately, or that supply will be cut off? last ultimately, or that supply will be cut off? �* ., ., ,

cut off? at the moment we are seeing a lot of tankers _ cut off? at the moment we are seeing a lot of tankers that _ cut off? at the moment we are seeing a lot of tankers that are _ cut off? at the moment we are seeing a lot of tankers that are loaded i cut off? at the moment we are seeing a lot of tankers that are loaded in i a lot of tankers that are loaded in russian ports being diverted from the uk, for example. 20 russian affiliated ships have diverted in the last 48 hours. we are seeing some liquefied natural gas cargoes that have been loaded and have yet to find homes. and the lack of clarity is causing this chaos that is with flashing prices. also, refined products, diesel in particular, some 40% of diesel that is imported by europe, the 27 member countries, comes mostly from the russian baltic port. and we are seeing fewer cargoes loaded from that port so certainly while there are no official sanctions, we are definitely seeing western oil companies, traders and refiners reconsider and recalibrate their oil trade flows, where they try to come to groups with how best to comply with some very confusing financial,

banking and commodities sanctions. in the meantime the price of brent crude still keeps hitting new peaks. yesterday the oil producing countries who are members of 0pec declined to change their own production plans. sticking to a small pre—planned increase. perhaps because russia was chairing the meeting. do you see any cracks in that position? could diplomatic pressure be put upon saudi arabia? to start turning the taps and releasing more oil?- to start turning the taps and releasing more oil? 0pec said yesterday _ releasing more oil? 0pec said yesterday that _ releasing more oil? 0pec said yesterday that the _ releasing more oil? 0pec said yesterday that the reason i releasing more oil? 0pec said yesterday that the reason for| yesterday that the reason for maintaining the status quo is the market fundamentals have not changed, just geopolitics. but we have seen that geopolitics has changed the market fundamentals and when prices get too high, all 0pec members are likely to see demand destruction. as it stands, aside from russia, most of the members are

going to be the beneficiaries of those higher prices so perhaps there is no incentive right now to add additional oil to the market. they are sticking with their 400,000 barrels every day. but i do note that the netherlands imports 800,000 barrels per day from russia and although there is no specific sanctions on the russian energy commodities, surely that is going to be reconsidered? and that must be fuelled and supplied from somewhere. so i think that given what is going, depending on what happens in the coming weeks, 0pec is going to have to reconsider what they are doing and especially watching very carefully where those oil prices go. and that will be determined in the next weeks as a lot of the oil cargoes that are currently on the water were sold before the invasion of ukraine. so how these subsequent

cargoes will be managed and treated by not only western oil companies but also by asian companies will also dictate how best they are going to go. also dictate how best they are going to no. . ~ also dictate how best they are going to no. ., ~' ,, also dictate how best they are going toao. ., , also dictate how best they are going to io, ., ~' , . also dictate how best they are going too. ., , . ., ., soaring energy costs are all but certain to make inflation worse. and that's posing a dilemma for central bank policymakers around the world. do they press ahead with planned interest rate rises — to rein in post—lockdown inflation — despite the economic disruption caused by the war? us federal reserve chief jerome powell has indicated that the cost of borrowing in the world's biggest economy would still be going up this month — as planned — despite recent events. i'm joined now by our business correspondent samira hussein in new york. central bankers are used to dropping very vague hints about what they will do butjerome powell spelt out his preference very clearly and he is speaking again today. what might

we hear? me is speaking again today. what might we hear? ~ . is speaking again today. what might wehear? ., ,.,,.,_ ., is speaking again today. what might we hear? . ., , , ., ., we hear? we are probably going to hear him reiterate _ we hear? we are probably going to hear him reiterate the _ we hear? we are probably going to hear him reiterate the same i we hear? we are probably going to i hear him reiterate the same message. it took a lot of people by surprise when we heard from mr powell saying in very blunt terms that he wants to see a 25% basis point increase to interest rates and central bankers never outline their desires in terms of policy like that. but it is an indication that he is really trying to communicate and reassure the markets because perhaps that is what financial markets and what investors want to hear, they need a little bit more reassurance, given all of the instability elsewhere. the more reassurance, given all of the instability elsewhere.— more reassurance, given all of the instability elsewhere. the world has been turned — instability elsewhere. the world has been turned upside _ instability elsewhere. the world has been turned upside down _ instability elsewhere. the world has been turned upside down over- instability elsewhere. the world has been turned upside down over the l been turned upside down over the past week—and—a—half, what did he say about the invasion of ukraine and whether any escalation in the crisis could change his mind? that is a big question. _ crisis could change his mind? t'isgt is a big question. the question of ukraine and the impact of the

invasion and what that is going to have of the american economy and around the world. and for mr powell and his colleagues at the federal reserve, so for the indication is that it reserve, so for the indication is thatitis reserve, so for the indication is that it is a wait and see kind of moment, when looking at the fundamentals in the us, thejob market is looking strong and inflation is far past that 2% target rate, so they want to increase interest rates and they believe now is the time to increase. but they will be looking very closely at what happens with ukraine because as you pointed out at the beginning, the high cost of energy is surely going to start increasing and having an even bigger impact on inflation, which right now in the us is at a 40 year high. which right now in the us is at a 40 ear hiih. ., , . which right now in the us is at a 40 earhiih. ., , . �*, year high. you very much. let's look at the markets... _ in london they have suspended a further 27 companies with links to russia. polymetal, the share price

has dropped so much, it has dropped out of the ftse 100 has dropped so much, it has dropped out of the ftse100 index. the us dollar continues to gain against the russian rouble, which will make, will fuel inflation within the russian domestic economy and that is the latest price of oil, back from $120, currently down 1.17% at $111. back to you. i want to go back live to kyiv, we are currently in a situation where the city feels as if it it's quiet after the action of last night. this is a live shot, it is about six minutes to five in the afternoon and i can update you on some lines we have been getting in the london studio. mariupol, it is a

coastal town, very much in focus right now, the mayor has said that the russian troops have encircled the russian troops have encircled the city and created a situation which he describes as similar to the deadly nazi siege of leningrad in world war ii. he said there is no electricity, food, water or heating and that citizens have to do with temperatures dropping to minus two degrees, 28 fahrenheit, this we can. we have had a tweet from the ukraine embassy in the uk, saying it has been hit by cyberattacks. we have plenty more news on the website, as always. you can also reach me on twitter. but don't go anywhere. abc news will continue with its coverage of the invasion of ukraine throughout the day. coming back in a few minutes. goodbye.

we are looking at another cloudy day for the vast majority, the cloud thick enough to bring some areas of rain. we have seen some doubt weather already affecting parts of the west midlands and that is how we started the day in hereford. but it is not like that everywhere, the best of the sunshine today, no doubt, is in northern ireland. things looking lovely for the rest of the day. cloudy skies courtesy of this weather front that you can see is straddled across the uk and running through the forecast sequence over the next number of days, you can see it barely bulges as it runs against this area of high pressure. that does block its progress. even into the weekend it will still be around, producing outbreaks of rain. this actor in the wettest weather will be across

wales, the west midlands, north west england and east of scotland in the rain quite persistent, if you heavier bursts mixed in. some bright and sunny spells for south—east england and east anglia, highs of 13 degrees here but otherwise around eight to 10 degrees. the best sunshine for northern ireland. some showers will push into western counties of northern ireland overnight, not moving far from east scotland, tending to move more into north—east england with the weather becoming drierfor a time in the west midlands and wales later in the night. there could be a few icy stretches for western scotland and a few fog patches dotted around first thing on friday. 0n few fog patches dotted around first thing on friday. on friday sees the majority of the rain affecting eastern areas of scotland and north—east england, where it is going to be a wet and cool day, just 6 degrees in newcastle and temperatures similar in aberdeen as well. sorting of the week in, the best of the dry weather and sunshine for scotland and northern ireland, we still have a weather front bringing rain. this time mostly focused across england although perhaps not towards the south—west. you might well stay dry and bright

for a time. southern wales perhaps staying brightness well. temperatures underneath the cloud and rain, cool, about 68 celsius and on sunday we might find on sunday morning we have extensive patches of rain still affecting parts of england that will tend to pull down towards the south—west later in the day. the best weather across north—western areas of the country. the top temperature around about 8 or nine celsius for many of us. into next week, high pressure builds in, it will largely become dry and sunny but with cold winds developing.

this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe, with the latest from the conflict in ukraine. many feared dead and thousands without water or power supplies — the ukraine city of mariupol is under a relentless barrage and seige tactics from russian forces. kherson in the south has fallen — the first major city under russian control. explosions in the residential streets of northern ukraine — but president zelensky says the invaders will not win.

we will restore every house, every streets, every city and we say to russia learn the word of reparations and constitutions. you will be pray every ukrainian in full. you will repay. vladimir putin says russia will successfully demilitarise ukraine and render it neutral status but nato hits back. if russia attacks nato territory then _ if russia attacks nato territory then nato will act. russia faces war crimes investigation after they were accused of bombing civilians in ukraine. a humanitarian catastrophe. the united nations says more than one million people, have now fled ukraine. you're watcing bbc news. the ukrainian president volodymyr

zelensky has addressed president putin directly in a new video clip, saying russia will pay ukraine back fully for what it's done against the state. but moscow remains defiant. the kremlin said this morning that russian ambitions would be achieved �*in any case'. after more rocket attacks in the north, south and east, this is the current situation in ukraine. these areas in red are largely controlled by russian forces. kyiv remains under ukrainian control, but the southern port of kherson has now been taken by the russians. the southeastern city of mariupol is under intense pressure with russian forces reportedly setting up a blockade. people trapped there have no running water and no power, and then there says they are trying to block the sitting. —— city. there were major blasts in kyiv overnight.

