this is bbc news, i'm yalda hakim live in western ukraine. our top stories. civilians in ukraine have been fleeing for their lives, under the relentless bombardment, just 25 kilometres from capital. severe attacks on the civil population including bombing of civilians will be taking place. a second attempt to evacuate civilians from the besieged city of mariupol has failed — after a similar plan was abandoned yesterday due to continuing fighting. the un says one point five million

people have already fled ukraine. the us offers to help ease the fastest growing refugee crisis since the second world war. and — anti—war protests on the streets of russia — more than a thousand people have been detained in 29 cities across russia, according to one monitoring group. the ukrainian authorities say towns north—west of the capital kyiv are under relentless bombardment, with intense fighting between government and russian forces. the heaviest fighting is said to be focussed on suburbs just 25 kilometres north—west of kiev. meanwhile, a new temporary ceasefire to evacuate thousands of civilians in the beseiged southern city of mariupol, appears

to have collapsed afterjust hours. this is the second day in a row it has failed. our correspondent charlotte gallagher in ukraine has the latest. a russian strike on irpin — violence, destruction, panic. this city close to the capital is enduring heavy fighting, with more and more people attempting to escape. distant explosions. many are heading to lviv, a city close to the polish border. the train station here is overwhelmed by the crowds. these children from an orphanage are some of the latest to leave. for one of their carers, it'sjust too much. "my heart is being torn apart", she says. "it's so tough".

a few miles from the train station, weapons are being handed out. not to soldiers and police, but ordinary citizens who want to defend their city, families, and ukraine. it's a scene repeated across the country. translation: we have | already gained our future, but we are still fighting for our present. it is very important. we are still fighting for where the border will be, between life and slavery. this is the time when it is still possible to defeat evil without irreparable losses. the abandoned streets of mariupol, a city under siege. encircled by russian troops, around 200,000 people have been running out of food, water, and power, living in darkness in cellars.

blasts rumble. yesterday, the hope of escape was dashed after russian shelling broke a ceasefire agreed to allow people to leave, though moscow blamed ukraine. today there will be another attempt to evacuate civilians. the city's mayor says they are under constant threat. translation: in the first days of the war, - we counted the victims in tens. today, we count them in hundreds. soon, we'll count them in thousands. they won't even give us a chance to count the wounded and the dead because the shelling has not stopped for six days. this is what people here fear — strikes from the sky. despite moscow's promises, the russian air force have hit houses, schools, and hospitals, not only military targets. putin's prized target is the capital, kyiv, though, the scars of war already visible. 0n the outskirts, troops and volunteers are in position, and defences are being rapidly erected, like these anti—tank hedgehogs. the resistance remains defiant. charlotte gallagher, bbc news, lviv.

president volodymyr zelensky has posted a new message online , speaking about the latest attack on the airport at vinnytsya in central ukraine. i have just been told about the rocket strike. eight rockets. against our town. against our peaceful, good town that never threatened russia. by anyway. a rocket strike. tough, cynical, completely flattened the airport. they carry on destroying our infrastructure, our lives build buyers, by ourfathers, by our grandfathers and grandmothers,

generations of ukrainians. every day, we keep saying, close this guy ever ukraine to all russian rockets. two russian military aviation, to all those terrorists and making humanitarian air zone without rockets, without planes, we are people. your humanitarian responsibility is to protect us, to protect people. you can do that. if don't do that, if you want at least give us planes for us to be able to protect ourselves, only one conclusion can be drawn. you also want us to be very slowly killed. and that is the responsibility of global politicians and western leaders from today and forever. anthony duncan said the united states is considering a deal which would involve poland supplying

ukraine with fighter jets. would involve poland supplying ukraine with fighterjets. president zelensky appealed for russian—made planes because is military no certify them. our diplomatic correspondent tells us more. what ukraine wants is more air cover, more planes like these, keeping the skys free from russian attacks. and so now there is a plan for the west to give more jets to ukraine for its own pilots to fly. america's top diplomat was visiting moldova today where he confirmed poland might give some of its warplanes to ukraine and get some american fighterjets in return. we are looking actively now at the question of aeroplanes that poland may provide to ukraine. and looking at how we might be able to backfill, should poland decide to supply those planes. what ukraine says it really wants is a no—fly zone enforced by nato in an attempt to slow the russian onslaught on its cities but nato has said no,

fearing it would trigger a wider european war. the destruction is coming from artillery, it is not coming from russian aircraft. if we were to police a no—fly zone, it would mean we would probably have to take out russian defence systems and we would have nato aircraft in the air alongside russian aircraft. and then the potential of shooting them down and then that leads to an escalation. and amid the fighting, the diplomacy continues. this morning, israel's prime minister briefed his cabinet on his talks yesterday with vladimir putin. translation: even if the chance is not right and as soon _ as there is even a small opening, i this as this a moral obligation to make every effort. and all the while the flow of refugees out of ukraine continues to grow. today, the united nations high commissioner for refugees, filippo grandi, said they number more than one and a half million people — what he described as the fastest

