welcome to bbc news — i'm david eades. our top stories... harrowing scenes in ukraine — as russian forces step up their bombing of civilian areas. in irpin — residents flee for their lives under relentless bombardment. there is a fair amount of incoming fire coming into this now, artillery fire, there are loads of civilians around. a bridge used by civilians to flee the town was blown up to slow the russian offensive — leaving many elderly especially vulnerable. the international atomic energy agency says it's concerned about reports ukrainian authorities are having trouble contacting staff at nuclear plants now under russian control. and — protests against

the war continue — are arrested. hello, thank you very much for being with us. hello, thank you very much for being with us. the humanitarian crisis for the ukrainian people is deepening, with tens of thousands of civilians trapped in cities under near—constant russian shellfire and lacking food and other most basic needs. in kyiv the ukrainian army has been reinforcing its defences as the russian military continues its attacks to the north of the capital. the towns of bucha, hostomel and irpin have been under heavy bombardment. and some people trying to flee the fighting have been killed by russian mortar fire.

our senior international correspondentjeremy bowen spent sunday in nearby irpin — and i must warn you — there are some distressing details and images in his report. russian shelling might break ukraine's will to fight but not yet. they had to keep moving. until the last minute these families have hung on, leaving your home even in a war is a giant step. they are 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. journalist try to help the casualties. a family, mother, father and two children were killed by another shell. this was inside the town, russia's target as it tries to revive its offensive. the civilians are getting out of what's left of a bridge that was blown to slow down the russians if they take irpin. civilians are supposed to be protected by the laws of war. russian shells were very close. 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 is a fair amount of incoming fire coming into this now. artillery fire, there are loads of civilians around. families, a lady with her dog following on, this is the edge of the town that the russians have got to. civilians were in the firing line and 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. they were still in range of russian guns but for now, relatively safe. 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 with up there killing people for no reason. that's what's really painful. on the way out, families grabbed their most precious things puppies, pets, some comfort. tell me what it was like crossing the bridge and getting out. it was a miserable feeling. we are nervous. i was terrified, terrified. it was. horrible. a horrible way. they moved on to 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 more days worse than this. for the second day in a row, an attempt to evacuate 400—thousand residents from the besieged city of mariupol in south—eastern ukraine has failed. a planned ceasefire broke down with both sides

blaming each other. our correspondent sarah rainsford is in the city of dnipro, where officials had been preparing to welcome those fleeing from mariupol. when night falls, they keep the lights off here, in the hope that'll 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 and i'm 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 volnovakha to the south—east, whole streets are in ruins.

the fighting was meant to stop today to give civilians 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 first days of the war, we i 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. another area of great significance here. the head of the un's nuclear watchdog says he's extremely concerned about reported communication difficulties between the ukrainian regulator and nuclear sites under russian control.

rafael grossi said the ukrainian authorities were having trouble contacting staff at the zaporizhzhia nuclear plant — the biggest in the country. a relative of someone working inside the chernobyl reactor has spoken to the bbc. that facility was taken by russian forces over a week ago. we've called her valerie — which is not her real name — to protect her identity. she described the situation. the conditions are kind of concerning right now. they are fed once a day. it's very simple and poor food. fed once a day. it's very simple and poorfood. they can't sleep now because first of all they have to work, basically 24—7 because they have to keep maintaining the plans. almost all their moods are controlled. i mean, they're not interrupted if they are working but they can't move freely, theyjust always have to be confined by russian army.

joseph cirincione is a nuclear policy expert at the quincy institute for responsible statecraft in washington. thank you forjoining us. simple question butjust how worried should we be about this lack of communication and the fact that they are not calling their own shots, are they? we should be _ their own shots, are they? - should be very worried. operating a nuclear power plant under the best of circumstances is a tricky business. these guys aren't homer simpson, they are trained engineers, they take very seriously, it's a delicate situation. the technicians at chernobyl or three mile island didn't intend to cause a nuclear catastrophe, something went wrong. and here you have these operators operating at gunpoint under the command of a russian military officer who knows nothing about nuclear power plants. haven't been able to communicate with theirfamilies, having had a shift change since thursday,