ukraine officials say they were caused by air defence systems striking down russian missiles. there was heavy shelling in the country's second city kharkiv and the town of chernihiv remains in ukrainian control despite a heavy bombardment. uk and us sources say the huge russian convoy that's about 30 kilometres from the heart of kyiv is still held up by local by local resistance, mechanical problems and congestion. the un says a million refugees have now left ukraine since the russian invasion began. an investigation into possible war crimes in ukraine has begun by the international criminal court in the hague and the international paralympic committee has said russian and belarusian athletes will be banned from the winter paralympics that start in beijing on friday. in the last few minutes there is a new round of talks taking place in

belarus. so far, the russians have taken just one city in belarus. so far, the russians have takenjust one city in ukraine, kherson. mauripol is under attack and red cross have been providing food and shelter but today authorities say there is a humanitarian crisis, power and water cut—off and the city is under constant shelling. 200 citizens have been killed so far. they are calling for a humanitarian corridor. this is eastern ukraine where tanks of diesel blazed after being struck and in the heart of the capital, kyiv, quiet until now, a strike last night. it damage the central railway station. rescuers carried one man out. there are no word on other casualties. in today's message,

president of ukraine said the following. me president of ukraine said the followini. ~ president of ukraine said the following-— president of ukraine said the followini. ~ , ., , following. we will restore every buildin i , following. we will restore every building. every _ following. we will restore every building, every street, - following. we will restore every building, every street, every i following. we will restore every i building, every street, every town. we are saying to russia learn the words reparation and contribution because you will compensate us everything, everything you've done against us. against every ukrainian, in full. ., ., , , ., in full. nato ministers met and warned rush — in full. nato ministers met and warned rush of— in full. nato ministers met and warned rush of lasting - in full. nato ministers met and i warned rush of lasting consequences. the message to president pete in a stop. it is not too late to stop what you are doing, what you have done so far. what you've done so far is illegal and you risk being isolated for decades to come. figs isolated for decades to come. as the russian military _ isolated for decades to come. as the russian military defence _ isolated for decades to come. as the russian military defence publish i russian military defence publish polish footage of their vehicles,

the foreign minister had this to say. the foreign minister had this to sa . ~ . the foreign minister had this to sa . ~ , , the foreign minister had this to sa . . , , . ., say. our western partners will come round to their _ say. our western partners will come round to their senses _ say. our western partners will come round to their senses and _ say. our western partners will come round to their senses and will i say. our western partners will come round to their senses and will come | round to their senses and will come to the _ round to their senses and will come to the dialogue on one condition of respect _ to the dialogue on one condition of respect and taking into account each others— respect and taking into account each other's interests. not respect and taking into account each other's interests.— other's interests. not all in russia airee. other's interests. not all in russia agree- this _ other's interests. not all in russia agree. this elderly _ other's interests. not all in russia agree. this elderly artist - other's interests. not all in russia agree. this elderly artist was i other's interests. not all in russia agree. this elderly artist was one | agree. this elderly artist was one of many arrested at a protest last night but those have had no impact so far and as long as the attacks continue, the women and children of ukraine continued to flee. the un say i ukraine continued to flee. the un sayi million refugees have left so far. the men's data fight. sanchia berg, bbc news. the international criminal court has begun an investigation, into possible war crimes in ukraine.

0ur chief international correspondent lyse doucet has been speaking to former ukrainianjustice minister sergei petukhov, who has previously launched legal cases against russia in the international court ofjustice. iam afraid i am afraid we have not got that report. let's go live to two—hour correspondence in moscow. let me talk to you first about what is happening in russia because we've had the foreign ministry the last few minutes coming out and talking about the bbc, in fact, i spoke spokesperson has said that the bbc is being used to undermine russian politics. it's unsurprising they would target the bbc in this way given its history with the broadcaster? i given its history with the broadcaster?— given its history with the broadcaster? ., �* ., ,

broadcaster? i wouldn't say that is sur-risini broadcaster? i wouldn't say that is surprising to _ broadcaster? i wouldn't say that is surprising to hear— broadcaster? i wouldn't say that is surprising to hear from _ broadcaster? i wouldn't say that is surprising to hear from the - broadcaster? i wouldn't say that is | surprising to hear from the russian spokesperson, but in fact she also turned to other western medias saying that they are all publishing something like this information, fake news and that they are urging russians to participate in criminal activities, well, that is her quote. it is not surprising since the western countries have other russian media and the ministry of foreign affairs and other officials are blaming western media for fake news. how easy is it to access foreign media right now in russia? well, two ma'or media right now in russia? well, two major independent _ media right now in russia? well, two major independent radio _ media right now in russia? well, two major independent radio channels i major independent radio channels have been blocked and recently both

of them have now issued statements that they don't see any possibility to keep working so all russians have been left without that media. there are still some independent news outlets working and they are not blocked so they could be open in russia, on the internet. they can be read there. but probably that is not for long because there's already been a warning issued about independent media outlets. many of them are calling the special operation as a war or invasion and many russian officials don't like that. ~ . many russian officials don't like that. . ., ., many russian officials don't like that. ~ ., ., ., ., ,, that. what about foreign media like 5 i that. what about foreign media like 5 , bbc? that. what about foreign media like sky, bbc? can — that. what about foreign media like sky, bbc? can russians _ that. what about foreign media like sky, bbc? can russians access- that. what about foreign media like sky, bbc? can russians access thisj sky, bbc? can russians access this by the internet if they wanted to, potentially?—

by the internet if they wanted to, potentially? cnn is not blocked in russia and neither _ potentially? cnn is not blocked in russia and neither is _ potentially? cnn is not blocked in russia and neither is the - potentially? cnn is not blocked in russia and neither is the bbc i potentially? cnn is not blocked in russia and neither is the bbc so l russia and neither is the bbc so far. still, we have to bear in mind that the majority of russians read in russian and cnn and sky do not provide information in russian, so this would be the bbc if we are talking about this.— this would be the bbc if we are talking about this. let's talk about the role of social— talking about this. let's talk about the role of social media _ talking about this. let's talk about the role of social media in - talking about this. let's talk about the role of social media in terms l talking about this. let's talk about| the role of social media in terms of what is happening. what you sing on russian social media in the last few days? 0ther any changes in the way social media has changed the way people think about what is going on in ukraine? i’ee people think about what is going on in ukraine? �* . . people think about what is going on in ukraine? �* , ., ., ., . in ukraine? i've seen a lot of panic on the social— in ukraine? i've seen a lot of panic on the social media _ in ukraine? i've seen a lot of panic on the social media because i in ukraine? i've seen a lot of panic| on the social media because people are afraid of martial law in russia and militarisation. even those who support president putin and the actions of their government but they

are pretty frightened with the markets with what is happening with the rouble. for instance, a very prominent supermarket, ikea has decided to cease operating in russia. people who want to travel somewhere else from russia are finding it difficult to get tickets. people are still pretty calm. they think that these sanctions won't undermine russia and that president pete in leeds the country in the right direction. i have to say that because there are people like that, as well. �* . because there are people like that, as well. �* , ., . ., ., as well. i've been watching a video of ieoile as well. i've been watching a video of people queueing _ as well. i've been watching a video of people queueing to _ as well. i've been watching a video of people queueing to withdraw. as well. i've been watching a video i of people queueing to withdraw money at banks. if that something you have seen evidence of? i at banks. if that something you have seen evidence of?— seen evidence of? i saw someone standini seen evidence of? i saw someone standing near _ seen evidence of? i saw someone standing near a — seen evidence of? i saw someone standing near a cash _ seen evidence of? i saw someone standing near a cash machine i seen evidence of? i saw someone standing near a cash machine for| standing near a cash machine for about six hours waiting for the bank to bring dollars into that atm and

he was waiting in vain because nobody came either with us dollars or with euros. it's quite difficult to withdraw foreign currency from banks in russia. you have to order money often and after the eu issued that statement about not letting euros in russia any more, it's quite predictable that at some point these cash types will disappear from the bank as well. cash types will disappear from the bank as well-— cash types will disappear from the bank as well. looking ahead to the comini bank as well. looking ahead to the coming weeks _ bank as well. looking ahead to the coming weeks and _ bank as well. looking ahead to the coming weeks and days _ bank as well. looking ahead to the coming weeks and days as - bank as well. looking ahead to the l coming weeks and days as sanctions continue to take hold and to squeeze daily life in russia, even more than they are now, how do you see the view of the people? do you predict any change as that continues to get worse? ~ ii' any change as that continues to get worse? ~ ::' , , ., worse? well, in 2014 when russia started to feel _ worse? well, in 2014 when russia started to feel the _ worse? well, in 2014 when russia started to feel the pressure i worse? well, in 2014 when russia started to feel the pressure from | started to feel the pressure from

the sanctions and the counter sanctions from russia to the western countries, the mood was like from those supporting the president were saying the west was trying to undermine our stability, and blamed it on western countries but i have to say i've never encountered a situation like this before in russian history and it is difficult to predict how the russian people will react on that because the crisis is deepening, and the prices in the supermarkets are growing. people have less and less opportunities to earn money and it's a very difficult situation. there are already a lot of casualties, evenif are already a lot of casualties, even if we look at the official

statement. almost 507 days. russia has never lost so many soldiers in an operation in its history in such an operation in its history in such a short time. so i would say that probably we will be seeing some changes in the minds of russians very soon. changes in the minds of russians very soon-— changes in the minds of russians ve soon. ., ~ ., very soon. thank you and it was good to iet very soon. thank you and it was good to get your — very soon. thank you and it was good to get your insight. _ the international criminal court has begun an investigation, into possible war crimes in ukraine. 0ur chief international correspondent lyse doucet has been speaking to former ukrainian justice minister sergei petukhov who has previously launched legal cases against russia in the international court ofjustice... these cases are always hard to launch improve because the evidence is on the ground and you don't control the territory where the evidence can be found. we have seen this happening when we brought a case of the european court of human

rights regarding crimea in 2014. these were territories controlled by russia and still are. this needs to happen in the right ways of getting evidence, hearing witnesses and getting all the information about the human rights violations. so, the solution is not much different. i know already that there is a government team working on documenting war crimes. 0nes government team working on documenting war crimes. ones that are being committed right now in the east of the country and in the south of the country and they are doing a tremendousjob but i think of the country and they are doing a tremendous job but i think what we have to do, first thing, is to stop it from happening, because the legal proceedings will take ages, years or decades even to get through. i think the important thing now is to stop shelling all the cities in ukraine because people are dying on a daily basis, right now, yesterday and if you don't stop it tomorrow and after

that. ~ �* . you don't stop it tomorrow and after that. �* , , ., that. we've seen cases in other conflicts including _ that. we've seen cases in other conflicts including syria - that. we've seen cases in other conflicts including syria where i that. we've seen cases in other. conflicts including syria where they have tried to launch legal cases in front of world courts but often it's a case of establishing evidence that commanders ordered certain actions to be taken, evidence that it was in fact a deliberate targeting of individuals. what have you learned from your own experiences in the past? from your own experiences in the .ast? , , . ., , from your own experiences in the iast? , , . ., , , , past? especially the intent is very hard to establish _ past? especially the intent is very hard to establish because - past? especially the intent is very hard to establish because you i past? especially the intent is very. hard to establish because you need to prove to the international courts that there was a specific intent to target civilians or civilian infrastructure and there was no justification for it. we have seen that, for example, and it's a complex case on the downing of mhi7

where 298 innocent people died as a result of an attack launched through the russian military agreement on russian —controlled territory. although there it was possible to establish the movement, it requires the conversation of the actual people to establish their intent. this case is now ongoing in the netherlands and lets see how it develops there. but, it requires direct evidence and with this suggestion as well, we would have too reliant the intercepted conversation. i'm sure we will be looking at the people who perpetrated that because we need witnesses who will testify who made this decision. how was it

communicated? there are many questions that take years to get through and the work of hundreds of people around the world, collected evidence and presenting them in court proceedings. 50. evidence and presenting them in court proceedings.— court proceedings. so, in other words you _ court proceedings. so, in other words you are _ court proceedings. so, in other words you are underlining i court proceedings. so, in other words you are underlining you | court proceedings. so, in other- words you are underlining you need evidence, witnesses, lawyers. this will take time and money. it will take commitment and expertise. does ukraine have this or know where to go for this?— go for this? look, we are much better prepared _ go for this? look, we are much better prepared now _ go for this? look, we are much better prepared now as - go for this? look, we are much better prepared now as we've l go for this? look, we are much i better prepared now as we've started this illegal war against russia in 2014. we have at least 15 different proceedings. in criminal cases, the interstate applications are arbitrations against russia and russian owned companies on many different violations they've committed since occupying crimea into thousand i4.

