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.

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. 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.

hello to our viewers in the uk and around the world. i am yalda hakim continue light from western ukraine. let's bring you up—to—date on the ongoing conflict in ukraine. the ukrainian authorities say towns north—west of the capital kyiv are under relentless bombardment with intense fighting between government forces and russian forces. let's just show you where the fighting is on this map. the heaviest fighting is thought to be focused on suburbs just 25 kilometres north—west of kyiv. meanwhile, new temporary ceasefire to evacuate thousands of civilians in the besieged southern city of mariupol appears to have collapsed afterjust city of mariupol appears to have collapsed after just two city of mariupol appears to have collapsed afterjust two hours. this is the second day in a row that it has failed and the un says millions

of people are trying to flee this country. the fighting that continues in the north, the east in the south of the country. but we have the very latest report from jeremy bowen. distant explosions. russian shelling might break ukraine's will to fight — but not yet. davay, davay. they have to keep moving. until the last minute, these families had hung on. leaving your home, even in a war, is a giant step. they're heading towards the capital, still almost untouched, but only about ten miles away. she was as dignified as a woman striding to the park. in fact, like all of ukraine and russia, they are struggling into a dark future. ukrainian troops were moving back into irpin and this is why it's people left. shell zips past.

this was inside the town, russia's target as its tries to revive its offensive. the civilians are getting out over what's left of a bridge that was blown to slow down the russians if they take irpin. russian shells were very close. shouting, explosions. stopping was not an option. "i'm 0k," she said. "keep going." a disabled man couldn't make it up the steep river bank on his own. there's a fair amount of incoming fire coming into this now. artillery fire. there are loads of civilians around. families coming out. there's a lady there with her dog following on. this is the edge of the town

that the russians have got to. explosions, shouting. civilians were in the firing line but the russians might have been trying to knock out nearby active ukrainian artillery. casualties and evacuees were taken to an assembly point in a suburb about a mile away. as well as wounded soldiers, at least one family was killed. vladimir, 85, a 30—year veteran of the soviet army got his family out. "i served for many years," he said. "right now, i'd tear those fascists into pieces." "they're killing people for no reason."

on the way out, families grabbed their most precious things — puppies, pets. some comfort. tell me what it was like crossing the bridge? it was a miserable feeling. we are nervous. i was terrified. it was... it was, it was the horrible, horrible way. they moved on into the capital. this was a terrible day, but the russian military is operating on half power. if it can build up full momentum, there will be many days worse than this. jeremy bowen, bbc news, kyiv. as we've been reporting, and the last couple of days and attempted to hate create a ceasefire in the southern port city of mariupol has broken down twice. yesterday we heard from the russian defence ministry that they would put a partial ceasefire in place and create a humanitarian corridor but authorities said that that humanitarian corridor never took place, that they were still shelling on civilians that were trying to

flee and they halted the evacuation. there was a second attempt today to try to get civilians out of that besieged city and that, too, failed. uk defence intelligence has said that russia's blaming of the ceasefire breakdown is probably an additional attempt to diminish responsibility for civilian casualties. earlier, we heard from the us secretary of state antony blinken is said that the us is documenting these civilian casualties. they are keeping photographs and they are going to keep track of the attacks on civilian casualties. they say they have credible intelligence and information. the densely populated areas full of civilians had been targeted so that's latest lines coming in from the uk defence intelligence saying that russia's blaming of the ceasefire breakdown is to absolve responsibility for civilian casualties. we've been hearing day in, day out from president zelensky the ukrainian

president. he's been addressing his nation. he's been addressing his nation. he's been addressing his nation. he's been at times frustrated and angry about the lack of a no—fly zone. in his latest online message he has been speaking about an attack on a central airport. in the airport at vinnytsya in central ukraine. translation: i've just been told about the rocket - strike at vinnytsya. eight rockets against our town, against our peaceful, good vinnytsya that never threatened russia by any way. a rocket strike. tough, cynical, completely flattened the airport. they carry on destroying our infrastructure, our lives, built by us, by our fathers,

