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 the capital. the attacks on the civil population, including carpet bombarding of the cities, which are basically happening these days already in some cities, will be taking place and thousands and thousands of new civilian victims will be in ukraine.

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 1.5 million people have already fled ukraine. the us offers to help ease the fastest growing refugee crisis since the second world war. anti—war protests on the streets of russia — 3,500 people have been arrested in protests across the country according to the russian news agency tass. and pope francis has condemned russia's invasion of ukraine and called for true humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians. and pope francis has condemned russia's invasion of ukraine and called for true humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians. 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 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 after just hours. this is the second day in a row it has failed. as we have been reporting, the deputy mayor of mariupol told us that there had been attempts to get people out of the city safely but they had been facing rocket attacks

on shelling and they had halted that humanitarian corridor and the evacuations. charlie gallagher has the very latest. ——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. 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.

remember a few days ago ukraine's largest nuclear power plant came underfire. eventually it largest nuclear power plant came under fire. eventually it came under control of russian forces. but those operating it were ukrainian staff still operating nuclear power plant. we are now hearing from the iaea that the zaporizhzhia power plant is under russian command. that is the iaea saying that the nuclear power plant is under russian command. that is just plant is under russian command. that isjust coming in. we're plant is under russian command. that is just coming in. we're also hearing from ukrainian nuclear regulators saying they are having problems communicating with ukrainian staff operating the plant so that is just breaking news coming in the last few minutes, that the iaea, the international atomic energy agency, says the sap of each said nuclear power plant is under

the command of russian forces —— to feature power plants, nuclear power plant, but they have difficulty contacting ukrainian staff who are supposed to be operating that plant. we will have more soon on the difficult aspects of that conflict. —— zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. president volodymyr zelensky has posted a new message online speaking about the latest attack on the airport at vinnytsya in central ukraine. translation: i've just been told translation: i've 'ust been told about the rocket _ translation: i've just been told about the rocket strike _ translation: i've just been told about the rocket strike at - about the rocket strike at vinnytsya. eight rockets against our town, against our peaceful, good mentally that never threatened russia by any way. he rocket strike. tough, cynical, completely flattened

the airport. they carry on destroying our infrastructure, our lives, built files, by ourfathers, by our grandfathers and grandmothers, by generations of ukrainians. everyday we keep saying because the sky over ukraine to all russian rockets, to russian military aviation, all those terrorists and major humanitarian air zone without rockets, without planes. we are people. your humanitarian responsibilities to protect us, to protect people. you can do that. if you won't do that, if you won't at least give us planes for us to be able to protect ourselves only one conclusion could be drawn. you all also want us to be very slowly killed and that is the responsibility of global politicians and western leaders from today and forever. . ,

and western leaders from today and forever. ., , ~ ., �*, , forever. that is ukraine's president volod m r forever. that is ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky _ forever. that is ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky again - forever. that is ukraine's president l volodymyr zelensky again expressing anger and frustration at the ongoing bombardment of homes, villages, but also talking about that civilian airport that was targeted in central ukraine. former prime minister of ukraine, yulia tymoshenko spoke to the bbc from kyiv, issuing an appeal to the world for more help. translation: ukraine has been absolutely plummeted _ translation: ukraine has been absolutely plummeted by - translation: 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 currently, everything is being shot at close range. i just want to thank everyone for support. we evaluate, we really value tough sanctions against the aggressor. we value today that the world gives us arms, that the world is with us, but today

it's not enough. in orderfor ukraine to hold on for everyone, for europe, for the world, in front of the aggressor, russian federation that crossed all borders, we require serious help. that help is closing the sky over ukraine. today, this is as a player repeated by ukrainian children which are hiding in bomb shelters. 0ur ukrainian mothers are repeating this as a player. we need your help. if this guy 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 call to all leaders of the world that could stand with us to close the sky over

