talk about the latest on the to talk about the latest on the russian attack and the nuclear reactor in ukraine. we have more on all of theirs and just a couple of moments time here. do not go anywhere. goodbye. this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories... world leaders condemn the russian attack on europe's largest nuclear power plant. it is now secure. ukraine's president accuses moscow of nuclear terror. translation: we need to stop | the russian military immediately. scream to your politicians. ukraine has 15 nuclear units, and if there is an explosion it is the end of everything. the international atomic energy agency says the reactor wasn't hit and no radioactive material has been released. nato's secretary general says there's evidence russia is using cluster bombs in ukraine in breach of international law and again rules out a no fly zone. the days to come are

likely to be worse. with more death, more suffering, and more destruction. meanwhile, mariupol in the south of ukraine has become a city under seige as power and water supplies are cut off by russian shelling. more than 1 million civilians have now fled ukraine. the eu says up to four million may try to leave, and that it will welcome all refugees with open arms. hello and welcome. the united nations security council is holding an emergency meeting to discuss the way in which russian

forces captured ukraine's biggest nuclear power plant. the un's political affairs chief has said attacks on nuclear power facilities are contrary to international humanitarian law. the zaporizhzhia facility was shelled this morning triggering a fire. the authorities say the site is secure and radiation levels are normal. the ukrainian foreign ministry say several people have been killed and injured. the plant is in the south east of the country and the biggest in europe. president zelensky has accused moscow of resorting to "nuclear terror" and urged russians to protest. russia has escalated its air campaign against ukrainian cities throughout the last 2a hours. an official in the besieged port of mariupol has accused russia of trying to force it to surrender by creating a humanitarian crisis. he said the city was being shelled continuously. it's facing a third day without water, electricity, or proper sanitation. kharkiv in the north east has been reduced to rubble. and ukraine says at least 50 people were killed by russian air strikes

in the northern city of chernihiv. the polish border guard agency has confirmed more than 672,500 people have fled ukraine to poland since the war began last week. more than 99,000 people crossed the borderjust yesterday. meanwhile, the nato alliance has rejected calls from kyiv for it to impose a no—fly zone over ukraine, saying this could lead to a wider war with russia. we start our coverage with this report from james waterhouse. in these times, what happens in one part of ukraine is instantly seen by the rest of it. shells landing on europe's biggest nuclear power plant, the latest to horrify this besieged country and the wider world. emergency crews said they put the fire out at zaporizhzhia, and that the nuclear reactors are safe. it's now, however, in russian hands. we are told staff are still being allowed to do theirjobs. translation: russian troops attacked the largest nuclear . power plant in europe.

it is maybe six times the size of chernobyl. the russian tanks knew what they were firing at. they directly hit the plant. this is terror on an unprecedented level. in nearby enerhodar, the mayor says war crimes have been witnessed. claims of an armoured convoy of 100 russian vehicles shooting at people who came in its path. this russian advance from the south is making gains and mariupol is feeling its force. it continues to be under siege, under heavy bombardment. authorities have described a genocide and want nato troops to help. the situation from the humanitarian side is terrible. the city lives for three days without any supplying, any electricity, water. chernihiv in the north has been partly turned to rubble by air strikes. 47 people are known

to have been killed. translation: my parents live right here, nearby. - it's hard for me to speak. this is a nightmare, how is it possible? just look at this. it's a residential building. my friend lives here with her children. luckily they managed to get out. in eastern kyiv, warehouses flattened by russian shells. you could hear the continuous rumblings of this attack from the centre. just over a week ago, you would often see crowds outside the opera house to enjoy an evening of the arts, maybe some kind of performance. now all you really see, in terms of a crowd, are queues outside the few pharmacies that are still open. tatiana has been queueing for two hours for her medicine. she says she wants to deliberately speak in russian to make this point. translation: m0 russian to make this point. translation:— russian to make this point. translation: ., ., , ., ,, ., translation: no one needs a russian world of putin- —

translation: no one needs a russian world of putin. he _ translation: no one needs a russian world of putin. he should _ translation: no one needs a russian world of putin. he should get _ translation: no one needs a russian world of putin. he should get out - translation: no one needs a russian world of putin. he should get out of. world of putin. he should get out of here. we have a peaceful and free country. the russians claim their attack is going to plan. a plan apparently meant to not target cities or civilians. james waterhouse, bbc news, in kyiv. let's ta ke let's take you live to new york now where the un security council is holding an emergency meeting and we can go live to listen to the united states representative to the un talking at this emergency meeting called after the attack on the nuclear facility. to called after the attack on the nuclear facility.— called after the attack on the nuclear facility. to my russian counterparts. _ nuclear facility. to my russian counterparts, this _ nuclear facility. to my russian counterparts, this council- nuclear facility. to my russian i counterparts, this council needs answers. we need to hear you say this won't happen again as a uk colleague just this won't happen again as a uk colleaguejust stated. this won't happen again as a uk colleague just stated. we call on you to withdraw your troops and weaponry from ukraine. we call on you to respect ukraine's borders, its people and the un charter. we

call on you to respect your own troops enough not to send them into unjust war. 0r on a suicide mission against a nuclear power plant. we call on russia to abide by this international law obligations. the world demands that russia abide by international humanitarian law which prohibits intentionally targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, and allow humanitarian agencies full and secure access to people in need of aid. the united states and our partners have called for a briefing this monday on the humanitarians situation in ukraine. we support the work by humanitarian organisations