by our grandfathers and grandmothers, by generations of ukrainians. every day we keep saying close the sky over ukraine to all russian rockets, to russian military aviation, all those terrorists and make a 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 you don't do that, if you won't at least give us planes for us to be able to protect ourselves, that 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. that's ukraine's president 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 - is being absolutely plummeted by missile strikes. children are dying. peaceful people, women are dying. 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 prayer repeated by ukrainian children which are hiding in bomb shelters. our ukrainian mothers are repeating this as a prayer. we need your help. if the sky 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. to 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 could 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 aggressor 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, on your decision to 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 on the streets. they were given arms, but even without arms, they are stopping tanks. our cities are occupied but we are strong. our 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 plea to the international community for more assistance ukraine. as we mentioned earlier, a second attempt, to help people out of the beseiged southern city of mariupol, has failed. both sides blamed the other for failing to observe an agreed ceasefire. uk defence intelligence has said that perhaps russia blaming the ukrainians is to take away their own responsibility for the civilian

deaths that have taken place. our correspondent sarah rainsford has this report. when night falls, they keep the lights off here, in the hope that will hide them from the russian bombs. families who fled the fighting in kharkiv to a nearby town, still too close to feel safe. this is me and my friends in the metro... 15—year—old nika has left behind her city, her friends and the father she loves, and she's struggling. oh, thank god i'm alive. i can't sleep normally, i am sleeping two or three hours every day, because i heard bangs. i am afraid, i start shaking because i think, "they're here," and it's very bad. it's not only kharkiv that is under attack.

in the south—east, whole streets are in ruins. the fighting was meant to stop today to give civilians a chance to get out. but a local mp told me russian forces had broken the ceasefire for a second day. russia said it would provide a safe corridor, this man said, but they were firing along the route. gunfire. and there was no let—up at all in mariupol. imagine living under this, with no power and little water now — or food. so the buses that were sent to rescue thousands stood empty. translation: in the first days of. the war, we counted dozens of dead. now it's hundreds and it'll soon be thousands. but they don't even give us a chance to count, because the shelling hasn't stopped for six days. people were supposed to be bussed here, three hours north, to zaporizhzhia, still firmly under ukrainian control.

there is no shelling here yet, but it's too quiet, almost deserted. we spotted armed police doing spot checks. then, one patrol yelled at us to pull over. three armed officers pointed their guns at us, made us open the car doors, wanted to check who we were. they asked us to put our hands in the air. once they saw we were journalists they were fine, but it is getting really nervy here. the fear comes before the fighting, but both are now spreading here every day. sarah rainsford, bbc news, zaporizhzhia. i'm joined now by our middle east editorjeremy bowen live from kyiv. germany, over the last few days we have been watching your heartbreaking reports in the capital. families torn apart, mothers and fathers saying goodbye to their children and their wives as theyjoin the fighting. this is now theyjoin the fighting. this is now the study of so many people across

this country. —— jeremy. the study of so many people across this country. -- jeremy.— this country. -- jeremy. yes, heart ache, separation, and _ this country. -- jeremy. yes, heart ache, separation, and also - this country. -- jeremy. yes, heart ache, separation, and also a - this country. -- jeremy. yes, heart ache, separation, and also a sense| ache, separation, and also a sense of not knowing whether thing is to go. you know, the thing about walls when they start at the very beginning, people still have one footin beginning, people still have one foot in their old lives and they remember what it was like. sadly, as time goes by they get used of any reality but they are not there, not nearly there is yet and, you know, this thing is not looking as though it is going to be over quickly so there have been some awful days so far but sadly i think there are going to be some worse ones. indeed, and et, going to be some worse ones. indeed, and yet. strangely. — going to be some worse ones. indeed, and yet, strangely, as _ going to be some worse ones. indeed, and yet, strangely, as you _ going to be some worse ones. indeed, and yet, strangely, as you say - going to be some worse ones. indeed, and yet, strangely, as you say they - and yet, strangely, as you say they are not there yet but they are adapting very quickly to this life underground in the bunkers and then a life on the ground. people realising that they need to quickly understand what their bowlers in this conflict. those who choose to