operating under duress. it's a recipe for disaster. the operating under duress. it's a recipe for disaster.— recipe for disaster. the point about exhaustion _ recipe for disaster. the point about exhaustion must - recipe for disaster. the point about exhaustion must be i recipe for disaster. the point - about exhaustion must be highly pertinent for those that are there. no one else seems to be able to come in and cover them in that sense. how does it work in that sense. how does it work in that regard? what... can you just mothball a nuclear plant for a week, a fortnight, how does that work?— for a week, a fortnight, how does that work? well, you can't shut them _ does that work? well, you can't shut them down. _ does that work? well, you can't shut them down. we _ does that work? well, you can't| shut them down. we understand that several of the reactors at this site were shut down however, it has consequences. you are now cutting off electric supply for ukraine which is dangerous in itself. even when you shut it down it still dangerous, those few rods don't turn off like a light bulb. they stay hot for months or days and you have to keep the coolant either in the reactor or in the few ponds which are also at that site and protected, no protection whatsoever. is that coolant system breaks down, if you

start pumping water in, if an artillery shell hits one of the spent fuel ponds that you are looking at those reactor rods quickly super heating and melting down. that's how you get eight meltdown. that's how you get a major release of radioactive gases in the ground, in the water supply and in the air. fix, ground, in the water supply and in the air. �* ., ., ground, in the water supply and in the air-— in the air. a lot of our focus has been — in the air. a lot of our focus has been here _ in the air. a lot of our focus has been here not - in the air. a lot of our focus has been here notjust - in the air. a lot of our focus has been here notjust the l has been here notjust the biggest in ukraine but the biggest in ukraine but the biggest in ukraine but the biggest in europe as a nuclear site, that's a functioning nuclear site what about something like chernobyl which of course is closed down. is there still a problem there? yes. they had eight major meltdown. of course an explosion that then spew that radioactivity all of the site. all they could do was bulldoze it off into a pile and they covered it with a concrete sarcophagus. this is a highly radioactive site that is contained but needs constant maintenance. it is not getting

that maintenance you get an increased risk that some of that moulded uranian could seep out on the ground, into the air, even the radioactive soil is being kicked out now by tanks and trucks from russian units operating in the site. thank you for highlighting some of the key anxieties over the nuclear facilities there in ukraine. thank you very much. stay with us on bbc news — still to come... get me to the checkpoint on time — why armed conflict didn't stop this couple from tying the knot. the number of dead and wounded defied belief. it's the worst terrorist atrocity in modern times on our soil. in less than 2a hours the soviet union loss an elderly sick leader

and replaced them with a dynamic figure 20 years hisjunior. we heard these gun shots from the gym then it came it out fire and god we were all petrified. james earl ray aged 41. sentence for 91 years due for parol when he's 90 two nashville state prison- with a car convoy. what's it feel like to be married at last? it feels fine, thank you. is again a change her life much, do you think? i don't know, i've never been married before. wa nt to want to bring you more on the situation on ukraine and indeed russia because the hard clampdown on any opposition to

the war is gathering pace there. more than four thousand people have been arrested for taking part in protests. the us secretary of state antony blinken said the ruthless approach of the authorities in moscow — applies in even greater measure to the actions of the russian forces. our diplomatic correspondent james landale has the latest. russians on the streets of moscow today, defying the police to demonstrate against the war in ukraine. just one of many protests across the country. the authorities said 3,500 people were arrested. independent groups said it was more than 4,000. this is part of what is prompting the anger. the apparently indiscriminate attacks on civilians that america's top diplomat now says could constitute a war crime. antony blinken arrived in lithuania tonight, on the latest stage of a european tour,

as he and allies consider additional support for ukraine, and... additional sanctions, all of which are very actively under discussion and will be implemented in the coming days, as well as taking further steps to give the ukrainians what they need to defend themselves against the russian aggression. what ukraine wants are us jets like these, keeping their skies safe from russian attacks. nato has ruled out a no—fly zone, but poland might give some warplanes to ukraine, and get some usjets in return. in coming days, borisjohnson will meet other world leaders here in downing street, from canada, the netherlands and eastern europe. and their challenge will be how to increase support for ukraine, tackle the humanitarian crisis and maintain pressure on russia, all without escalating the conflict. the prime minister's deputy said the west had to be in this for the long haul. i think the right strategy for us is to keep putting the squeeze on those bankrolling putin's war machine and keep steeling the capacity, as well as the will,

of the ukrainian people. so i think that is the right course of action. but anyone who thinks this will be resolved in days is deluding themselves. it will take months. as western sanctions begin to bite in russia, visa, mastercard and american express said they were suspending operations there. the us may also target russian oil sales. but ukraine wants more. it's not in europe's security interests if new, painful sanctions against russia are not applied in the coming days. as for president putin, well, this weekend he found time to meet russian flight attendants and make a few calls. he told the president of turkey the invasion was going to plan. he told the president of france who would achieve his goals through negotiation or war. james landale, bbc news. well, you heard james mention there that american express has joined visa and mastercard in shutting down its operations in russia and belarus.

