this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. reports of blasts in ukrainian cities that haven't seen shelling before. moscow says it hit military airfields in the western cities of lutsk and ivano—frankivsk. new satellite images show that russian military convoy moving to new positions near kyiv ahead of a possible attack on the capital. life on the front line for ukrainian forces, fighting to defend the country's second largest city, kharkiv. if these tactics are unfamiliar to you, then you haven't been paying attention, because this is the russian attack playbook perfected in over ten years of war in syria. president putin backs proposals

from his defence minister to bring in thousands of volunteer fighters from the middle east to fight against ukraine. new plans to help those fleeing the fighting. the british government is drawing up a scheme to allow ukrainian refugees to live with families here in the uk. we wa nt we want to try to go to london. because my sister and my sister's daughter are here. we want to try. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. russian forces are reported to be getting nearer to ukraine's capital, kyiv.

the pentagon says they have moved five kilometres closer in the past 2a hours. satellite images show that big russian convoy — which had been stalled north of the city — has now dispersed, with vehicles moving into firing positions in nearby towns. on this map of the country, the areas in red are those currently believed to be under russian control. those in stripes show areas that russian hve maanged to gain and hold. and if we zoom in slightly here, the eastern suburb of kyiv called brovary has seen intense fighting as russian forces get ever closer. in other developments, russian state media are reporting that the ukrainian city of volnovakha has been captured by russian—backed separatist forces. the un security council will hold an emergency meeting later today at russia's request to discuss moscow's claims that washington is involved in biological warfare programmes in ukraine —

which the us dismisses. three cities in ukraine that previously hadn't been attacked by russian troops in dnipro, a large city here in the east, and lutsk and ivano—frankivsk way over in the west, an area of the country where many refugees are travelling, and that has not previously seen large—scale military action, have no been attacked. these are the latest pictures from one of those recently attacked cities dnipro, it was hit. it has damaged a shoe factory, an apartment block and a kindergarten. with all the latest, here's mark lobel. remember that stalled russian convoy heading to the capital? it is now seemingly on manoeuvres, seen here in a forest and in town.

in what may be a renewed push, could it be readying for action? further east, a separate russian advance didn't get a warm welcome, underattack from the ukrainian military. it is ukraine's resistance, even in heavily beseiged cities like mariupol, that many fear will lead to russia resorting to chemical weapons to win. people can hide amongst the rubble, the ukrainian military can hide there, and jump out with their anti—tank weapons and kill the vulnerable tanks. but if you use chemical weapons, that is not stopped by concrete walls and stuff. it seeps underground and kills people underground. more people leave their homes, as fears of even nastier attacks grow. russia accuses america of biological activities in ukraine, unproven claims, they will air at the un security council on friday.

america says the claims are laughable. ukraine's president zelensky agrees. translation: this makes me really worried because we have been - repeatedly convinced, if you want to know russia's plans, look at what it accuses others of doing. what else have you prepared for us? where will you strike with your chemical weapons? at the maternity hospital at mariupol? at the church at kharkiv? or at the children's hospital? there's pessimism also from eu leaders who discussed putin's war in a former palace in versailles and offered ukraine more words ——warm words and material support, but no sign they will rush its eu membership through, condemning russia for having brought war back to europe. mark lobel, bbc news.

the central city of dnipro has been hit by three russian air strikes, damaging an apartment block and a kindergarten. it's located in the south east of ukraine, but some way from the russia border, and the annexed territory of crimea. our correspondent sarah rainsford spoke to us from dnipro. this was an air strike, or three air strikes, in fact, that happened in the early hours of this morning. the air raid sirens went off at about 4:30am this morning here in dnipro. they rang out for more than three hours, which is extremely unusual. we have been hearing sirens every single day since this war began and people have got used to scrambling to their basements and to their bunkers, they have them. but until now, there hasn't been any actual danger to the city because we understand that has been missiles and things flying over and the air raid sirensjust detecting that, but this time, there

was a direct strike. what we understand from the authorities is that what was actually hit was primarily a small shoe factory, around about six kilometres from where we are staying. it is pretty central to the city, it is a sprawling city, running along both sides of the river, a vast, vast river. it cuts through the city. the shoe factory was hit, it went up in flames, it has been very badly damaged, there was also damage to a kindergarten, and to a nearby apartment block. certainly one person has been killed in those air strikes. i think it has really changed the calculus for people in dnipro itself, because this is a very important industrial city in ukraine, it is full of factories. it also includes a missile factory, it is a place and is heavily fortified already, it has been heavily fortified since the beginning of the war, but it has been considered as something of a safe haven. we have seen many people fleeing to it from other cities in the south and on the east and north of here. especially this part of ukraine, those that have come under sustained russian attacks. dnipro was seen as a safe, people felt they could be safe here,

at least for a while, before they started a very long journey to the west of the country. but i think are quite a few people, that might have changed with this direct hit on its dnipro. people might be considering getting out, certainly in recent days, we have seen quite a lot of activity at the train station, lots of massive crowds heading for evacuation trains, and also the rate of a heavily congested on the way out of here, but nothing compared to what we have seen in comparison to other cities or we have seen tens of thousands of people trying to get to safety, so in dnipro, people are pretty shaken by what happened overnight. the situation is tense in the capital. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet is there, and can bring you this update. it is a waiting game and a guessing game here in the capital, our viewers will have heard day in, day out, about the huge convoy, just sitting, stalled, stuck in the mud, literally, on the edges of kyiv, but that seems to have dispersed. the latest we heard from us

military assessments was that there is a convoy moving, and its closest approach, it is less than ten miles from the centre of kyiv. and that over the past 2a hours, it advanced by three miles. but it was very clear signs that russian forces are trying to move on this capital. the biggest prize in russia's invasion for multiple directions. we're also hearing this morning about bombing in the north—west and the west and also for the first time, against dnipro — many of our viewers will have seen the reporting from our colleague, sarah rainsford, because dnipro has been in a relatively calm part of this country. it has become a place of refuge, a place for people to retreat to, and now, through the night last night, the dead of night, the air raid sirens went on for three hours. it was hit for the first time. britain and america have accused russia of spreading false claims,

as a way ofjustifying the possible use of chemical weapons in ukraine by russia. moscow has requested a meeting of the un security council and says — without evidence — that the us has been developing biological weapons in ukraine. america has dismissed the russian claims as "laughable." i'm joined now by hamish de bretton—gordon, a chemical weapons expert. thank you talking to us. we spoke to you on ukraine cast last night. i ask about these claims by russia. is there any evidence to suggest that there any evidence to suggest that the americans are developing chemical weapons in ukraine? goad chemicalweapons in ukraine? good morninu. i chemicalweapons in ukraine? good morning. ithink— chemicalweapons in ukraine? good morning. i think there _ chemicalweapons in ukraine? good morning. i think there is _ chemical weapons in ukraine? (emf. morning. i think there is absolutely no evidence at all. this is almost classic playbook from the way that the russians operate in syria over the russians operate in syria over the last six years, or i have seen them at very close quarters. in effect, what they do is they claim that they will attack chemically or biologically, and then a few days

later, when there is a chemical attack, which come in syria, has always been the assad regime, they then claim that it is their position. the idea that the americans are developing a biological weapon in kyiv is laughable. biological weapon in kyiv is laughable-— biological weapon in kyiv is laughable. explain why it is laughable- _ laughable. explain why it is laughable. there _ laughable. explain why it is laughable. there is - laughable. explain why it is laughable. there is no - laughable. explain why it is - laughable. there is no evidence. there are _ laughable. there is no evidence. there are certainly _ laughable. there is no evidence. there are certainly laboratories. laughable. there is no evidence. l there are certainly laboratories in ukraine where pathogens and medical activity happens, and i think the laboratory they are talking about, has an awful lot of work of doing test of the covid—i9, but going a step further, to actually turn it into a political weapon, when the us has assigned a biological and toxin weapons convention, which outlaws the use of these dreadful weapons. can see no way why, or no advantage to the americans about producing a biological weapon, all the

ukrainians producing a political weapon. i ukrainians producing a political weaon. ., , ., ukrainians producing a political weaon. ., ,, _, weapon. i wonder if you could exlain weapon. i wonder if you could explain to _ weapon. i wonder if you could explain to our— weapon. i wonder if you could explain to our audience - weapon. i wonder if you could explain to our audience whatl weapon. i wonder if you could| explain to our audience what a biological weapon is, give us an example of one command what chemical weapons are?— weapons are? absolutely, i think it is very important — weapons are? absolutely, i think it is very important to _ weapons are? absolutely, i think it is very important to differentiate i is very important to differentiate the two. i'll take chemical first because i'm talking to salisbury, where the russians ordered a chemical attack, the deadly nerve agent nada chuck four years ago. the chemical weapons effectual nerves, your nerve agents, or your lungs, like chlorine, that we have seen an awful lot of in exterior, these are generally fired from rockets or artillery shells, or occasionally dropped from aircraft. —— novichok. they have an instant effect, whereas biological weapons are pathogens, like anthrax or botulinum or a bowler. of course, covid—i9 is a pathogen as well, but there is no indication that that is a dreadful

accident or a natural accident. biological weapons tend to act very slowly. you need to ingest them to become ill. —— ebola. lots of work has been done on call medical accounts, like faxing, so logical weapons, have never been used. —— vaccines. certainly since the middle ages, because ballinger weapons have been deemed to be an effective. chemical weapons have been used, for example in syria, but i think they are morbidly brilliant weapons, and if you have no morals or scruples, you would use them all the time. the russians are showing that they do not have much of either at the moment. �* not have much of either at the moment-— not have much of either at the moment. �* ,, , .,, moment. and the us says it has intelligence _ moment. and the us says it has intelligence that _ moment. and the us says it has intelligence that suggest - moment. and the us says it has intelligence that suggest that i moment. and the us says it has| intelligence that suggest that the russians could use chemical weapons at some point. how credible is that intelligence? we at some point. how credible is that intelligence?— intelligence? we do not know the exact intelligence _ intelligence? we do not know the exact intelligence that _ intelligence? we do not know the exact intelligence that we - intelligence? we do not know the exact intelligence that we are - exact intelligence that we are getting. i think from my perspective, having seen how

effective chemical weapons have been in syria, in fighting in towns and cities, the four—year siege of aleppo was the russians and syrians, they got nowhere. 13 days of dropping chlorine barrel bombs broke that siege. if you want to get a siege done quickly, then these are morbidly brilliant weapons are very useful. we are just hearing of the battle from kyiv seems to be about to start. i think we are going to see massive casualties on both sides here. i think the russians are going to get bogged down, and they could well decide that actually using chemical weapons is the best way to win it quickly and you must remember, of course, that the obama red line on chemical weapons, which was supposed to outlaw them, disappeared in a puff of smoke and every dictator, despots and terrorist group, then thought they had a green light to use them. i think that is what putin is a sin, because he does not think that we will axe, even if he does use them.