ukraine that is not true that the nato decision is required for that. today a coalition of countries can be created, the countries who are prepared to defend ukraine as it was in iraq and libya when the closed sky was used without a nato decision. now we need goodwill. please know, today the lives of our children and the existence of ukraine depends not only on what the glacier is doing. the aggressor will be doing what it is doing now and putin will go to the end. however, the lives of ukraine, lives of our children also depend on your goodwill, and your decision to close the sky, to shield the sky over ukraine. ijust want 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 on the streets. they were given arms but even without arms they are stopping

tanks. 0ur cities are occupied but we are strong. 0ur faith is strong and we know we will win together with the whole civilised world. that was yulia tymoshenko, the former prime minister of ukraine making that appealfor former prime minister of ukraine making that appeal for more solidarity, my hope for the ukrainian people. the american secretary of state, antony blinken, has said the united states is considering a deal, which would involve poland supplying ukraine with fighter jets. yesterday, president zelensky appealed to the us senate for russian—made planes, because his military knows how to fly them. 0ur diplomatic correspondent

james landale reports. what ukraine wants is more air cover — more planes like these, keeping the skyies free from russian attacks. and so now there's 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. most of the the destruction is coming from artillery — it's not coming from russian aircraft. and then if we were to police a no—fly zone, it would mean we would probably have to take out russian defence systems and then 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 great, and as soon as there's even a small opening, i see this as our 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 1.5 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. well, earlier i spoke to a resident in kherson which fell to russian troops earlier this week. his name — not his real name — is 0leg. we have hideen his face in order to protect his identity as he told me what was happening in the city right now. translation: this situation is even worse than you say, l

because not only did they encircle the city and occupy it, and so we can see the russian armoured personnel carriers and russian soldiers patrolling the streets of the city, we also have a full blockade on any supply routes and any movement of civilians, which is now prohibited by russians. several supply convoys, already sent by volunteers, including the red cross as well as ukrainian government, are simply not being allowed into the city despite the agreement reached between russia and ukraine at the most recent high—level talks between the governments. so this city, albeit small, is on the verge of humanitarian catastrophe as the food supplies, medicine, bottled water, all is running scarce. you can see people queueing up on the streets just

looking for a shop that sells, at least, anything, and often not finding anything at all. despite this, my fellow khersonians have mounted civil protests that's aimed at showing the russians that despite the physical fact of occupation, we're still standing strong with the whole of ukraine, we still consider ourselves ukrainian, and we will wait, and we will do as much as we can to support our country and every attempt to liberate the city. how are you doing that at the moment? are you coming out on the streets? is it safe for you to do so? i'm afraid it's not that safe. we have heard reports and seen footage of quite gruesome acts of aggression perpetrated by the russians. we've seen people shot on site for no clear reason, because some of those people are women who definitely

did not carry any guns or anything threatening. so what i could assume is just russians consider us some sort of chechnya where everyone is ready to fight them with tooth and nail, with bare hands. in terms of the rallies that have been held for the past couple of days, it's more of a civilian daylight protest. so russians do not interfere that much, albeit they still discourage anyone from coming too close. so, i guess it takes a great deal

of courage from every khersonian in the protest to leave their daily activities like finding food and supplies, instead to go to the rallyjust to show the russians they are not welcome in the city as long as they bear arms and the city is not exactly happy with their presence. and 0leg, it's freezing conditions — is there any heating? yes, most of the city is now restored for most of the utilities. although, i have been hearing reports of suburban areas where heavy fighting took place since day one of the war, that they still have issues with electricity and gas supply, water supply as well. most of the city is having all of the communications needed, except for mobile network which has turned down for the second time for the past two days. so for several hours in the morning we just cannot connect to mobile

internet or make phone calls or whatnot. it is reported that russian purportedly destroyed the cable network so ukrainians here do not organise into rallies or organise any sort of resistance. and it is there a way out of the city for anyone? nope, not at of the moment. despite humanitarian corridors been discussed and agreed upon at the highest level, the local russian military commanders blankly refusing every attempt, any attempt to communicate any people going out all humanitarian convoys going in. they're starving us out. that was a resident of kherson, an area, now a city in the hands of russian forces. he said that they had no access to food, water. the heating and electricity has returned but by his