growing refugee crisis in europe since world war ii. i think help of other country is very important for us, really. it's really good. as western economic sanctions begin to have an impact in moscow, visa and mastercard announced they would cease their operations in russia. banks in russia insisted that cards issued by them would continue to work. james landale, bbc news. the un's refugee agency says more than one— and— a— half— million ukrainians have now fled the war since it began. the high commissioner, filippo grandi, has called it the fastest growing refugee crisis in europe since the second world war. poland says record numbers of ukrainians continue to cross the border. 0ur correspondent kasia madera sent this update from the medyka border crossing point between ukraine and poland. amongst so much uncertainty and so much destruction that has happened in ukrainejust across the borderfrom me, one thing is constant — the flow of people coming through.

these people have just crossed over the borderfrom ukraine. theirjourneys to get here have been long, they've been uncertain. we've been seeing the scenes back in lviv of what has been happening as the people have been crossing into trains, crossing through with their cars, leaving their cars, running out of fuel, crossing by foot like all of these people that have just literally crossed the border here into poland, theirfirst time to have an opportunity to just get something warm to drink, their first time to get something to eat. this whole community, this whole centre has popped up and it's very transient. we've been here all week and things change. tents pop up, tents go, but what is constant also,

along with the flow of people coming across the border is the support that poland is offering to those people who have fled. volunteers in their hundreds bringing off, dropping off things that all the children may need. the piles of nappies, the milk formula, the food for the children who are exhausted and they're overwhelmed, and what is really, really touching is just the little moments of generosity, how people just bring people that have fled the border into their homes, opening their homes. and this is the absolute first moment these people have crossed into this country, and there is a sense of calmness and there is a sense ofjust exhaustion, given what they have been through. there is organisation. we see all the time people coming up explaining... "we've got a person who is travelling to krakow. "we can take four or five people." "we've got a person who is driving on to another town, "who can take a family of..." and then gives the amount. and this is continuous. this is absolutely continuous. we've got people who have brought bits of paper explaining, "we'll take such and such,

we'll take you on, "we'll provide you transport, things for free." and this is happening all the time, every day, day in, day out on this border as the people come across. and, yes, it is cold here, it is snowing every now and again. bear in mind the people that have just come across, they have spent days getting to the border, but this is the next leg of theirjourney. so here we have this queue of people waiting to get on a bus. a bus will then take them to the next part of their stage of their journey to temporary reception areas. it's where antony blinken came to to see one of these reception areas, how it was organised, how people got to rest, and then they move on. across the whole of poland, people are opening up their doors. websites offering advice of what to do if you want to take a refugee family in. large ukrainian community in poland — they're all coming together, bringing these people to their homes.

again, another bus coming up. every few minutes a bus will come up, will load these people on, will move them further away, because ultimately we know that more and more people continue to cross this border. already over 900,000 people have come into poland. that is higher than the population of poland's second—largest city, krakow. coming into this country in such a short space of time. they all need help. they all need attention. they all need rest. there are five countries on ukraine's western and southern borders, and all of them are witnessing things the region hasn't seen since the second world war. from slovakia, rob cameron has this report. 10,000 people a day crossing into slovakia from ukraine. 10,000 journeys, 10,000 stories — each similar, each unique, each terrifying in their own way.

svetlana is an english teacher from the town of korosten, who fled with her seven—year—old son iliya and their cat. staying without your house, without your clothes, because we went outjust with nothing, like, we were hoping that we could come back some day, but i don't know, as far as watching those news, i'm losing my hope, actually. for now, she's heading to the polish city of rzeszow to stay with friends. central and eastern europe is home to a huge ukrainian diaspora. in homes across the region this evening, people will be making up spare beds for their kin. and those who have no—one in warsaw, bratislava, or prague will be put up by an army of willing volunteers.

but not all of these people fleeing the conflict are ukrainians. russia's war has scattered thousands of migrant workers and students and most of them are trying to get home as quickly as possible — but not everyone. foreigners from all over the world were studying in ukraine when the war started, some just months away from completing their degrees. it's six years already i've been doing my thing. i've been studying late night for exams. i've been doing, i had plans for my life, i will do this, i'll write my exam, i will go to another country, i will become something in my life. but now i don't know what to do. degrees can be finished, of course, but lives lost can't be relived. the red army once liberated this part of europe and slovaks haven't forgotten. but now their neighbours are fleeing russian tanks, not welcoming them. and countries like slovakia are the ones providing the shelter. rob cameron, bbc news,

on the slovak—ukrainian border. i'm joined by the former prime minister of ukraine hejoins us from kyiv and we are speaking with the assistance of an interpreter. thank you for talking to us. just tell us a little bit about what the situation is likely you are now. now i'm in the centre of kyiv, stop, stop, i cannot.

simply standing until the end. every person has taken on and went to defend his country.