committed since occupying crimea into thousand 14. we will definitely need enforcement but we do have the experience and competence. we do have people who are seasoned in these types of proceedings and lots of friends around the world who are helping us. i think the main thing is to actually stop the war. you can't really defend yourself in the court while at the same time you have to defend yourself against the missiles that are being launched all over the country.— over the country. that's the former ukrainian justice _ over the country. that's the former ukrainian justice minister - over the country. that's the former ukrainian justice minister talking i to our correspondent. the uk defence secretary, ben wallace, has warned that the consequences of russia's war in ukraine will "ripple throughout europe — notjust for weeks, but months and years to come." representaives of nato countries, have been meeting across europe, but russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov, has sought to jusitfy his country's invasion of ukraine, by saying its aspirations to join nato had posed a threat to russian security. here's our diplomatic correspondent, caroline hawley. images of before and after russia's

invasion show why the west is so determined to stand together, not only to try to stop the war, but also to hold president putin to account for what he's done. nato has been beefing up its defences on the military alliance's eastern flank. britain recently doubled the number of troops it has in the baltic state of estonia, where the defence secretary ben wallace is today. from the kremlin though, no hint of retreat. russian's foreign minister described the response to the invasion as hysteria. translation: they are listening l to us, but they are not hearing us. they're trying to force on us their own understanding of how europe should live henceforth. to be honest, the following comparisons come to mind for me. at one time, both napoleon and hitler set the task of subjugating europe. now the americans have taken over. but as russia writes a new history of europe with the lives of ukrainians, america and europe are united and european countries are overcoming their divisions to respond.

this is the prime minister of hungary, visiting the border with ukraine. he was once one of president putin's closest european allies. we try to provide a chance for negotiation, because what is going on now is war. war can be stopped only by negotiations, peace talks and ceasefire. but it does not depend on the european leaders or the hungarian prime minister. it depends on the russians and ukrainians, basically the russians. a ukrainian delegation is now on its way to meet the russians on the border with belarus. it's the second round of talks this week. ukraine wants to discuss humanitarian corridors to help save its civilians, but expectations, again, are low. caroline hawley, bbc news. the largest number of refugees have crossed into poland, more than half a million have fled ukraine. the bbc�*s, kasia madera, is on the poland—ukraine border.

correspondence is ready for us. can you give an update on what's happening where you are? so you give an update on what's happening where you are? so this is not far from — happening where you are? so this is not far from the _ happening where you are? so this is not far from the actual _ happening where you are? so this is not far from the actual border i not far from the actual border itself and this is the first port of call where people who just across the world come to, where they can get a little bit of rest, refuge and just understand what has happened to them, bearing in mind that all of these people have spent days travelling here. these buses are coming every couple of minutes from the border itself, bringing people who have just had such a long journey to get here. we have heard of people travelling the days across ukraine to get to places like here, to try and get on trains, to try and get into cars and get to the border and then many of them walked the

kilometres —— four kilometres. here's a police car that has been used to bring these people over and they are tired. they are emotional. this is the first part of what will become the next stage of their journey because you have to bear in mind that given the huge numbers of people who have variety, think about it. 1 million people travelling, leaving ukraine in the space of eight days, just over a week. it's a huge amount of people in such a short, short time, over half have home have come to poland to places like this, centres to help, centres where lots of people from different countries have come to try and help take people to the next port of call. authorities also encouraging people to move on because they know there are still thousands of people crossing the border. this family had

just come overfrom crossing the border. this family had just come over from the border and they are waiting... she is waiting for her daughter. she's travelling from poland to pick you up. so we're mixing ukrainian and polish but basically this lady says they feel good. there are lots of good people in poland. you are here now and you are waiting for your daughter. we have got this lovely as well.

so, the brother nation, the nation of poland speaking of polling, how happy and relieved they are. they are relieved to be here. everybody is emotional. you can understand the tension is a very high. these people havejust crossed the border and they are now going to start the next stage of their journey having their lives are paved, having fled ukraine. thank ou ve paved, having fled ukraine. thank you very much- — paved, having fled ukraine. thank you very much. that's _ paved, having fled ukraine. thank you very much. that's from i paved, having fled ukraine. thank you very much. that's from the i you very much. that's from the polish border. more news coming up. plenty more to come on the ukraine —

russia invasion. we are looking at another cloudy day for the vast majority, the cloud thick enough to bring some areas of rain. we have seen some damp weather already affecting parts of the west midlands and that is how we started the day in hereford. but it is not like that everywhere, the best of the sunshine today, no doubt, is in northern ireland. things looking lovely for the rest of the day. cloudy skies courtesy of this weather front that you can see is straddled across the uk and running through the forecast sequence over the next number of days, you can see it barely bulges as it runs against this area of high pressure. that does block its progress. even into the weekend it

will still be around, producing outbreaks of rain. this afternoon the wettest weather will be across wales, the west midlands, north west england and east of scotland in the rain quite persistent, a few heavier bursts mixed in. some bright and sunny spells for south—east england and east anglia, highs of 13 degrees here but otherwise around eight to 10 degrees. the best sunshine for northern ireland. some showers will push into western counties of northern ireland overnight, not moving far from east scotland, tending to move more into north—east england with the weather becoming drier for a time in the west midlands and wales later in the night. there could be a few icy stretches for western scotland and a few fog patches dotted around first thing on friday. on friday sees the majority of the rain affecting eastern areas of scotland and north—east england, where it is going to be a wet and cool day, just 6 degrees in newcastle and temperatures similar in aberdeen as well. starting off the weekend, the best of the dry weather and sunshine for scotland and northern ireland, we still have a weather

front bringing rain. this time mostly focused across england although perhaps not towards the south—west. it might well stay dry and bright for a time. southern wales perhaps staying brightness well. temperatures underneath the cloud and rain, cool, about 68 celsius and on sunday we might find on sunday morning we have extensive patches of rain still affecting parts of england that will tend to pull down towards the south—west later in the day. the best weather across north—western areas of the country. the top temperature around about 8 or nine celsius for many of us. into next week, high pressure builds in, it will largely become dry and sunny but with cold winds developing.

welcome back. we have been given some recorded footage of ukrainian president giving a small press conference to journalists from foreign news media, somewhere in kyiv. we are not exactly sure of the location. we can bring you that... i exactly sure of the location. we can bring you that. . .— bring you that... i have two questions. _ bring you that... i have two questions, you _ bring you that... i have two questions, you slowed i bring you that... i have two questions, you slowed the l bring you that... i have two - questions, you slowed the russian advance, there has been fierce ukrainian resistance but

nevertheless, russian forces are advancing and encroaching on five major cities. what is your honest battlefield assessment of how long you can hold on? and what are your red lines in terms of these negotiations? is it acceptable, is it demilitarisation, recognition of the dpr, crimea, what are your red lines? 50 the dpr, crimea, what are your red lines? ., , , ., , the dpr, crimea, what are your red lines?_ i'm - the dpr, crimea, what are your red l lines?_ i'm sorry- lines? so many questions! i'm sorry. so many questions. _ lines? so many questions! i'm sorry. so many questions. and _ lines? so many questions! i'm sorry. so many questions. and i _ lines? so many questions! i'm sorry. so many questions. and i think- so many questions. and i think normally— so many questions. and i think normally who was here doesn't know exactly _ normally who was here doesn't know exactly the _ normally who was here doesn't know exactly the future or the real answers _ exactly the future or the real answers on your questions. the first part wasm —

..iam .. i am afraid we don't have any translation _ .. i am afraid we don't have any translation on _ .. i am afraid we don't have any translation on this. _ .. i am afraid we don't have any translation on this. i _ .. i am afraid we don't have any translation on this. i cannot i .. i am afraid we don't have any translation on this. i cannot tellj translation on this. i cannot tell you what ukrainian president is actually saying to the correspondence and reporters. we are waiting to get translation of that. just to recap what we know so far, in terms of the russian invasion... we know that mariupol near the border is currently forcing —— suffering with civilians trapped there, according to the mayor, trapped with no electricity, heat or water and we hear that russian forces have ta ken troll of

water and we hear that russian forces have taken troll of kherson, in the south, the first major city to fall. and we hear that kyiv remains in government control. we can go back to this press conference with volodymyr zelensky, and hopefully we will have some translation. he speaks in ukrainian.

translation: we cannot stop the ste is. the translation: we cannot stop the steps. the question _ translation: we cannot stop the steps. the question is... _ because there are people saying it is us, but they are scared to come out and say that to their president. as they are saying to me. so i shall

be able to hear myself. we are also not happy with some tax... —— some attacks. he speaks in ukrainian.

we apologise for the lack of translation, once again, on this press conference led by the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky. i am told that our translator is currently trying to grapple with a few technical issues. this is a press conference he is giving to various members of the ukrainian and foreign press on the latest on the russian invasion of ukraine. volodymyr zelensky. 0bviously under a huge amount of pressure after news today that the russian forces have captured their first major city, kherson, and are currently surrounding the strategically important southern port of mariupol. he is clearly taking a lot of questions on what is happening, it is a live and fluid situation. and there is a lot of pressure on him right now to answer questions from foreign and ukrainian

journalists somewhere in the city of kyiv, which, as we know, remains very much in government control, although the large convoy of russian armoured vehicles is some distance away, apparently 20 to 30 kilometres away. it has been hampered mainly by away. it has been hampered mainly by a few technical issues, congestion and simply by people standing in front of the convoy, trying to stop it making progress. i think we can... can we go back to the press conference? he speaks in ukrainian. ido i do apologise for that, there has been an issue with the translation for that and we will try to bring you the highlights of what volodymyr zelensky has been saying to reporters, translated for you, as soon as we can hear on bbc news. let's take a look

at russia's military strategy, as we've been reporting, russian forces have taken one city, kherson, and there's fierce fighting in other strategically important cities. meanwhile, stuck 20 miles north of kyiv, there's a 40—mile long russian military convoy, delayed by mechanical problems, ukraine resistance and congestion. it is widely thought that vladimir putin had hoped to prosecute this work rather more quickly than he actually managed to do. the question people are asking, is what will russia do next? 0ur security correspondent frank gardner has this assessment. so this is an overview of how ukraine is looking today. the areas in red are the ones that russian forces control. they already had crimea, they annexed that back in 2014. and in the south they have been pushing northwards, they had taken the port city of kherson, that's the first major

city that russian forces have taken since this invasion began a week ago. and they're looking to link up with their forces to the east and eventually control the whole of ukraine's black sea coast, cutting it off from the sea. to the north, the two major cities of kyiv and kharkiv have been coming under attack. if we take a closer look at that, down here is the capital kyiv, there is a massive armoured column that is moving towards it. it seems to be stuck at the moment a few miles north of the capital. but the expectation is that it will look to encircle the city and possibly even lay siege to it. kharkiv has been coming under intense bombardment and there have been a lot of civilian casualties. that was frank gardner with his assessment. ukraine's deputy prime minister has said nato is partially responsible for civilian deaths in the country by refusing to enforce a no—fly zone over ukraine. in a military context, a no—fly zone is designed to stop aircraft from entering banned airspace, usually to prevent attacks or surveillance.