stay and then, of course, there are those who are the country. yes. stay and then, of course, there are those who are the country. yes, you know, those who are the country. yes, you know. human _ those who are the country. yes, you know, human beings _ those who are the country. yes, you know, human beings are _ those who are the country. yes, you | know, human beings are resourceful. they really are. and adaptable. and people do things and they rally around and history shows, as well, that if you attack civilians they tend not to break. in fact, their resolve tends to increase and certainly the resolve of the fighting forces certainly would. that's the historical record. while things are the way that they are there is a lot of resolution in this place. what has been a very effective tactic for the russians in their activities in syria which they've seen quite a bit over the years since they intervened there in 2015 is that they along with their

syrian allies and others, of course, and relishes, made a siege a city or and relishes, made a siege a city or a sound that they wanted to reduce, they really would seal it off and then they'd hammer it and then the combination of appalling levels of shellfire, air strikes and starvation worked. eventually, sometimes it took a long time and it works and people eventually surrendered. now there is a big question in this place, this city kyiv especially has an enormous significance of the russians. president putin himself has spoken about it is important in russia's cultural and religious past and so the question in my mind and a lot of peoples minds here is would he do to this city the things that he has done to cities which are mostly inhabited by muslims in the middle east rather than a place like this

with sacred orthodox shrines and it. —— in it. with sacred orthodox shrines and it. -- in it. , . , , with sacred orthodox shrines and it. --init. ,. g , -- in it. yes, and jeremy, as you sa , -- in it. yes, and jeremy, as you say. you — -- in it. yes, and jeremy, as you say. you have — -- in it. yes, and jeremy, as you say, you have been _ -- in it. yes, and jeremy, as you say, you have been reporting - -- in it. yes, and jeremy, as you say, you have been reporting for| say, you have been reporting for decades on conflicts around the world from grozny to aleppo and you have seen these sorts of sieges take place before. you've talked about kyiv but let's till about mariupol and this humanitarian corridor that keeps breaking down. do you think this is, sort of, almost another attempt to prevent people from leaving and then blaming the other side as they continue to hang at? yes, well it could be. it could be they are playing some kind of mind games here or it could be the agreements themselves are not very solid and things happen. you know, it starts small, that may be an exchange of fire and then the whole thing blows up again may be what they are doing is simply playing with people insane, yet, it is safe to go out today, oh no it is not

because we've just shelled you. it is hard for me to say from here because i'm not in the area but one thing i can tell you're absolutely certainly for the people who are trying to get out of there it will be a horrifying nightmare. jeremy, thanks so much _ be a horrifying nightmare. jeremy, thanks so much for— be a horrifying nightmare. jeremy, thanks so much for all— be a horrifying nightmare. jeremy, thanks so much for all your - thanks so much for all your proposing their frontier. that was our correspondentjeremy bowen joining us there from the ukrainian capital. joining us now on the line is a student. we cannot disclose their name or location for their own safety. i just want you to tell me what is happening with you now. you are trying to leave the country. what is the situation where you are? it has the situation where you are? it has been extremely _ the situation where you are? it has been extremely difficult _ the situation where you are? it has been extremely difficult for - the situation where you are? it has been extremely difficult for us - the situation where you are? it has been extremely difficult for us to i been extremely difficult for us to leave the country due to lack of transportation and fuel lines are close so transportation is really difficult to acquire. you

close so transportation is really difficult to acquire.— close so transportation is really difficult to acquire. you were 'ust a week ago fl difficult to acquire. you were 'ust a week ago a fi difficult to acquire. you were 'ust a week ago a student * difficult to acquire. you were 'ust a week ago a student in i difficult to acquire. you were 'ust a week ago a student in this h a week ago a student in this country. just tell me how much your life has changed.— life has changed. literally up to the day before _ life has changed. literally up to the day before it _ life has changed. literally up to the day before it was _ life has changed. literally up to the day before it was like - life has changed. literally up to the day before it was like we i life has changed. literally up to i the day before it was like we woke up the day before it was like we woke up and the whole world is changed because the day before people were going to the gym, they were going to classes. we intended to go to classes. we intended to go to classes that morning and then completely different now. the roads are blocked, there are checkpoints, every few metres, every few hundred metres. there are soldiers everywhere. people with guns. it is honestly terrifying. is everywhere. people with guns. it is honestly terrifying.— honestly terrifying. is your government _ honestly terrifying. is your government trying - honestly terrifying. is your government trying to - honestly terrifying. is yourl government trying to assist honestly terrifying. is your - government trying to assist you, trying to help get you out? the? government trying to assist you, trying to help get you out? they are doinu what trying to help get you out? they are doing what they _ trying to help get you out? they are doing what they can. _ trying to help get you out? they are doing what they can. they _ trying to help get you out? they are doing what they can. they are - trying to help get you out? they are doing what they can. they are doing as much as they can. that i am sure of. in some cases, it might not be