we do apologise. we did have some technical difficulties trying to get across to our translator. we will attempt a little bit later to once againjoin the former attempt a little bit later to once again join the former prime ministers of ukraine to continue that conversation. let's talk about the situation in russia. russian police have again moved to break up anti—war protests in many cities. three and a half thousand people have been arrested in protests across russia according to the russian news agency tass. that includes 1,700 in moscow and 750 in st petersberg. maria kuznetsova, spokesperson for the 0vd—info monitoring group, said "the screws are being fully tightened — essentially we are witnessing military censorship." and she added they were seeing big protests today even in siberian cities.

borisjohnson is urging world leaders to match words with deeds on ukraine as he prepares to host talks with the canadian and dutch prime ministers in downing street tomorrow. meanwhile the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has called for a parliamentary committee to investigate claims that borisjohnson personally intervened in the process of granting a peerage to the russian newspaper owner, lord lebedev — after british intelligence warned it would pose a risk to national security. the governemtn said the rules had been applied "rigorously". here's our political correspondent, helen catt: this is just one very visible way economic pressure is being applied to vladimir putin's regime. a multi—million pound yacht belonging to a russian oligarch, seized in italy. the uk government has been criticised for lagging behind. it's now changing the law to speed up sanctions on individuals.

labour will back it in a vote tomorrow, but wants ministers to reduce how long overseas owners have to register their assets. the government initially said, "well, we'll give people 18 months to register." the government's retreated because of our arguments and said, "well, six months." but six months is still more than enough time to sell property here in the united kingdom. so, tomorrow, we want to push them further to say reduce that down to 28 days, make it a really effective sanction so that we can put maximum pressure on russia. borisjohnson will host the prime ministers of canada and the netherlands in downing street tomorrow to discuss further international action to support ukraine and isolate russia. but this morning, there are questions about his role in the admittance of a russian—born newspaper owner to the house of lords. the sunday times claims that, in 2020, british intelligence assessed that giving a peerage to evgeny lebedev posed a national security risk. the paper says that assessment was withdrawn after mrjohnson personally intervened. sir keir starmer has

called for a parliamentary committee to investigate, but the deputy prime minister said there was no evidence to do so. there is a very strict and stringent process when anyone is granted a peerage. i don't know the facts of the case — i wasn't involved in it — but i do know that it was applied very rigorously in this case. downing street said all individuals nominated for a peerage were done so in recognition of their contribution to society, and all peerages were vetted by the house of lords appointments commission. earlier this week, lord lebedev added his voice to the condemnation of the attack on ukraine. in his paper, the evening standard, he issued a personal appeal to vladimir putin to stop the war. helen catt, bbc news. pope francis has urged russia to guarantee that humanitarian corridors are maintained in order to safely evacuate civilians. addressing crowds from the vatican he countered russia's assertions that it is a military operation, saying it is a war leading to death, destruction and misery.

translation: in ukraine, rivers l of blood and tears are flowing. l this is notjust a military operation, but a war that sows death, destruction and misery. the victims are ever more numerous, as well as people fleeing, especially mothers and children. the need for emergency humanitarian assistance is growing dramatically hour by hour in that martyred country. i address a heartfelt appeal so humanitarian corridors are ensured, and access to aid in the areas under siege is guaranteed and facilitated to offer life—saving help to our brothers and sisters suffering under the bombs and from fear. i thank all those who are welcoming the refugees. above all, i plead for an end to the armed attacks and that negotiation prevails and common sense as well, and that international law must be restored.

i would like also to thank the journalists who put their lives at risk to guarantee information. 0ur chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in the ukrainian capital kyiv and has more now on the situation on the ground. the latest news is that there's been a barrage of shelling just less than 15 miles northwest of kyiv, at what was a humanitarian corridor to allow people to flee from the besieged town. we saw heart—rending scenes there yesterday of people just fleeing in droves, elderly women holding their shopping bags, people with dogs in their arms carrying their children, people in tears as they watch their houses in flames from russian, shelling their lives being shattered and now today shelling of that area by russian forces. the eyewitness accounts from that area, including a bbc team who was there at the time.

they're safe the that the bridge of makeshift bridge, which was allowing people to leave from european to go to the train station, head towards here and then to a safer place, was struck and has been broken. yesterday, there was a photograph of people sheltering under that bridge, thousands of people taking shelter and now that has been blasted away. we're also hearing reports from mariupol to the south. today was to be the second attempt to try to allow people to flee from that besieged city where residential areas have been under attack. people have been running out of food, water, there's no electricity. once again, they came under russian shelling. so we've here heard from local officials that yet again, people have gone back to a besieged city wondering, fearing

when will they ever see that promise made good, that there will be a corridor without being attacked by russian forces that they can somehow make it to safety? now, as you have pointed out, at least this is a very difficult situation for people who are stuck in the middle of this conflict. it's too safe to stay away where they are. it's too unsafe to stay where they are. it's too dangerous to leave. what options do they have left? and in some places, there's no place to hide. if you're an ear pin, you can't stay. your house has been has been burnt down to a crisp. let us step away briefly from that reporting. i am joined let us step away briefly from that reporting. iam joined now let us step away briefly from that reporting. i am joined now once again by the former prime minister of ukraine speaking to us from key have as we try to get the voices at the we are speaking with the assistance of an interpreter. thank you for your patience. just tell us again why you are and what the situation is at the moment. nonstop.