very difficult. as fighting rages on in the north and south and east of the country tens of thousands of people trying to make their way to western ukraine which is currently relatively calm and hasn't been impacted by russian bonds on shelling but occasionally we will hear the air raid sirens and people are. the ground. there really is a life above ground and underground now where depending on what happens above ground across this country people also have developed a life underground. there's is also this great sense of resistance here in western ukraine. this sense of solidarity and unity. people are doing what they can to assist the military. those who have remained in the country say they are making molotov cocktails, then engaging in the war in whatever way they can, whether it is to make camouflage nets or pick up arms and that the list of the situation right across this country. marshall law means the men have remained between the ages of 18 and 60 and many women and

children have been. 0ut of 18 and 60 and many women and children have been. out of this country to safety. 1.5 million people have now become refugees from ukraine crossing the borders into neighbouring countries. we will have lots more here on bbc news throughout the evening and, of course, going forward. back to you in the studio. thank you very much to you and the rest of the team in lviv in western ukraine. we will be backin lviv in western ukraine. we will be back in the coming hours. just want to update a bit more fun the lines coming into us from the international atomic energy agency be iaea. the director general has been given with some fairly boring lines, i have to say. they are saying that although the regular staff operating at the death of its era power plants, nuclear power plant, where we saw the attack ——

operating at the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the plant management is now under command of russian forces who took control of the fight last week. ukraine is the posting that any action of plant movement requiresjoint posting that any action of plant movement requires joint approval by the russian commander but the iaea remains greatly concerned because that contravenes one of the seven pillars of safety and security that operating staff should be able to work safely and securely free of undue festival. in the second serious development they say that ukraine is reporting that forces at the site have switched off some mobile networks and internet is reporting that forces at the site have switched off some mobile networks and internet so reliable information cannot be obtained through normal channels of communication. they are also hearing that they have been major problems therefore in communicating with staff operating at this zaporizhzhia power plant. they say that less than 24 power plant. they say that less than 2a hours after the regulators had been able to maintain communications

the phone lines, e—mail and fax want functioning any more. mobile phone communication is still functioning but with poor quality, we are hearing. so extreme about this. they say that the deteriorating situation as a source of deep concern especially during an armed conflict but despite that at present the radiation level 30 do remain normal. they give some detail about the state of the six reactions —— radiation levels at present remain normal but there are problems with supply of food having a negative impact on staff morale. they also talk about chernobyl and of course the sight of that disaster some years ago and they are saying they are concerned about that because there are problems communicating with personnel there who are also under control of russian forces and they say the staff of more than 200 technical personnel and guards have not been able to rotate at all and

the iaea see it is very important that the staff can rest in order to carry out their importantjobs safely and securely so he is calling on those in charge there to allow that to happen and they are saying, finally, the other alarming development they say they are worried about, they say that communications have been lost with all enterprises and institutions in the colts comic port city of mariupol were of course there has been very heavy bombardment using category one to three radiation sources and there is no information about their status, say the regulator. they say such a way to make radioactive material can call serious hand people are not secured and managed properly. this map they say such radioactive material can cause serious harm to people. the director—general has offered to travel to chernobyl to secure nuclear sites in ukraine. that is what we're hearing there from the nuclear regulator. sorry to be alarming news.

there are a number of protest in russia and the music director of the famed bolshoi theatre funded by the russian state based in moscow has quit. interesting to hear that news. they tour around the world. not sure where he is when he makes that statement, whether in russia or abroad at the moment. we know not only many ukrainians terrified for their own plight in the cities and countryside at the moment but also there are a number of international students who have been in the country and also are able to get out —— are also unable to get out. we can speak to are now stuck in the country we are not going to need none or even say necessarily where they are from but just try and protect the safety as much as they

can. joing me now is a international student stuck in ukraine. i hope you can hear me. ijust want to ask where you are at the mainbe, it has actually been really difficult. we have been here for the past ten days and on the 11th day hoping and wishing for the government to help us. the previous days weren't that difficult but after that things drastically change for us and getting... essential supplies including the military hiding water supplies. recently for the past three or four days the water supply has been cut and there is also electricity that might be cut at any time and phones are not charged can't even call people.