we will just will axe, even if he does use them. we willjust remind our viewers around the world is what happened regarding chemical weapons in syria. president obama said, if present assad uses these weapons on his own people, he is the it might well have crossed a red light. president saad used chemical weapons on his own people come across that red line, and nato and the west did pretty much nothing. and nato and the west did pretty much nothing-— much nothing. that is correct. it wasn't until— much nothing. that is correct. it wasn't until a _ much nothing. that is correct. it wasn't until a subsequent - much nothing. that is correct. it wasn't until a subsequent used l wasn't until a subsequent used chemical weapons in april 2017 and in douma in 2018, that the americans, ourselves and the french attacked some strategic sites, and then a sergeant stop using chemical weapons. —— aside. we are where we are through our own weakness, i think, and putin thinks that we won't do anything. i hope we make it clear if we will, if he uses chemical weapons on civilians in ukraine. , chemical weapons on civilians in ukraine. ~ , chemical weapons on civilians in ukraine. ~ ., , ukraine. those kinds of warnings we have heard from _

ukraine. those kinds of warnings we have heard from the _ ukraine. those kinds of warnings we have heard from the british - ukraine. those kinds of warnings we have heard from the british foreign | have heard from the british foreign secretary, of the use of nuclear weapons could perhaps not specifically about chemical weapons, but what will the west, or nato, do, if president putin it does use chemical weapons on the people of ukraine? i chemical weapons on the people of ukraine? ., ., . ., ., ukraine? i do agree, nuclear and chemical are _ ukraine? i do agree, nuclear and chemical are different, _ ukraine? i do agree, nuclear and chemical are different, nuclear i chemical are different, nuclear weapons can kill thousands and thousands of people and is a chemical, perhaps not, buti chemical, perhaps not, but i think we need to make it very clear that although nato might not strike russian key targets, if he uses chemical weapons, that we will enable ukrainian airports and ukrainian military to do it by giving them specialist armaments and capabilities, so that they cannot do it. there will be repercussions. putin needs to understand the consequences of his actions, which, at the moment, i don't think he does. ~ ., ., at the moment, i don't think he does. ~ . ., , . , does. what are the consequences, what do you _ does. what are the consequences, what do you think _ does. what are the consequences, what do you think they _ does. what are the consequences, what do you think they are? - does. what are the consequences, what do you think they are? in - what do you think they are? in practical terms? what do you think they are? in practicalterms? i what do you think they are? in practical terms?— what do you think they are? in practical terms? practicalterms? i think we must enable the _ practicalterms? i think we must enable the ukrainian _ practicalterms? i think we must enable the ukrainian forces - practicalterms? i think we must enable the ukrainian forces to i enable the ukrainian forces to strike hard at some of his key

assets. ~ ., strike hard at some of his key assets. ~' ., ., ., , . ., assets. like what, for example? what are president — assets. like what, for example? what are president putin's _ assets. like what, for example? what are president putin's key _ assets. like what, for example? what are president putin's key aspects, - are president putin's key aspects, what does that mean?— are president putin's key aspects, what does that mean? certainly where he is -auttin what does that mean? certainly where he is putting his _ what does that mean? certainly where he is putting his chemical— what does that mean? certainly where he is putting his chemical weapons - he is putting his chemical weapons together, and the delivery means to it, so we should be able to work out how he is delivering it, they are just like be it dropping it from helicopters or aircrafts, and by providing the intelligence to the ukrainians so that they can take it up. i hope that those polishjets are on offer are also given to the ukrainian air force and other capabilities that both the americans and ourselves have, we should give them, then talking about specialist missiles, so that they can have a precision strikes on of those people who are putting the chemical weapons together, and enabling the delivery. 0k. together, and enabling the delivery. ok. talking about this in such normal terms, we are, and normalised

tones, and it is pretty horrifying. is horrifying. i was the chemical weapons advisor for two years, 2015 to 2017, when we were fighting islamic state in northern iraq. they fired chlorine mortars at us, so i have had perspex principle is like. at least i have protection, but it was absolutely horrific and terrifying, and i can —— i will live with these things on my life. with the civilians on the ground, and protected, if some gas, chlorine or whatever it is, comes their way, it will be absolutely horrific consequences, so will be needed to do all we can to rip these dreadful weapons off the back of putin and make sure they used never again. finally, what do you think the planet of the capital. we are told from satellite images that that massive russian military convoy that was stuck, is now possessing —— is now disbursing a potentially encircling the capital? i5 now disbursing a potentially encircling the capital? is the

follow the — encircling the capital? is the follow the playbook - encircling the capital? is the follow the playbook of - encircling the capital? is the | follow the playbook of places encircling the capital? is the - follow the playbook of places like aleppo and syria, they will encircle it, then they will rain down absolute terror. every rocket and missile and aircraft bomb they have. basically, they are trying to terrify the civilians, they want the civilians to surrender, so that their forces don't have to go into their forces don't have to go into the streets and the avenues of kyiv, because if they do, those tanks are very vulnerable and those tanks will be destroyed in their hundreds and there will be loads and loads of casualties, so i'm sure peter's idea to terrify the people to get them to surrender, and let us hope that that doesn't come to fruition, because we could see absolute carnage over the next few weeks, months.— could see absolute carnage over the next few weeks, months. thank you ve much next few weeks, months. thank you very much for— next few weeks, months. thank you very much for talking _ next few weeks, months. thank you very much for talking to _ next few weeks, months. thank you very much for talking to us. - next few weeks, months. thank you very much for talking to us. you - next few weeks, months. thank you very much for talking to us. you canj very much for talking to us. you can hear more of hamish on ukraine cast, a new bbc podcast via bbc sounds. let's turn our attention to the east of ukraine now — and an exclusive report, on the battle for ukraine's second biggest city.

kharkiv has endured nightly russian air attacks — and seen many civilians killed. most of the city's 1.5 million residents have fled. quentin sommerville and camera journalist darren conway are the firstjournalists to be embedded with the ukrainian army as they continue to fight the russian advance around kharkiv. we have to warn you you may find parts of it very distressing. head to the very eastern edge of ukraine and a ghostly vision of the country's fate unfolds before you. the city of kharkiv is being purged of life. in near total blackout, the police in the country's second largest city take us on patrol. the russians aren't far. explosion. shelling happens every night. this close to the russian

border, there's another threat here — saboteurs. no—one escapes scrutiny. alina, 76—years—old, is lost and confused. in an instant, everybody�*s life here has been upended. but this young nation has surprised russia and the world with its resolve. we weave our way past the fallen, into no man's land, with the ukrainian army. here is 21—year—old yevgen gromadsky. where are the russians? over the sound of shelling,

he tells me, "the russian soldiers are standing about 900 metres away from here. you can hear right now that they're firing on our positions and we are firing back". it's a grenade launcher, british. but it's more than just a grenade launcher — it's a guided missile. is it good against tanks? it's the best we have right now. how are the russians fighting? they're fighting like soldiers of 1941. they're attacking, just like in front, now they don't do any manoeuvres. so, yeah, they have a lot of people here, a lot of tanks, a lot of their vehicles and techniques. but we're fighting in our land and we protect our families. so it doesn't matter how they fight, we fight like lions and they won't win. this is what people have

been fleeing in kharkiv. endless bombardment for the past two weeks. tannoy: we would like to inform you that a fire had started in the building and please go to the ground floor. this is what russia does to cities. it bombards them, it procedures them, it surrounds them. it terrorises entire populations. if these tactics are unfamiliar to you, then you haven't been paying attention because this is the russian attack playbook, perfected with over ten years of war in syria. we know that russia bombs hospitals, so here at the city's hospital number four, they keep the wounded in hallways, away from the windows. ms valentina has been hit by shrapnel. i have a poem for you, she says. translation: these stupid russian pieces i will carry all my life, but as long

as my heart still beats, i will still live and love. so too will eight—year—old dmitri, now that this has been removed from his skull. this is the war that russia has fought before, and is fighting again. we don't know the rest of ukraine's fate, but kharkiv has already shown what is coming next. translation: defend us, we will ride together, - we will win this war, and all our heroic people will gather to rebuild our beloved ukraine. after facing heavy criticism, the british government announced earlier this week that ukrainian refugees who have passports will be able to apply for uk visas online. the move was announced by the home secretary priti patel. the labour party has branded the government's response to the ukraine refugee crisis as a total disgrace.

let's speak to olga hodgson, an nhs worker based in doncaster. she's been trying to help her sister come to the uk. her sisterfled kyiv and travelled to poland after russian bombing of kyiv. olga, you flew to poland a few days ago to see your sister and help her apply for a british visa. but that process. yes, there is ri . ht, but that process. yes, there is right. thank— but that process. yes, there is right, thank you _ but that process. yes, there is right, thank you very _ but that process. yes, there is right, thank you very much - but that process. yes, there is right, thank you very much for| right, thank you very much for inviting me to speak about it. this is a huge issue, so many people are in pole of the other countries, facing massive queues and delays with applying for these pieces, and being able to come over, to be able to look after their relatives. i flew to poland on sunday to meet my sister who arrived into warsaw on saturday. we were among the first applicants for this scheme. yet, when i have filled the application forms in the 11th of march, the first

available appointment was only on the 15th of march. in warsaw. so we had to physically go to the visa centre just to see if we could get into the live queue, if there was any after—hours appointments, that they were offering, and recklessly, some additional appointments have appeared on the system, so we were able to apply for her visa on the third day of queueing, so just this wednesday that has just gone. and i had to leave them behind in poland to wait for the outcome of the visa application. i couldn't bring when i couldn't bring them with me, so we are facing the wait until possibly the 14th of march. [30 are facing the wait until possibly the 14th of march.— are facing the wait until possibly the 14th of march. do you know which scheme this — the 14th of march. do you know which scheme this is — the 14th of march. do you know which scheme this is that _ the 14th of march. do you know which scheme this is that you _ the 14th of march. do you know which scheme this is that you applied - the 14th of march. do you know which scheme this is that you applied for i scheme this is that you applied for for your sister's visa? this scheme this is that you applied for for your sister's visa?— for your sister's visa? this is a second extension _ for your sister's visa? this is a second extension of _ for your sister's visa? this is a second extension of the - for your sister's visa? this is a second extension of the family scheme that allows extended family members to apply to join the

relatives. if you remember, initially, the scheme was a very restrictive, it was only for spouses or children under 18 or parents of children under the age of 18. in the second round, this scheme has been extended to allow siblings and parents and more extended family to apply. this is this scheme we have applied for. apply. this is this scheme we have applied for-— applied for. understood. and so there are so _ applied for. understood. and so there are so many _ applied for. understood. and so there are so many people - applied for. understood. and so i there are so many people applying, applied for. understood. and so - there are so many people applying, i understand there are bound to be delays, queues, so what is your concern about this particular issue? by concern about this particular issue? by the time people reach safety from ukraine, they are mentally and physically exhausted. it is quite inhumane to be subjecting them to weeks of waiting and to be relying on a polish or other countries' charities, to look after them, and whether to let them in or not, while coming here. they have families in the uk that are waiting for them, that would like to support them, they have all the will in the world,

but i would rather have my family here, looking after them here, but unfortunately, the red tape right now this does not allow this process to take place are fast enough. so now this does not allow this process to take place are fast enough. 50 it to take place are fast enough. so it is either a lack _ to take place are fast enough. so it is either a lack of _ to take place are fast enough. so it is either a lack of staff _ to take place are fast enough. so it is either a lack of staff or a lack of resources and i have also heard the home secretary and others say they have to do proper checks because the last thing they would want to do is allow a russian who had infiltrated the visa application process into the uk who might cause citizens here somehow. what do you say to that? this citizens here somehow. what do you say to that?— say to that? this is a fair point. i would like _ say to that? this is a fair point. i would like to _ say to that? this is a fair point. i would like to say _ say to that? this is a fair point. i would like to say that _ say to that? this is a fair point. i would like to say that there - say to that? this is a fair point. i would like to say that there is i would like to say that there is already quite a large number of safety net in this scheme from the point of view of the british side. any newcomers must have, the minutes, family ties or sponsor ties. so it is quite easy to trace them. the scheme is only temporary, for up to three years, there is no talk about around any possibilities of extension past three years, so there is already quite a lot of

safety checks having been put into the design of this scheme. find safety checks having been put into the design of this scheme. and here is our the design of this scheme. and here is your sister — the design of this scheme. and here is your sister visited _ the design of this scheme. and here is your sister visited you _ the design of this scheme. and here is your sister visited you in - is your sister visited you in doncaster before? she must�*ve had a visitor's visa to you before. absolutely, all of my family have been hit more than once, they are no strangers to come to the uk. ukrainian culture is very family focused, we have a very close ties with the family and the first thing we do when there was trouble, we go to ourfamily members we do when there was trouble, we go to our family members for help, we do when there was trouble, we go to ourfamily members for help, so it is only natural for us ukrainians here, people with ukrainian families, in the uk, to want to bring our loved ones here, and look after them here. we must be able to allows you to do that. i after them here. we must be able to allows you to do that.— allows you to do that. i salute you. what is your _ allows you to do that. i salute you. what is your sister _ allows you to do that. i salute you. what is your sister and _ allows you to do that. i salute you. what is your sister and your - allows you to do that. i salute you. | what is your sister and your nephew called? mr; what is your sister and your nephew called? ~ , , , , what is your sister and your nephew called? g ,, , called? my sister is called katerina. _ called? my sister is called katerina, and _ called? my sister is called katerina, and her- called? my sister is called katerina, and her son, i called? my sister is called j katerina, and her son, my called? my sister is called - katerina, and her son, my nephew, called? my sister is called _ katerina, and her son, my nephew, is katerina, and herson, my nephew, is four years old, called matthew. find four years old, called matthew. and ou think