and paused to allow for safe passage in the delivery of humanitarian supplies. president putin must stop this humanitarian catastrophe by ending this war and ceasing these unconscionable attacks against the people of ukraine. mr putin must stop this madness, and he must stop it now. cooler heads must prevail, russian forces are now 20 miles and closing from ukraine's second largest nuclear facility. so this imminent danger continues. we narrowly avoided a disaster last night. the international community must be unanimous in demanding russia's forces stop their dangerous assault. and as i've said before,

the people of ukraine are counting on us, and we must not let them down. thank you. i on us, and we must not let them down. thank you.— down. thank you. i think the representative _ down. thank you. i think the representative of _ down. thank you. i think the representative of the - down. thank you. i think the representative of the united| down. thank you. i think the - representative of the united states for her_ representative of the united states for her statement and i now give the floor for her statement and i now give the floor to _ for her statement and i now give the floor to the — for her statement and i now give the floor to the representative of france — translation: france is seriously concerned about _ translation: france is seriously concerned about the _ translation: france is seriously concerned about the risks - translation: france is seriously concerned about the risks for - translation: france is seriously concerned about the risks for the | concerned about the risks for the safety security and nuclear safeguards that are a result of the russian invasion. this is why, with its partners, france has asked the security council to meet urgently. 0n the 24th of february, russian forces entered the chernobyl zone. the team running the facility was retained and requisitioned by russian military. 0n the 27th of

february, strong, loud detonation was recorded near the centre for waste storage in kyiv. this morning, a fire was declared in the largest nuclear facility in europe after the russian attack. as indicated by the minister of europe and foreign affairs, france strongly condemns this attack on the integrity of a nuclear structure which we need to guarantee and guarantee its security. the results of the aggression of russia against ukraine are possibly devastating for human health and the environment. in 2009, russia approved with the rest of the general conference of the iaea a decision according to which any armed attack and threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the principle to honour

international law and the statute of the body. russia in this circumstance also needs to adhere to the resolutions of the agency and the resolutions of the agency and the general conference. russia should immediately cease its illegal activities which are dangerous in order to restore controlled of the ukrainian authorities and all nuclear materials and facilities within the internationally recognised borders of ukraine. russia should also offer regular and unfettered access to the facilities for the team running the facilities so that they can do theirjobs safely. we call for the full respect of the convention on nuclear safety. france supports the efforts of the general director of the iaea for ongoing monitoring of the nuclear facilities in ukraine, who is in close contact with ukrainian authorities. we would ask the

director—general of the agency to use all instruments available to the agency to support ukraine's efforts in order to ensure the safety and security of all facilities around the country. in this regard, france fully supports the proposal of the director—general of the iaea for negotiations about commitments between the parties to the conflict in ukraine in order to ensure respect of the seven principles set forth during the board of governors meeting of the 2nd of march 2022 with regard to the implications of the situation in ukraine and the areas of safety, security and nuclear safeguards.- areas of safety, security and nuclear safeguards. that is the s - ecial nuclear safeguards. that is the special representative - nuclear safeguards. that is the special representative of - nuclear safeguards. that is the | special representative of france nuclear safeguards. that is the . special representative of france at the un. the emergency meeting is ongoing to discuss the seizure of europe's largest nuclear power station overnight by russian forces. i want to talk more about what happened there. i'm joined by professor tom scott.

a professor in materials at the university of bristol. tell is more about this, are you worried? , , , . worried? this is unprecedented, we have never— worried? this is unprecedented, we have never had _ worried? this is unprecedented, we have never had a _ worried? this is unprecedented, we have never had a situation - worried? this is unprecedented, we have never had a situation where i have never had a situation where there has been ground fighting around a nuclear power plant that is operating, and of course it is very worrying that there could have been much greater collateral damage from the fighting that was going on. i think we are very fortunate we haven't had more of a situation, and it is certainly very reassuring the radiation levels are normal and have not changed overnight because of the fire or any other incident on site. who is monitoring the radiation levels? how reassured can we be? they are monitored by networks of sensors distributed within the reactor buildings and around the site. some of the sensors will have a live feed through to the iaea and

some are publicly visible through the internet when the internet is available, so it has been possible to monitor a small number of the monitoring stations to reassure ourselves radiation levels haven't changed, and there is also the message which the iaea is giving out clearly, is there is no radiological issue at that site for the time being. issue at that site for the time beinu. ~ ., , ' . being. what is the difference between this _ being. what is the difference between this site, _ being. what is the difference between this site, which - being. what is the difference between this site, which i . being. what is the difference - between this site, which i believe is europe's biggest, and chernobyl, which many people know about still? this reactor site is using a different version of nuclear technology. chernobyl was very old technology, but the key thing about chernobyl is it has a graphite reactor core, and part of the issue with the chernobyl disaster is that reactor core, the graphite set on fire. that reactor station with its six pressurised stations has no graphite. the other beneficial

feature of these plants is they are pressurised water reactor types but essentially you have a steel pressure vessel with the walls around 20 centimetres thick steel, and that keeps the reactor core in one place. then outside of that, you have a bio shield which is a thick concrete shield. these two features, safety features for the reactor, they keep the reactor and the radioactivity car means they are protected from the outside which is fortuitous in this circumstance. qm. fortuitous in this circumstance. ok, professor tom _ fortuitous in this circumstance. 0k, professor tom scott, it has been really interesting to get your insight. thank you so much for talking to us. ukraine's second city, kharkiv, near the russian border remains under siege. thousands of people have taken refuge in the city's metro station, living in train carriages and frightened to go above ground. 0ur eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford is there.