nato members have refused to establish one over ukraine as they are worried it would escalate the conflict and bring western forces into direct combat with russian air power. the us and european allies have sent and are continuing to send military equipment and funding to ukraine, but have repeatedly said they will not be sending troops to fight russia. i've been speaking to the us ambassador to nato, julianne smith, and i started by asking for her response to the accusation that nato has blood on its hands and is partially responsible for civilian deaths because it's refusing to establish a no—fly zone. nato is not considering a no—fly zone. we do not believe that nato needs to be party to this conflict. what nato allies are doing is providing a tremendous amount of legal and humanitarian assistance.

many ally, in fact, every ally in the alliance has stepped forward after russia went into ukraine and made offers of assistance and that is flowing. the united states has put forward over $1 billion of security assistance in the past year. the us will continue to look at the security needs of ukraine and provide additional assistance as necessary. but do you accept that nato is partially to blame for what's happening in ukraine now? the country that is to blame is russia. russia is the aggressor. it's undertaking an unprovoked and unpremeditated attack. we warned that this could happen and nato has been ready for it but i have no question in my mind that the aggressor right now is russia. nato is insisting that the door to enlargement is very much remaining open. is that a good idea, given that russia believes this is an act of aggression and is worried about it and is acting on it?

nato made it crystal clear when it held the nato russia council in early january, nato allies sat down with the russians and met with them and in that meeting we laid out several areas where we would be willing to engage the russians. one area we weren't willing to engage in was on the question of nato's open—door policy. the message that has been delivered to russia over many months now has been been that that question rests with other countries, such as ukraine and with nato allies. it does not rest with russia. it has no veto power over that and nato allies are united in their feeling that nato's enlargement policy will continue and the door will remain open. even after what's happened in ukraine you'd keep the door open? there has been no change to nato's policy, not in recent days and months. back injanuary you said the us

and other nato members would consider other posture moves in eastern and central europe if russia enters ukraine — what are these? so, a couple of these have happened. before russia went into ukraine, nato allies collectively came together and began taking decisions to move extra posture into central europe. so you had countries like the netherlands, spain, the united kingdom and so forthcoming together to take decisions to move troops, fighter jets, closer to central and eastern europe to deter. and assure those allies in central and eastern europe. 0nce russia went into ukraine, we continued to have more discussions about these movements and now there's a foreign ministerial happening here at the alliance tomorrow

where we will begin conversations about longer term posture changes that the alliance may need to take in the weeks and months ahead. you've heard president biden talk about this, how russia has said all along that it doesn't want nato posture to be close to its border but because of its actions in ukraine, nato is doing the opposite of what russia wants and that is to move more force posture into central and eastern europe. we will defend every inch of nato's territory. that's been very, very clear. given russia has launched a huge military campaign in a country with land borders with four nato countries and sea borders with a fifth, where does russia need to go for nato to actually get involved and defend? well, article five applies to every single member of the alliance and all of us are united in ensuring

that that article five commitment is ironclad in this moment and that includes the allies that border ukraine right now. but notjust those allies. the article 5 commitment holds for all 30 members of the alliance and we've messaged very clearly to moscow that should they touch nato territory then all allies will come to the defence of that ally. so you are willing to engage militarily with russia if russia enters any nato country? if russia attacks nato territory, nato will act. let's talk about vladimir putin because in the past you pursued the path of diplomacy, de—escalation, some would say that you believe that you believe you are dealing with a rational actor. do you think putin is now

behaving rationally? do you think he is, as some people are saying, is mad? no one can get inside putin's head. i think many of us wish we knew what he's been thinking of the many months and why he has chosen this path of escalation and invasion but what we wanted to do in recent months is to give him a choice. we laid out to very distinct choices for him. 0ne, he could de—escalate and work with us through channels, through nato and bilaterally with the united states or two, he could choose the path of conflict and we made it clear there would be consequences if he did that. right now he is feeling those consequences very much so. but whether he's irrational, rational, no one can say for sure. what is clear is that we have held up our end of the commitment

to ensure that russia pays a price for its invasion of ukraine. earlier today, the russian foreign minister was talking about the prospect of nuclear warfare and he said that any prospect of this is in the heads of western leaders. are you worried about the potential for a nuclear war? we do not like russia talking about any sort of escalation in this space as it relates to their nuclear posture. we find this rhetoric extremely dangerous and increases the risk of miscalculation. what we have chosen to do at this moment is not to make any major changes. we are confident in our ability to defend nato territory and the united states is confident about defending the homeland. surely you must be worried that russia have said in the past, well, we won't do this, and then they've gone and done it. you must be worried that this could lead to the use of nuclear weapons? i don't want to get

into hypotheticals. what we want to do is provide all the assistance that we can to ukraine. both lethal and humanitarian assistance. we will take it day by day and continue to monitor the situation but we are interested right now in seeing russia leave ukraine, calling for a ceasefire. and de—escalating the situation. that was julianne smith. there have been supporting applications, we can get the very latest from 0lly foster at the bbc sport centre. we will talk to some other elements in a moment like formula one but i want to ask you first about this u—turn in the paralympics, russian and belarusian athletes no longer able to play in the winter olympics in beijing and? quite the u—turn at the international paralympic committee president andrew parsons held

another news conference at less than 24 hours after they released a lengthy statement explaining how they were bound by their own regulations, that they had to let the belarusian and russian parties compete at the games, that start in another 24 hours' time on friday. he said they would compete as neutrals but the outcry has been enormous since then from other competing nations and andrew parsons says his organisation has been put in a unique and impossible position. he says if russian and belarusian athletes stayed in beijing, nations were likely to withdraw and a viable paralympic games would not be possible. and this is what it gets interesting, he says the atmosphere interesting, he says the atmosphere in the village is not pleasant. the situation there is escalating and has now become untenable. such is the animosity and outcry from the competing nations against the belarusians and the russians, numbering about 100 in all, 71 in

the russian party, they would have been represented in almost every event. they will now not be taking part and parsons says he expects to be some legal challenge and indeed there will be because the russian news agency is reporting that they will be going to the court of arbitration for sport, apparently a kremlin spokesperson has called this an absolute disgrace, this decision by the ipc, so they will be going to try to have this expulsion of their athletes overturned. they clearly think that it is a legal but the clock is ticking. because that won't be a quick process, going to the court of arbitration for sport, and we are less than 24 hours away from the opening ceremony in beijing. let's talk about formula one because formula one has terminated its contract with the russian grand prix, how big of a deal is this? huge, a very lucrative race, the

russian grand prix, the world motor sport council and the fia, look after formula one, have made a number of decisions across the week and they decided that russian drivers would be allowed to compete but when it comes to the actual grand prix taking place in russia, they stripped sochi of the right to hold that in this calendar year and they have also stripped, tone of the contract in future years. it was due to move to st petersburg next year, the home town of the president, vladimir putin, as well. they have tone of the contract, very lucrative race but they clearly felt that in the current situation, itjust race but they clearly felt that in the current situation, it just was untenable for the race to take place there. �* ., .,, ., , , untenable for the race to take place there. �* ., ., , , ., there. and we have obviously had reaction to _ there. and we have obviously had reaction to roman _ there. and we have obviously had reaction to roman abramovich i there. and we have obviously had i reaction to roman abramovich putting chelsea, the football club, up for sale. what is the latest? bi; chelsea, the football club, up for sale. what is the latest?- sale. what is the latest? by all accounts it _ sale. what is the latest? by all accounts it is _ sale. what is the latest? by all accounts it is a _ sale. what is the latest? by all accounts it is a fire _ sale. what is the latest? by all accounts it is a fire sale - sale. what is the latest? by all accounts it is a fire sale of - sale. what is the latest? by all accounts it is a fire sale of all | accounts it is a fire sale of all his uk assets with growing calls from within the uk government for sanctions to be placed on the

russian oligarchs. 19 years he had at the helm of chelsea and he still is the owner, 21 trophies, but he made that big announcement in the last 2a hours, saying he was going to sell it and they are lining up, fellow billionaires, to buy it. but how quickly can that happen? filly how quickly can that happen? olly foster, how quickly can that happen? olly foster. thank _ how quickly can that happen? olly foster, thank you very much. the german and french authorities have been seizing luxury yachts owned by russian billionaires, as the pressure mounts on those thought to have close ties to the kremlin. the london stock exchange removed 20 russian businesses from its trading index today, and the uk government has stopped russian companies from using london based insurrance products. the bbc understands that some oligarchs who've been sanctioned by the european union have been shocked to find their bank cards no longer function and they've had to resort to using cash from safes. our business correspondent, theo leggett has the latest. splashing out on super—yachts and giant mansions.

for years, russia's super—rich have enjoyed a lavish lifestyle. london was one of their favourite playgrounds. the government is under pressure to seize the assets of anyone with links to russia's president, vladimir putin. it says it's working on a list of the people it's targeting, but some experts think it may already be too late. in my experience over the last 15 years, the whole point of an asset freeze is to freeze assets, and not let people know when you're going to press the button, and then assets are frozen. i do not think there will be one russian that will have any significant funds with any english bank today, at least people who think that they are going to be sanctioned. another problem is identifying who owns what. plenty of large london properties are used by wealthy russians, but it's unlikely it's their names on the title deeds. some high—profile individuals are not waiting. roman abramovich, the owner of chelsea football club,

denies doing anything to make him a legitimate target for sanctions. but he's put the club on the market anyway. elsewhere, sanctions are clearly starting to bite. the car companies bentley and volkswagen, and the retailer boohoo, have today joined the growing list of businesses suspending their operations in russia. the impact is also being felt around the world, with the cost of essential products soaring. overnight, the benchmark price for coal in asia rose 46%. since the beginning of february, the price of wheat has increased 47%. i think while there are continued hostilities in ukraine, we are going to see high prices for natural resources and commodities. what will probably happen though is that prices will rise and demand will be choked off, because products are too expensive. what this means is that the cost of food, heating and transport will all go up as well, leaving millions of us poorer than we were. theo leggett, bbc news.