ukraine has — situation is at the moment. nonstop. ukraine has been _ situation is at the moment. nonstop. ukraine has been absolutely - ukraine has been absolutely plummeted by missile strikes. children are dying. peaceful people, women are dying. currently, everything is being shot at close range. ijust want everything is being shot at close range. i just want to thank everyone for your support. we evaluate, we really value tough sanctions against the aggressor. we value today the world gives us arms, that the world is with us. but today it is not enough. in orderfor ukraine to hold on, for everyone, for europe, for the world, in front of the aggressor. russian federation that crossed our borders, we've acquired a help. that help is closing this guy ever ukraine. today, this is a

prayer repeated by ukrainian children who are hiding in bomb shelters. by ukrainian mothers are repeating this as a player. we need your help. if this guy is closed over ukraine for russian military aviation and for missile strikes, ukraine will prevail. and together with the whole civilised world, now i want to address the mothers of the world. two women, i ask you, please, stand with ukraine. i quote to all readers of the world that could stand with us to close the skies over ukraine. that is not true that the nato decision is required for that. today, coalition of could be created. the countries who are prepared to defend ukraine as it was in iraq, and libya when they closed the sky was used without a nato

decision. now we need goodwill. please, today the lives of our children and the existence of ukraine depends not only on what the aggressor is doing. the aggressor will be doing what it is doing now and put in will go to the end, however, the lives of ukraine, the lives of our children also depend on your goodwill, on your decision to close the sky, to shield the sky over ukraine. ijust want close the sky, to shield the sky over ukraine. i just want to say that our army is fighting strong today, normal men and women are out in the streets, they were given arms but even without arms they are stopping tanks, our cities are occupied but we are strong. strong and we know we will win together with the whole civilised world. find with the whole civilised world. and ou have with the whole civilised world. and you have mentioned the no—fly zone that we have heard president zelensky asking for. he also talked

about sanctions but what about the peaceful diplomatic options to resolving this crisis? we have seen some peace talks happening at the border with belarus but how much hope to have that you can negotiate with vladimir putin? what hope to have that you can negotiate with vladimir putin?— with vladimir putin? what i see today during — with vladimir putin? what i see today during the _ with vladimir putin? what i see today during the peaceful- today during the peaceful negotiations, quote, unquote, ukraine is pummelled by missiles and at close range, peaceful people, men and women are shot. how could one negotiate today? we feel these peaceful negotiations so far are not successful. will they be successful? i can say for sure that putin will go to the end. he will not stop. he needs to be stopped. 0nly go to the end. he will not stop. he needs to be stopped. only by the forces of ukraine and the whole of

the world that will stand with ukraine. we have to become stronger. we ask for ukraine also to receive the peacekeeping forces of the un. now, today, ukraine needs to receive the most effective anti—aircraft systems to protect ukraine. we can win and that would be a victory of the whole world. 0ver win and that would be a victory of the whole world. over in the russian dictatorship, over terrorism and genocide. we can do that but the decision isjoint to genocide. we can do that but the decision is joint to shield this guy ever ukraine and to give us the peacekeeping forces of the un, please. and we will do together. we have heard from the united states secretary of state anthony lincoln saint today they have seen credible reports that russia has committed war crimes. what evidence have you seen of that?—

seen of that? now in the ukraine, every minute. _ seen of that? now in the ukraine, every minute, literally _ seen of that? now in the ukraine, every minute, literally now, - seen of that? now in the ukraine, i every minute, literally now, several hours ago a woman with children was coming out of the shelter and they were killed at close range. the mum is in a severe condition. the missiles and bombs are falling over ukraine. peaceful pupil, civilians are dying because they are firing at hospitals, schools, residential buildings, they are destroying ukraine. we chose freedom, we chose european choice, we want to be part and parcel of the european civilisation and for that we are shot at and killed at close range. today the world is passing a test. are they able to protect democracy and

protect the world from the aggressors, from terrorists, from people such as putin? figs aggressors, from terrorists, from people such as putin? $5 a aggressors, from terrorists, from people such as putin? as a citizen but also as _ people such as putin? as a citizen but also as a _ people such as putin? as a citizen but also as a former _ people such as putin? as a citizen but also as a former prime - people such as putin? as a citizen l but also as a former prime minister and leader of this nation, it must be very hard to watch what is going on around you. what is your message to fellow ukrainians and across the world? for ukrainians, i just for ukrainians, ijust want for ukrainians, i just want to for ukrainians, ijust want to say that i am happy that we have such a strong, such invincible nation. i am so happy to be part of my people because today i feel proud for every ukrainian for their ability to fight. my main message to the world todayis fight. my main message to the world today is do not let the ukrainians be broken, do not let the ukrainians be broken, do not let the ukrainians be executed. close the sky over ukraine and send the peacekeeping troops of the un to the ukraine, and then the world will find out that it