four years old, called matthew. and you think there's any doubt that they will get these visas? it is surely a formality? i they will get these visas? it is surely a formality?— they will get these visas? it is surely a formality? i do not know, and we do — surely a formality? i do not know, and we do not _ surely a formality? i do not know, and we do not have _ surely a formality? i do not know, and we do not have a _ surely a formality? i do not know, and we do not have a plan - surely a formality? i do not know, and we do not have a plan b. - surely a formality? i do not know, and we do not have a plan b. if. surely a formality? i do not know, l and we do not have a plan b. if they will get it for any reason, maybe we don't... in case we haven't supplied enough of supporting documents, this is a huge grey area, there is very little guidance on what supporting documents must be supplied, as part of this application. we just attached everything we possibly could, passport copies, invitations, my utility bills, to prove that i have resonance here, everything we could possibly do. however, this lack of guidance, regarding what is going to happen if the refuse this visa, what is the appeal process, when we go from there, ? we're just hoping from the best, but we just don't have a plan b the moment. bud don't have a plan b the moment. and what has katarina and matthew what have they left behind in ukraine? mr;

have they left behind in ukraine? ii sister is have they left behind in ukraine? iii: sister is a have they left behind in ukraine? ii: sister is a medical doctor. she works with very sick patients, hiv and aids patients, who require regular care and this was a decision that she has not taken lightly. she was determined to stay there, and determined to carry on working, but after a week of bombing and after a week of being locked in the apartment, with bombshells, they were exhausted, physically and mentally and they boarded one of the last trains to poland from kyiv. i wish you luck and i wish you katharina locke in terms of getting the visa. let us know what the outcome is. let's bring you the view from moscow. earlier, i spoke tojenny hill — our correspondent in moscow. i asked her if there are any indications russia will re—open humanitarian corridors later today. vladimir putin is meeting,

or has been meeting, with members of his security council. as you know, the narrative here is that it is all going very well at the moment. his so—called special military operation is going according to plan. the public is not really told here, about shelling and so on. as you know, mr putin frames what is going on in ukraine as an operation which is simply there to protect the russian—speaking population of eastern ukraine, against the aggression, as he would have it, of the government in kyiv. and it is also about protecting russian security against the aggressions of the west. we have seen a couple of narratives being used to justify those actions in ukraine. they have been used for days, weeks, now. one of them is that russia accuses ukraine of trying to acquire nuclear weapons for use against russia, and the second, a narrative that has been reheated in the last few days, in the press, is that russia accuses

ukraine, aided by america, of trying to develop biological weapons for use against russia. that is not an evidence to claim, but that is what's russian people are being told. and that will be raised at the un it later today? it will. the americans have described the accusation as laughable. the concern on the part of the west is that it might be being used moscow by as a kind of red flag, the west is very concerned about russia launching chemical weapon attacks in ukraine. i should bring you a couple of new lines we have had coming out of the meeting of the security council, putin has been told that 16,000 volunteers from the middle east are willing tojoin his military operation in ukraine and that is not to say that they are immediately going to be fighting, but he has welcomed that news very publicly, saying that it is in response to what he describes as mercenaries, joining the fights from the west.

european leaders are meeting in france — for a scheduled summit which is now focusing on the emergency in ukraine. our brussels correspondent jessica parker says a central issue is the rise in energy prices, and what it will mean for european economies. so, the eu leaders, i think, are going to turn their attention to the economic situation, whether that is fears about rising energy prices, of course we had already seen rising energy prices across europe, but given the sanctions that are being imposed on russia, given the move to try and move away from russian energy as quickly as possible, that is very high on the agenda, with some member states really very worried, i think, about the consequences of what rising energy prices could mean. also food prices, as well. that's a concern, given the conflict in ukraine currently. leaders, though, i mean, they talked late into the night, they seem to emerge around two in the morning local time after discussions last night,

that also centred on energy prices. defence, as well, has been an issue. you will have heard of this before, but for a long time there's been a bit of a debate about whether the eu needs to be more assertive in terms of defence, so—called strategic autonomy. it is a particular passion and subject of emmanuel macron, the french president, and of course here we are in france. i think he's been pushing again that idea of trying to encourage eu countries to spend more on defence, and we are seeing that already from the likes of germany. of course, they recently had this radical shift where they said they would be spending, olaf scholz, the chancellor, 2%—plus of gdp on defence to meet nato spending targets, but there is a question about to what extent can the eu coordinate its defence efforts and be a more assertive player on the international stage? of course, the russian invasion of ukraine has really given energy to that debate. let's take a moment to recap some of the main developments today in the war in ukraine.

satellite images suggest that the huge russian convoy which has been heading towards kyiv from the north has now begun to disperse — it's thought it is deploying its forces in nearby woodlands and other areas. there have been reports of attacks on new areas — including lutsk, and dnipro. the united nations says the number of people who have left ukraine since the fighting began has risen to two and a half million. one and a half million of them have crossed into poland. and ukraine and nato have both dismissed russian claims that ukraine is developing chemical weapons. russia has called for a meeting of the united nations security council, later on friday, to discuss its allegation. let's get the latest from kyiv and our correspondent james waterhouse. well, we've seen more reports of explosions, places that haven't seen

such things before. we learned here in kyiv here that war had started through a sound, the sound of missiles landing on the city for the first time. that is now happening for people in dnipro, in the central eastern part of ukraine, we've had reports of explosions on the outskirts, close to a nursery school, as well as residential blocks, suggesting the more indiscriminate use of shelling by russian forces, which we are seeing more and more. we've just had reports in ukraine if ivano—frankivsk, in the southwest of ukraine, of explosions there from the local authorities. as well in the northwest, where an airport as well as a factory which repairsjet plane parts, has been taken out, suggesting a more strategic nature to those strikes. but they are significant, it marks an expansion of this russian advance and we have also to bear in mind that the 2 million plus people who found themselves as refugees in this war,

displaced by the fighting, the majority of those people have been moving westwards, to cities like lviv, which separates those two other locations. so it is an increasingly worrying time for the ukrainian authorities. everyone has been keeping half an eye on it, for more than a week, this 40—mile long russian armoured convoy, thousands of vehicles and troops, has been weaving its way towards the capital, and then it remained stuck 30km northwest but later satellite images suggest that that convoy has now been redeployed to towns that surround kyiv, particularly in that northwestern flank, and the worry is they've taken artillery, howitzers with them, large guns as swell, feeding into the concerns that they could be about to mount a larger—scale assault on the capital. as well as look to encircle the city, as we're seen in other locations in ukraine, people are still struggling in that part of kyiv

to escape the fighting, escape the streets they live on. we've heard family are those in a hospital there who are unable to treat patients, carry out vital operations, because people can't get out. it shows how things can vary in such close proximity. when you're in the centre, you see roadblocks, checkpoints, soldiers mixing with armed volunteers, and they are committed to their cause. when you move further out, you see much more defensive positions, you see more armoured vehicles, you see anti—tank devices, you see mines piled at the site of the roads, ready to be primed and rolled out. and they are building those defences, they are preparing for something much larger but we've got to remember that only one major city, still, after more than two weeks of fighting, only one major city has fallen so far, but it is coming at a cost. just need to look at mariupol in the southeast, for 40,000 people

were evacuated across the country yesterday but not one from the besieged mariupol, which finds itself in between two pockets of russian forces as they try and join up and form a land corridor. russian forces are being met with seriously tough resistance on the outskirts of the cities, which is why russia is resorting to more drastic measures, as feared, and why it is being accused by the west of trying to generate a false justification to use chemical weapons. nearly 20,000 foreign volunteers have signed up to fight alongside ukraine against the russian invasion, according to ukrainian officials. they've set up a website to guide foreign fighters to enlist with an international legion. for the past two weeks a steady flow of non—ukrainians has reportedly been heading to ukraine to volunteer to fight. parham ghobadi reports from the polish—ukrainian border. on the polish/ukrainian border, the quest for safety meets the path to war.

many foreigners are among a growing number of men crossing into ukraine with one aim — to fight the russian invasion. this is the closest train station to the border with ukraine and this is how it looks every day. on one side, women and children who are arriving to seek refuge in europe. on the other side, mostly men heading in the opposite direction to pick up arms and fight. many of the men we've met here have never held a gun before. some had little military training. i can'tjust sit at home and watch it, being safe at home, when i knew this was happening. the main thing we know is, we're going in and we have certain contact numbers and then we will be guided from there. do you have any military training? yeah, i had a year in the norwegian army. both frederick and fellow fighter florian, from austria, have left families behind. they are basically begging me every day to come home.

they ask me every time where i am now, what i'm doing, how's it looking, am i already there. is my phone still working. there has been a mixed reaction in europe from governments to these foreign fighters. some are allowing citizens to travel to ukraine while others, such as the uk, say anyone who travels abroad to fight could in theory be prosecuted under uk anti—terror legislation. around the clock, the march on both sides doesn't stop. for some, like this man from belgium who doesn't want to give his name, it's notjust ukraine they want to protect. i think democracy is in danger, actually, it's necessary to act to defend democracy, humanity and heritage because it's not possible to destroy all of this. with every day that goes by, it's evident how this war

is changing so many lives. here on the border, we've seen tearful farewells and happy reunions. but for the foreigners passing into ukraine, it's not clear when they will ever return. the british government has defended its response to the refugee crisis, after criticism that the number of people taken in so far, is about a thousand. unlike the european union — which is allowing ukrainians three—year residency without a visa — the uk has retained controls on entry. our correspondent phil mackie is in arras in france. tell us what you are there and what is happening there regarding the ukrainians who want to come to the uk. ., , ., ukrainians who want to come to the uk. ., ,., �* ., ._ ukrainians who want to come to the uk. the reason i'm here today is because there _ uk. the reason i'm here today is because there is _ uk. the reason i'm here today is because there is a _ uk. the reason i'm here today is because there is a new— uk. the reason i'm here today is because there is a new visa - because there is a new visa application centre opening for ukrainians to come to the uk, and it

is going to be here in the prefecture building in arras, it will be open as soon as possible, it's for people who come to calais trying to get into britain thinking they would be allowed to do so, because for the british government has said that close relatives of people come ukrainians who always have the will be able to come, and were over the past week they've had to be travelling to brussels and paris, quite long journeys from the channel coast to go in person to present the documents to give their fingerprints and to carry on the process, but now if you are enrolled in france you can come here by appointment only. first of all you have to register online, register your application, when you do need to come in person to present this documentation, you might get an appointment here you might still get it in brussels or paris, and you

have to sit and wait until your visa come through. i think in the last couple of days a lot people are going to the already, which means hopefully by this weekend there will be getting the reasons and be able to cross, and of course next week know that the british government says the whole thing will be entirely online, you won't have to turn up to one of these processing centres in person to give your fingerprints, for instance, that can all be done on the other side of the channel once people are allowed in. thank you. what is research from the polling organisation ug of show about public support for welcoming ukrainians? let's speak to patrick english, political research manager for the polling organisation yougov. public opinion on this is quite clear, which is that we want to see more refugees into the uk, they want to see a system set up which would

allow ukrainians to arrive in the uk fleeing the invasion, they should be allowed to come and they should be able to do so without visas. we see that from a majority of all party supporters, whether labour or conservative party voters, across gender and age, saying that ukraine should be allowed in.— should be allowed in. poster, it so interesting. _ should be allowed in. poster, it so interesting. so _ should be allowed in. poster, it so interesting, so 75% _ should be allowed in. poster, it so interesting, so 75% of— should be allowed in. poster, it so interesting, so 7596 of the - should be allowed in. poster, it so interesting, so 7596 of the uk - should be allowed in. poster, it sol interesting, so 7596 of the uk public interesting, so 75% of the uk public say we want to allow ukrainian refugees to come here without a visa? , ., , . refugees to come here without a visa?_ and i refugees to come here without a l visa?_ and did visa? yes, that is correct. and did ou ask visa? yes, that is correct. and did you ask about _ visa? yes, that is correct. and did you ask about numbers, - visa? yes, that is correct. and did you ask about numbers, how- visa? yes, that is correct. and did| you ask about numbers, how many people would like to come here? yes. people would like to come here? yes, we find about — people would like to come here? yes, we find about four _ people would like to come here? yes, we find about four in _ people would like to come here? ia: we find about four in ten of ukrainian refugees should be allowed to come into the country is at least tens of thousands, so the british