you are watching bbc news, plenty more to come throughout the day. goodbye from me. we are looking at another cloudy day for the vast majority, the cloud thick enough to bring some areas of rain. we have seen some damp weather already affecting parts of the west midlands and that is how we started the day in hereford. but it is not like that everywhere, the best of the sunshine today, no doubt, is in northern ireland. things looking lovely for the rest of the day. cloudy skies courtesy of this weather front that you can see is straddled across the uk and running through the forecast sequence over the next number of days, you can see it barely budges as it runs against this area of high pressure. that does block its progress. even into the weekend it will still be around, producing outbreaks of rain. this afternoon the wettest weather will be across wales,

the west midlands, north west england and east of scotland and the rain quite persistent, a few heavier bursts mixed in. some bright and sunny spells for south—east england and east anglia, highs of 13 degrees here but otherwise around eight to 10 degrees. the best sunshine for northern ireland. some showers will push into western counties of northern ireland overnight, not moving far from east scotland, tending to move more into north—east england with the weather becoming drier for a time in the west midlands and wales later in the night. there could be a few icy stretches for western scotland and a few fog patches dotted around first thing on friday. friday sees the majority of the rain affecting eastern areas of scotland and north—east england, where it is going to be a wet and cool day, just 6 degrees in newcastle and temperatures similar in aberdeen as well. starting the weekend, the best of the dry weather and sunshine for scotland and northern ireland, we still have a weather front bringing rain. this time mostly focused across england although perhaps not towards the south—west. you might well stay dry

and bright for a time. southern wales perhaps staying bright as well. temperatures underneath the cloud and rain, cool, about 8 celsius and on sunday we might find on sunday morning we have extensive patches of rain still affecting parts of england that will tend to pull down towards the south—west later in the day. the best weather across north—western areas of the country. the top temperature around about 8 or nine celsius for many of us. into next week, high pressure builds in, it will largely become dry and sunny but with cold winds developing.

this is bbc news. russia takes control of it's first major city in ukraine russia takes control of its first major city in ukraine and ramps up attacks on others. explosion strikes intensify the north, south and east of the country. russian troops are now in control of kherson in the south. the port city of mariupol is surrounded. the mayor says the shelling is so intense they can't rescue the injured. explosions in kyiv as the 40 mile long convoy remains on the outskirts of the capital. in the last few minutes — volomyr zelensky has just given

a remarkable news conference with internationaljournalists — where he was asked — how long could they hold out. vladimir putin says russia will continue its campaign until it fulfils its goal. the international criminal court opens a war crimes investigation after russia is accused of bombing civilians. the un says more than one million people, have now fled ukraine. we'll be live at the border crossing points. and in a dramatic u—turn — athletes from russia and belarus are banned from competing in the paralympics. welcome to bbc news. fighting in ukraine has intensified — as cities in eastern,

southern and northern parts of the country, come under increasing russian bombardment. the port city of kherson in the south — has fallen to the russians, the first major urban area to be taken. the strategically important port of mariupol is being encircled by russian troops and kharkiv has also come under more rocket fire and cruise missles. just in the last few minutes we've heard from ukraine's president actually talking to international journalists in the middle of this, giving them a briefing. he was asked how long he could hold out. he is said to those journalists that if ukraine for then the baltic states will be next and he is seeking talks with vladimir putin as being the only way to stop the war. let's head to kyiv. i can hear the sirens where

you are, james. to kyiv. i can hear the sirens where you are. james-_ you are, james. both ukraine and russia continue _ you are, james. both ukraine and russia continue to _ you are, james. both ukraine and russia continue to sit _ you are, james. both ukraine and russia continue to sit at - you are, james. both ukraine and russia continue to sit at the - you are, james. both ukraine and russia continue to sit at the table to discuss a possible way out of this fighting but on both sides expectation is low. top of the agenda is ceasefire, for weapons to be put down, as well as corridors for humanitarian aid to moving. humanitarian crisis is developing at an alarming rape as the eighth day of this full—scale invasion continues. mauripol in the south very much now the focal point. why? because we can see this and other ukrainian cities. the mayor there has described the city as being under siege. there is no water, no energy and people are being forced take shelter from relentless bombardment from the sky. the worry that russia would use more

indiscriminate methods as its advance was frustrated as being realised. aside from the aerate sirens, there are blockades throughout the city. he used to be able to walk through there, the park, the opera house, no more, there are blockades and nervous checkpoints on what has been another significant day in this war. sanchia berg has the latest. in the last few minutes there is a new round of talks taking place in belarus. so far, the russians have takenjust one city in ukraine, kherson. mauripol is under attack and red cross have been providing food and shelter but today authorities say there is a humanitarian crisis, power and water cut—off and the city is surrounded, under constant shelling.

2oo citizens have been killed so far. they are calling for a humanitarian corridor. this is eastern ukraine where tanks of diesel blazed after being struck and in the heart of the capital, kyiv, quiet until now, a strike last night. it damaged the central railway station. rescuers carried one man out. there's no word on other casualties. in today's message, president of ukraine said the following. we will restore every building, every street, every town. we are saying to russia learn the words reparation and contribution because you will compensate us everything, everything you've done against us. against every ukrainian, in full. nato ministers met and warned russia of lasting consequences.

the message to president putin is stop. it is not too late to stop what you are doing, what you've done so far is illegal and you risk being isolated for decades to come. as the russian military defence publish polished footage of their vehicles, the foreign minister accused the west of oversimplifying the situation. like a hollywood movie. ,,. the situation. like a hollywood movie. ., , , , ., the situation. like a hollywood movie. ., , i, ., . movie. sad about this hysteria. we ho -e that our western partners will come round to their senses and will come to the dialogue on one condition of respect and taking into account each other's interests. not all in russia agree.

this elderly artist was one of many arrested at protests last night but those have had no impact so far and as long as the attacks continue, the women and children of ukraine continued to flee. of ukraine continue to flee. the un say1 million refugees have left so far. the men stay to fight. sanchia berg, bbc news. let's bring you the latest line from the press — let's bring you the latest line from the press association. 30 let's bring you the latest line from the press association.— let's bring you the latest line from the press association. so there is a battle around _ the press association. so there is a battle around the _ the press association. so there is a battle around the largest _ the press association. so there is a battle around the largest nuclear i battle around the largest nuclear plant in europe. some of the latest pictures from a couple of days ago from around this particular area. just that one line from the city's met that ukrainian forces are battling with russian troops the control of your�*s largest nuclear plant. things right across ukraine

moving so fast. that line coming in about that fighting so we will keep and i on that and bring you more as it comes in to us. let's cross to the city of kherson. this is now under russian control. we'rejoined by don flett an engineer who's living there with his wife. what are the last 2a hours being like? what are the last 24 hours being like? ., what are the last 24 hours being like? . ., . ~ :~ ., ., what are the last 24 hours being like? . ., j~ ., ., , like? can i go back 48-hour to put it in context? _ like? can i go back 48-hour to put it in context? you _ like? can i go back 48-hour to put it in context? you certainly - like? can i go back 48-hour to put it in context? you certainly can. i it in context? you certainly can. tuesday morning at 10:48am kherson time, we had an attack in my apartment complex. not in the building but in the complex. this is a big complex with a lot of schools, kindergartens, children, it's a civilian area were children around.

luckily, the four rocket hit the exterior apartment building which is 300 yards. i could hit it from here. so that got everyone�*s attention. everybody is in basements. ifiled a complaint on the advice of my attorney with the international criminal court and to the prosecutor, karim khan. i only report things i've personally witnessed. i heard three rockets come in. it was different to anything we had heard last thursday. we were hearing thuds around the city. but you could hear a hit and a

crack. so, ifiled my complaint. listening to the prosecutor only talking this morning to the bbc, his teams are already en route to the region to collect evidence and i suppose your evidence will be part of that dossier on the investigations they putting together. let me ask you about what it is like their under russian control? i was listening earlier in the data to people in your city who said they would not accept any division of power. they wanted to resist the russian presence at every single moment and in every single place. single moment and in every single lace. �* . ,., place. again, let me back-up a little bit. i've — place. again, let me back-up a little bit. i've been _ place. again, let me back-up a little bit. i've been in _ place. again, let me back-up a little bit. i've been in direct- little bit. i've been in direct contact with the mare�*s office through a council man and there are negotiations, intense negotiations going on and have been going on for

a couple of days now in coordination with kyiv, with the russian commander, for a green corridorfrom kherson to hungary or romania and the logistics, my team has worked them out, road, by rail or by water. so we have mathematically... we can evacuate the mothers and babies and grandmothers. we can do that. now, the mayor to his credit has negotiated this green corridor and the russian commander, i don't like to say anything good but am going to say it anyhow, the russian commander, to his credit, has sat

down and i expect a call any minute to go to the mayors office and sit down with the russian general and my point to him is, i'm going to show him the number of the claims accepted by the international criminal courts and i'm going to say, give us a green corridor and when the mothers and babies get out i will sign a statement and i will withdraw my complaints for war crimes. ~ ., . withdraw my complaints for war crimes. ~ . . . ., crimes. we will watch in the coming hours to see — crimes. we will watch in the coming hours to see whether _ crimes. we will watch in the coming hours to see whether people - crimes. we will watch in the coming hours to see whether people will. crimes. we will watch in the coming hours to see whether people will be j hours to see whether people will be able to get out of kherson. it is one of the issues that humanitarian agencies are concerned about, don, we have to leave it there but thank you forjoining us on the programme. let's speak to an exporter of agricultural products from a debtor. let's go across to him now.

we will speak to him about what he's going through there. there are russian ships heading towards the area. it's one of those areas that russia are battling to take control of. i don't know if you can still hear me but give me a sense of what it feels like there because reports of russian ships heading towards where you are in odesa? just of russian ships heading towards where you are in odesa?- of russian ships heading towards where you are in odesa? just a few minutes ago _ where you are in odesa? just a few minutes ago before _ where you are in odesa? just a few minutes ago before we _ where you are in odesa? just a few minutes ago before we started - where you are in odesa? just a few minutes ago before we started our| minutes ago before we started our conversation, we were patrolling the street with some of my neighbours and we heard around eight explosions above us so things are going on here, actually. the processes there and it doesn't seem very good. intensity is increasing constantly and there is a lot pressure on the families, as well. i

and there is a lot pressure on the families, as well.— families, as well. i know many families, as well. i know many families are _ families, as well. i know many families are trying _ families, as well. i know many families are trying to - families, as well. i know many families are trying to get - families, as well. i know many families are trying to get out l families, as well. i know many| families are trying to get out of where you are in so many different other towns as well. i know you're ships can't leave port. tell me what you are doing and what your crew is doing and whether you are preparing tojoin any of doing and whether you are preparing to join any of those volunteer forces and preparing to fight? absolutely. even my wife refused to leave home. the case is that the business is on total hold this stage. there is no vessel is going in or out of the port so container shipments are postponed. there's a lot of cargo left in the ports which we don't know when it will actually leave to its final destinations. we are unable to send the documents because dhl services aren't operating at this moment so... my writin: operating at this moment so... my writing thinking you tried to join resistant forces earlier but the

queues were just too long so you went away and you will try again tomorrow?— went away and you will try again tomorrow? , ., , went away and you will try again tomorrow? , . , ' :: tomorrow? yes. there have been 120 --eole tomorrow? yes. there have been 120 people waiting _ tomorrow? yes. there have been 120 people waiting in _ tomorrow? yes. there have been 120 people waiting in line _ tomorrow? yes. there have been 120 people waiting in line and _ tomorrow? yes. there have been 120 people waiting in line and it - tomorrow? yes. there have been 120 people waiting in line and it takes - people waiting in line and it takes around 20 minutes to signing one person, therefore i decided to go early morning tomorrow again. aha, early morning tomorrow again. a quick final thought in terms of preparations in the city, give me an idea of what is actually being done. well, we don't have that much information on what actions are being taken by the armed forces but we are certain that the centre of the city is fully barricaded. there is a lot of militia travelling around the city. there's a lot of locals who are joining those forces to protect their homes as well. the spirit is pretty strong. you can feel that definitely but the intensity is still there. thank you.