there are thousands of people living underground here in kharkiv, some 3000 injust this underground here in kharkiv, some 3000 in just this one metro station. there are adults and children here, people brought their pets as well and a few bags of belongings. they came here in particular after there word two big explosions up above. we have seen the destruction, people felt it in their houses and have been terrified, living down here ever since. they are trying to make it as normal as possible, they have toys and blankets but there are people living in train carriages in the middle of the city. 0ne people living in train carriages in the middle of the city. one woman just told me, she said, we are russian speakers, we used to respect vladimir putin and didn't have a problem with russia before, now they are bombing us. they want help from anybody outside to end it as quickly as possible because for the moment they are living underground, their nerves are on edge, people here are crying when they are talking to us

and they have no idea what the future holds. there are people in cars trying to head out of the city while there is relatively little shooting, just trying to get to safety. that is the situation in kharkiv. many people throughout the uk and around the world have been wanting to send help and aid to various areas in ukraine. let me ask you what your appeal is asking for and how successful it has been so far. thank you. the scenes unfolding in front of our screens over the last week have been received with horror and shock across the uk. we launched our appeal yesterday, the disasters emergency committee, which brings together the 15 leading international aid organisations who

have a presence both in ukraine and in neighbouring countries. the overwhelming support received from the british public has been phenomenal. in the space ofjust one day, we have raised an amazing £55 million for the aid efforts, that is money that will help provide basic essential aid such as food, water, blankets, trauma care for the children that have been traumatised, healthcare and support to hospitals and clinics. this is aid that we are prioritising now in the coming weeks and months, and the british public are still continuing to give in their thousands up and down the country. i must also thank the uk government for supporting this appeal with £20 million and we hope more funds will come in the coming days and weeks. you are talking about the amount of support you have received which has been amazing. you have also had support from the royal

family, talk us through that. three generations _ family, talk us through that. three generations of _ family, talk us through that. three generations of the _ family, talk us through that. three generations of the royal— family, talk us through that. three generations of the royal family, i family, talk us through that. ii—ii” generations of the royal family, her generations of the royalfamily, her majesty the queen, prince charles and prince william have all donated to the cause and we are completely grateful for their generosity. we have also had support from celebrities across the uk, companies, corporate, trusts and foundations, but essentially this is a public appeal. a call to action for the british people, and the british people have responded in their thousands. all across the nation from scotland, wales, northern ireland and england and have contributed millions of pounds. £55 million, this is our biggest ever appeal since the tsunami of 2004 when i think that demonstrates the scale of the emergency and the scale of the need, and of course the outpouring of support and goodwill to the people of ukraine. what outpouring of support and goodwill to the people of ukraine.— to the people of ukraine. what are the immediate _ to the people of ukraine. what are the immediate needs _ to the people of ukraine. what are the immediate needs of _ to the people of ukraine. what are the immediate needs of the - to the people of ukraine. what are| the immediate needs of the people to the people of ukraine. what are i the immediate needs of the people in ukraine that you are going to be

helping? figs ukraine that you are going to be helinu ? �* , �* ukraine that you are going to be helina? r �* , ukraine that you are going to be helina? a �* , ., , ukraine that you are going to be helina? a �* , ., _, ukraine that you are going to be helina? a �* , ., i. helping? as i'm sure many of your viewers have _ helping? as i'm sure many of your viewers have already _ helping? as i'm sure many of your viewers have already seen - helping? as i'm sure many of your viewers have already seen on - helping? as i'm sure many of your viewers have already seen on yourj viewers have already seen on your previous article, people have been left homeless. 0ver previous article, people have been left homeless. over 1.3 million ukrainians are left homeless. 0ver1.3 million ukrainians are now refugees in neighbouring countries. it is feared that up to 4 million people could be preparing to flee now as we speak, and up to 7 million people will sadly, could be displaced in ukraine. they are having to leave their homes, their livelihoods, their homes, their livelihoods, their jobs, their homes, their livelihoods, theirjobs, their possessions, and sometimes family members behind and only taking what they can carry. that means they need food, water, blankets, warmth, shelter and of course the medical treatment and health care. that is why we have launched this appeal in the uk and why we are appealing for support and help. why we are appealing for support and hel. ., ., ., , why we are appealing for support and hel. ., . ., , ., why we are appealing for support and help. you have raised an astonishing amount in just _ help. you have raised an astonishing amount in just a _ help. you have raised an astonishing amount in just a single _ help. you have raised an astonishing amount in just a single day. - help. you have raised an astonishing amount in just a single day. this - amount in just a single day. this clearly has touched the hearts of so many people. clearly has touched the hearts of so many people-—

many people. absolutely. we are heafina many people. absolutely. we are hearing stories _ many people. absolutely. we are hearing stories of _ many people. absolutely. we are hearing stories of children - many people. absolutely. we are hearing stories of children giving | hearing stories of children giving their pocket money, pensioners slicing some of their pension funds, and even the big corporate trust and foundations prioritising now to give to the ukraine appeal, and it has touched millions of hearts up and down the land. there is organisations creating marathons, dinners, sports events and everything else they can think of in order to support the humanitarian aid efforts in ukraine. it order to support the humanitarian aid efforts in ukraine.— aid efforts in ukraine. it has been so aood aid efforts in ukraine. it has been so good to _ aid efforts in ukraine. it has been so good to talk— aid efforts in ukraine. it has been so good to talk to _ aid efforts in ukraine. it has been so good to talk to you, _ aid efforts in ukraine. it has been so good to talk to you, and - aid efforts in ukraine. it has been so good to talk to you, and thank| so good to talk to you, and thank you so much for everything you are doing. you so much for everything you are doinu. ., ~ you so much for everything you are doinu. . ~' ,. the nato secretary general, jens stoltenberg, has said the alliance must ensure that the conflict in ukraine does not spread beyond that country. speaking after a meeting of nato and other western foreign ministers, he said it was agreed that nato planes and troops should not operate in ukrainian airspace or territory, confronting russian forces. mr stoltenberg added that nato had seen evidence that russia was using cluster bombs in ukraine