hardly anyone could have a proper dinner last night. but we managed. the things of actually getting really difficult day by day. what the things of actually getting really difficult day by day. what is there going _ really difficult day by day. what is there going on — really difficult day by day. what is there going on around _ really difficult day by day. what is there going on around you? - really difficult day by day. what is i there going on around you? without identifying where you are. have you seen or heard military attacks around you? have you heard whether it is possible for you to try to escape where you are? 0r it is possible for you to try to escape where you are? or is it better for you to stay put? recently we heard yesterday _ better for you to stay put? recently we heard yesterday morning - better for you to stay put? recently| we heard yesterday morning from... there was an air strike. in the nearby area. we could clearly hear the sound. it was very loud. loud enough to actually... there was silence all over as we were rushing to the shelters again and again.

just under our hostels. currently, we are trying to get evacuated or escape to move to... and the nearby borders. the borders are closed. there is no way out here. there is... people cannot exit or into the city. the railway lines are broke and damaged of the railways are not broken and even if people are trying to go to... buses or cars or taxis, civilians are being shot so we are really scared to go personally across the borders and people have tried but ultimately they had to come back to where they are living. they were not even allowed to leave in this condition. all the way feeling to leave the city. it in this condition. all the way feeling to leave the city. it must be absolutely — feeling to leave the city. it must be absolutely terrifying. - feeling to leave the city. it must be absolutely terrifying. how . feeling to leave the city. it must| be absolutely terrifying. how you

actually coping from hour to hour? it is just that we have to keep our place because at the moment we are continuing in showing us that they are trying their best to take is out to evacuate and we are trying all the possible ways and for the past four days they are trying their best. we do get really high hopes but right now it is... confirmed that getting evacuated. we are on the edge of losing help and patience because it is the 11th day today, the longest anyone could have stayed here. other persons from my country have stayed here. all other students have stayed here. all other students have been evacuated from every other city. it is only the city that we students are stuck. and we are

around 700 plus students here, more than 700 students here from this country, including otherforeign country, including other foreign students, country, including otherforeign students, it is 1700. and there is no way out. it is only we are totally reliant on the government to come and evacuate us. 0bviously obviously it is difficult for any international government to intervene, but you are reliant on the ukrainians and any deal that can be struck with the russians. 0f be struck with the russians. of course, we are seeing all the humanitarian corridors failing to work where they have been tried to set up this weekend. it must be very difficult to keep your spirits up, i know you have to? it is difficult to keep your spirits up, i know you have to?— know you have to? it is difficult because students, _ know you have to? it is difficult because students, we - know you have to? it is difficult because students, we are - know you have to? it is difficult l because students, we are getting know you have to? it is difficult - because students, we are getting the news every day and then it goes down at nothing. students are losing

their patience and hope. it is getting really difficult here, day by day. i getting really difficult here, day b da . ~' ., getting really difficult here, day b da. ~ ., ., getting really difficult here, day bda. m, ., ., getting really difficult here, day b da. ~ ., ., ., by day. i know you are worried about food, by day. i know you are worried about food. water — by day. i know you are worried about food, water and _ by day. i know you are worried about food, water and sanitation _ by day. i know you are worried about food, water and sanitation and - by day. i know you are worried about food, water and sanitation and also i food, water and sanitation and also thatis food, water and sanitation and also that is adding to the pressure, isn't it? , , , ., isn't it? yes, because we are sta in: isn't it? yes, because we are staying in — isn't it? yes, because we are staying in a _ isn't it? yes, because we are staying in a hostel— isn't it? yes, because we are staying in a hostel and - isn't it? yes, because we are staying in a hostel and the i staying in a hostel and the population of 1700 in a hostel with no water supplies for the last few days. you can imagine the mess in the washroom. the is no water and we cannot flush. it is cold here. really cold. people are starting to get infections. if it is more days, it will be really difficult, i don't