i'm lad intensity is still there. thank you. i'm glad our— intensity is still there. thank you. i'm glad our line _ intensity is still there. thank you. i'm glad our line stayed _ intensity is still there. thank you. i'm glad our line stayed with - intensity is still there. thank you. i'm glad our line stayed with you | intensity is still there. thank you. i i'm glad our line stayed with you so we could talk to you there in odesa. thank you for speaking with us. we will be getting information about those fleeing and the diplomatic push between russia and ukraine. but let's talk about the sanctions that the west hope to infer. a super yacht owned by russian boss was impounded near marseilles. meanwhile the german authorities have seized $600 million yacht owned ljy have seized $600 million yacht owned by different oligarch. so we now go

to our guest, nigel. thank you for being here on the programme. fascinating, your perspective. just give me an idea of what you've been advising your clients throughout the course of this last week and what they've been asking you?- course of this last week and what they've been asking you? well, i've been advising _ they've been asking you? well, i've been advising lots _ they've been asking you? well, i've been advising lots of— they've been asking you? well, i've been advising lots of international | been advising lots of international exporters and financial institutions as to what they can and cannot do, as to what they can and cannot do, as various sanctions are being imposed. basically haven't taken any steps to result in people who are on the cusp of being sanctioned from transferring assets but it is the case until an individual is actually sanctioned, they can do whatever they wish with their assets in that jurisdiction. you just mention the yacht. if that yacht had left germany or roy everett was prior to the sanctions, that yacht could not

have been touched, so i suspect the big question people are asking themselves is those people who have been waiting for days or weeks to be sanctions, what have they done with all their assets?— all their assets? come back to that oint all their assets? come back to that point because _ all their assets? come back to that point because it _ all their assets? come back to that point because it is _ all their assets? come back to that point because it is important - all their assets? come back to that point because it is important but i point because it is important but give me a flavour of the sort of things you are being asked because presumably you've been doing this line of work for a long period of time. is it different the sort of conversations that have been happening in the last seven days? i have never been asked previously about pre—sanction position because in the last 15 years, anyone who's ever sought advice to the regulations has already been sanctioned whereas we are in this strange situation where all of a sudden, people think they are going to be sanctioned but they've not actually been sanctioned yet so it may well be the case that if they

have funds in a banking the uk they may wish to transfer those funds outside of the... may wish to transfer those funds outside of the. . .— may wish to transfer those funds outside of the. .. does this defeat the oint outside of the. .. does this defeat the point of _ outside of the. .. does this defeat the point of sanction _ outside of the. .. does this defeat the point of sanction so _ outside of the. .. does this defeat the point of sanction so that - outside of the. .. does this defeat the point of sanction so that they| the point of sanction so that they can work out what to actually do? where to put it, perhaps? and where to put it, perhaps? and sidestep all — where to put it, perhaps? and sidestep all of _ where to put it, perhaps? and sidestep all of this _ where to put it, perhaps? jifuc sidestep all of this christmas that's exactly right. at the same time, i do have sympathy for the govan because there are aggressive lawyers who have been threatening to bring claims against the government if their client is sanction and the government have got to satisfy themselves that there is proper evidence to show the connection between these individuals and the reasons and basis upon which they can be sanctioned. now, they might not like these people. they might suspect these people have inappropriate ties with the putin regime but unless they can evidence them, they may well face sanctions challenges. that is where we are at

the moment. the challenges. that is where we are at the moment-— challenges. that is where we are at the moment. ., , the moment. the uk government has been blaming — the moment. the uk government has been blaming what _ the moment. the uk government has been blaming what they _ the moment. the uk government has been blaming what they describe - the moment. the uk government has been blaming what they describe as l been blaming what they describe as aggressive lawyers in the letters they have received so far. what's stopping the uk authorities doing what we are seeing in europe when property and yachts being seized? what's stopping them from going that next step? of course they can only seize assets and freeze assets once a person is sanction. there are a number of individuals who are currently sanctions on any lawyers and accountants in any business people need to be really careful with the dealings they can have with those individuals and a lawyer cannot start assisting with transferring assets once a person has been designated or sanctioned. it's a criminal offence. we are not allowed to do it. but until that point, they are fully able to do as they wish. point, they are fully able to do as the wish. ., .. point, they are fully able to do as the wish. ., ~ , ., point, they are fully able to do as

they wish-— they wish. nigel, thank you for talkin: to they wish. nigel, thank you for talking to us. _ they wish. nigel, thank you for talking to us. absolutely - talking to us. absolutely fascinating. thank you. the international paralympic committee has said russian and belarusian athletes will be banned from the winter paralympics that start in beijing on friday. it reverses a decision taken on wednesday, when the committee ruled that the athletes could compete, but would have to participate as neutrals and would not be included in the medal table. the ipc said the decision was taken to preserve what it called the integrity of the games and the safety of all participants. journalist lee reaney asks ipc president what he would say to the parents of malyshev. one of the athletes who has been killed in recent days. in a moment we'll speak to lee reaney, a journalist for the kyiv post who is covering the paralympics in beijing. this was his question to the head of the ipc at yesterday's news conference.

i want to know what you would to malyshev�*s parents. say to he was a by athlete on ukraine's nationaljunior team. he was killed yesterday. he was killed yesterday in a bombing in kharkiv. you talked earlier about giving athletes the chance to compete. he will never get a chance to compete again so, on behalf of his family, i want to know what you would say to them about allowing athletes from the aggressor states to compete when he will never get that chance. i'm joined from beijing by lee reany — the journalist you saw there asking that question. lee, thank you for being here with us on bbc news. that was quite a moment and yesterday's news conference. are you surprised by the ipc position? or did you think that was inevitable? i ipc position? or did you think that was inevitable?— was inevitable? i was surprised by their initial— was inevitable? i was surprised by their initial reluctance _ was inevitable? i was surprised by their initial reluctance to - was inevitable? i was surprised by their initial reluctance to ban -

was inevitable? i was surprised by their initial reluctance to ban the i their initial reluctance to ban the athletes. i did see that they opened up athletes. i did see that they opened up a can of worms. they would have been protests virtually every day. they would have been athletes refusing to compete with the russian and belarus in athletes. and they defended it so forcefully yesterday that it was a big surprise this afternoon when they reversed their decision. i afternoon when they reversed their decision. ,. ., afternoon when they reversed their decision. ~ ., , ., afternoon when they reversed their decision. ~ ., ., , decision. i know you have been s-ueakin decision. i know you have been speaking to _ decision. i know you have been speaking to some _ decision. i know you have been speaking to some of _ decision. i know you have been speaking to some of the - decision. i know you have been i speaking to some of the ukrainian athletes both before and after the u—turn. give us a sense of what they've been thinking about today? they released a statement during a press conference last night that blasted the decision. since this has happened, another two young football players in ukraine have been killed. this is an ongoing issue and the ukrainian team here, it was not easy

to get them here. they are not focusing on their sport, they are focusing on their sport, they are focusing on the news. they call their family focusing on the news. they call theirfamily members focusing on the news. they call their family members everyday. it's a difficult situation for everyone involved. so, but they are here to compete. we do have one of the strongest paralympic teams in the world and we do anticipate some fantastic performances from our athletes. i fantastic performances from our athletes. ,. ., fantastic performances from our athletes. ~ ., ., athletes. i know some other paralympian _ athletes. i know some other paralympian is _ athletes. i know some other paralympian is who - athletes. i know some other paralympian is who are - athletes. i know some other paralympian is who are still| athletes. i know some other i paralympian is who are still in ukraine, and my writing saying they've joined the volunteers in different capacities, is that right? several of our olympians have including medal winners from 2020, i don't know any specific cases of paralympian is fighting with the army at this time. i do have contact with some paralympian stuck in bomb shelters and have been for a few days and they have been fired on but

i had not heard of any fighting with the armed forces in ukraine. just one final thought regarding that conference yesterday, journalists haven't been able to get to beijing so did you feel it was your responsibility to speak out? yes. i would say that _ responsibility to speak out? yes. i would say that i _ responsibility to speak out? yes. i would say that i do _ responsibility to speak out? yes. i would say that i do feel _ responsibility to speak out? yes. i would say that i do feel it - responsibility to speak out? yes. i would say that i do feel it was - would say that i do feel it was really not what i anticipated to do when i came out here. ifeel that the ipc, i asked it for three or four questions and they were very supportive of that and they did answer my questions and i want to give them credit for that. but, you know, it's difficult. i'm not ukrainian and don't speak the language 100%. i do speak it enough to do interviews but it's a huge responsibility to ask questions for a country. responsibility to ask questions for a count . ., .. responsibility to ask questions for a count . ., ~ i. ., ~

responsibility to ask questions for a count . ., ~ ., ~ ., a country. thank you, thank you had been with us- _ a country. thank you, thank you had been with us. we _ a country. thank you, thank you had been with us. we are _ a country. thank you, thank you had been with us. we are about - a country. thank you, thank you had been with us. we are about to - a country. thank you, thank you had been with us. we are about to take l a country. thank you, thank you had | been with us. we are about to take a break so that's why i cutting. apologies for that. we will be back for more that news conference with the president of ukraine in a few minutes. we are looking at another cloudy day for the vast majority, the cloud thick enough to bring some areas of rain. we have seen some damp weather already affecting parts of the west midlands and that is how we started the day in hereford. but it is not like that everywhere, the best of the sunshine today, no doubt, is in northern ireland. things looking lovely for the rest of the day. cloudy skies courtesy of this weather front that you can see is straddled across the uk and running through the forecast sequence over the next number of days, you can see it barely budges as it runs against this area of high pressure. that does block its progress. even into the weekend it will still be around, producing outbreaks of rain. this afternoon the wettest weather will be across wales, the west midlands, north west

england and east of scotland and the rain quite persistent, a few heavier bursts mixed in. some bright and sunny spells for south—east england and east anglia, highs of 13 degrees here but otherwise around eight to 10 degrees. the best sunshine for northern ireland. some showers will push into western counties of northern ireland overnight, not moving far from east scotland, tending to move more into north—east england with the weather becoming drier for a time in the west midlands and wales later in the night. there could be a few icy stretches for western scotland and a few fog patches dotted around first thing on friday. friday sees the majority of the rain affecting eastern areas of scotland and north—east england, where it is going to be a wet and cool day, just 6 degrees in newcastle and temperatures similar in aberdeen as well. starting the weekend, the best of the dry weather and sunshine for scotland and northern ireland, we still have a weather front bringing rain. this time mostly focused across england although perhaps not towards the south—west.