possible for them to help until you reach a certain point in the journey where they can actually help you but they are trying. where they can actually help you but they are trying-— they are trying. what sort of conversations _ they are trying. what sort of conversations i _ they are trying. what sort of conversations i having - they are trying. what sort of conversations i having with i they are trying. what sort of. conversations i having with your familyall my conversations with most people i have been getting lots of messages saying why haven't you left, why you still there? i don't know what to tell them because it has been impossible for me to leave where i am. i am doing my best. most of my conversations are leaving ukraine now or trying to find my way to the borders. that is what i spend most of my time talking about and what takes up most of my thoughts, in fact. you mustn't be alone. there were other students going through the same situation. i talking to

them? m the same situation. i talking to them? w , them? one saving grace the this situation as _ them? one saving grace the this situation as we _ them? one saving grace the this situation as we are _ them? one saving grace the this situation as we are not - them? one saving grace the this situation as we are not alone - them? one saving grace the this situation as we are not alone in. situation as we are not alone in that endeavour other students that are here and we support each other as best we can and right now national borders don't exist. we are all in the same situation trying to each other. —— trying to help each other. do you know what is going to happen next or how you're going to get out? i hope so. i hope so. istill next or how you're going to get out? i hope so. i hope so. i still have hope. i haven't given up that we will be able to make it out of this country safely. will be able to make it out of this country safely-— country safely. ok. thank you so much forjoining _ country safely. ok. thank you so much forjoining us _ country safely. ok. thank you so much forjoining us here - country safely. ok. thank you so much forjoining us here on - country safely. ok. thank you so much forjoining us here on the l much forjoining us here on the programme. we hope you get to safety soon, too. earlier i spoke to oleg — not his real name — a resident in kherson which fell to russian troops earlier this week. 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 is 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 onto 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 sight 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 oleg, 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 like, where heavy fighting took place since day one of the war, that they still have issues with electricity and gas supply, or 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 a cable, 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 being discussed and agreed upon at the highest level, the local russian military commanders are 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 speaking to me little earlier about the conditions in the city now they are under control of russian forces. we have some breaking news for you, american express has also suspended operations. they have issued a statement saying, in light of russia's unjustified attack on the people of ukraine, american express is suspending all operations in russia. as a result no globally issued cards will work at atms. so they are joining mastercard and visa because of the ongoing attacks and invasion of ukraine. as we have been reporting...

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. he has been holding a press conference in moldova, and a question was put to him about fighterjets and he said the united states is considering a deal whereby poland surprise ukraine with fighter jets. yesterday when president zelensky addressed the us senate, he said ukraine preferred russian made aircraft, because the military knows how to fly them. the diplomatic correspondent, james landale reports. what ukraine wants is more air cover — more planes like these, keeping the skies 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 she ends 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.

it has now been 11 days since this conflict began. today we went to the train station and we saw thousands of people with their worldly goods in the hands, the suitcases and small children crossing the country, leaving behind their homes and family members, to try and figure out what next. many of them are emerging from the train station completely confused about where to go and what to do. we saw some elderly women weeping because they were cold, frightened, uncertain about their own future and uncertain about their own future and uncertain about their own future and uncertain about the future of their country. we will continue reporting and covering the crisis and the devastation here in ukraine. you can follow me on twitter. i have been updating the situation here as it develops and we will continue to report on bbc news as well.