and other weapons that would be in violation of international law. we have made it clear that we are not going to move into ukraine, neither on the ground or in the ukrainian airspace. and of course, the only way to implement a no fly zone is to send nato planes, fighter planes into ukrainian airspace and then impose that no—fly zone by shooting down russian planes. and our assessment is that we understand the desperation, but we also believe that if we did that, we end up with something that could end in a full fledged war in europe, involving many more countries and causing much more human suffering. nearly 20,000 russian artists are demanding

a withdrawal from ukraine, including many stars of the classical music scene. our next guest is a soprano, flutist and composer. thank you so much forjoining us, can you tell us first of all your thoughts on what is happening in ukraine? , ., ., ., ukraine? yes, good evening. i have sta ed ukraine? yes, good evening. i have stayed always _ ukraine? yes, good evening. i have stayed always in _ ukraine? yes, good evening. i have stayed always in contact _ ukraine? yes, good evening. i have stayed always in contact with - ukraine? yes, good evening. i have stayed always in contact with my . stayed always in contact with my friends and colleagues there who are sitting in shelters and metro stations, and some of them have children, some of them are giving birth to a child, and someone had a dead mother to bury. it is because there will be always shooting and bombing from the sky. they can't do anything because it is always... the

flights always dropping their bombs. it is not possible to do, i mean many people will leave who can't leave. russians will destroy ukraine but it is just a step. it is not logical acting. but it is just a step. it is not logicalacting. i but it isjust a step. it is not logical acting.— but it isjust a step. it is not logical acting. i know a lot of musicians — logical acting. i know a lot of musicians and _ logical acting. i know a lot of musicians and people - logical acting. i know a lot of musicians and people who i logical acting. i know a lot of| musicians and people who are renowned and well known in terms of the russian music and entertainment committee have spoken out. how bigger difference is there between people who live in russia speaking out and those like you who live in other countries?— other countries? there are also musicians _ other countries? there are also musicians living _ other countries? there are also musicians living in _ other countries? there are also musicians living in russia, - other countries? there are also musicians living in russia, a . other countries? there are also musicians living in russia, a lot other countries? there are also i musicians living in russia, a lot of them are speaking against war openly, against putin, against what

is happening now to ukraine because we don't want that it will happen from our name. and now there are new lows that depressed people that you can have 20 years of prison if you say about the war killing people, just normal people. fik. say about the war killing people, just normal people.— say about the war killing people, just normal people. ok. i'm afraid we have run _ just normal people. ok. i'm afraid we have run out— just normal people. ok. i'm afraid we have run out of— just normal people. ok. i'm afraid we have run out of time _ just normal people. ok. i'm afraid we have run out of time but - just normal people. ok. i'm afraid we have run out of time but it - just normal people. ok. i'm afraid we have run out of time but it has| we have run out of time but it has been really good to get you on the programme and get your point of view. thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us on bbc news. i am back in a few minutes' time, stay with us on bbc news.

good evening. it's been a day of mixed fortunes for many, we have seen a lot of cloud around and yes, at times it has been wet. this was lincolnshire this afternoon. it never really progressed above the low cloud, miss and murky story. there has been rained ranging away from eastern scotland that is sitting to the east of the pennines down into the south—east corner. behind that, there was quite clear on is sitting to the east of the pennines down into the south—east corner. behind that, there was quite a clearance and to be found. this was cumbria a few hours ago. it looks likely that the drier and brighter story will win out as we go through the issue as we go through the weekend. 0ver through the issue as we go through

the weekend. over the next few hours, that weather front will grind to a halt across the far south—east corner, but high pressure builds in behind and that will keep this guy is clear and temperatures will fall away like a stone across scotland, northern england and parts of wales. here we will see temperatures just below freezing. down into the south—east corner underneath that cloud and the outbreaks of rain, temperatures holding around five or 6 degrees. but it will start grey, drab and dreary and some of that rain will drift west as we go through the afternoon. the best of the sunshine to start off our weekend, certainly the further north and west you are. more of the breeze and west you are. more of the breeze and temperatures likely to hold up at around a maximum of 10 degrees so thatis at around a maximum of 10 degrees so that is a little bit underpowered for this time of year. as we move into sunday, that high pressure hopefully starts to establish itself a little more across the country and finally that nuisance weather front we have seen for a couple of days really decays and eases away. more

of a breeze across the south and that could driving a little more cloud, particularly first thing in the morning, but that will thin and break. temperatures should peak in the brighter moments of around 9 degrees. as we move into monday morning, it is worth bearing in mind that with those clear skies, temperatures will fall away and it is going to be a cold and frosty start for many first thing on monday morning. monday into tuesday, dry and settled, and sunny for most, but temperatures on the chilly side for the time of year.