know how to say it. we understand, it is very difficult. _ know how to say it. we understand, it is very difficult. finally, _ know how to say it. we understand, it is very difficult. finally, have - it is very difficult. finally, have you been able to stay in touch with your families?— your families? yes, we try to stay in touch with _ your families? yes, we try to stay in touch with our _ your families? yes, we try to stay in touch with our families, - your families? yes, we try to stay in touch with our families, but - your families? yes, we try to stay l in touch with our families, but when we go to the shelters there is no electricity down there. whenever we are coming back to our rooms for food and water, leave a message. 0ur families get really worried. even if it is really late night, we wait for the text. ., ., , ., the text. how are you feeling right now? intense _ the text. how are you feeling right now? intense and _ the text. how are you feeling right now? intense and still _ the text. how are you feeling right now? intense and still hoping - the text. how are you feeling right now? intense and still hoping for i now? intense and still hoping for aood now? intense and still hoping for good news _ now? intense and still hoping for good news from _ now? intense and still hoping for good news from the _ now? intense and still hoping for| good news from the government. now? intense and still hoping for - good news from the government. we hope so, thank you for talking to us

and we wish you and the group all the best and we will continue to stay in touch with you and try and get that message out to all those involved. thank you very much indeed to all of you. of course, we are hearing messages from around the world for people trapped in ukraine. 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. the un's refugee agency says more than 1.5 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 go, tents go, but what is constant also along 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 to 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 all they have been through. there is organisation. we see all the time people coming up explaining...

"we've got a person who as 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." "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 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.

just to let you know a couple of lines coming into us. the russian president has discussed the current ukraine crisis in a phone call with the israeli prime minister on the 6th of march, according to the kremlin. they said the conversation came after they met. a thorough exchange of views on the operation, the military operation to protect donbas, the russian description of it have taken into account naftali bennett's contacts with the number of countries. we know the diplomatic efforts are continuing through a number of different channels. we are also hearing about protests in a number of cities across russia and we are hearing the police have detained more than 4300 people today

protesting against the invasion of ukraine, according to an independent protest monitoring group. we are hearing people have been chanting, "no to war" and, "shame on you". pictures showing people being detained and some being taken by the police and some beaten on the ground. we can see the action by the police. 0bviously ground. we can see the action by the police. obviously it takes a huge level of courage to take this action and protest within russia. this is being sent to us by writers who say they cannot independently verify the footage on social media. the interior ministry have said police detained around 3500 people including 1700 in moscow, 750 in saint petersburg and over 1000 in other cities. the interior ministry

has reportedly said 5200 people were taking part in the protests. we know that a number of people in the country in russia are making their voices heard. 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. our business correspondent simon browning is here. simon, what exactly is happening and why are the effects limited? this simon, what exactly is happening and why are the effects limited?— why are the effects limited? this is a significant _ why are the effects limited? this is a significant move _ why are the effects limited? this is a significant move by _ why are the effects limited? this is a significant move by some - why are the effects limited? this is a significant move by some of - why are the effects limited? this is a significant move by some of the i a significant move by some of the world's biggest names in global finance, visa and mastercard who continue, as many businesses have, a growing cohort who are naming their objection to what is happening in ukraine. 0ne objection to what is happening in ukraine. one of russia's leading

banks has said the effects of this will be limited, sberbank. visa and mastercard, if you have a russian issued bank card that says visa on it from a russian bank and you are a russian citizen inside russia, your card will still work. that is because russia has developed its own internal payment system which are created after the annexation of crimea because of visa and mastercard imposed sanctions on russia and russian payments at that point and the russian government developed its own internal system as a full—back in case such a scenario, as we are seeing now. if you are a russian cardholder and you have visa or mastercard on your credit card you will still be able to withdraw cash and use online payment inside russia's territorial boundary. the difference is if you have left russia and fled russia in recent days and gone overseas, access to your money in your russian account, whether it be a credit or debit card will be cut off. we