netflix has also stopped its service in russia, and tiktok has suspended all new video uploads and livestreams there. the video—sharing app said in a statement �*it had no other choice', after russia introduced its new �*fake news' law, that's aimed at limiting information about its invasion of ukraine. let's cross live now to indiana, in the united states and speak to professor george lopez from the university of notre dame. thank you forjoining us. i suppose the question is, we hear these huge names whether it's netflix or tick—tock, the list is getting longer. how much impact are they likely to be having particularly in the short term? in be having particularly in the short term?— be having particularly in the short term? in the short term is more dynamic _ short term? in the short term is more dynamic than - short term? in the short term is more dynamic than i - short term? in the short term is more dynamic than i think i is more dynamic than i think the national leaders who join together multilaterally to put on the big sanctions on the banks and to control the system more tightly on russia more

than we expected. in the long history of sanctioning it really takes time for major corporations to come along. especially in the interdependent mix that russia has had in international economic systems. the fact that you can no longer go to your local retailer and put something on visa or mastercard or you could go to the atm machine and maybe play with your cash advance in that credit card quickly and economically than i think many of the decision—makers thought it would. i decision-makers thought it would. , ., would. i suppose the point for those big stores _ would. i suppose the point for those big stores you've - would. i suppose the point for. those big stores you've decided they cannot function at the moment, that means a lot of jobs also going by the board and people will feel that pain. certainly the reverberations begin to take effect quickly in the employment sector because of these cutoffs. but also it's against the backdrop of the larger disastrous freefall of the rouble, the closing of the stock market for still a number

of days and the junior general loss of confidence in the economy internationally which spills into the domestic sector. �* , spills into the domestic sector. 3 , spills into the domestic sector. ., , . sector. let's be realistic, if these sections _ sector. let's be realistic, if these sections are - sector. let's be realistic, if these sections are to - sector. let's be realistic, if these sections are to hurt. sector. let's be realistic, if. these sections are to hurt at their max then russia produces 7% of global oil levels at the moment, that would hurt and that would hurt immediately, would nick?— would nick? yes, it would. it would nick? yes, it would. it would also — would nick? yes, it would. it would also be _ would nick? yes, it would. it would also be an _ would nick? yes, it would. it would also be an interestingl would also be an interesting step by western countries because one of the things that is been surprising to some of us as analysts have been the unity and willingness of the opposing countries to accept some cause. remember, a couple of weeks before this terrible situation began the russian, excuse me, german chancellor was asked quite blank would you shut off the contracts with the russians on the supply lines and he waffled on this. but the day after sanctions were

imposed yes, this was immediately ended, the north stream venture with the russians. i think the ability of the americans but also europeans to absorb the shock and the will is there, 80% of us citizens support these dynamic impacts and sanctions. how far will they go and i'm not sure? the fact of the oil sanctions are under discussion, i was suggesting two or three days were going to see some level of this and a willingness of european states again to join and say we will accept the cost because the tragedy is just to now parable. we cost because the tragedy is just to now parable. we wait to see if that _ just to now parable. we wait to see if that timeframe _ just to now parable. we wait to see if that timeframe maps - just to now parable. we wait to | see if that timeframe maps out. thank you very much. as the fighting intensifies in lviv, buses and trains continue to arrive from across the country, as people leave their homes and belongings, and prepare to seek sanctuary elsewhere. our special correspondent fergal keane has been travelling with some of those who've fled, and has this report.

the young men have been working all night. they try to bring some cheer to the old woman. how was our service, theyjoke, can i get you tea or coffee? it spares no one, this war. not the old the young, or the sick. these children from kharkiv are orphans, they have special needs and serious health conditions. their distress is difficult to watch. but it is an essential truth of the wars destruction for those who are their carers. translation: it's very deplorable. . we are being bombed from morning till night. we've been in the bomb shelter all this time, all the kids, all of them.