is strong. do not believe that putin is strong. do not believe that putin is capable to start world war iii, do not believe that he can wage war on other countries only because we shielded this guy. we can see how demoralised his troops are, how disorganised his army is now. the final push, the final strike at putin's regime has to be done together by closing the sky over ukraine. thank you for your solidarity and support of ukraine. i believe we will do it, we will prevail. believe we will do it, we will revail. �* ., , . prevail. and we have seen fierce resistance _ prevail. and we have seen fierce resistance from _ prevail. and we have seen fierce resistance from ordinary - prevail. and we have seen fierce i resistance from ordinary ukrainians from the army, but how much longer do you think that can last if these requests that you are making for help are not met?— requests that you are making for help are not met? everything depends on how strong —

help are not met? everything depends on how strong the _ help are not met? everything depends on how strong the second _ help are not met? everything depends on how strong the second phase - help are not met? everything depends on how strong the second phase of. on how strong the second phase of the war against ukraine will commence. we know that even stronger attack is being prepared, that is why we value every hour. that is why i appeal to people of the world, convince your leaders to close this guy of ukraine. that will give an opportunity to save ukraine, to save our children, to defend democracy and freedom around the world. he is not as strong as he seems to you, and if we stand together, stand strong, we will overcome once and forever, and this opportunity is presented to the world today. about time because putin, if there is no help now, i think the world would not be able to live after it will see, after ukraine was destroyed,

and therefore, please, act now. every day, every hour is important. nato has maintained that enforcing the no—fly zone that you do continue to mention could escalate the situation rather than de—escalate it. is that an argument that you can see some reasoning behind, that that could actually make the situation worse, not better? this could actually make the situation worse, not better?— worse, not better? this is not a true argument. _ worse, not better? this is not a true argument. firstly, - worse, not better? this is not a true argument. firstly, it- worse, not better? this is not a true argument. firstly, it is- worse, not better? this is not a true argument. firstly, it is not| true argument. firstly, it is not necessarily to do that by nato forces because in the history of the world, and i shall repeat their work precedents when for example in iraq or in libya without nato decisions this guy was closed, and there should be a coalition of countries around ukraine, the countries who decided to protect the world and protect ukraine, and such coalition will be enough. there is no need to

get nato's permission. if this guy is closed over ukraine, well, otherwise putin will start a war against other countries, and some believe he will start world war iii. this is not true because today russian aggression, russian terrorists, they are poorly prepared, they have old arms, they are lost, they understand, they see what they are doing, the extreme injustice against peaceful people. and with such an army, it is simply impossible to go against europe or start world war iii. if the skies are closed over ukraine, that will be the final victory over kremlin regime, that will be the final victory over what is happening in the centre of europe now. find victory over what is happening in the centre of europe now. and can ou tell the centre of europe now. and can you tell us — the centre of europe now. and can

you tell us what _ the centre of europe now. and can you tell us what plans _ the centre of europe now. and can you tell us what plans you - the centre of europe now. and can you tell us what plans you have . the centre of europe now. and can | you tell us what plans you have and the people that you are speaking to, the people that you are speaking to, the people that you are speaking to, the people you are in contact with, what plans you have for the next few days and weeks in terms of resisting this russian invasion?— this russian invasion? firstly, our country today _ this russian invasion? firstly, our country today is — this russian invasion? firstly, our country today is fighting - this russian invasion? firstly, our country today is fighting using - this russian invasion? firstly, our country today is fighting using its| country today is fighting using its own army, fighting strong. that applies to all of us. we constantly talk to deputies of various countries to leaders of various countries, we convince the leaders that immediate action is required in the middle of ukraine today. in the middle of ukraine today everyone works to defend ukraine, today i was working for the evacuation of very ill children, cancer patients, children on dialysis. it's

impossible to see how they are going with various medical equipment and they are literally carried into buses, and they are being pelted by missiles when they are crossing the territory of ukraine to get to europe. every day i can see the children evacuated by our team from kyiv, it's impossible to see without heartache. they are losing strength. 0ur families are lost today, they want ukraine not to stand alone, but we are standing and our spirit cannot be broken by any kremlin. we will continue, we will go on till the end. that means until victory. i want also to say that no one left kyiv and ukraine from those that are in some positions today one way or another. the president of ukraine is in kyiv, the president and