whether it be a credit or debit card will be cut off.— whether it be a credit or debit card will be cut off. we are hearing from one person — will be cut off. we are hearing from one person who _ will be cut off. we are hearing from one person who says _ will be cut off. we are hearing from one person who says there - will be cut off. we are hearing from one person who says there could i will be cut off. we are hearing from| one person who says there could be effects here that haven't been forcing? effects here that haven't been forcinu ? , ., , effects here that haven't been forcin ? , ., , , , ., ,, forcing? yes, i have been speaking to an independent _ forcing? yes, i have been speaking to an independent journalist - forcing? yes, i have been speaking to an independent journalist who i forcing? yes, i have been speaking i to an independent journalist who has to an independentjournalist who has fled russia in recent days, currently in sri lanka, woke up this morning to this news about visa and mastercard and literally rushed to the bank machines and has been withdrawing as much cash as they could until supplies, until the cord was cut off. they will now rely on friends in europe to finance what they do for the foreseeable future. they say visa and mastercard have been irresponsible because it lays into putin's hands, but visa and mastercard say it is in objection to what is happening in ukraine. brute what is happening in ukraine. we know sanctions always hit people on the ground. thank you for explaining that.

let's return to the ground in ukraine. we're going to speak now to a resident who is living in the north of the country, in a city being heavily shelled every day by russian forces. we're calling him �*danylo' instead of using his real name to protect his identity. can you tell us what is happening where you are?— can you tell us what is happening where you are? can you tell us what is happening where ou are? ~ :: , ., ., where you are? about 20 minutes ago i was where you are? about 20 minutes ago i was sitting — where you are? about 20 minutes ago i was sitting in — where you are? about 20 minutes ago i was sitting in my _ where you are? about 20 minutes ago i was sitting in my apartment - where you are? about 20 minutes ago i was sitting in my apartment but - where you are? about 20 minutes ago i was sitting in my apartment but i - i was sitting in my apartment but i have to go downstairs to the basement because of heavy shelling and it is heavier than it was before. several days ago there were some shelling switch hit the district where i live. so now many windows are damaged in my building. indeed, the city seems to be blocked so it is hard to get out and local authorities say we're not to evacuate anyone for now. and it is your risk to go outside. 0bviously,

your risk to go outside. obviously, it must be terrifying to be where you are. it must be terrifying to be where ou are. �* it must be terrifying to be where ou are. ~ , ., it must be terrifying to be where ou are. ~ i. ., ., you are. are you hearing from others, you are. are you hearing from others. you — you are. are you hearing from others, you must— you are. are you hearing from others, you must be - you are. are you hearing from others, you must be in - you are. are you hearing from others, you must be in touch | you are. are you hearing from - others, you must be in touch with others, you must be in touch with other people nearby, i guess? {iii other people nearby, i guess? of course, i am still in contact with my friends around the city. different districts suffer differently. my guess those on the outskirts of the city, they have been hit the hardest so far. but i still can maintain the contact with most of my friends.— most of my friends. have you got enou:h most of my friends. have you got enough access — most of my friends. have you got enough access to _ most of my friends. have you got enough access to food _ most of my friends. have you got enough access to food and - most of my friends. have you got| enough access to food and water? yes, yes, even though the shelves in the shops are getting empty, you can still buy products. you can get essential products like milk, flour, sugar and bread. essential products like milk, flour, sugarand bread. it is essential products like milk, flour, sugar and bread. it is not that easy because mostly they disappear over the few hours of the first few hours of opening. but you can get all the other products in the shops. you are