the headlines. we are listing in the russian un representative. the we are listing in the russian un representative.— we are listing in the russian un representative. the condition is as follows: the _ representative. the condition is as follows: the first _ representative. the condition is as follows: the first has _ representative. the condition is as follows: the first has been - follows: the first has been disconnected for repair. the second and third have been temporarily disconnected by the decision of the station's management. the fourth is operating at 690 mw and the fifth and sixth are being cooled. according to the assessment of a ea leadership which were set out in the press statement, the operation of the nuclear power plant continues normally. nothing threatens the safety of the six power units. the radiation monitoring systems are fully operational and there is no threat of a release of radioactive

material. i would like to remind you that, in 2014, ukrainian nationalists already tried to destabilise the situation. western states ignored this egregious case back then. and it could have potentially led to disaster. at the time, we drew attention to the serious incident. now, when the russian military is doing everything to ensure the safety and security of ukrainian nuclearfacilities, a ukrainian nuclear facilities, a massive ukrainian nuclearfacilities, a massive anti—russian propaganda campaign is unfolding based on absurd allegations that russia is allegedly trying to create a source of radioactive contamination and i urge you to think, what would be the point of us doing this? we are the best position to be aware of and on

top of the situation. the most interested in maintaining nuclear and general security in ukraine. physical and nuclear security to be properly maintained in ukraine. we are ukraine's neighbours. together with the people of belarus and ukraine will live through the tragedy of chernobyl and so we're more interested than most in maintaining a normal situation throughout the territory of ukraine. i would like to emphasise once again that the danger to the civilian population of ukraine is not emanating from russian troops, it is coming from ukrainian nationalists who are holding the civilian populations of a number of large cities hostage and carrying out acts of sabotage and provocations, one of which is what we are now discussing.

after that, they attempt to blame russia for all of it. yesterday's incident at the nuclear power plant is a clear illustration of this. your reaction to this incident and your attempts to blow it into a global scandal, your attempts to blow it into a globalscandal, major your attempts to blow it into a global scandal, major western colleagues, leave no doubt that the radicals and extremists in ukraine were and are under your close guardianship and protection. they have assertive carte blanche from you. forthe have assertive carte blanche from you. for the sake of fury ukrainian project you're ready to forget about the safety of ordinary ukrainians just as rage as she tried another systematic shelling of the civilians of donbas by the armed forces of ukraine. we urge you to come down those who are in the worst traditions of terrorists are hiding behind civilians, facing heavy weaponry and multiple rocket launchers in residential areas.

nationalists have detained 60 citizens who were on their way to the humanitarian corridor that was established and forcibly transport them to a local school. these terrors are using civilians as a human shield and blackmailing the advancing forces of the donbas people's republic with their readiness to blow up a school full of hostages. these terrors are preventing the civilians wishing to leave the city from doing so. this practice is affecting not only ukrainians but also foreign citizens. the number of foreign nationals who are being forcibly held by ukrainian nationalists are shocking. this includes 3189 citizens of india, 0ptus 2700 citizens of india, 0ptus 2700 citizens of india, 0ptus 2700 citizens of vietnam, 202 citizens of china. this includes 576 indian citizens, 101 canadian citizens.

nine citizens of indonesia are being held. national is and a group of chinese citizens who were trying to independently lean into russian territory and two of them were injured. the russian military is doing everything to ensure a peaceful evacuation foreign nationals. at one of the checkpoints, as a sexy today, 130 comfortable buses were standing ready in order to rescue indian students and other foreign citizens. checkpoints have been equipped with temporary accommodations, best facilities and hot meals. mobile medical stations have been deployed with stocks of medications. the evacuees will be later transported and subsequently brought home by air. i would like to draw your attention to another egregious episode regarding which we would

like to hear clarification from the secretary. the telegram channel of the so—called territorial defence published a message about the requisitioning of cars of un mission personnel. and if the secretary is not aware of this we are ready to provide relevant materials. that message states, and i quote, sorry, but the goal justifies message states, and i quote, sorry, but the goaljustifies the means. the array positioned un vehicles as we need them now. end of quote. according to the nationalists, they quote again, there is full understanding on the part of the un. there are no official statements or protests from the un. we are extremely concerned that un mission vehicles could end up in the hands of our code have already ended up in the hands of terrorists and be used for terrorist purposes. the secretary is really aware the situation of the nationalists then we would like to receive an

explanation of why the un did not inform member states of this. thank you. i inform member states of this. thank ou. ~' inform member states of this. thank ou. ~ , , ., ., you. i think the representative of the russian _ you. i think the representative of the russian federation _ you. i think the representative of the russian federation for - you. i think the representative of the russian federation for the i the russian federation for the statement and i now give the for the representative of india. that was the russian's ambassador to the united nations. talking to the emergency meeting. much as a permanent member of the security council. what's being said there and important to reiterate that a lot of what the russian ambassador was saying is not been verified by any foreign media and a lot of what he was saying also goes directly against what we have been hearing from witnesses on the ground as well as our own correspondence in particular what he was talking about in terms of ukrainian citizens in cities been taken hostage by terrorists. ukrainian citizens being frightened by their own ukrainian forces. a lot of what he was a need

to be taken with, let's be honest, pinch of salt. the media and information and disinformation very much in vogue at the bbc says it has decided to temporarily the workable bbc news journalists and their support staff in russia after the russian parliament passed a law making it a criminal offence to spread what it called fake information about the armed forces. those convicted face prison sentences of up to 15 years. meanwhile the country's media regulator has restricted access to the bbc and other independent news websites and services. let's talk now to the interim director of bbc news. thank you for talking to us. let me ask you, vegetable, why the bbc made this decision? we let me ask you, vegetable, why the bbc made this decision?— bbc made this decision? we got to responsibility _ bbc made this decision? we got to responsibility is _ bbc made this decision? we got to responsibility is here. _ bbc made this decision? we got to responsibility is here. the - bbc made this decision? we got to responsibility is here. the first - responsibility is here. the first responsibility is here. the first responsibility is here. the first responsibility is the safety and welfare of our own staff in moscow. the second is a responsibility to the audiences to report freely and