government is in kyiv, together with the people and ukrainians, all of us are in kyiv and we will not step away from kyiv. we will stay there until victory because we believe in that, but i want all the people to know that today the rescue of ukraine is at your hands. close the sky over ukraine, i plead with you. all right, former prime minister of ukraine yulia tymoshenko, thank you for speaking with us today. tens of thousands of people have been demonstrating across european cities in support of ukraine, demanding an end to russia's invasion as well as using high profile sports matches to get their point across, as stephanie prentice reports. with flags in the stands and applause on the pitch,

the world's most popular football league, the english premier league, using saturday's matches to show support for ukraine in full view of the watching world. mixed messages in the chelsea stands, though — booing heard here after fans cheered for owner roman abramovich, an alleged close ally of vladimir putin, something their manager stood against. we need ourfans to... to...to commit to this minute of applause in the moment. we do it for ukraine and there is no second opinion about the situation there, and that they have our thoughts and our support, and we should stand together as a club. it's not the moment for other messages. french chanting: putin! assassin! off the pitch, the blue and yellow seen all over the world this weekend, ukraine's colours being held aloft in paris injust one of 120 protests in france, as anti—war protesters gathered to sing the ukrainian national anthem. singing.

solemn faces with a solemn message — "stop putin, now." translation: the ukrainian president is some kind of a hero. _ he is a hero. i think that the ukrainian people show us an extraordinary example. it was a scene mirrored across europe. singing. in croatia... ..in italy... ..in latvia... ..the netherlands... ..britain... chanting: stand with ukraine! ..switzerland. .. ..germany, where the russian consulate was covered in red paint... ..and austria... translation: it is important to send a sign of solidarity - and to say it's wrong, what's going on here. ..as well as over in the united states. chanting: no-fly zone! a reminder that the feelings about the war being discussed

in official chambers and meeting rooms, further amplified on the ground in normal cities and streets. shouting. in ukraine, in kherson, russian occupation. residents there holding fierce protests of their own, unaware that, as their freedom is taken away in the space of a week, the world stands beside them to demand it back. stephanie prentice, bbc news. and just to bring you coming into the newsroom now, we are hearing from the russian defence ministry that the use of airfields ijy ministry that the use of airfields by other countries in ukraine's air force may be considered as participation of those countries in the conflict. citing the russian defence ministry, saying the use of airfields of other countries by the ukrainian air force may be

considered by russia as those countries participating themselves in the conflict. as we were speaking there to the former prime minister of ukraine, the airspace above ukraine has become a major spot of contention in this conflict. anti—war protests are taking place this afternoon in central london. its been organised to demonstrate against both the russian invasion and the expansion of nato. we can find out more about that now. emily unia is at london's trafalgar square. what is going on there? i am actually in — what is going on there? i am actually in parliament - what is going on there? i —n actually in parliament square in westminster in central london. 0ne westminster in central london. one of the demonstrations that has been taking place in the city this afternoon is actually in solidarity with the people of ukraine. you can see the sea of blue and yellow flags behind me. a lot of people here are calling for more nato involvement in the conflict. they would like to see a no—fly zone and forced, they effectively would like to see a lot

more military involvement and the uk government to step up in that respect. you also have another protest happening in central london this afternoon organised by the stop the war coalition, and a lot of people in that protest have come to parliament square and joined the protest behind me. those people have quite different demands, they want peace, they want the water stop, they are concerned about escalation and afraid of an all—out nuclear war. you have people with very different demands all coming together. it is peaceful, there are lots of people who are watching what is happening in ukraine, they are deeply concerned and they would like something to change. that deeply concerned and they would like something to change.— something to change. that is interesting — something to change. that is interesting because - something to change. that is interesting because these - something to change. that is - interesting because these protests seem like a microcosm of the wider debate where this question of a no—fly zone over ukraine and nato having more involvement is actually seen differently in terms of whether that would escalate or de—escalate the war.

that would escalate or de-escalate the war. , ., , ,., , ., the war. yes, absolutely, and i think it would _ the war. yes, absolutely, and i think it would be _ the war. yes, absolutely, and i think it would be fair _ the war. yes, absolutely, and i think it would be fair to - the war. yes, absolutely, and i think it would be fair to say - think it would be fair to say there's a whole range of views here. and also a range of understanding in what a no—fly zone would really mean. many people have picked up on the term, they think no—fly zone, that's the way to deal with this, then when you start talking to people you realise their understanding is not that expensive. then there are other people who feel, yes, a no—fly zone would be the right move, they don't see that it would escalate the war to a dangerous level or trigger a nuclear strike perhaps from russia. there are lots of mixed understandings about what is happening, people who think a no—fly zone would not lead to an escalation in war, some who don't understand what it is. we are seeing a lot of people looking at the pictures online, on television news, and they are deeply concerned. they are picking up terms and saying this, we need this, we need action. what they are really saying is we