sendin: other products in the shops. you are spending your— other products in the shops. you are spending your time _ other products in the shops. you are spending your time on _ other products in the shops. you are spending your time on you _ other products in the shops. you are spending your time on you are - other products in the shops. you are spending your time on you are with i spending your time on you are with some members of yourfamily? spending your time on you are with some members of your family? mostly i send some members of your family? mostly i spend time — some members of your family? mostly i spend time with _ some members of your family? mostly i spend time with my _ some members of your family? mostly i spend time with my mother - some members of your family? mostly i spend time with my mother here - i spend time with my mother here underground and other people from our block of flats. we sleep here underground because it is much easier to fall asleep here, because there might be some sirens and bombing during the night. we prefer to sleep downstairs, even though it is dusty and dirty here. than to sleep upstairs and then wake up three times a night in order to go downstairs. pare three times a night in order to go downstairs-— three times a night in order to go downstairs. �* , ., ., , ., , , downstairs. are you able to sleep, even down — downstairs. are you able to sleep, even down there? _ downstairs. are you able to sleep, even down there? yes, _ downstairs. are you able to sleep, even down there? yes, i _ downstairs. are you able to sleep, even down there? yes, i can - downstairs. are you able to sleep, j even down there? yes, i can sleep uuite well even down there? yes, i can sleep quite well down _ even down there? yes, i can sleep quite well down there. _ even down there? yes, i can sleep quite well down there. i _ even down there? yes, i can sleep quite well down there. i get - even down there? yes, i can sleepl quite well down there. i get enough sleep, i guess. quite well down there. i get enough sleep, iguess. it quite well down there. i get enough sleep, i guess. it would be much better than sleeping upstairs because you can always wake up to the sirens, which is hard. if because you can always wake up to the sirens, which is hard.— the sirens, which is hard. if your sense that _

the sirens, which is hard. if your sense that it _ the sirens, which is hard. if your sense that it is _ the sirens, which is hard. if your sense that it is better _ the sirens, which is hard. if your sense that it is better to - the sirens, which is hard. if your sense that it is better to stay - sense that it is better to stay where you are rather than try get out? 50 where you are rather than try get out? ., , ,, , where you are rather than try get out? ., , , , , ., out? so far, yes because there are no guarantees _ out? so far, yes because there are no guarantees he _ out? so far, yes because there are no guarantees he will _ out? so far, yes because there are no guarantees he will not - out? so far, yes because there are no guarantees he will not be - out? so far, yes because there are no guarantees he will not be killedj no guarantees he will not be killed and the only possible road is also quite a hard situation there. the road to kyiv was personally siege by russian forces. and russian forces are not stopped by the fact that our civilians, which is definitely dangerous and we don't want to go unless we have some guarantee of safety. unless we have some guarantee of safe . ., ., , ., ., safety. you are with your mother, how is she — safety. you are with your mother, how is she finding _ safety. you are with your mother, how is she finding it, _ safety. you are with your mother, how is she finding it, how- safety. you are with your mother, how is she finding it, how is - safety. you are with your mother, how is she finding it, how is she i how is she finding it, how is she coping? how is she finding it, how is she coin: ? ,, , coping? she finds it quite stressful, _ coping? she finds it quite stressful, she _ coping? she finds it quite stressful, she has - coping? she finds it quite stressful, she has my - coping? she finds it quite - stressful, she has my support and feels well. ., ., ., ., ,

feels well. you have other family in the country. _ feels well. you have other family in the country, have _ feels well. you have other family in the country, have you _ feels well. you have other family in the country, have you been - feels well. you have other family in the country, have you been able . feels well. you have other family in the country, have you been able to| the country, have you been able to stay in contact with them? we the country, have you been able to stay in contact with them?- stay in contact with them? we are not a big family. _ stay in contact with them? we are not a big family, we _ stay in contact with them? we are not a big family, we have - stay in contact with them? we are not a big family, we have a - stay in contact with them? we are | not a big family, we have a nuclear family, rather. istill not a big family, we have a nuclear family, rather. i still have my grandfather, my uncle and they live in the city, but they live quite far away from us. we can speak from time to time, but we don't see each other. , , . , to time, but we don't see each other. , , ., , ., to time, but we don't see each other. , ., , ., ., other. just finally, how are you feelin: other. just finally, how are you feeling right — other. just finally, how are you feeling right now? _ other. just finally, how are you feeling right now? i _ other. just finally, how are you feeling right now? i am - other. just finally, how are you feeling right now? i am sure i other. just finally, how are you feeling right now? i am sure it| other. just finally, how are you i feeling right now? i am sure it is changing all the time this has come as a huge shock to everyone there? exactly, it is changing constantly so on the first day i was frightened. 0n the second day, i was desperate and on the third day i was pretty encouraged by the fact ukrainian forces are winning. so the mood is changing every day. for now i feel more or less calm. this day