that's all from here in lviv — back to you in the studio. thank you very much to you and the team there in western ukraine. a couple of bits of news coming into us in the situation. tick—tock says it is suspending live stream new content to russia whilst it reviews the safety implications of the law passed in russia. no doubt the media crackdown that has been announced this week. they say they —— the messaging service will not be effective. and also american express suspending all their operations in russia. this globally issued cards will no longer work at atm machines and merchants and retailers in russia. they are also terminating all business operations in belarus,

said that it isjoining all business operations in belarus, said that it is joining mastercard and visa. just part of the business and visa. just part of the business and financial pressure that people are trying to bring to bear to this. the russian invasion of ukraine began 11 days ago and initial expectations in some quarters that the russians would quickly overwhelm the ukrainian forces the chief of the defence staff admiral sir tony radakin said today there was growing evidence that the russian armed forces were struggling. our defence correspondent jonathan beale has this analysis. all the signs that russian forces are still only making slow progress. the russian advances in red are still meeting stiff as instance. as we have seen in the east, the city of mariupol remains under siege. and ukraine believes russian forces from the south are about to make an attempt to encircle the city of

dnipro. russian forces have still not surrounded kyiv, but the battle is getting closer. with intense fighting in the town of irpin, just outside the capital. russian armoured columns destroyed. the west fears these setbacks will only unleash more violence. russia is stru: aalin unleash more violence. russia is struggling with _ unleash more violence. russia is struggling with its _ unleash more violence. russia is struggling with its objectives - unleash more violence. russia is struggling with its objectives on | struggling with its objectives on the ground in ukraine. we have seen from russia's previous actions in syria and in chechnya, where it will turn up the violence, it will lead to more indiscriminate killing and more indiscriminate destruction. western nations have been supplying ukraine with weapons, including these anti—tank missiles from the uk. they have been described for defensive purposes. today the us

secretary of state has been visiting european allies to see what more can be done and he says they are discussing supplying ukraine with more planes, which would certainly deepin more planes, which would certainly deep in the west's involvement in this war. we deep in the west's involvement in this war. ~ ., deep in the west's involvement in this war. . ., , this war. we are looking actively now at the _ this war. we are looking actively now at the planes _ this war. we are looking actively now at the planes from - this war. we are looking actively now at the planes from poland l this war. we are looking actively i now at the planes from poland may provide to ukraine and looking at how we might be able to backfill should poland decide to produce, supply those planes.— supply those planes. supplying military aircraft _ supply those planes. supplying military aircraft to _ supply those planes. supplying military aircraft to ukraine, - supply those planes. supplying i military aircraft to ukraine, which could also be used to attack as well as defend against these russian military advances on this map could also be seen as a significant escalation by moscow. jonathan beale on the military operation at the moment. the head of the international agency for atomic energy says he's extremely concerned about reports on several nuclear sites from the ukrainian regulator. rafael grossi said the ukrainian authorities had had trouble contacting staff at the zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the

biggest in the country. he said russian forces had switched off some mobile networks and the internet. i'm joined now by bethany bell in brussels. we got this update which looks incredibly alarming, i have to say? the un's nuclear watchdog says he is extremely concerned by the situation because he says the current situation at the russian plant which was seized by russian forces on friday, he says ukrainian staff are still operating it technically, but they are now having to get approval for any orders, anything they want to do technically at the plant, from the russian commander who seized it. he said that contravene safety,

pillars of safety and security which state that technical staff need to be able to go about their work without undue pressure. and of course, he said the reports that communication with the plant, not just this plant but also the chernobyl plant, are becoming more difficult because reports from ukraine say that mobile phone communications have been cut, some of them, also e—mail and fax. it is hard to get reliable information. it is a big problem and it is also the case at chernobyl and he said he was concerned about the staff at chernobyl who haven't been able to rotate out since the 23rd of february. he has repeated his offer to go to ukraine to negotiate between the sides about this issue to ensure that the safety and security of these nuclear sites can