fairly the story that we believe to be true. the two things are not compatible at the moment. because free reporting involves using words that have just been outlawed by the russian authorities. and that in turn will lead to prison sentences under the punishments meted out on our staff. under the punishments meted out on ourstaff. so under the punishments meted out on our staff. so we cannot operate in a way that the bbc needs to operate in russia for the time being. i'd the bbc will not be operating from within russia but there will still be bbc reporting on russia? yes, a place that they made. we are not able to use our correspondence in reporters, many of whom will be familiar faces reporters, many of whom will be familiarfaces and reporters, many of whom will be familiar faces and voices to your audiences. forthe familiar faces and voices to your audiences. for the time being. because they are personally responsible for what they say on air. we do have lots ofjournalists in london and elsewhere with a lot of knowledge about russia including former correspondence who have been based in moscow over the years and can follow the world of diplomacy

and policy carefully so they will be at the forefront. they are here and they are safe from russian action. in that way, audiences informed without compromising the safety of our staff. ., ., , , our staff. you will not be pulling ourself our staff. you will not be pulling yourself out _ our staff. you will not be pulling yourself out of _ our staff. you will not be pulling yourself out of russia _ our staff. you will not be pulling yourself out of russia for- our staff. you will not be pulling yourself out of russia for now? | our staff. you will not be pulling i yourself out of russia for now? no. not pulling — yourself out of russia for now? no. not pulling our— yourself out of russia for now? firm not pulling our stuff out. all options remain open and we of course we do ultimately what we need to do to keep them safe. 0ur we do ultimately what we need to do to keep them safe. our staff who live and work in russia are staying put and be very much hope to get them back on air and online in the nearfuture but we're them back on air and online in the near future but we're taking a pause on doing that because this is brand—new legislation and we don't know, in truth, what their level of enforcement will be able to bid on over to the practical implications and we don't want to find that out the hard way by finding examiner said something which they believe to be true or used words which are now outlawed like war or invasion and find that we are then punished in a completely draconian and unacceptable way. let's not beat

about the bush here. this is an extremely depressing day for free reporting and analysis of what is happening in russia. as you have just been showing, a permanent member of the united nations security council is essentially outgoing free reporting. there are responsibilities as an employer we have to do the right thing but we hope it will be temporary and we hope it will be temporary and we hope we'll get our analysis back for moscow soon as we can.— moscow soon as we can. thank you very much- — moscow soon as we can. thank you very much. ukraine's _ moscow soon as we can. thank you very much. ukraine's cyber - moscow soon as we can. thank you j very much. ukraine's cyber security authority says it is fighting the words first hybrid war in word's first hybrid war in cyberspace as well as on the ground. the ministry says it is facing constant cyber attacks against this government and infrastructure networks with citizens as well as officials now being targeted. it claimed its cyber defences are repelling most attacks and defend its use of voluntary hackers to attack russia. let's get more now with our cyber porter. tells more about what has been happening. yes.

about what has been happening. yes, this is the first _ about what has been happening. yes, this is the first press _ about what has been happening. me: this is the first press conference from the cyber authority in ukraine. we know that it is chaos. we know that there are hacker groups who are hacking ukraine from either russia or belarus or wherever in the world and we know that there are a lot of hacking groups attacking brush as well from inside ukraine and again around the world. not to mention, of course, the hacker collective anonymous have waded in as well so we're seeing all sorts of low—level attacks taking place but one thing we haven't really had so far is an insight into what is happening in the ground in ukraine in terms of cyber. this is a good inside four hours for the deputy chair of the ss eip and he said that, although they are not necessarily talking about the attacks, they are receiving a lot. they say that they're being relentlessly bombarded with cyber attacks either from rush—hour wherever they are coming from and he said that the tactics have changed as well in the last few days. there are no longerjust attacking government and military they attacking the officials who work for

those places as well so he is saying that this is, although quiet on theirfund, publicly, it is not quite at all. they are fighting an unprecedented war in the two funds. 0n the streets with kinetic warfare and also in cyber. in on the streets with kinetic warfare and also in cyber.— on the streets with kinetic warfare and also in cyber. in my opinion we have all the — and also in cyber. in my opinion we have all the necessary _ and also in cyber. in my opinion we have all the necessary instruments| have all the necessary instruments to defend our cyberspace and it is not possible to win a cyber war and to lose a conventional war. and these two wars, part of this hybrid war with serious international component is the first in history. he i believe that cyber war can be ended with the end of conventional

war. we will do everything to make this moment closer. he says that one of the reasons why these attacks, coming from russia, from the nation state, not coming to is because the defenders are much better. they say they have been attacked so much in they have been attacked so much in the past in 2015 in 2016, they were hit by hacking which is believed to have come from russia which caused power cuts in ukraine that they say they are dealing with those under able to propel the attacks from russia. 0ne able to propel the attacks from russia. one of the things that they've done since the invasion which is very controversial as they have created an it army of ukraine which is an official government sanction group on telegram, now 270,000 volunteer hackers from ukraine and around the world have joined and they are coordinating and celebrating attacks on russia on this group and we are still in a press conference whether or not that is potentially irresponsible because, of course, the fear is that

an attack from a civilian might only be cyber vandalism like we have seen so far mainly on russia but also they could escalate so, the moment, we are seeing low—level attacks on things like websites been taken down in russia, mostly. 0urwebsites being defeated anti—putin messages and things like review are going on to russian business websites and leaving reviews, 5—star reviews but also messages to the russian people in support of the ukraine struggle and the ukraine wall and there are concerns, whatever hacker accidentally gets himself or herself into a critical network and we don't of course never these hacks come from and these could escalate quickly but this is what he had to say about it. he said that although they cannot condone illegal activity things have changed now. iside they cannot condone illegal activity things have changed now.- they cannot condone illegal activity things have changed now. we do not welcome any — things have changed now. we do not welcome any illegal— things have changed now. we do not welcome any illegal activity, - things have changed now. we do not welcome any illegal activity, in i welcome any illegal activity, in cyberspace. we believe that every part should be responsible with their actions.