was also come with fewer farming, but right before our interview, the new shelling is have begun. a little bit stressed but i am used to it. thank you very much indeed for sharing with us what is going on. we wish you and everyone there, and your family of course, the very best. we hope you managed to stay safe as possible. 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. the home office in the uk has said "around 50" visas had been given the green light under the ukraine family scheme as of 10am. some 5,535 online applications have been completed and submitted online and 2,368 people had booked a visa appointment to submit their application and biometric information, the government said. the home secretary priti patel responded to criticism by the french interior minister that british officials were not doing enough to help ukrainians stuck in calais. it is wrong to say that we are turning people back. we are not. i have staff in calais. we have surged staff in calais. the home office has a team of people in calais. we are making sure, and people have been coming from france to the united kingdom to be reunited with their family, and that is working, and we will continue to have our presence on the ground and our staff in calais to make sure that people who want to come

to the united kingdom can come. just want to let you know a little bit more on the home office in the uk, they say 50 visas have been given the green light under that scheme. just to bring you a further update on one of the lines that had come into is a bit earlier. 0n the nuclear front, come into is a bit earlier. 0n the nuclearfront, which of come into is a bit earlier. 0n the nuclear front, which of course we saw with great alarm earlier this week, we saw the fire at the zaporizhzhia plant, it is now under control by russian forces. but everything has been put out saying they are very concerned about the management of the plant and there is a problem with the communications to that plant. the russian forces have switched off mobile network so

reliable information cannot be obtained. they are also worried about the functioning of the plant, worried about pressure on staff and they are saying that at the moment they are saying that at the moment the radiation levels are measuring safe and at a safe level. they are concerned at what is going on at chernobyl with staff not being allowed to rest and also radiation sources in mariupol. three areas of concern being flagged up by the atomic agency director—general. as alarming as that is, we want to leave you with a moment ofjoy in kyiv. the city's mayor that this picture of two ukrainian soldiers being married today. it took place at one of the checkpoints on the

outskirts of the city. good for them. we are back in a few minutes, thank you for staying with us. this is bbc news. more cloud coming from the atlantic with outbreaks of rain. this is how things have looked with the cloud in the southern half of england and wales still producing the odd shower. there have been a few breaks, so overall brighter than yesterday, especially in eastern england and they will still be a few holes in the cloud tonight so that means a patchy frost across southern areas. lowest temperatures are likely to be under the clearest skies in scotland and northern england, minus six, minus seven in the cold spots with one or two mist and fog patches around. with high

pressure close by, a lot of find the chilly weather on the way tomorrow. an area of cloud across wales and england drifting northwards, probably brightening up quite nicely behind it especially across east anglia and the south—east and a few patches of plaid reaching towards northern ireland and southern scotland. this south—westerly wind will be stronger and more widely, particularly across the south—west of the uk and for tomorrow may be gusts up to a0 mph or so. although we had plenty of sunny spells around it will feel colder than this because of the brisk south—westerly wind. they will be in the frost for many as we start off on tuesday morning. now it should be the end of the frost because after this temperatures are going to be heading upwards. eastern areas stay mainly dry and tuesday. some uncertainty about how far the rain will get daylight hours and most likely to reach northern ireland, most likely scotland, wales and western parts of england with a freshening wind. feeling chillier than this in the

breeze but temperatures are set to rise for the remainder of the week as we see further low pressure system is bringing further, wet and windy weather particularly across the western side of the uk. but rather than the south—easterly wind we're starting with, it is a more south south—westerly wind which is a milder direction, so quite widely during the second half of the week we are expecting temperatures to be in double figures. it starts chilly this week and some frost to contend with but after that temperatures are heading up. but as we have established, it does mean there will be wet and windy conditions at times, especially in the west.

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 the capital. severe attacks on the civil population, including carpet bombarding of the cities, which are basically happening these days already in some cities, will be taking place and thousands and thousands of new civilian victims will be in ukraine. 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.