this is what they are fleeing. the destruction that's broken the calm, ordered life they knew. uprooting a million and a half people so far. the bus is heading to the polish border. care and nurturing travel with them. translation: we are tired to hear how the children - behave, they also want calm, silence, coziness and warmth. what do the children mean to you? translation: many people ask me why i do this job. . i feel that i'm needed here. just when you think that this

war cannot get any more obscene in the way that it ruptures human lives no matter how young, it does. and the sobering, sad part is that it will continue to do so. they've been travelling 30 hours already, there are many more hours ahead. well, as we've seen the russian invasion of ukraine is causing chaos for millions of people. and yet, in the midst of all this, two people on the front line have decided they will not let a war get in the way of their own plans for life, as the bbc�*s tim allman explains. meet bride and groom, defenders of ukraine. no dress, no tuxedo but still there with flowers, a veil and confetti. the ceremony taking place

at a checkpoint in kyiv. they've been together for 20 years and never saw any reason to tie the knot. but a military invasion does tend to focus the mind. translation: we decided to get married because we live - in challenging times and you never know what's going to happen to you tomorrow. translation: we must live - in the moment, many people talk about it but just a few people live according to this rule to remain sane we need to live in the moment. both are members of ukraine's territorial defence unit and the service was carried out by a military chaplain. there was champagne, a wedding breakfast and even a cake. one of imagines not much chance of a honeymoon in an uncertain fate for them and their country. but despite it all, a day they will never forget. tim allman, bbc news

congratulations to them. that is bbc news, thank you for being with us. hello. the weekend brought us a lot of dry weather with variable amounts of sunshine. but the cloud did tend to break up more later on sunday so we've had clear spells through sunday night. that means certainly a cold start to monday morning. widespread frost to start off this working week but a lot of dry and sunny weather on the cards, at least for the next 2a hours or so. temperatures first thing, monday may be as low as low as —5, —6 across parts of scotland. very cold for northern england, northern ireland down into the midlands. a little less cold in the far south where a bit of a breeze blowing through the morning. but they'll be more sunshine compared to the weekend across many southern and eastern parts of england. elsewhere, a little bit of patchy clouds drifting across wales, northern ireland, nova in england, southern scotland but it is looking dry. it's all going to feel

particular warm still but of a breeze coming in low easterly direction. temperatures at best on monday afternoon only between around about seven to nine degrees for most of us. despite a lot of spring sunshine around, it isn't going to feel particularly warm for this time of year. but dry with light winds, a pleasant day ahead on monday. as we move through monday evening and overnight into tuesday, there will be a few areas of cloud drifting from south to north. but still some long, clear spells so another cold night. probably temperatures not quite as low first thing tuesday as they are first thing monday morning. but still a widespread frost for tuesday morning. set to change a little bit through the day on tuesday because we've got a weather front approaching from the west. high pressure easing off towards the east. that means the breeze is going to be picking up, we'll see more cloud rolling in from the west and some rain for northern ireland and western parts of britain later in the day. eastern scotland, eastern england should stay dry with some sunshine all day. it will turn a little bit less cold. we are starting to see some of those temperatures back up into double figures on tuesday. looking ahead towards the middle of the week and things

are gradually more unsettled. as a weather front starts to try and work in from the atlantic, high pressure still sitting off to the east so they are only making slow progress eastwards across the uk. but what they are also going to bring is a change in wind direction. into wednesday you can see yellow colours, this warmer air mass starting to move in with those southerly winds. yes, not as cold with temperatures on the rise but also turning wet and windy on wednesday towards the west. fairly heavy, persistent rain for northern ireland pushing into western parts of britain. in the east, should be largely dry but temperatures back into double figures. bye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines:

president zelensky has angrily condemned russian military attacks that have targeted civilians. in a video statement, he said the murder of ukrainian civilians in the near—constant artillery and missile attacks by the russians would never be forgiven. he has repeatedly asked for nato to impose a no—fly zone. the humanitarian crisis in ukraine is deepening, with tens of thousands of people trapped in cities under relentless russian shellfire. mr zelensky accused the russians of failing to let civilian evacuations go ahead. more than 1.5 million people have now fled the country since the war began. the head of the un's nuclear watchdog says he's extremely concerned about reported communication difficulties between the ukrainian regulator and nuclear sites under russian control.

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