are scared, people are suffering and we want something done by the uk government to stop this. what we want something done by the uk government to stop this.— government to stop this. what is it the would government to stop this. what is it they would like _ government to stop this. what is it they would like to _ government to stop this. what is it they would like to be _ government to stop this. what is it they would like to be done? - government to stop this. what is it they would like to be done? have l government to stop this. what is it i they would like to be done? have the people you have spoken to given any indication of what specific actions they are hoping government might take would be? the they are hoping government might take would be?— take would be? the huge range of actions, take would be? the huge range of actions. so _ take would be? the huge range of actions, so some _ take would be? the huge range of actions, so some people - take would be? the huge range of actions, so some people would i take would be? the huge range ofl actions, so some people would like nato involved, some would like peacekeepers on the ground in ukraine, they would like a no—fly zone to be enforced, they would like more military involvement from the uk, barweapons are more military involvement from the uk, bar weapons are sent, potentially boots on the ground. —— more weapons percent. then people who want an all—out surrender, some people who think the way to stop the conflict would be to surrender and submit effectively. then you have people who would like more aid, people who would like more aid, people who would like more support for refugees and uk to open up more to refugees, all of those views are

in the mix today.— to refugees, all of those views are in the mix today. emily, thank you very much- — in the mix today. emily, thank you very much- emily _ in the mix today. emily, thank you very much. emily is— in the mix today. emily, thank you very much. emily is covering - in the mix today. emily, thank you very much. emily is covering the i very much. emily is covering the protests in central london. visa and mastercard have suspended their services in russia. they say any transactions made with cards issued in russia will no longer work outside the country. cards issued outside russia can no longer be used at the country's banks or cashpoints. russia's major banks suggest the effects will be limited. 0ur correspondent, simon browning, explains more about the impact of the move. theyjoin a growing cohort of businesses who are voicing their objection to what's happening in ukraine and continue to put tough measures in place to fight against russia's economy. now, we found out today that visa and mastercard decided last night that they would withdraw services and suspend services in russia. now, if you have a visa or a mastercard in russia and it's issued by a russian bank, it will continue to work if you are a russian citizen. because the russian government mandated and created an internal payment system.

so if you have a visa mastercard in russia, it will continue to work. but as you said, if you are a russian who has left the country and you have a russian bank account with a visa or mastercard symbol, it will not work if you have now left russia. that means that lots of people who've left russia in the last couple of weeks — i've been seeing on twitter today, independent journalists who've lost left russia in the last couple of weeks, now journalists who've left russia in the last couple of weeks, now can't access their funds in their bank accounts, their savings, because their accounts have been frozen. so if you're inside russia with a russian visa card or mastercard, it will continue to work because of the russian internal payment system taking charge of those payments. but if you've left russia and you have a russian account, it will no longer work and you won't be able to get access to your funds. well, because of that, the major banks in russia are suggesting that the impact of this in russia might be limited, but these are not the only companies that are taking a stand. yes. as i mentioned, visa and mastercard join a growing cohort of companies who are mounting and voicing their objections

to what's happening in ukraine. yesterday we saw samsung, the biggest provider in smartphones in russia, stop sending new shipments of phones into russia itself. that was after a direct appeal from the ukrainian deputy prime minister, who literally tweeted a letter to the head of samsung, saying, "please stop selling these phones within russia." they've stopped sending shipments. so if you're a young person in russia, you'll no longer be able to get an upgrade or a new phone. zara, one of the biggest fashion retailers in the world and their group closed all 502 stores in russia from today, so there'll be no more access to up—to—date and on—trend fashions. and paypal — another very popular payment service, very popular with young people — also suspended operations and that joins apple and numerous others who are all now vaunted voicing their objection to what is happening between russia and ukraine. so yes, the list of businesses that are continuing to voice rejection objection continues to grow. that list is growing. but what about the impact? how is this actually being felt

in russia and is it leading to anything meaningful? it's a big question, and that's what we're trying to find out from young people who are working at these zara stores. what are they being told by their employers? zara, for instance, or other brands, when all of a sudden their shops are closed? other companies, we know advertising agencies are pulling out of russia. what are their employers telling their employees about their reasons for leaving and closing down businesses? so there's lots of questions as to how these discussions are being had with employees at the moment as to how and why these reasons are being taken. two british surgeons have held a virtual 12—hour war surgery training course in london for over 200 healthcare professionals in ukraine. it's hoped the tuition will help them deal with injuries from the fighting and save lives. jonny dymond reports. dobryy ranok — good morning from london. a zoom tutorial with a difference. in london, two surgeons trying to share what they know

with colleagues in need of help. you'd be hard pushed to find anywhere much further from conflict than this office block in west london, but behind me, in a conference room, thousands of doctors thousands of miles away in ukraine are connecting online with a crash course in conflict surgery. bombing of buildings that contain... david nott has been running courses like this for years. one thing he knows better than nearly anyone — nothing prepares a doctorfor war. war surgery is something completely different, because you need to have a mindset about war. you need to have a mindset to know exactly what to do with patients when they come in when they've had fragmentation wounds, when they have had blast injuries, when they have had severe gunshot wounds, high velocity, low velocity. it's a completely different ball game. for the doctors in ukraine who came on the call, the next few days and weeks seem very bleak.