public are very clear they want to make it easier, and they want to make it easier, and they want to make the numbers much higher. 50 make the numbers much higher. so there is a gap between british public opinion on the measures that the government have introduced. let me ask you what the british public think about economic sanctions on russian oligarchs. how much support is there for that?— is there for that? yes, we have been askin the is there for that? yes, we have been asking the british _ is there for that? yes, we have been asking the british public— is there for that? yes, we have been asking the british public since - is there for that? yes, we have been asking the british public since the i asking the british public since the invasion began of a range of opinions about what reaction should be to the invasion. we found that this is very popular, a roundabout 70% supported economic sanctions. that has risen since then. we now find about 80% of the public want there to be sanctions. we also find there to be sanctions. we also find the british public a only willing to pay for it, as well, and the majority would allow, and to pay for

it as well. i majority would allow, and to pay for it as well. ., �* i. ., it as well. i don't if you asked this question, _ it as well. i don't if you asked this question, are _ it as well. i don't if you asked this question, are the - it as well. i don't if you asked this question, are the british | this question, are the british public willing to pay more in fuel bills if it means stopping importing russian oil, for example? we don't put that much anyway in this country, something like 4%, 3% may be, i know it's under 5%. to address that question? be, i know it's under 596. to address that question?— that question? yes, and similar to tax rises, that question? yes, and similar to tax rises. the _ that question? yes, and similar to tax rises, the public _ that question? yes, and similar to tax rises, the public are _ that question? yes, and similar to tax rises, the public are split - that question? yes, and similar to tax rises, the public are split on i tax rises, the public are split on it, but something approaching a majority would be ok with increases in the cost of living and increased oil and gas prices if it meant the uk was effectively able to sanction russia. so, the public are willing to stump up and pay to the detriment of their own pocket to see the government putting sanctions on russia. we see more and more support for that. can russia. we see more and more support for that. ., ., russia. we see more and more support for that. . ., , ., russia. we see more and more support for that. . ., i. ., . ,, for that. can i ask you, going back to the question _ for that. can i ask you, going back to the question of _ for that. can i ask you, going back to the question of refugees, -

for that. can i ask you, going back to the question of refugees, 7596, | to the question of refugees, 75%, you said, want to see ukrainians being allowed to come into this country without a visa. four out of ten want an ambulance to be in tens of thousands. how does that compare to what the british felt about the refugees from syria or afghanistan? that's a good question. so, quick point, it was at least tens of thousands... point, it was at least tens of thousands. . ._ point, it was at least tens of thousands... ~ ., ., , ., ., thousands... what does that mean, what under — thousands... what does that mean, what under 100,000? _ thousands... what does that mean, what under 100,000? well, - thousands... what does that mean, what under 100,000? well, that i thousands... what does that mean, - what under 100,000? well, that would be between tens _ what under100,000? well, that would be between tens of— what under 100,000? well, that would be between tens of thousands - what under 100,000? well, that would be between tens of thousands and - be between tens of thousands and above, so that means about 20% say hundreds of thousands. 50 above, so that means about 2096 say hundreds of thousands.— hundreds of thousands. so that's at least tens of _ hundreds of thousands. so that's at least tens of thousands, _ hundreds of thousands. so that's at least tens of thousands, i _ least tens of thousands, i understand the significance of that. so the attitudes around afghan refugees fleeing the taliban, we found the majority of the public did support a resettlement scheme for afghanistan refugees as well, it wasn't quite the 70% racing now for ukrainian refugees. syrian refugees it is much more mixed, a lot worse

that mixed on resettlement scheme and how many should be taken in, but what we are definitely singers of the public and very much more in favour of resettlement for ukrainians than they did for afghanistan assyrian crises. can you su est afghanistan assyrian crises. can you suggest what _ afghanistan assyrian crises. can you suggest what that _ afghanistan assyrian crises. can you suggest what that might _ afghanistan assyrian crises. can you suggest what that might be? - afghanistan assyrian crises. can you suggest what that might be? or - afghanistan assyrian crises. can you suggest what that might be? or is i suggest what that might be? or is that an invite question?— that an invite question? yeah, i think we would _ that an invite question? yeah, i think we would have _ that an invite question? yeah, i think we would have to - that an invite question? yeah, i think we would have to do - that an invite question? yeah, i think we would have to do a - that an invite question? yeah, i think we would have to do a lot| that an invite question? yeah, i - think we would have to do a lot more research on that.— research on that. thank you very much. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's hugh. good morning. the uk government says it took so long to impose sanctions on chelsea owner roman abramovich because they wanted their case to be �*water—tight�*. the club's future is now uncertain after the sanctions, which were imposed because of the russian's links with vladimir putin and prevent abramovich from selling chelsea or profiting financially from it in any way. matches can continue under a special licence and both men's and women's teams had comfortable wins last night.

as long as we have enough shirts and as long as the bus is full of fuel, we will arrive and will be competitive and this is what everybody can be sure of, and this is what we demand of ourselves and, you know, when it was make a big storm, you take in, you hold together and then you stay strong and go through it. we said it to the end, it's important that we control what we can, important that we control what we can and _ important that we control what we can, and that's a moment in time for us, can, and that's a moment in time for us and— can, and that's a moment in time for us and that— can, and that's a moment in time for us, and that putting points on the board _ us, and that putting points on the board i_ us, and that putting points on the board, i think it is relaxed, really appreciate — board, i think it is relaxed, really appreciate the performance, because i appreciate the performance, because ithought— appreciate the performance, because i thought it _ appreciate the performance, because i thought it was outstanding, especially the first time. chelsea are unable to sell any more tickets or merchandise, while their shirt sponsor has suspended its deal. but one of those interested in buying the club before the sanctions were imposed says he is still. the bbc understands property tycoon

nick candy is one of as many as 20 potential investors that remain on board despite yesterday's announcement, which the government insists is only the latest instalment in a much wider package of sanctions against the russian regime. this government, we in this department stand with the people of ukraine, and as i said, i'm afraid sanctions have consequences. that's all the sport for now. we've reported on the sanctions being enforced against russia by other european nations, and the us — but they are, of course, not the only countries which do business with moscow. the reaction across asia has been somewhat different. our asia business correspondent mariko oi has been looking at how the regional powerhouses china and india seem to be playing a bit of a waiting game. in the last two weeks, global sanctions on russia have more than doubled, making it the most sanctioned country in the world with more than five and a half thousand actions against it. they dwarfed those imposed on iran,

north korea and syria, but only a few countries in asia have agreed to the punitive measures. for more developed economies like australia, japan, south korea, singapore and taiwan. it was a relatively straightforward decision. they've largely followed the western led actions against moscow. japan and south korea in particular, also agreed to restrict a russian banks from the global swift financial payment system. but many in the region are holding back. the countries in orange on this map have refused to join the un resolution to condemn russia's invasion of ukraine and key among them china. i do not think it will criticise russia directly or indirectly, and i do not think it will break with russia. they both share a discomfort with a western dominated international order. however, china is much more invested in that order, much more integrated with it than russia. for russia, china is its largest

trading partner for china, the us, european, europe,japan, these are much more important markets than russia. but russia also has complex ties with many countries in asia. it supplies oil and gas and military equipment to india, vietnam, indonesia and malaysia, while south korea must work with both russia and china to counter any threats from north korea. if you look at india, the largest democracy in the world. and in a normal situation, you would have expected india to have condemned the russian invasion — india did not. nations are more driven by the same own economic interests than the larger principles. we always expect to play a more important role like a sovereign country, democratically elected government invaded by a bigger neighbour. as india's former ambassador to russia, pankaj saran tweeted, whose side is india on? we're on our side. economies here are no stranger to having to take sides. they've been walking that fine line

ever since us—china trade tensions erupted a few years ago. and as experts have pointed out, that may be the only way to survive a clash of giants. let's round up some of the other developments on ukraine. the international atomic energy agency says the ukrainian authorities have confirmed they've lost all communications with the chernobyl nuclear power plant. on wednesday ukraine said all external power supplies had been cut to the site, which was seized by russian forces two weeks ago. chernobyl is no longer a working power station, but it still requires constant management. meta — the parent company of facebook and instagram — says it's changing its rules on violent speech in several countries including russia because of the ukraine invasion. the company says it's "temporarily" made allowances for violent speech that would usually break its rules.

thanks for your company today, the latest _ thanks for your company today, the latest headlines in a few minutes, you can _ latest headlines in a few minutes, you can get in touch with us any time _ hello, again. some of us still have a little bit of sunshine, but rain is on the way. we have got a weak weather front which is fizzling across parts of scotland and northern england producing some spots of rain and some drizzle, but we also have this weather front which is pushing north—eastwards bringing in some heavier rain, and as you can see from the isobars, they're squeezed together, it is going to be windy wherever you are. so, here's our brightness, cloud building all the time ahead of this weatherfront, bringing in the rain from the south—west, and then behind it we see a return to some bright spells, but equally some showers and some of those could be heavy with the odd rumble of thunder. temperatures 8—111 degrees. through this evening and overnight, watch how the weather front pushes steadily northwards. behind it there will be a lot of cloud and plenty of showers. it's also going to be windy,

especially across the northern isles, where we will have gales, breezy across the south of england. we will also see some fog patches form in northern ireland. so, tomorrow we start off on this cloudy note with all the showers, but through the day it's going to brighten up from the south—west with some sunshine coming through. however, we've got this next area of low pressure coming our way introducing thicker cloud and some rain, and the wind is going to strengthen. we could have gusts of wind 70 miles an hour across parts of cornwall and also the isles of scilly, but the south—west and south wales favoured for the strongest winds, and through the evening, watch how the rain pushes northwards around that area of low pressure, and we are looking at gales with exposure out towards the west. so, as we head on into sunday, the low pressure that's driving our weather at the moment will still be with us, and you can see how we have got this front curled all the way around it. so, we are going to see some rain, rain coming in across the south, moving up towards the east, curling round across northern ireland, and there will be a fair few showers packing in, as well, on sunday.

in between, there will be some dry conditions and some sunshine, but it's going to be another windy day. temperatures ranging from 7 in the north to 11 as we pushed on towards the south. now, into the new week, at the beginning of the week there still is a chance we will see some weak weather fronts crossing from the west towards the east, but they will be weak, so we will see some light rain from them, but one thing i want to point out is the temperature. by the time we get to wednesday, parts of southern and eastern england could see highs of 18, possibly even 19.

mentally and they boarded one of the last trains to poland from kyiv. this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: reports of blasts in ukrainian cities that haven't seen shelling before — in dnipro, a factory, apartment block and school have all been hit. new satellite images show that russian military convoy moving to new positions near kyiv — ahead of a possible attack on the capital. life on the front line for ukrainian forces — fighting to defend the country's second largest city kharkiv. if these tactics are unfamiliar to you, then you haven't been paying attention, because this is the russian attack playbook perfected in over ten years of war in syria. new plans to help those fleeing the fighting, the british government is drawing up a scheme to allow ukrainian

refugees to live with families here in the uk. we want to try to go to london. because my sister and my sister's daughter are here. we want to try. president putin backs proposals from his defence minister to bring in thousands of �*volunteer�* fighters from the middle east to fight against ukraine. and on the polish—ukranian border, the quest for safety meets the path to war — foreign volunteers sign up to fight alongside ukraine against the russian invasion.

russian forces are reported to be getting nearer to ukraine's capital, kyiv. the pentagon says they have moved five kilometres closer in the past 211 hours. satellite images show that the big russian convoy — which had been stalled north of the city — has now dispersed, with vehicles moving into firing positions in nearby towns. on this map of the country, the areas in red are those currently believed to be under russian control. those in stripes show areas that russian has maanged to gain and hold. and if we zoom in slightly here, the eastern suburb of kyiv called brovary has seen intense fighting as russian forces get ever closer. in other developments, russian state media are reporting that the ukrainian city of volnovakha has been captured by russian—backed separatist forces. the un security council will hold an emergency meeting later today at russia's request to discuss moscow's claims that washington is involved in biological warfare programmes in ukraine — which the us dismisses.