be maintained.— be maintained. despite that, they sa the be maintained. despite that, they say the radiation _ be maintained. despite that, they say the radiation levels _ be maintained. despite that, they say the radiation levels at - say the radiation levels at zaporizhzhia remained normal at present, as far as they know in terms of monitoring it. they give some detail about the six reactors. they say there is a positive development in that the technical teams are rotating in shifts to give them some rest, which is not happening at chernobyl? this them some rest, which is not happening at chernobyl? fist them some rest, which is not happening at chernobyl? as i 'ust said, the teams i happening at chernobyl? as i 'ust said, the teams at i happening at chernobyl? as i 'ust said, the teams at chernobylh happening at chernobyl? as ijust| said, the teams at chernobyl have not been able to rotate out since the 23rd of february. i think the issueis the 23rd of february. i think the issue is here at the moment, as you say, the radiation levels are normal but it is a question of the management of the plant, who is in control with that. the staff having to take orders from the russians and also that you haven't got these reliable channels of communication with the ukrainian regulators and

normal situations, that is key and the head of the iaea has said it be re—established. he also suggested he is concerned by some reports from mariupol about radioactive sources, that they are losing communication that they are losing communication that with some places which have radioactive sources. they didn't specify what those where, but they could be things like radiology machines and things like that, which if they got out of the proper controls, could pose threats to people. controls, could pose threats to --eole. �* ., , controls, could pose threats to eo le, �* ., , , controls, could pose threats to --eole. �* . , , ., people. and finally, there is travel to chernobyl? _ people. and finally, there is travel to chernobyl? we _ people. and finally, there is travel to chernobyl? we don't _ people. and finally, there is travel to chernobyl? we don't have - people. and finally, there is travel to chernobyl? we don't have any l to chernobyl? we don't have any information _ to chernobyl? we don't have any information that _ to chernobyl? we don't have any information that the _ to chernobyl? we don't have any information that the head - to chernobyl? we don't have any information that the head of- to chernobyl? we don't have any information that the head of the | information that the head of the iaea said he is willing to go and talk to ease the situation in terms of security and safety.—

of security and safety. bethany bell, thank _ of security and safety. bethany bell, thank you _ of security and safety. bethany bell, thank you very _ of security and safety. bethany bell, thank you very much - of security and safety. bethany . bell, thank you very much indeed. as we have heard, over 1.5 million refugees have fled ukraine. the majority have made their way to poland, hungary and slovakia and they have each received over 100,000 refugees. although the has seen thousands over their borders and the numbers are published daily by the high commissionerfor numbers are published daily by the high commissioner for refugees. among them are some desperately ill children who are being treated for cancer in ukraine's hospitals. mark lowen sent this report from poland. they too are debilitated by the war

they have fled. ukraine's young cancer patients evacuated to poland, victims of a battle on two fronts. taken to a hotel to be examined, the most urgent to be sent to hospitals here and across europe. our hearts are tearing from pain, says this lady. my son always says he is fine, but we need to continue his treatment. this little brother has a brain tumour and is weak from the journey. he brain tumour and is weak from the “ourne . ., ., brain tumour and is weak from the “ourne . . ., ., , ., ., journey. he had an operation. then he had chemotherapy, _ journey. he had an operation. then he had chemotherapy, but - journey. he had an operation. then he had chemotherapy, but he - journey. he had an operation. then| he had chemotherapy, but he didn't complete chemotherapy because the war started. the complete chemotherapy because the war started. ., , war started. the next morning they wait for triage. _ war started. the next morning they wait for triage. the _ war started. the next morning they wait for triage. the days _ war started. the next morning they wait for triage. the days to - war started. the next morning they wait for triage. the days to get - wait for triage. the days to get here, perilous for some. this is just a desperately sad situation. children who are safe from the war

but now plunged back into danger with their illness. rushing to resume treatment that has been broken off. this is a conflict that is killing, uprooting and now threatening the most vulnerable. the one doctor is overwhelmed. she checks this 12—year—old, whose soft tissue cancer has spread to his lungs. tissue cancer has spread to his lunas. , , ., , tissue cancer has spread to his lunas. , i, .,, lungs. this is a very serious situation- — lungs. this is a very serious situation. are _ lungs. this is a very serious situation. are there - lungs. this is a very serious| situation. are there patients lungs. this is a very serious - situation. are there patients who ou think situation. are there patients who you think could _ situation. are there patients who you think could die _ situation. are there patients who you think could die from - situation. are there patients who you think could die from having l situation. are there patients who | you think could die from having to have everything interrupted like this? , ., , ,, , have everything interrupted like this? , ., , ,, this? yes. most of these kids are in a life-threatening _ this? yes. most of these kids are in a life-threatening situation - this? yes. most of these kids are in a life-threatening situation and - this? yes. most of these kids are in a life-threatening situation and any| a life—threatening situation and any kind of delay of their treatment is very bad for them.— very bad for them. this, of all laces, very bad for them. this, of all places. is _ very bad for them. this, of all places. is his _ very bad for them. this, of all places, is his first _ very bad for them. this, of all places, is his first ever - very bad for them. this, of all places, is his first ever trip i places, is his first ever trip abroad. translation: i abroad. translation: , , abroad. translation: ,, , abroad. translation: , , , ., ., ,