it's... it's a disaster. i cannot describe my feelings about it. i am very sad about it because all these people will have to suffer and die for nothing. we're all here watching what is happening in ukraine at the moment with shock, horror... all the british surgeons can do is try and share what they know to save life and limb. i hope to god you will not need to apply this knowledge, but it is always best to be prepared for the worst. jonny dymond, bbc news, west london. russians living in the uk have said they are "horrified" and "appalled" by vladimir putin's invasion of ukraine. many have joined anti—war protests across the country and are calling on fellow russians around the world to condemn putin's actions. ayshea buksh has more.

denis was born in moscow and now works in publishing in london. he has relatives in both russia and ukraine, and is desperately worried about his family who are in care. who are in kyiv. my cousin's wife, she said that we were starting to panic. they are hiding somewhere in the basement. we are starting to panic because the tanks are in the city. there is fighting in the city. they don't have any food, they don't have any money, there's nothing they can do. the war needs to stop. i need people to be more proactive, if they have russian culture within them, they need to be more proactive about stopping the war. sonja came from russia to study, and now works in the music industry. she's also incredibly anxious about what is happening. horrible emotions right now. it is shame, it's grief. and it's anger, and powerlessness. this arts and cultural centre in bloomsbury in central london has long maintained its independence from the russian government, and now even more so.

the centre's director, elena, says they have long supported opposition voices in russia and now they are rethinking their events programme to show solidarity with ukraine. being a russian speaker does not equate to supporting putin's war. and there are very many different russian communities here in london and all of them come from different backgrounds and have very different opinions and different points of view, but i think we all stand united against this war. it is very dark times for us. we condemn russian military aggression and we stand with ukraine. this war should not have happened in the 21st century. the most recent exhibition explored russian queer identity, and the curator says russians living abroad must continue to use their freedoms as a platform for activism.

it is impossible to talk about anything right now except for the war. there are a lot of voices in russia who, i mean, most russians are now opposing the war and it is important, you know, for us to amplify those voices. so as more groups continue to distance themselves from the actions of vladimir putin, russian londoners are ensuring by their actions and words that they stand with ukraine. ayshea buksh, bbc news. as we round out this hour, we can bring you details of a conversation between the british prime minister borisjohnson and the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky this afternoon. the british prime minister stressed that british people stand fully behind the ukrainian people. the prime minister outlined what the uk is doing both to provide humanitarian support and imposing sanctions on russia. the leaders agreed to continue speaking

to ensure the wishes of ukrainian people are at the forefront of the conflict. stay with us here on bbc news. hello, more places seeing the sunshine today, albeit occasionally into southern england and south wales. still cloud around and a few showers here, but most of the sunshine is across northern ireland and scotland. even where we have got these areas of cloud across the southern half of england running into south wales, it is more broken than it was yesterday and those areas that were most cloudy and damp yesterday across eastern parts of england are much brighter today. so, cloud broken, some sunny spells, but at times thick enough to produce the odd shower across east anglia, southern england into south wales and parts of the midlands. for northern england, northern ireland and scotland, this is where the lion's share of sunshine is.

even where you get some sunshine, it is still chilly in the breeze but the north—easterly wind is strongest across england and wales, this is where it is having its most chilling effect. still cloud across southern areas into tonight and quite a stiff breeze, but even here temperatures will fall close to freezing in some spots. the lowest temperatures in the countryside, —5 or a touch lower in the coldest spots. tomorrow wales and england with patchy cloud lifting further north, brightening up, more so i crossed east anglia and south—east england. plenty of sunshine still in northern ireland and scotland. this wind is around a0 mph, and it will feel on the chilly side, but then again there is some sunshine to compensate. and another frost as tuesday begins. that should be the end of it

as the week goes on, at as the week goes on, the moment where there is dominated at the moment where there is dominated by high pressure close by. from tuesday onwards, several areas of low pressure will have a go at bringing some wetter and windier conditions our way. nothing too severe, windiest across western areas, gales around at times on some coasts and this is where it will be wettest, they will weaken as they move east. and all the while, as systems get closer, we will be changing the flow of air to a south, south—westerly, so it will be turning milder. plenty of dry and sunny weather around, then turning wetter, windier and milder as the week goes on.

buildings, they are destroying ukraine. this is bbc news. i live in the city of lviv. 0ur this is bbc news. i live in the city of lviv. our top stories: civilians in ukraine have been fleeing for their lives under the relentless bombardmentjust 25 kilometres their lives under the relentless bombardment just 25 kilometres from the capital. a second attempt to evacuate civilians from the besieged city of mauripol after a similar plan was abandoned yesterday due to continued fighting. the un says 1.5 million people have already fled ukraine. the us office to ease the fastest—growing refugee crisis since the second world war.