and in terms of the refugee crisis, the un says 2.5 million people have now fled ukraine since the invasion began. we are also getting reports of shelling in three cities that previously we believe had not been targeted. dnipro, a large city here in the east; and lutsk and ivano—frankivsk way over in the west, an area of the country where many refugees are travelling, and that has not previously seen large scale military action. well, these are the latest pictures from one of those recently attacked cities, dnipro, it was hit by three russian air strikes, damaging a shoe factory, an apartment block and a kindergarten. with all the latest, here's sarah campbell. over reports that the russian military have a new target on their sites. this footage appears to show a strike on the airfield in the city of lutsk, in north—western ukraine. translation: fin of lutsk, in north-western ukraine. translation:— translation: on the morning of ninth, military _ translation: on the morning of ninth, military airfields _ translation: on the morning of ninth, military airfields in - translation: on the morning of ninth, military airfields in a - translation: on the morning of ninth, military airfields in a lutsk|

ninth, military airfields in a lutsk and ivano—frankivsk have been put out of order. bud and ivano-frankivsk have been put out of order-— and ivano-frankivsk have been put out of order. and targeted. outside the capital. — out of order. and targeted. outside the capital. kyiv. — out of order. and targeted. outside the capital, kyiv, the _ out of order. and targeted. outside the capital, kyiv, the russian - the capital, kyiv, the russian military convoy, which for days, appeared to have stalled, is now seemingly on manoeuvres. it is seen here in a forest and in a built—up area in what may be a renewed push. further east, a separate russian advance met with fierce resistance, under attack from the ukrainian military. russia may be looking elsewhere for back—up, after reports there are up to 16,000 volunteers from the middle east, including syria, the prison said today that those who wanted to join the fight should be helped to do so. —— president. translation: if you see that there are people on a voluntary basis, especially those not in it for the money, to come and help people living in the area, you need to meet them halfway and help them move to them halfway and help them move to the combat zones. is a ukraine's of his resistance to conventional weapons, even in a heavily besieged city like mariupol, that has led to

fears that russia may resort to using chemical weapons. people can hide amongst _ using chemical weapons. people can hide amongst the _ using chemical weapons. people can hide amongst the rubble, _ using chemical weapons. people can hide amongst the rubble, ukrainian | hide amongst the rubble, ukrainian military can hide there, jumped out with their anti—tank weapons, and kill the vulnerable tanks. but, if you use chemical weapons, that is not stopped by concrete walls, it seeps underground and kills people underground. seeps underground and kills people underground-— underground. terrified civilians flee, worried _ underground. terrified civilians flee, worried the _ underground. terrified civilians flee, worried the fighting - underground. terrified civilians flee, worried the fighting will. underground. terrified civilians l flee, worried the fighting will get far worse. the rhetoric is continuing to escalate with russia accusing the united states of biological activities in ukraine. they are unproven claims, but they will end today at the un security council. america says the claims are laughable, and ukraine's president zelensky agrees. translation: , , ., , translation: this makes me really worried, because _ translation: this makes me really worried, because we _ translation: this makes me really worried, because we have _ translation: this makes me really worried, because we have been - worried, because we have been repeatedly convinced. if you want to know russia's plans, look at what

russia accuses others of doing. what else have you prepared for us? where will you strike with your chemical weapons? at the maternity hospital in mariupol? at the church in kaki for? orat in mariupol? at the church in kaki for? or at the children's hospital? there is pessimism as well for —— from eu leaders, who discussed peter's war from a former royal palace in versailles. they offered one was to free ukraine and material support, but there is no sign they will rush through the eu militia. russia was condemned for having brought moore back to europe. the city of dnipro has been hit by three russian air strikes, damaging an apartment block and a kindergarten. it's located in the south east of ukraine, but some way from the russia border, and the annexed territory of crimea. our correspondent sarah rainsford spoke to us from dnipro. this was an air strike, or three air strikes, in fact, that happened in the early hours of this morning. the air raid sirens went off at about 4:30am this morning here in dnipro.

they rang out for more than three hours, which is extremely unusual. we have been hearing sirens every single day since this war began and people have got used to scrambling to their basements and to their bunkers, if they have them. but until now, there hasn't been any actual danger to the city because we understand that has been missiles and things flying over and the air raid sirens just detecting that, but this time, there was a direct strike. what we understand from the authorities is that what was actually hit was primarily a small shoe factory, around about six kilometres from where we are staying. it is pretty central to the city, it is a sprawling city, running along both sides of the river, a vast, vast river. it cuts through the city. the shoe factory was hit, it went up in flames, it has been very badly damaged, there was also damage to a kindergarten, and to a nearby apartment block. certainly one person has been killed in those air strikes. i think it has really changed the calculus a little for people in dnipro

itself, because this is a very important industrial city in ukraine, it is full of factories. it also includes a missile factory, it is a place that is heavily fortified already, it has been heavily fortified since the beginning of the war, but it has been considered as something of a safe haven. we have seen many people fleeing to it from other cities in the south and in the east and north of here. especially this part of ukraine, those that have come under sustained russian attacks. dnipro was seen as a safe, people felt they could be safe here, at least for a while, before they started a very long journey to the west of the country. but i think are quite a few people, that might have changed with this direct hit on dnipro. people might be considering getting out, certainly in recent days, we have seen quite a lot of activity at the train station, lots of massive crowds heading for evacuation trains, and also the rate of a heavily congested on the way out of here, but nothing compared to what we have seen in comparison to other cities or we have seen tens of thousands of people trying to get to safety,

so in dnipro, people are pretty shaken by what happened overnight. the un says 2.5 million people have now fled ukraine since the invasion began more than two weeks ago. and while the eu has shown solidarity in helping those escaping the war, countries that have received a large number of refugees are becoming overwhelmed. today, ukraine's government is hoping to open 12 routes for civilians to leave areas where fighting is taking place — so far tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in recent days through these so called "humanitarian corridors", but there have also been many failed attempts, as ceasefire agreements have broken down. to give us the latest on how the eu is responding to this crisis, i'm joined now by janez lenar—cheech, the european commissioner for crisis management. thank you very much forjoining us. you havejust been thank you very much forjoining us. you have just been to see what is happening in romania. what did you find? i happening in romania. what did you find? ., ., ., find? i found that the influx of refu u ees find? i found that the influx of refugees from _ find? i found that the influx of refugees from ukraine -

find? i found that the influx of. refugees from ukraine continues, find? i found that the influx of - refugees from ukraine continues, and we expect that this will not only go on, but even bigger wave may come, in view of what is going on in ukraine, and as we can see, apparently, the russian invading forces have been bogged down, they have now been increasingly resorting to indiscriminate shelling of urban centres. that of course, increases the pressure on people to move away to safety, so they can be an increase in refugee flows, an increase in refugee flows, an increase in refugee flows, an increase in internally displaced people, and that is just a consequence of the aggravated humanitarian situation, unitarian disaster proportions not seen since the second world war. what disaster proportions not seen since the second world war.— disaster proportions not seen since the second world war. what can the eu do, then. _ the second world war. what can the eu do. then. to _ the second world war. what can the eu do, then, to try _ the second world war. what can the eu do, then, to try to _ the second world war. what can the eu do, then, to try to make - the second world war. what can the eu do, then, to try to make these i eu do, then, to try to make these humanitarian corridors actually worth having? the humanitarian corridors are _ worth having? the humanitarian corridors are very _ worth having? the humanitarian corridors are very important, i worth having? the humanitarian. corridors are very important, that does not mean that once people who use them, those who wish to leave

the city, then the invading force will then be free to bombard the city, in this community, not at all. we insist that exists for civilians, 110 military and aid and humanitarian workers, it has to be assured at all times, that civilians have to be protected, that civilian infrastructure should not be targeted and destroyed, and the corridors are only a small part of the much bigger picture, it is called, international internal law, and this international internal law has been massively violated by the invading russian forces. just describe to _ invading russian forces. just describe to us, _ invading russian forces. just describe to us, if— invading russian forces. just describe to us, if you would, how the eu member states are helping to support the countries, particularly those on the front line who are taking in the vast majority of people, as soon as they leave ukraine, like poland for example. firstly, we are increasing and aid to ukraine and to moldova, which is

the neighbouring country, and is under very high pressure. with its limited capacity. within the european union, we are also supporting the member states in multiple ways, firstly, with the precision deprivation of civilian protection, food, shelter, medicines, generators and the like. additionally, the european commission has proposed additional funding be made available from a socialfund, etc, to help the eu members that host large —— large numbers of refugees from ukraine in a caring for these costs. iithihat numbers of refugees from ukraine in a caring for these costs.— a caring for these costs. what are our a caring for these costs. what are your expectations _ a caring for these costs. what are your expectations of _ a caring for these costs. what are your expectations of those - a caring for these costs. what are i your expectations of those countries further to the west who are currently not having as many refugees as they could take? that is already also — refugees as they could take? that is already also an _ refugees as they could take? that is already also an option, _ refugees as they could take? that is already also an option, we _ refugees as they could take? that is already also an option, we are - refugees as they could take? that is already also an option, we are ready to help with those as well, but the fact is that the citizens of

ukraine, ukrainian passport holders cannot move freely within the european union, we have also agreed to grant them temporary protection, allowing them to get legal status, legal resident status for a temporary period, and access to health, education and other social services, and these are available to the refugees from ukraine, throughout the european union, and we already see a lot of this spontaneous movement from refugees from ukraine throughout the european union. this is already happening. this could turn into a very long term humanitarian crisis. it could mean that people are needing to live in countries outside of ukraine for quite a few years, potentially. how prepared are eu member states for that? irate prepared are eu member states for that? ~ ., ., that? we will do it together with the eu member— that? we will do it together with the eu member states, - that? we will do it together with l the eu member states, everything that? we will do it together with - the eu member states, everything we can, to help the refugees to keep the war from ukraine. can, to help the refugees to keep the warfrom ukraine. the best solution would be that this war

would end right away. they should not even start because as we see, the arguments for this invasion, the art studios, spacious, and this is completely unjustified. —— studious. we do hope that this war will be over soon. we do hope that this war will be oversoon. but we do hope that this war will be over soon. but in case it is not, to assist ukrainians and other people in ukraine with humanitarian aid, we will continue to provide protection equipment. all other states and some other countries that are participating in our protection mechanisms are supplying support and emergency aid to ukraine and to neighbouring countries. this support includes food, medicines, medical equipment, generators, fuel, and the like. and this will continue as long as necessary. we will also step up to the support to support refugees

from ukraine who continue to come to the european union. as we know, the longer this glass, the worse it will be. —— last. this humanitarian disaster is enormous. we are now beginning the third week since the war started, since the invasion started, and we are already at 2.5 million refugees. this is something that we have never seen, since 19115. very briefly, if i may, we know that ukraine, the president, zelensky, has asked for that admission process for ukraine tojoin has asked for that admission process for ukraine to join the eu. has asked for that admission process for ukraine tojoin the eu. briefly, thatis for ukraine tojoin the eu. briefly, that is likely to hate —— to take a very long time. it is to help you could give as european member states to another member state, if they were to be part of the block was? just briefly. were to be part of the block was? just briefly-— just briefly. this is a very hypothetical _ just briefly. this is a very hypothetical question, i just briefly. this is a very l hypothetical question, but just briefly. this is a very - hypothetical question, but member states are able to help each other,

also in the case of common defence. there is a specific article in our founding documents, that the treaty, which enables member states, eu member states to help another one thatis member states to help another one that is under attack. however, we are helping and will continue to help ukraine even though it is not our eu member states, it is a remembering —— neighbouring country, the cinematographic free country which wants to live in peace, and lives on its own destiny. —— demo traffic. this is why it was attacked by the russian federation and why we shall continue to support it. —— demographic. and this will help us protect against this absurd attack. thank you, we really appreciate your time. thank you so much. you thank you. an exclusive report on the

battle for the second city in ukraine. kharkiv has endured nightly russian air attacks — and seen many civilians killed. most of the city's1.5 million residents have fled. quentin sommerville and camera journalist darren conway are the firstjournalists to be embedded with the ukrainian army as they continue to fight the russian advance around kharkiv. we have to warn you — you may find parts of this report very distressing. head to the very eastern edge of ukraine and a ghostly vision of the country's fate unfolds before you. the city of kharkiv is being purged of life. in near total blackout, the police in the country's second largest city take us on patrol. the russians aren't far. explosion. shelling happens every night. this close to the russian border, there's another threat here — saboteurs.