translation: i miss my home and my grandmother — translation: i miss my home and my grandmother and _ translation: i miss my home and my grandmother and grandfather, - translation: i miss my home and my grandmother and grandfather, he i grandmother and grandfather, he says. at least here we don't have to run into shelters, because that was scary and hard. shes run into shelters, because that was scary and hard-— scary and hard. as volunteers from germany take _ scary and hard. as volunteers from germany take the _ scary and hard. as volunteers from germany take the first _ scary and hard. as volunteers from germany take the first children i scary and hard. as volunteers from germany take the first children to l scary and hard. as volunteers from | germany take the first children to a hospital there, germany take the first children to a hospitalthere, more germany take the first children to a hospital there, more arrive. the cruelty of one man's war now forcing them to battle. mark lowen, bbc news, central poland. 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. 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. two british surgeons have held a virtual, 12—hour war surgery training course in london, for over 200 health care professionals in ukraine. it's hoped the tuition will help them deal with injuries from the fighting and save lives. jonny dymond reports. good morning, from london. a zoom tutorial with — good morning, from london. a zoom tutorial with a _ good morning, from london. a zoom tutorial with a difference. _ good morning, from london. a zoom tutorial with a difference. in - tutorial with a difference. in london, two surgeons trying to share what they know with colleagues in need of help. he what they know with colleagues in need of help-— need of help. he would be hard -ushed need of help. he would be hard pushed to _ need of help. he would be hard pushed to find _ need of help. he would be hard pushed to find anywhere i need of help. he would be hard pushed to find anywhere much | need of help. he would be hard - pushed to find anywhere much further than conflict than this office block

in london. but than conflict than this office block in london. �* , ., , in london. but behind me, doctors are connecting _ in london. but behind me, doctors are connecting online _ in london. but behind me, doctors are connecting online to _ in london. but behind me, doctors are connecting online to give i in london. but behind me, doctors are connecting online to give a i are connecting online to give a crash course in conflict surgery. david has been running courses like this for years. one thing he knows better than nearly anyone, nothing prepares a doctor for war. better than nearly anyone, nothing prepares a doctorfor war. iausten prepares a doctor for war. war surue prepares a doctor for war. war surgery is _ prepares a doctor for war. — surgery is something completely different. you need to have a mindset about war, you need to have a mindset about what to know what to do with patience when they come in and they have fragmentation wounds, blast injuries and severe gunshot wounds, high velocity, low velocity, it is a completely different ball game. it is a completely different ball came. ., ., , ~ ., ., game. for the doctors in ukraine who came on the — game. for the doctors in ukraine who came on the call. _ game. for the doctors in ukraine who came on the call, the _ game. for the doctors in ukraine who came on the call, the next _ game. for the doctors in ukraine who came on the call, the next few i game. for the doctors in ukraine who came on the call, the next few days l came on the call, the next few days and weeks seem very bleak. it is came on the call, the next few days and weeks seem very bleak.- and weeks seem very bleak. it is a disaster. and weeks seem very bleak. it is a disaster- i — and weeks seem very bleak. it is a disaster. i cannot _ and weeks seem very bleak. it is a disaster. i cannot describe - and weeks seem very bleak. it is a disaster. i cannot describe my i disaster. i cannot describe my feelings— disaster. i cannot describe my feelings about it. i am very sad about— feelings about it. i am very sad about that _ feelings about it. i am very sad about that because all these people