part should be responsible with theiractions. but part should be responsible with their actions. but the world order changed on the 24th of february. we have martial law here in ukraine and i don't think that appealing to moral principles works. since our enemy does not have any principles. an extraordinary thing to hear the cyber authority of a government saying to people, hacking is effectively legal, that is what they're doing now. they said that they're doing now. they said that they are only attacking civilian networks and if you look at the telegram group there is so much in there. it is, tack their networks are russia and it is being condoned and applauded essentially by the ukrainian people. —— ukrainian of men. we know we don't know what is

behind these attacks are which countries could be thrown military hackers into the frame because it is chaos at the moment. the one thing that we have not seen, as we have stress, we haven't seen any kind of nation backed by the sophisticated cyber attack the likes of which we expected and feared commercial which is a cyber superpower, after all. they have caused power in ukraine, they have launched a very disruptive and uncontrolled cyber attack in 2017 aimed at ukraine but because it was a supply chain attack it meant that it was a supply chain attack it meant thatitis was a supply chain attack it meant that it is spread around the world very quickly and caused about $10 billion worth of damage so there are concerns that that sort of thing may still happen but at the moment there has not been a major cyber attack so far that is change things in itself. thank you. russia's invasion of

ukraine has raised fresh concerns for other countries in close proximity to russia. 0ne for other countries in close proximity to russia. one of those concerned included finland which shares a long border with russia. for the first time the majority of finns favourjoining nato according to a poll published this week. this comes as the name's president is meeting the us president in finland. we can speak to our world affairs correspondent who is at the finish side. let me ask you first of all, how are things reacting to what is happening in ukraine? thea;r how are things reacting to what is happening in ukraine?— how are things reacting to what is happening in ukraine? they have been deel happening in ukraine? they have been deeply shocked- _ happening in ukraine? they have been deeply shocked. over _ happening in ukraine? they have been deeply shocked. over the _ happening in ukraine? they have been deeply shocked. over the last - happening in ukraine? they have been deeply shocked. over the last ten i happening in ukraine? they have been deeply shocked. over the last ten or i deeply shocked. over the last ten or 20 years relations between finland and russia they've been really good. people have passed across this border in their thousands to do their shopping in finland. there's been absolutely no problem

whatsoever and just in the days immediately before the actual invasion of ukraine, the mere thought that finland might be interested injoining nato because the russian foreign ministry to issue a bloodcurdling threat to finland and sweden to say if you do anything like this there could be serious consequences. what were military consequences? nobody knew. it did sound like a high threat that there would be some form of invasion and so the opinion in this country just swung around from their support for neutrality which they pretty much always had, through to, she would just saying, their support for the idea that they should maybe get

under the umbrella of nato. the president of _ under the umbrella of nato. the president of finland is meeting joe biden at the white house at the moment and that, i suppose, tells us all we need to know about where finland is facing right now. yes. all we need to know about where finland is facing right now. yes, i mean, finland is facing right now. yes, i mean. the _ finland is facing right now. yes, i mean, the support _ finland is facing right now. yes, i mean, the support of— finland is facing right now. yes, i mean, the support of the - finland is facing right now. yes, i mean, the support of the united | mean, the support of the united states is really, really important for the finnish government. it is a very cautious government. it is decades of being on russia's border. very, very unwilling to just sort of make a quickjump and say ok we will apply straightaway for nato. but i spoke to a member of the government here who although certainly would not say that finland will go for nato membership he made it clear that they were considering it really carefully. part of the idea of

getting american support in the event of any kind of threat from russia. a , event of any kind of threat from russia. n, , ,, ., , event of any kind of threat from russia. , ,, ., ,, ., russia. many russians russians crossin: russia. many russians russians crossing the _ russia. many russians russians crossing the border _ russia. many russians russians crossing the border into - russia. many russians russians| crossing the border into finland? russia. many russians russians i crossing the border into finland? i hear there have been. yes. not a flood by any manner of means but there is a constant flow across. we have seen buses packed with russians who prefer not to show their faces. i spoke to a russian student who came through, very emotional, about what is happening, really anxious to get out of the whole atmosphere that is building up in russia. the threat of martial law, at least the rumour that it might happen seems to be driving people out of russia. thank you very much indeed. the ukrainian

president, a comedian who had no experience of politics when elected less than three years ago, is now leading his country in the fight against a russian invasion. 0ur correspondent who met him in his campaign trail in 2019 and the days after, has put together this report. ukraine's wartime president now has admirers all around the world. three years ago, when i first met him, he wasjust an actor and years ago, when i first met him, he was just an actor and comedian. you may pay a normal human. and you are running for president? then the prospect of a president zelensky seemed far—fetched. at that point, his main qualification was that he had played the part of the president in a comedy tv series. in the tv