no—one escapes scrutiny. alina, 76—years—old, is lost and confused. in an instant, everybody�*s life here has been upended. but this young nation has surprised russia and the world with its resolve. we weave our way past the fallen, into no man's land, with the ukrainian army. here is 21—year—old yevgen gromadsky. where are the russians? over the sound of shelling, he tells me, "the russian soldiers are standing about 900 metres away from here. you can hear right now that they're firing on our positions and we are firing back".

it's a grenade launcher, british. but it's more than just a grenade launcher — it's a guided missile. is it good against tanks? it's the best we have right now. how are the russians fighting? they're fighting like soldiers of 1941. they're attacking, just like in front, now they don't do any manoeuvres. so, yeah, they have a lot of people here, a lot of tanks, a lot of their vehicles and techniques. but we're fighting in our land and we protect our families. so it doesn't matter how they fight, we fight like lions and they won't win. this is what people have been fleeing in kharkiv. endless bombardment for the past two weeks. tannoy: we would like to inform

you that a fire had started - in the building — please go to the ground floor and leave the building. this is what russia does to cities. it bombards them, it procedures them, it surrounds them. ——it beseiges them. it terrorises entire populations. if these tactics are unfamiliar to you, then you haven't been paying attention because this is the russian attack playbook, perfected with over ten years of war in syria. we know that russia bombs hospitals, so here at the city's hospital number four, they keep the wounded in hallways, away from the windows. ms valentina has been hit by shrapnel. i have a poem for you, she says. translation: these stupid russian - pieces, i will carry all my life, i but as long as my heart still beats, i will still live and love.

so too will eight—year—old dmitri, now that this has been removed from his skull. this is the war that russia has fought before, and is fighting again. we don't know the rest of ukraine's fate, but kharkiv has already shown what is coming next. translation: defend us, we will ride together, - we will win this war, and all our heroic people will gather to rebuild our beloved ukraine. this city of a million plus people has emptied out. let me bring you some of the latest pictures from the city of kharkiv, civilians sheltering in the metro station of ukraine's second largest city, sitting on blankets and chairs. as we've been saying, kharkiv has endured nightly russian air attacks — and seen many civilians killed. most of the city's residents have now fled. let's get more on the mood and reaction in russia on the war.

we can talk now to james rodgers, associate professor of internationaljournalism at city univeristy of london. he is author of the book assignment moscow and also bbc�*s former moscow correspondent. james, thank you so much forjoining us. tell us how state media are reporting the war in russia. what kind of dissent or criticism has there been, if any? ilat kind of dissent or criticism has there been, if any?— kind of dissent or criticism has there been, if any? not a great deal there been, if any? not a great deal. i think— there been, if any? not a great deal. i think it _ there been, if any? not a great deal. i think it is _ there been, if any? not a great deal. i think it is very, - there been, if any? not a great deal. i think it is very, very - deal. i think it is very, very interesting what the russian authorities are trying to do, really, in effect, they are trying to do what we are supposed to believe is not possible in the 21st century. we have been told, i think of all the claims to have been made through social media of the last ten or 20 years, through social media of the last ten or20 years, in through social media of the last ten or 20 years, in the internet, the freedom and spread of information, what the russian authorities are trying to do is to create a very clear single narrative would have happening, we have heard the phrase is, they're not supposed to refer to this special military operation in any other thing else and then those terms, and it is very clear that

this is the colour�*s official narrative that has been a very strongly pushed, and we have seen very strong independent news organisations, dissent or away from that land were being closed down or subject to pressure. —— the kremlin's. is there interesting to see if this is going to work. this is something that is not supposed to be possible in our very interconnected world, but the russians are supposed to be doing it. , , ,., , ., ., it. there must be reports of at least one _ it. there must be reports of at least one it — it. there must be reports of at least one it kremlin _ it. there must be reports of at least one it kremlin backed i it. there must be reports of at least one it kremlin backed tv station had gone off script? this inevitabl station had gone off script? ti 3 inevitably happens at some time, there are occasional cases of this when dissenting voices do slip through, obviously, people are probably privately discussing this and that private debates, some of it, is going to spill out. it is very difficult to get those voices heard on a wider scale. it is a very important for any country, at a time of war, this special military operation, as it —— as the kremlin turns out, part of the idea is to

keep public opinion on side, to keep morale up, because if a country has embarked on this like russia has in this case, it needs to have public support to carry it through, with the russians having to or denied this themselves, the foreign minister soak a lover of maintained yesterday that the operation was going to plan a quick thing is, not the progress that they were hoping, but when the russian authorities hoped for when they launched this campaign. hoped for when they launched this cam ain. ~ ., hoped for when they launched this camain.~ ., , hoped for when they launched this camain.~ . , , . , campaign. what is the effect being had on public _ campaign. what is the effect being had on public opinion _ campaign. what is the effect being had on public opinion with - campaign. what is the effect being had on public opinion with what i campaign. what is the effect being l had on public opinion with what they are being fed? especially when we look at president putin said that conscripts weren't being used, and then the russian defence minister confirmed that they were? tes. then the russian defence minister confirmed that they were? yes, this is uite confirmed that they were? yes, this is quite controversial— confirmed that they were? yes, this is quite controversial for— confirmed that they were? yes, this is quite controversial for a _ confirmed that they were? yes, this is quite controversial for a number. is quite controversial for a number of reasons, firstly, in the russian army, it is supposed to be volunteers that are taking part in active combat operations, and you don't have to go too far back in recent russian history, particularly of the war in the 1990s, which are reported on, when a lot of conscripts were thrown into

situations which were extremely hazardous and for which they were not adequately prepared. this is something which has a big emotional resonance in certain parts of russian society, and all russian —— russian society, and all russian —— russian men have to go to the army, there are some exceptions, but i think that is what is causing some people's concern. there is a point of the media narratives as well, because even if they are so strictly and tightly controlled, on the state broadcast and other state media channels, there may well be a delayed effect further down the line. some of these young men are going to come back and say, actually, this is what it was like, they need to keep morale up because evenif they need to keep morale up because even if they are trying to control the narrative, they cannot, and their other examples on past history, for example in the uk in the first world war, the newspapers were saying one thing that soldiers came home and told different stories, further down the line, they can be effects of very differing accounts of what is happening, what is actually unfolding. starting to actually permeate through society. james rogers, associate professor at

city university of london, thank you very much for your time and your insight. you're watching bbc news. hello, again. some of us still have a little bit of sunshine, but rain is on the way. we have a week with a front which is fizzling across parts of scotland and northern england to produce some spots of rain and some drizzle. we also have this weather front which is putting north eastwards. it brings in some heavy rain and as you can see from the isobars, they have squeezed together, it will be windy wherever you are. this is the brightness, cloud builds all the time, head of this weather front, cloud builds all the time, head of this weatherfront, bringing in cloud builds all the time, head of this weather front, bringing in the rain, from the south—west, and then behind this, we see some bright spells, but equally some showers and some of those could be heavy with the odd of thunder. temperatures 8-111 . this

the odd of thunder. temperatures 8—111 . this evening and overnight, watch how the weather front pushes steadily northwards, there will be a lot of cloud and plenty of showers. it will also be windy, across the northern isles where we will have gales, and breezy across north of finland, we also see some fog patches in northern ireland. tomorrow we start off with the cloud with these showers, but through the day, it will brighten up from the south—west, with some sunshine coming through, however, we have this next area of low pressure coming our way, introducing thicker cloud and some rain, and the wind is going to strengthen, gusts of wind of 70 mph across parts of connell, and also the parts of scilly, —— isles of scilly. the south—west and south wales are favoured for this song is part of the wind. you can see how the rain pushes northwards over the area, with gales of exposure out towards the west. since we head into sunday, the low pressure, that is driving a weather at the moment, it will still be with us, and you can see how we have this affront curled around, so ready to see some rain. it comes across the

south, moved up towards the east, curled round across northern ireland and there will be a fair few showers packing in as well on sunday. in between there will be some dry conditions and some sunshine, but it is going to be another windy day. temperatures range from a seven in the north to 11 as we push down towards the south. into the new week, is the beginning of the week, there is still a chance to cease a week with a front crossing from the west towards the east. there will be some light rain from those fronts, but one thing to point out to sea temperature, by wednesday, parts of southern and eastern england could see highs of 18 possibly even 19.

all you this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm martine croxall. our top stories: reports of blasts in ukrainian cities that haven't seen shelling before — in dnipro, a factory, apartment block and school have all been hit. new satellite images show that russian military convoy moving to new positions near kyiv — ahead of a possible attack on the capital. life on the frontline for ukrainian forces fighting to defend the country's second—largest city, kharkiv. and if these tactics are unfamiliar to you, then you haven't been paying attention, because this is the russian attack playbook perfected in over ten years of war in syria. new plans to help those

fleeing the fighting, the british government is drawing up a scheme to allow ukrainian refugees to live with families here in the uk. we want to try to go to london. because my sister and my sister's daughter are here. we want to try. president putin backs proposals from his defence minister to bring in thousands of volunteer fighters from the middle east to fight against ukraine. and on the polish—ukranian border, the quest for safety meets the path to war — foreign volunteers sign up to fight alongside ukraine against the russian invasion. let's take a moment to recap some of the main developments today, in the war in ukraine. satellite images suggest that the huge russian

convoy which has been heading towards kyiv from the north has now begun to disperse — it's thought it is deploying its forces in nearby woodlands and other areas. there have been reports of attacks on new areas — including lutsk, and dnipro. the united nations says the number of people who have left ukraine since the fighting began has risen to two and a half million. one and a half million of them have crossed into poland. and ukraine and nato have both dismissed russian claims that ukraine is developing chemical weapons. russia has called for a meeting of the united nations security council, later on friday, to discuss its allegation. european union leaders are meeting just outside paris to discuss introducing tougher sanctions on russia. they're also addressing further ways of stopping the eu's reliance on russian food and energy supplies, as well as boosting the bloc�*s defence capabilities. our brussels correspondent jessica parker says a key issue is the hike in fuel and energy prices — and what that will mean for european economies. so, the eu leaders, i think,

are going to turn their attention to the economic situation, whether that is fears about rising energy prices, of course we had already seen rising energy prices across europe, but given the sanctions that are being imposed on russia, given the move to try and move away from russian energy as quickly as possible, that is very high on the agenda, with some member states really very worried, i think, about the consequences of what rising energy prices could mean. also food prices, as well. that's a concern, given the conflict in ukraine currently. leaders, though, i mean, they talked late into the night, they seemed to emerge around two in the morning local time after discussions last night, that also centred on energy prices. defence, as well, has been an issue. you will have heard of this before, but for a long time there's been a bit of a debate about whether the eu needs to be more assertive in terms of defence, so—called strategic autonomy.

it is a particular passionate subject of emmanuel macron, the french president, and of course here we are in france. i think he's been pushing again that idea of trying to encourage eu countries to spend more on defence, and we are seeing that already from the likes of germany. of course, they recently had this radical shift where they said they would be spending, olaf scholz, the chancellor, 2%—plus of gdp on defence to meet nato spending targets, but there is a question about to what extent can the eu coordinate its defence efforts and be a more assertive player on the international stage? of course, the russian invasion of ukraine has really given energy to that debate. the british government has defended its response to the refugee crisis, after criticism that the number of people taken in so far, is about1,000. unlike the european union, which is allowing ukrainians three—year residency without a visa, the uk has retained controls on entry. phil mackie is in france, it's the route of entry for many hopeful refugees to the uk, and he sent this update from the town of arras.