it might well stay dry and bright for a time. southern wales perhaps staying bright as well. temperatures underneath the cloud and rain, cool, about 8 celsius and on sunday we might find on sunday morning we have extensive patches of rain still affecting parts of england that will tend to pull down towards the south—west later in the day. the best weather across north—western areas of the country. the top temperature around about 8 or nine celsius for many of us. into next week, high pressure builds in, it will largely become dry and sunny but with cold winds developing.

welcome back to bbc news. let's recap now on the day's main developments so far. a second session of talks has begun this afternoon between ukraine and russian officials. on the ground, after more rocket attacks in the north, south and east, this is the current situation in ukraine — these areas in red are largely controlled by russian forces. kyiv remains under ukrainian control, but the port of kherson has now been taken by the russians. the southeastern city of mariupol is under intense pressure —

with the mayor reporting that the russians are using siege tactics. people trapped there have no running water and no power, and after a night of shelling, dozens are feared dead. it was so great that they were not able to get out and help the injured. earlier today ukraine's president held a press conference where he addressed the latest advances by the russians. he was asked about the response and how long ukraine could hold out. here is just some of that news conference. translation: the russian army is bigger, not twice, not three times, but as of today, including the tanks and the number of soldiers is five or ten times bigger, the russian army, especially the people, no one is

counting them, no one cares how many die in the showings in this war. you know that they brought crematorium is with them. yes, they simply brought crematorium is with them. that is they knew in advance that they were not going to show to their families, to their mother is what happened to their children, that they died here, that they were killed here, that they came here to killed here, that they came here to kill us, and we are defending us, ourfreedom, our houses, and kill us, and we are defending us, our freedom, our houses, and that is why they are dying. we do not want to kill them. why are our army taking them prisoner, and then our medics are treating them, even yesterday, our medics were risking our boys that died from their wounds. there are people still, nevertheless, those medics are first of all doctors, so for them humanity comes first, revenge second, and

thatis comes first, revenge second, and that is reality. that's the difference that those who send cannon fodder, its cannon fodder, that's why the two crematoriums are with them. people are bringing crematoriums, and those boys are carrying those crematoriums, and they understand they're bringing something for themselves, it simply a nightmare, isimply something for themselves, it simply a nightmare, i simply don't understand what sort of person can plan such an act. that is nazi —ism, genocide, and ifeel plan such an act. that is nazi —ism, genocide, and i feel embarrassed that now we have 21st century, i feel embarrassed that today there were such acts and people say forget about this and that, about the apocalypse, the end of the world, the end of the world has arrived. president zelensky. we will play more of that, that news conference lasted quite a while with so many different questions and some the different questions and some the different aspects of what he's actually dealing with, what the capital is dealing with, what the

country is dealing with. plenty more of that in the next little while. let's turn to the humanitarian situation because we will be on the borders injust situation because we will be on the borders in just a situation because we will be on the borders injust a moment situation because we will be on the borders in just a moment as a million people have now fled ukraine, but many people have been displaced inside the country, over one dozen humanitarian aid centres have been set up. they are being staffed mainly by local volunteers. bbc ukrainian reporter zhanna bezpiatchuk visited one of them in the heart of lviv — which is now a hub for aid from all over the country and europe. this city became the back—up for the whole front line. it's like everybody here, hundreds of volunteers from cities and towns of ukraine tried to do their best to be helpful and useful to supply the army and internally displaced people with everything they need, with the essentials, for example, these potatoes will travel soon to the

battlefields, and even to this each towns in southern ukraine. you can feel that the mood and spirit of people here is very high. people sing patriotic songs and the national anthem of ukraine. they say they have no time for despair and no time for sleep. they do believe that with their hard work, every day they will save themselves in the country. that is the situation from lviv. the united nations says a million refugees have left ukraine since the russian invasion began, and eu ministers are to discuss a plan for residence permits for many of them, with the right to work in eu countries. —— those fleeing the fighting have mainly entered neighbouring eu states including poland, hungary and slovakia. the larger arrows indicate the biggest population flows. the bbc�*s, kasia madera, is on the poland—ukraine borderfor us now.

half a million people have flowed there where you are in just seven or eight days, that is extraordinary. the numbers are extraordinary and they keep growing. just today alone on this border crossing, 10,000 people crossed into poland, 10,000 people crossed into poland, 10,000 people in the space ofjust a few hours, bear in mind, we are talking abouta hours, bear in mind, we are talking about a displacement of a million people in the space of eight days. the figures are huge, absolutely enormous and they are predominantly coming to poland, a country that is very close to ukraine, historically and culturally as well. this is a country that is welcoming all the nationalities that are coming in. let mejust explain nationalities that are coming in. let me just explain what's happening here. this is one of the many buses that comes from the border and people are being brought off the bus and other people are being brought on than the buses are driven off into other parts of poland, whether

they go to kharkov or afield, depending on where these people need to go. they are tired, they are sad, they've left everything. they've all had difficultjourneys everything. they've all had difficult journeys to everything. they've all had difficultjourneys to get here, and the spicesjust keep difficultjourneys to get here, and the spices just keep coming. so we are expecting the numbers to grow. behind me, ideal are expecting the numbers to grow. behind me, i dealwith are expecting the numbers to grow. behind me, ideal with people waiting for the next available bus. next to me, there isjust the most huge warehouse that has been turned into, effectively, and emergency area where people are resting with rows upon rows upon rows of camp beds where people can just get a bit of rest and respite given their long journeys. a very emotional time, people seeing each other for the first time after days upon days of travelling across ukraine. bear in mind, these people havejust left a war zone. what we have here is we

know that a lot of people have friends, family already in poland. there is a community within a large number of ukrainians artie living in poland so they are being picked up. those that don't come and there are a lot of different nationalities come across the border as well, those that don't, people are coming off their own back, lots of polish people, lots of people from all over europe coming here to help them, to take them onto the next part of theirjourney, the next leg of their journey, and there was an understanding that the stickers will grow and that's why the eu is talking about opening up a temporary protection directive, it means that people who have frat —— fled from ukraine will be able to work, will be able to stay in eu countries for a year, and the talk of that potentially being extended to up to three years if it's needed, because the situation is so volatile and ukraine, and all of these people, theyjust ukraine, and all of these people, they just left their

ukraine, and all of these people, theyjust left their homes, and at theyjust left their homes, and at the moment, they don't know exactly what is going to happen next and how long they will be away from their home. a huge effort, notjust volunteers, notjust people coming from different parts of poland, but also set up places where people can get something warm to eat. we've also got the army, volunteers and the hive is jackets, members of the fire brigade who have been really helping out. they have been on long shifts, helping the people, getting them to different ports. it's been such a huge volume of people, think about it, 10,000 people passed through here today already, such a huge volume of people. there is a need to keep it organised. this is all changing, this is all changing the situation is developing, and poland is aware that there will be more people as they come over from the borderfrom ukraine into the safety of poland to find refuge to

work out what their next plans are. thank you very much, ijust want thank you very much, i just want to put on the screen some of the latest pictures coming into the bbc from those talks, the second round of talks between ukrainian officials and russian officials in belarus. these started about an hour or so ago, perhaps a little more confirmation coming from ukraine's presidential adviser saying the attacks had started, but how much real progress are we likely to see in the last 24 hours? moscow repeating their demands, blaming nato, talking about their security concerns whilst ukraine, of course, concentrating on trying to get a cease fire. those are the pictures, if there is any sort of detail of what's emerging from that, obviously we will bring that to you. let's get a check on how global

markets have been absorbing the latest developments — tieg enright is here. what are you seeing? in the last hour, russia's _ what are you seeing? in the last hour, russia's second _ what are you seeing? in the last hour, russia's second largest. what are you seeing? in the last hour, russia's second largest oil producer has called for the ending of the conflict in ukraine as soon as possible. it is the first time that a domestic oil producer has spoken out against moscow's invasion. interestingly, after its oligarch boss made the statement on twitter, the company's website appear to go off—line. let's have a look at the price of oil, which is actually following after days of turmoil in the financial markets after russia's invasion. let's have after russia's invasion. let's have a look at the latest. you can see that it's just around... it appears to be creeping upwards again, keep in mind, just a few weeks ago, it was around $90 a barrel and trading earlier today it hit a ten year high of $120 a barrel. and we can have a

look also at the impact that we are seeing on the russian currency, when it comes to the sanctions on oil, there are indeed no direct sanctions against the export of russian oil and gas, but market watches are telling us that many buyers don't want to touch it because of the concerns that they could fall foul of the next round of sanctions. the price of other commodities are also at historic highs over concerns that their supplies could be disrupted. the price of wheat is at a 14 year high today. western allies, as we know, are waging an economic war against russia in response to its invasion. having frozen many russian banks out of the international system, attention is now turning to ultra wealthy oligarchs close to put in. the french government has seized a super yacht owned by a company linked to igor, the chief executive of the russian energy giant. can you uk, the businessmen has put chelsea

football club up for sale and promised that profits would be donated to the people of ukraine. the chief executive of nafta gas come ukraine's largest energy company has told the bbc that the current sanctions are not tough enough. the west should simply stop buying gas and oilfrom russia completely. longer—term, midterm, the western world _ longer—term, midterm, the western world should get rid of any dependence on russian oil. that is clean _ dependence on russian oil. that is clean you — dependence on russian oil. that is clear. you can produce more oil and .as clear. you can produce more oil and gas and _ clear. you can produce more oil and gas and 0ther— clear. you can produce more oil and gas and other areas in the world where _ gas and other areas in the world where regimes as russia. frankly, it is very— where regimes as russia. frankly, it is very exaggerated that europe or the western world depends too much on russian _ the western world depends too much on russian gas and oil. it'sjust a matter— on russian gas and oil. it'sjust a matter of— on russian gas and oil. it'sjust a matter of choice. now the situation is very— matter of choice. now the situation is very clear, the whole world wants to avoid _ is very clear, the whole world wants to avoid spreading this war. they want _ to avoid spreading this war. they want to— to avoid spreading this war. they want to avoid expansion of

pollutants and threatening people all over— pollutants and threatening people all over the world, this dependency on russian — all over the world, this dependency on russian gas and oil. the surging cost of energy creates a new dilemma for central banks around the world. they have already been dealing with uncomfortably high inflation caused by the ending of pandemic lockdowns. the normal response is to raise interest rates but could that further destablise the economic recovery from covid. the us federal reserve chief jerome powell has said that he wants a planned increase to the cost of borrowing in the united states to proceed as planned this month. i'm joined now by our business correspondent samira hussein in new york. powell does not see any reason to change course. and he wants us to be certain of it. he made it very clear what he wants to see at the upcoming meeting in march 16th and he wants to see a 25%