will have _ about that because all these people will have to suffer and die. we about that because all these people will have to suffer and die.- will have to suffer and die. we are all here watching _ will have to suffer and die. we are all here watching what _ will have to suffer and die. we are all here watching what is - will have to suffer and die. we are | all here watching what is happening in ukraine _ all here watching what is happening in ukraine at— all here watching what is happening in ukraine at the _ all here watching what is happening in ukraine at the moment _ all here watching what is happening in ukraine at the moment with - all here watching what is happening l in ukraine at the moment with shock. all the _ in ukraine at the moment with shock. all the british — in ukraine at the moment with shock. all the british surgeons _ in ukraine at the moment with shock. all the british surgeons can _ in ukraine at the moment with shock. all the british surgeons can do - in ukraine at the moment with shock. all the british surgeons can do is - all the british surgeons can do is try and share what they know to save life and limb. i try and share what they know to save life and limb-— life and limb. i hope to god you will not need to apply - will not need to apply this knowledge _ will not need to apply this. knowledge. but it is always best to be knowledge. but it is always best to he prepared — knowledge. but it is always best to he prepared for— knowledge. but it is always best to be prepared for the _ knowledge. but it is always best to be prepared for the worst. - knowledge. but it is always best to be prepared for the worst. jonny. be prepared for the worst. jonny l mond, be prepared for the worst. jonny dymond. bbc— be prepared for the worst. jonny dymond, bbc news, _ be prepared for the worst. jonny dymond, bbc news, west i be prepared for the worst.“ 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. before we go, let's bring you a moment ofjoy in kyiv. the city's mayor vitali klitschko put these pictures on social media of two ukrainian solidiers, lesya and valaria being married today. mr klitschko said the ceremony took place near one of the checkpoints set up at the city's outskirts. let me remind you of our top story. the ukrainian army has been reinforcing the defences of kyiv as the russian military continues its attacks to the north of the capital. soldiers have been digging trenches and blocking roads with anti—tank

obstacles. towns have been under heavy bombardment and civilians trying to flee the fighting have been killed by russian mortarfire. you are watching bbc news. thank you for staying with us. hello, it's turning milder in the week ahead after a chilly start. that change, though, means there will be less of the sunshine that some of us have enjoyed this weekend — what a glorious view from scotland today. there will be more cloud around coming in from the atlantic and the return of some outbreaks of rain. this is how things have looked cloud—wise today and a lot of the cloud across the southern half of england and into wales still producing the odd shower. there have been a few cloud breaks here, though, so overall it's been a bit brighter than it was yesterday, especially in eastern england, and there'll still be a few holes in the cloud tonight, and that does mean a patchy frost across southern areas. the lowest temperatures are likely to be under the clear skies in scotland and northern england this time, and a minus six, maybe minus seven in the coldest spots, with one or two mist and fog patches around. with high pressure close by and lots of fine but still rather chilly

weather on the way for tomorrow. an area of cloud across wales and england drifting northwards probably brighten up quite nicely, though behind it, especially across east anglia and the southeast, and a few patches of cloud reaching towards northern ireland and southern scotland. this southeasterly wind will be stronger more widely, particularly across the south and west of the uk for tomorrow, maybe some gusts up to around a0 miles an hour or so. and although we have plenty of sunny spells around it will feel colder than this because of that brisk southeasterly wind. and there will be another 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 on tuesday. but here's the first atlantic weather system beginning to push in. some uncertainty about how far the rain will get during daylight hours, most likely to reach in towards northern ireland, maybe south west scotland, wales and western parts of england with the freshening wind, whereas the east stays mainly dry. still feeling chillier than this in the breeze, the temperatures are set to rise for the remainder of the week as we see further low pressure

systems bringing further wet or windy weather, particularly across the western side of the uk. but rather than the southeasterly wind we're starting the week with, it's more of a south south—westerly wind. that, of course, is a milder direction so quite widely during the second half of the week. we're expecting temperatures to be into double figures as a result. so it starts chilly this week and some frost to contend with. but then after that, temperatures are heading up. but as we've established, that does mean there'll be some wetter, windier conditions at times, especially in the west.

this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. 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. 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.