series, zelensky�*s president was the breath of fresh air that ukraine needed. taking on the rich oligarchs. so his election campaign cleverly blurred the lines between tv and real life. and people loved it. he went on to polling day in the lead. are you ready to be president? you'll make i don't no. the people were decided in the evening. evening came, zelensky was confirmed with a landslide victory. fact came, zelensky was confirmed with a landslide victory.— landslide victory. fact will follow fiction. what — landslide victory. fact will follow fiction. what enabled _ landslide victory. fact will follow fiction. what enabled zelensky l landslide victory. fact will follow| fiction. what enabled zelensky to win the election _ fiction. what enabled zelensky to win the election was _ fiction. what enabled zelensky to win the election was a _ fiction. what enabled zelensky to win the election was a savvy i fiction. what enabled zelensky to win the election was a savvy usel fiction. what enabled zelensky to l win the election was a savvy use of social_ win the election was a savvy use of social media. ukrainians basically live on— social media. ukrainians basically live on facebook and that was a direct— live on facebook and that was a direct channel without going through mainstream media, which is owned by competing _ mainstream media, which is owned by competing parties and oligarchs, that sort— competing parties and oligarchs, that sort of thing. he can

communicate directly and in a compassionate way with ukrainians. sworn _ compassionate way with ukrainians. sworn in _ compassionate way with ukrainians. sworn in with a flourish he set out trying to deliver on his many election promises. first among them was a pledge to end the war with russian backed militias in eastern ukraine. and there were some good initial signs. this was a prisoner swap. he was at the airport to greet those coming home. istate swap. he was at the airport to greet those coming home.— swap. he was at the airport to greet those coming home. we have to do all the ste -s those coming home. we have to do all the steps to — those coming home. we have to do all the steps to finish _ those coming home. we have to do all the steps to finish at _ those coming home. we have to do all the steps to finish at this _ those coming home. we have to do all the steps to finish at this horrible i the steps to finish at this horrible war. t0 the steps to finish at this horrible war. ., ~ , , ., . ., , war. to think this is a new chapter in relations _ war. to think this is a new chapter in relations between _ war. to think this is a new chapter in relations between russia i war. to think this is a new chapter in relations between russia and i in relations between russia and ukraine? i in relations between russia and ukraine? ~ , , , ukraine? i think this is the first cha ter. ukraine? i think this is the first chapter- itut — ukraine? i think this is the first chapter. but the _ ukraine? i think this is the first chapter. but the next - ukraine? i think this is the first chapter. but the next chapter. ukraine? i think this is the first | chapter. but the next chapter of ukraine? i think this is the first i chapter. but the next chapter of the zelensky presidency _ chapter. but the next chapter of the zelensky presidency was _ chapter. but the next chapter of the zelensky presidency was a - chapter. but the next chapter of the zelensky presidency was a painful i zelensky presidency was a painful one put up a cameo role enabled blackmail saga which led to the impeachment of donald trump. zelensky�*s acting skills were at once deserting him. the last couple of years his presidency is rather

drifted. visits to the trenches have highlighted the lack of peace while promised reforms have stalled. then came invasion and zelensky and ukraine have not rolled over. i never rememberany ukraine have not rolled over. i never remember any situation or event when i was working for him where he would give up his principles and values. and this is probably that russian president vladimir putin underestimated. nowadays he shows himself as a serious leader that, of course, can make some kind of eye when he and his communication skills are very appropriate but, at the same time, you know, we understand that he is serious about defending the values of our country. i5 serious about defending the values of our country-— of our country. is “ourney to this oint of our country. is “ourney to this point has _ of our country. is “ourney to this point has few— of our country. isjourney to this point has few parallels. - of our country. isjourney to this point has few parallels. with i of our country. isjourney to this | point has few parallels. with the russians in, does his remarkable story have one final twist? stay

with us. plenty more to come. goodbye. good afternoon. it never really progressed above that low cloud, misty, murky story. there's been some rainjust that low cloud, misty, murky story. there's been some rain just fending away from easter in scotland but certainly to the east of the pennines down into the south—east corner. behind the front some of sunshine to be found. this was cumbia just a few hours ago. and it looks likely that that drier and brighter story is going to wind out as we go through the weekends are certainly drier. sunshine around that overnight frost and fog could

be an issue as we go through the weekend. 0ver be an issue as we go through the weekend. over the next year was that when of rain is going to grind to a halt across the far south—east corner but pressure building behind and that is going to keep the skies clear and temperatures will fall away like a stone across scotland, northern ireland, northern england and parts of wales. here we will see temperatures just below freezing. down into the south—east corner underneath that cloud and those outbreaks of rain, temperatures holding up at five or 6 degrees are once again start off by the grey, drab and dreary, i am afraid. some that they will drift further west as we go through the through the afternoon. the best of the sunshine, then, start of our weekend, the further north and west you are. a bit more of a breeze and temperatures are likely to hold up at a maximum of ten. just a little bit underpowered for this time of year. as we move into sunday, that high pressure hopefully starts to establish itself a little more across the country. and finally, the nuisance when a rain we have seen for a couple of days really decays

and eases away. a bit more of a breeze across the south and packages driving a little bit more cloud particularly first in the morning but hopefully that occurred within and break into the afternoon and temperatures should peak in the dry brighter moments of around eight or 9 degrees. as in without on sunday into monday morning, it is certainly worth bearing in mind that with those clear skies, those temperatures will fall away. it is going to be a cold and frosty start for many first thing on monday morning but monday and tuesday, dry, settled and sunny for most.

russia steps up its bombardment of ukraine, as nato warns the conflict is about to get worse. we is about to get worse. will be reporting from inside country's we will be reporting from inside the country's second biggest city of kharkiv, where residential buildings have been reduced to rubble by constant russian shelling. this is so far from normal, it's kind of hard to even describe. and these people have no idea what they're going to do next. europe's largest nuclear plant is hit by russian forces overnight but the fires are under control. ukraine says moscow is resorting to "nuclear terror". translation: the russian tanks knew what they were firing at, _ they directly hit the plant. this is terror on an unprecedented level.