basis point move upwards in terms of interest rates, and it is very rare for a central banker to make that so abundantly clear in those exact kind of words. but i think it's really an attempt by mr powell to really reassure markets and you get a clear signal about what it's planning on doing, that regardless of what's happening in ukraine and other geopolitical movements, here, domestically in the united states, the fact that we are seeing the unemployment market still doing very strong rather that labour market is doing very well, but also inflation is still running at decade highs, and in order to try to tame that down, the central bank believes that this is still the right time to make those moves, that said, still a few weeks away before that central bank meeting, it's possible he could change his mind. we meeting, it's possible he could change his mind.— meeting, it's possible he could change his mind. meeting, it's possible he could chance his mind. ~ ., . . change his mind. we are hearing that there could be _ change his mind. we are hearing that there could be a _ change his mind. we are hearing that there could be a fresh _ change his mind. we are hearing that there could be a fresh wave _ change his mind. we are hearing that there could be a fresh wave of- there could be a fresh wave of sanctions announced by president biden later. you might�*ve heard there a moment ago the boss of the

ukrainian energy company suggesting that the web simply has to stop buying russian oil and gas. that something certainly here in europe they are very concerned about doing, but i wonder on your side of the atlantic, are you west —based producer is considering whether they have the capacity to ramp up production and fill the void, perhaps left behind by russia? 50 production and fill the void, perhaps left behind by russia? so we have already — perhaps left behind by russia? so we have already heard _ perhaps left behind by russia? so we have already heard from _ perhaps left behind by russia? sr we: have already heard from president biden in a state of union address that they are releasing more oil reserves here in the united states, and if you remember, a few months ago, the president did the same in order to try to bring down the cost of energy here in the us as a result of energy here in the us as a result of inflation. he also made it very clear that that is something they would like to do again. if it needed to happen. i think what's really interesting is that even though there are no sanctions on russian oil, what we are seeing from traders is they actually just don't want to touch it. even though we are seeing

russian oil being sold on markets for $20 less a barrel than what you would typically see for some of their higher grade oil, theyjust don't want to touch it because they are in fear of running afoul of any of the sanctions that are already in place or that could come in the future. in new york, thank you very much for that. that's it for me. back to you matthew. returning to ukraine. several big tech firms have responded to ukrainian calls to stop doing business in russia. meanwhile ukraine government websites have been hit with cyber attacks. ther ukrainian authorties — asked tec firms to help — i'm joined now by oleksii, ceo of an it company in kyiv. he has been volunteering to protect kyiv. thank you so much. i will come to the cyber war is in a moment or two, butjust give me a sense of what it's been like they're in the

capital in the last seven days. hello, can you hear me? i can hear you well. tell me what it's been like the last few days in the capital. they have been bombing every day here in kyiv, during the day and during the night, russian army trying to go inside if he they are trying notjust to take he has back, but trying to destroy kyiv like other cities. and unfortunately, they are trying to reach kyiv, they are trying to destroy our nation, they are blocking the ability to get food to different ukrainian cities. we have a big problem now and a few cities which are blocked by the russian army, and we are not able to take

things there. army, and we are not able to take things there-— things there. there are so many different ways _ things there. there are so many different ways that _ things there. there are so many different ways that russia - things there. there are so many different ways that russia is - different ways that russia is attacking ukraine, cyber warfare has also been used. give me an idea of the sorts of attacks that you are seeing there in the country. when the war was _ seeing there in the country. when the war was beginning, _ seeing there in the country. when the war was beginning, the - seeing there in the country. lszl�*uéi'i the war was beginning, the first stage of the war was that russian soldiers were trying to block our resources from our military resources, energy resources, so on. they were trying to bring some damage here and they are still trying to block it because they want to show us as if our president is going to leave our country, and they are trying to do some deep effect of, they are trying to show somebody who is like our president who said

ok, we are giving up, and of corus, our it community, which is very strong and well known in the worlds, we are trying to make an answer to that, indefinitely as far as i know, our guys, our it guys are trying to show to russian people what is really going on here. sending some special e—mails, some pictures, photos to russian people for them to understand that it is a war, it's a war against the ukrainian nation. let me ask you a final question, because i know that you were saying earlier that you been trying to help women and children leave the capital, i know that i think i'm right in saying that your wife and two children have already left. how difficult is that? those separations that are going on for so many families? .,

that are going on for so many families?— that are going on for so many families? ., ~ ., �* , families? you know, it's quite difficult to _ families? you know, it's quite difficult to help _ families? you know, it's quite difficult to help the _ families? you know, it's quite difficult to help the women i families? you know, it's quite. difficult to help the women and families? you know, it's quite - difficult to help the women and kids which are in the regions that are getting farmed, and we are not able to reach some places. we are not able to save them, and it's quite a big pain for all of us because my telephone is dialling, and i have dozens of requests each day to save kids, to save women, to help them to move from someplace where is under attack. my heart is broken. we try as much as possible. my family is not so farfor as much as possible. my family is not so far for me now. they are 200 km from kyiv in a village, but it is much more safe and here in kyiv because here in kyiv, we have a big problem with farming and we have a big problem with farming civilians and killing civilian people and all

of ukraine now. we and killing civilian people and all of ukraine now.— and killing civilian people and all of ukraine now. we have to leave it there, of ukraine now. we have to leave it there. thank— of ukraine now. we have to leave it there, thank you _ of ukraine now. we have to leave it there, thank you so _ of ukraine now. we have to leave it there, thank you so much - of ukraine now. we have to leave it there, thank you so much for - of ukraine now. we have to leave it| there, thank you so much for talking to us on the programme. let mejust bring you a couple of the latest lines, first of all, ukraine's president and that news conference, one of the key lines he has been telling journalists, one of the key lines he has been tellingjournalists, he one of the key lines he has been telling journalists, he was saying that if allies won't enforce a no—fly zone, and of course, the international community, the west, laying out very clearly the reasons why they won't do that, the worry and the fear of creating a wider war between nato and russia, if they won't enforce a no—fly zone, says ukraine's president, then they should give us planes to defend ourselves. that from ukraine's president. across from him to vladimir putin because we are seeing comments coming in, tape feed from moscow with russia's president talking, saying that russian soldiers are acting briefly. he describes them as real heroes, and

he has said that they are sacrificing their lives. that feed is coming into us as i speak, so there will be more information in terms of the russian president's neil of this campaign. if chris refuses to it war or invasion, but, of course, so much pressure from the international community to the change behaviour there, absolutely no sign of that, but of course, all the while, we have got the second round of talks going on between russian officials and ukrainian officials, so we wait to see if anything positive emerges from that. it seems unlikely, given some of the commons coming out of moscow only today, but ijust want commons coming out of moscow only today, but i just want to commons coming out of moscow only today, but ijust want to put on the screen some pictures that are also coming into the bbc, these are drone pictures, and this is an area that is northwest of kyiv, the capital, and you see as you watch this, the

damage to buildings, to military hardware there on the road itself, and he is, the pictures, the latest picture is, as of course, we take and from different cities, different places in ukraine the enormity of some of the damage with the shelling going on. we've seen so many pictures from kyiv and the explosions there, but those other areas that russia has attacked in the south, which of course, they have taken kharkiv, ukraine's second city, that of course, coming under constant bombardment day and night, and reports from the port city, i willjust pause there because you see on that drone shotjust the scale of the damage, look at that, right in the centre of this area, of course, russia being accused of attacking residential areas, and

that of course is why the international criminal court is already starting and announced that they will look and start an investigation in terms of potential war crimes, potential genocide. that team already being sent to the area, those pictures from that area northwest of the capital, but i was saying in terms of the attacks further afield, the intensity of bombardment is increasing, the mayor saying the intensity was so great they hadn't been able to actually go out and get to the injured people. i'm going to put on the screen just before we take a break, vladimir putin, that tape coming into them with these comments as well as praising his own troops, he said i'm proud to be part of multinational people of russia. so some of the latest, we will have much more on that here earn bbc news in the next

few moments, but we are going to take a break. i'm back with all the latest minds here injust take a break. i'm back with all the latest minds here in just a latest minds here injust a moment. don't go away. hello again. we are looking at another cloudy day for the vast majority, misty, murky. low cloud and also a bit of rain in the area as well. meanwhile, temperatures only get to 5 degrees celsius, that's in the hills of west yorkshire. some sunshine, particularly for northern ireland but also parts of southeast england and temperatures reach 13 degrees and neck celsius. contrasting with the amount of cloud contrasting with the temperatures as well. for most of us, we had the cloudy weather thanks to this very slow moving weather front, and the reason it is slow—moving is extreme to move over to europe but getting blocked by this area of high pressure and indeed as we head into the weekend, it will reverse and stop moving east rates, stop moving

back west. overnight tonight, very gradually pushes rain into eastern areas of england, continues to be wet here, mist and fog patches on hills and coasts. hold with some frost patches, may be a bit of ice first thing in the morning across those colder regions in the west, but i think for a friday, there have been more of the sunshine, east scotland and eastern areas of england, gray, dull, dampfrom outbreaks of rain. chilly. temperatures just six in aberdeen and newcastle. with ascension comes out further west, you should see highs reaching about nine or 12. outbreaks of rain, light and patchy, starting out the day in england but moving towards wales later on. again, these western and northwestern areas of the country that will stay dry and bright with some sunshine, but quite a cool wind around as we go through saturday coming in off the chilly north sea. second half of the weekend, it could be that we have quite extensive

light rain and drizzle across england to start the morning. it will become confined to the southwest later in the day, the best of the weather crafts northwestern areas. for scotland, northern ireland and the northwest of england and wales should have some breaks in the cloud and some sunny spells coming through. into next week, high pressure still dominating that it does slip over into two you are watching bbc news. i will take you straightaway and play those comments coming from vladimir putin in moscow. that tape feed coming into the bbc. let's put that on the screen here and hear the latest. translation:— here and hear the latest. translation: , ., ., , ., translation: dear comrades, on the 24th of february. _ translation: dear comrades, on the 24th of february, this _ translation: dear comrades, on the 24th of february, this special - 24th of february, this special military operation has commenced in ukraine. performing the tasks put to them to defend our people to ensure security of our motherland, the russian soldiers and officers are

acting bravely, as real heroes. our soldiers are fighting bravely with a full understanding that there because it is right, even after being wounded, they remain, and they sacrifice their lives to save their comrades and the peaceful residents. during the battles, our soldiers and the donbas military are acting as heroes. i would like to do notice specially there brigades under the, and of alexi a beer guard. they have broken through the deep defence that the nationalists have set up over eight years, the commander of the

tank brigade has destroyed five tanks in the battle on the 25th of february 163rd tank division, elect saying has faced a nationalists division. with 15 tanks and six armoured vehicles. he attacked then and destroyed all of the armoured vehicles and five tanks, ensuring that the military task was completed. i have signed an order to award 20 and yet, a hero of russia. unfortunately gusty missy. ——

posthumously. he was