there is a new visa application centre opening for ukrainians to come to the uk, and it's going to be here in the prefecture building in arras. i've been told that they can process about 110 ukrainians every day and it will be open for as long as is necessary. you'll remember that there have been a lot who originally came to calais, to effectively the channel ports, to try and get into britain, thinking that they would be allowed to do so because the british government has said that close relatives of people, ukrainians who already had the right to stay in the uk would be able to come. when they got to the channel ports, they realised they had to get a visa. and what's happened over the past week is that they've had to be travelling

to brussels and paris. quite a long journeys from the channel coast to go in person, to present their documents, to give their fingerprints and and carry on the process. well, now if you're in northern france, you can come here by appointment only. first of all, you have to register online, register your application. when you do need to come in person to present those documentation, you might get an appointment here. you might still get it in brussels or paris,

you might still get it long as they can prove and fulfil the criteria online the visas will be processed that way so hopefully that will ease some of the restrictions that the uk have imposed so far. it restrictions that the uk have imposed so far.— restrictions that the uk have imposed so far. it will mean they will not have _ imposed so far. it will mean they will not have to _ imposed so far. it will mean they will not have to have _ imposed so far. it will mean they will not have to have a _ imposed so far. it will mean they will not have to have a relative i will not have to have a relative here to live with but what are the costs involved of going through this process? the costs involved of going through this rocess? . .,, , ., process? the costs are free, it will be free to — process? the costs are free, it will be free to apply- — process? the costs are free, it will be free to apply. the _ process? the costs are free, it will be free to apply. the applicant - be free to apply. the applicant themselves, the ukrainian person, will be supported by the government. as long as accommodation can be provided by the person sponsoring. they do not have to have a relative or close family or somebody who has settled in the uk. that or close family or somebody who has settled in the uk.— settled in the uk. that have been a lot of people _ settled in the uk. that have been a lot of people in _ settled in the uk. that have been a lot of people in this _ settled in the uk. that have been a lot of people in this country - settled in the uk. that have been a lot of people in this country who i lot of people in this country who have wanted to help. what would your advice be? it is easy to enter into

something likely not realising the long—term implications. ii something likely not realising the long-term implications.— something likely not realising the long-term implications. if you have the sare long-term implications. if you have the spare room _ long-term implications. if you have the spare room and _ long-term implications. if you have the spare room and you _ long-term implications. if you have the spare room and you might - long-term implications. if you have the spare room and you might have long-term implications. if you have i the spare room and you might have a house empty for a couple of years are accommodation are your kids are at university and you may not need the room for an extra three years, by all means go for it. but realise you will have responsibility for six months to accommodate them. you can start —— you cannot start chopping and changing your minds. by all means make refugees welcome and it is a welcome move from the government compared to last for years when refugees have often been criticised for crossing the english channel and told to stay in europe, why can't you stay in france or spain and italy? it is a welcome move and taken advantage of it but understand it is our responsibility. thank you very much. nearly 20,000 foreign volunteers have signed up to fight alongside ukraine against the russian invasion, according

to ukrainian officials. there is even a website to guide foreign fighters to enlist with an international legion set up by the defence ministry. for the past two weeks, a steady flow of non—ukrainians has reportedly been heading to ukraine to volunteer to fight. parham ghobadi reports from the polish—ukrainian border. on the polish—ukrainian border, the quest for safety meets the path to war. many foreigners are among a growing number of men crossing into ukraine with one aim — to fight the russian invasion. this is the closest train station to the border with ukraine and this is how it looks every day. on one side, women and children who are arriving to seek refuge in europe. on the other side, mostly men heading in the opposite direction to pick up arms and fight. many of the men we've met here have never held a gun before. some had little military training. i can'tjust sit at home

and watch it, being safe at home, when i knew this was happening. the main thing we know is, we're going in and we have certain contact numbers and then we will be guided from there. do you have any military training? yeah, i had a year in the norwegian army. both frederick and fellow fighter florian, from austria, have left families behind. they are basically begging me every day to come home. they ask me every time where i am now, what i'm doing, how's it looking, am i already there? is my phone still working? there has been a mixed reaction in europe from governments to these foreign fighters. some are allowing citizens to travel to ukraine whilst others, such as the uk, say anyone who travels abroad to fight could in theory be prosecuted under uk some are allowing citizens to travel to ukraine whilst others, such as the uk, say anyone who travels abroad to fight could in theory be prosecuted under uk anti—terror legislation. around the clock, the march

on both sides doesn't stop. for some, like this man from belgium who doesn't want to give his name, it's notjust ukraine they want to protect. i think democracy is in danger, actually, it's necessary to act to defend democracy, humanity and heritage because it's not possible to destroy all of this. with every day that goes by, it's evident how this war is changing so many lives. here on the border, we've seen tearful farewells and happy reunions. but for the foreigners passing into ukraine, it's not clear when they will ever return. some developments being reported by the bbc monitoring journalists who monitor what is being said on state

media. vladimir putin has said there have been positive developments in the negotiations between russia and ukraine are taking place in belarus. he told his belarusian counterpart there are certain positive shifts as negotiators from our side have briefed me. he said attempts to restrict our development, contain it, would not succeed. i am sure we will overcome these difficulties, he said, in the end this will benefit us. he went on to say that russia, maybe even the soviet union, having achieved colossal successes while under sanctions with a comparison with the past, these are times and opportunity to move towards strengthening our economic sovereignty. whether the european

countries taking part would agree with them we have to find out. let's get a check on all the latest business news — tadhg enright is here. the united states has warned more �*economic pain' awaits russia, if the kremlin proceeds with a plan to seize the assets of businesses which have suspended operations in the country. the white house press secretary jen psaki said that such a move would a send a message that �*russia isn�*t a safe place to invest�*. moscow has previously warned that it may nationalise factories where work has been suspended. joining us now is craig erlam, who�*s the senior market analyst at oanda. thinking of brands like mcdonald�*s and starbucks, did he see this as an empty threat or something looking increasingly inevitable?

i think the will have weighed up the risks and accepted that would be one of the outcomes. irate risks and accepted that would be one of the outcomes.— risks and accepted that would be one of the outcomes. we have to remember the us, uk of the outcomes. we have to remember the us, uk and — of the outcomes. we have to remember the us, uk and others _ of the outcomes. we have to remember the us, uk and others seizing _ of the outcomes. we have to remember the us, uk and others seizing assets i the us, uk and others seizing assets from oligarchs means vladimir putin was always likely to try to respond in kind and what he is alluding to here is effectively his version of a similar action. the issue is that a lot of the sanctions the west has imposed on russia have been intended to isolate it from the rest of the world. this feels like a similar action except vladimir putin is seeking to isolate russia from the rest of the world. they are not encouraging business anytime soon to invest in a move into russia work with russia and those already there, some of which have many stores, like the brands you havejust some of which have many stores, like the brands you have just mentioned, will not look to go back if this is the kind of action they will

potentially face and even if they do go back you would expect they would scale back operations are not scale up scale back operations are not scale up operations. it is in many ways a strange move from vladimir putin and highlights that he feels backed into a corner and the west have been stronger than he anticipated and he now feels he has to take severe actions in order to protectjobs and livelihoods, otherwise he will risk rapidly losing support for his war in ukraine. it rapidly losing support for his war in ukraine-— rapidly losing support for his war in ukraine. , . . , ., , in ukraine. it is clearly early days in ukraine. it is clearly early days in the crisis _ in ukraine. it is clearly early days in the crisis and _ in ukraine. it is clearly early days in the crisis and in _ in ukraine. it is clearly early days in the crisis and in the _ in ukraine. it is clearly early days in the crisis and in the response i in ukraine. it is clearly early days| in the crisis and in the response of the corporate world to it. do you think we will see trading updates and quarterly results from companies, some companies will write off their assets entirely and russia are lose money on them?- are lose money on them? some companies _ are lose money on them? some companies have _ are lose money on them? some companies have quite _ are lose money on them? some companies have quite a - are lose money on them? some companies have quite a lot - are lose money on them? some companies have quite a lot of i companies have quite a lot of exposure to russia, oil companies being one example of that. they were a couple of weeks ago in regards to bp, which will lead to a significant

decline in income and assets of billions of pounds. companies like mcdonald�*s have enormous amounts of stores across wash—outs of the potential write—off will be very significant. in real time updates i think it will be put down as downside risk and they will not be right offs at this point in time and rather lost income. the situation is evolving so rapidly who knows where we will stand two weeks from now let alone two months? we have a lot of learning and hopefully the words you have just reported from vladimir putin to have some substance and they are making progress but the cynic in me says he said a lot over the last three weeks and almost all of it has turned out to be false. one of ukraine�*s biggest food producers has told the bbc if russian forces make further advances, it could prevent them from planting this year�*s wheat and grain seeds. that would cause huge implications

forfood supplies in ukraine and around the world. ukraine is one of the world�*s top five wheat exporters. the chairman of mhp —john rich — has been speaking to our business editor simonjack about what�*s at stake. this stakes are simple. it has a catastrophic effect on the ability of the ukrainian army to feed itself and the population to feed itself and the population to feed itself and humanitarian aid stops. its, and humanitarian aid stops. a massive producer of wheat and grain, this is a critical time of year and the sowing season for some of these crops. how critical is the next two or three weeks? can the sewing for next season go ahead? ihtt or three weeks? can the sewing for next season go ahead?— or three weeks? can the sewing for next season go ahead? at the moment we have the — next season go ahead? at the moment we have the ability _ next season go ahead? at the moment we have the ability but _ next season go ahead? at the moment we have the ability but the _ next season go ahead? at the moment we have the ability but the key - we have the ability but the key element is the advances of the russian army and at present we have

15% occupied by the russian army. if this continues our ability to be able to so rapidly diminishes stock and the implication on food supplies would be what if you do not in the next few weeks? —— mark sow? sport, and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here�*s hugh. the uk government says it took the time it did to impose sanctions on chelsea owner roman abramovich because they wanted their case to be �*watertight�*. the club�*s future is now uncertain after the sanctions which were imposed because of the russian�*s links with vladimir putin and prevent abramovich from selling chelsea or profiting financially from it in any way. matches can continue under a special licence and both men�*s and women�*s teams had comfortable wins last night. as long as we have enough shirts

and as long as the bus is full of fuel, we will arrive and will be competitive and this is what everybody can be sure of, and this is what we demand of ourselves and, you know, when it�*s a big storm, you dig in, you hold together and then you stay strong and go through it. we said it to the end, it's important that we control what we can, and that's a moment in time for us, and that putting points on the board, i think it is relaxed, really calm before the game, appreciate the performance, because _ i thought it was outstanding, especially the first half. interest in buying chelsea appears to have not been dented. with property tycoon nick candy one of those potential

investors still on board. despite not being able to make any money from new ticket or merchandise sales, the club could change hands while their current owner remains under sanctions which the government insists is only the latest instalment in a much wider package targeting the russian regime. this government, we are in this department stand with the people of ukraine and i�*m afraid actions have consequences. the actions of abramovich have consequences, too. meanwhile later at the indian wells tennis tournament two ukrainian sisters will play a doubles match together having escaped from odesa at the start of the conflict. dayana yastremska reached the final of the wta event in lyon last week and she and her 15—year—old sister ivanna are now in california. last week it was pretty hard, a lot of powerful emotions and it was a tough travel but it was ok and my parents are in odesa at home and our hosts is near the sea so it is pretty dangerous and we are also living pretty high on the floor above so i don�*t know but you don�*t know what to expect.

that�*s all the sport for now. many people are continuing to flee the fighting in ukraine — with the majority crossing through the border to neighbouring poland. our correspondent danjohnson is in the city of krakow, and he�*s been looking at what steps are being taken to cope with the influx of refugees. it�*s an old theatre, actually, a huge space, there are loads of volunteers here helping and it is an effort to link them up with available space.

i study mathematics at university. you�*re trying to find beds and accommodation? how is it getting? it is actually pretty easy. there are a lot of people eager to help and there are a lot of people eager to help and offering their flats and their houses and space for people to stay. so many people coming every day, will it run out? i so many people coming every day, will it run out?— will it run out? i hope it will not. today we — will it run out? i hope it will not. today we have — will it run out? i hope it will not. today we have 40 _ will it run out? i hope it will not. today we have 40 people - will it run out? i hope it will not. | today we have 40 people staying will it run out? i hope it will not. - today we have 40 people staying and yesterday we sent 62 people so i am pretty optimistic that food will be good. pretty optimistic that food will be ood. ., ~' ,, pretty optimistic that food will be ood. . «i ,, pretty optimistic that food will be ood. . ,, good. thank you. one issue as there are so many — good. thank you. one issue as there are so many people _ good. thank you. one issue as there are so many people coming - good. thank you. one issue as there are so many people coming and - good. thank you. one issue as there are so many people coming and the | are so many people coming and the fear will be the pressure is not sustainable and space will start to run out. steve is here to help. you

have flown in from america? from ohio where _ have flown in from america? from ohio where i _ have flown in from america? from ohio where i rented _ have flown in from america? from ohio where i rented up _ have flown in from america? from ohio where i rented up bunch - have flown in from america? ifi'rrrn ohio where i rented up bunch of flats in the crack of area to to refugees. krakow. —— i spent ten years in kyiv coaching the football team and i hope to make a track into ukraine to bring some of the families out. to ukraine for many years and i want to complement poland for being the leader in how we really need to step up our relief effort. i see what is going on here and it is extraordinary so my effort in giving flats away for people to rest just four weeks makes in giving flats away for people to restjust four weeks makes me feel a little bit it is all i can do for now. ~ ., little bit it is all i can do for now. ~ . y ., ,, little bit it is all i can do for now. ~ ., , ., ,, , little bit it is alli can do for now. ~ ., ,, , ., ., now. what you think it needs honour lobal now. what you think it needs honour global scale? — now. what you think it needs honour global scale? i— now. what you think it needs honour global scale? i think _ now. what you think it needs honour global scale? i think it _ now. what you think it needs honour global scale? i think it needs - now. what you think it needs honour global scale? i think it needs what i global scale? i think it needs what nato is doing _

global scale? i think it needs what nato is doing to _ global scale? i think it needs what nato is doing to curb _ global scale? i think it needs what nato is doing to curb the - global scale? i think it needs what nato is doing to curb the violence | nato is doing to curb the violence and stop the war so i asked for every country to step up and use them for a template and this includes america. i believe the administration ofjoe biden needs to step up and open the doors to the ukrainian people who are extraordinary people. irate ukrainian people who are extraordinary people. we wish you the best with _ extraordinary people. we wish you the best with your _ extraordinary people. we wish you the best with your efforts. - extraordinary people. we wish you the best with your efforts. it - extraordinary people. we wish you the best with your efforts. it gives | the best with your efforts. it gives you an idea of the mix of people who are here helping out, local volunteers and international support and charities and church organisations and all sorts of groups coming together to try to help the ukrainian people and we know no more than 1.5 million have crossed the border into poland. this country really is feeling the pressure of this refugee crisis. if you want to keep up with events in ukraine as they happenjust go to our website — there you�*ll find a live page which is being continually updated

with the latest news and developments. that�*s all at bbc.com/news — or you can download the bbc app. rain is on the way. we have a week where the front that is fizzling in parts of scotland and northern england producing rain and drizzle but we also have this weather front which is drizzle but we also have this weatherfront which is pushing north—eastwards bringing heavier rain. the isobars are squeezed together, it is going to be when they where ever you are. here is our brightness, cloud building all the time ahead of the weather front bringing in the rain from the south—west and behind that a return to bright celsius —— spells but equally some showers which could be heavy with thunder. temperatures eight to 14 degrees. this evening and overnight, watch how the weather

front pushes northwards, behind it, a lot of cloud and plenty of showers. it is also going to be windy. especially across the northern isles with gales and breezy across the south of england and fog patches in northern ireland. tomorrow, cloudier, all these showers, through the day, it is going to brighten out from the south—west with some sunshine coming through. this next area of low pressure comes our way introducing thick cloud and rain and the wind is going to strengthen, 70 mph across parts of cornwall and the scilly isles. south—west and south wales, favoured for strongest winds. through the evening, watch how the rain pushes northwards, and we are looking at gales with exposure out towards the west. sunday, the low pressure that drives our weather at the moment will still be with us. we have a weather front curled all the way around it. some rain, coming and across the south, moving up towards

the east, curling round across northern ireland and there will be a few showers on sunday. in between, some dry conditions and some sunshine but is going to be another windy day. temperatures ranging from seven in the north to 11 in the south. into the new week, at the beginning of the week, a chance of weak weather fronts costing from the west towards the east. we will see some light rain. i want to point out the temperature. on wednesday, parts of southern and eastern england could see highs of 18 celsius or possibly even 19 celsius.

this is bbc news — welcome if you�*re watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories? reports of blasts in ukrainian cities that haven�*t seen shelling before — in dnipro, a factory, apartment block and school have all been hit. new satellite images show that russian military convoy moving to new positions near kyiv — ahead of a possible attack on the capital. life on the frontline for ukrainian forces — fighting to defend the country�*s second largest city kharkiv. if these tactics are unfamiliar to you, then you haven�*t been paying attention, because this is the russian attack playbook perfected in over ten years of war in syria. new plans to help those fleeing the fighting, the british government is drawing up

a scheme to allow ukrainian refugees to live with families here in the uk. president putin backs proposals from his defence minister to bring in thousands of �*volunteer�* fighters from the middle east to fight against ukraine. and on the polish—ukranian border, the quest for safety meets the path to war — foreign volunteers sign up to fight alongside ukraine against the russian invasion. russian forces are reported to be getting nearer to ukraine�*s capital, kyiv. a senior us defence official says they have moved 5 kilometres closer in the past 24 hours. satellite images show that the big russian convoy — which had been stalled north of the city — has now dispersed, with vehicles moving into firing positions in nearby towns.

on this map of the country, the areas in red are those currently believed to be under russian control. those in stripes show areas that russian has managed to gain and hold. and in kharkiv, they say a psychiatric hospital has been hit. the staff and patients escaped without harm as they were in a bomb shelter at the time. russian state media are reporting that the ukrainian city of volnovakha has been captured by russian—backed separatist forces. the un security council will hold an emergency meeting later today at russia�*s request to discuss moscow�*s claims that washington is involved in biological warfare programmes in ukraine — which the us dismisses. and in terms of the refugee crisis, the un says 2.5 million people have now fled ukraine since the invasion began. we are also getting reports of shelling in three cities that previously we believe had

not been targeted. dnipro, a large city here in the east; and lutsk and ivano—frankivsk way over in the west, an area of the country where many refugees are travelling, and that has not previously seen large scale military action. well, these are the latest pictures from one of those recently attacked cities dnipro — it was hit by three russian air strikes, damaging a shoe factory, an apartment block and a kindergarten. with all the latest, here�*s sarah campbell. overnight reports that the russian military have new targets in their sites. this footage appears to show a strike on the airfield in the city of lutsk, in north—western ukraine. translation: on the morning of the eleventh, military - airfields in a lutsk and ivano—frankivsk have been put out of order.

outside the capital, kyiv, the russian military convoy, which for days, appeared to have stalled, is now seemingly on manoeuvres. it is seen here in a forest and in a built—up area in what may be a renewed push. further east, a separate russian advance met with fierce resistance, under attack from the ukrainian military. russia may be looking elsewhere for back—up, after reports there are up to 16,000 volunteers from the middle east, including syria, the president said today that those who wanted to join the fight should be helped to do so. translation: if you see that there are people on a voluntary basis, especially those not in it for the money, to come and help people living in the area, you need to meet them halfway and help them move to the combat zones. it is ukraine�*s resistance to conventional weapons, even in a heavily besieged city like mariupol, that has led to fears that russia may resort

to using chemical weapons. people can hide amongst the rubble, ukrainian military can hide there, jump out with their anti—tank weapons, and kill the vulnerable tanks. but, if you use chemical weapons, that is not stopped by concrete walls, it seeps underground and kills people underground. terrified civilians flee, worried the fighting will get far worse. the rhetoric is continuing to escalate with russia accusing the united states of biological activities in ukraine. they are unproven claims, but they will air today at the un security council. america says the claims are laughable, and ukraine�*s president zelensky agrees. translation: this makes me really worried, because we have been - repeatedly convinced. if you want to know russia�*s plans, look at what russia accuses others of doing. what else have you prepared for us?

where will you strike with your chemical w eapons? at the maternity hospital in mariupol? at the church in kharkiv? or at the children�*s hospital? there is pessimism from eu leaders, who discussed putin�*s war from a former royal palace in versailles. they offered one was to free ukraine and material support, but there is no sign they will rush through the eu militia. russia was condemned for having brought moore back to europe. war the city of dnipro has been hit by three russian air strikes, damaging an apartment block, a kindergarten and a shoe factory. officials say one person has been killed. it�*s located in the south east of ukraine, but some way from the russia border, and the annexed territory of crimea. our correspondent sarah rainsford spoke to us from dnipro. this was an air strike, or three air strikes, in fact, that happened in the early hours of this morning. the air raid sirens went off

at about 4:30am this morning here in dnipro. they rang out for more than three hours, which is extremely unusual. we have been hearing sirens every single day since this war began and people have got used to scrambling to their basements and to their bunkers, if they have them. but until now, there hasn�*t been any actual danger to the city because we understand that has been missiles and things flying over and the air raid sirens just detecting that, but this time, there was a direct strike. what we understand from the authorities is that what was actually hit was primarily a small shoe factory, around about six kilometres from where we are staying. it is pretty central to the city, it is a sprawling city, running along both sides of the river, a vast, vast river. it cuts through the city. the shoe factory was hit, it went up in flames, it has been very badly damaged, there was also damage to a kindergarten, and to a nearby apartment block. certainly one person has been killed in those air strikes. i think it has really

changed the calculus a little for people in dnipro itself, because this is a very important industrial city in ukraine, it is full of factories. it also includes a missile factory, it is a place that is heavily fortified already, it has been heavily fortified since the beginning of the war, but it has been considered as something of a safe haven. we have seen many people fleeing to it from other cities in the south and in the east and north of here. especially this part of ukraine, those that have come under sustained russian attacks. dnipro was seen as a safe, people felt they could be safe here, at least for a while, before they started a very long journey to the west of the country. but i think there are quite a few people, that might have changed with this direct hit on dnipro. people might be considering getting out, certainly in recent days, we have seen quite a lot of activity at the train station, lots of massive crowds heading for evacuation trains, and also the roads heavily congested on the way out of here,

but nothing compared to what we have seen in comparison to other cities or we have seen tens of thousands of people trying to get to safety, so in dnipro, people are pretty shaken by what happened overnight. president vladimir putin has said there are "positive" developments in the negotiations between russian and ukrainian officials in belarus. he was speaking to his belarusian counterpart alexander lukashenko, during a televised meeting broadcast by the state—owned media channel, rossiya 24. three rounds of talks have been held between ukraine and russia. kirill martynov is a journalist and the founder of the free moscow university. he�*s also the editor of a kremlin—critical newspaper. hejoins us now. thank you he joins us now. thank you very much forjoining us. tell us about the two different letters that have been written, one in support of russia�*s action in ukraine and one against it by different academics. tall action in ukraine and one against it by different academics.— by different academics. you can imaine

by different academics. you can imagine this. — by different academics. you can imagine this, the _ by different academics. you can imagine this, the heads - by different academics. you can imagine this, the heads of - by different academics. you can - imagine this, the heads of hundreds of russian universities just published an open letter and in this text represent the full pledge of president putin, they fully understand the war, and so on. it is a kind of moral disaster in russian education system, i believe, because any of russian official universities, theyjust really feel like they go to a competent in europe. at the same time, a lot of students and academics and teachers, they are strongly against war, and they are strongly against war, and they published a lot of open letters and the most representative one was published in an independent scientific newspaper, and it was about 7000 academics who signed it,

we believe that we can�*t do ourjob any more, we feel like we have to be mobilised for war, our students would be expelled from universities for their position against war and we feel like a lot of teachers and academics have lost theirjobs. the only informal institution in russia for education was our free moscow university. it was created two years ago because we were fired from the state owned universities and the only organisation in russian education which was against war as this one, hundreds of russian professors and academics. the 700 eo - le professors and academics. the 700 people who — professors and academics. the 700 people who wrote _ professors and academics. the 700 people who wrote in _ professors and academics. the 700 people who wrote in support - professors and academics. the 700 people who wrote in support of - professors and academics. the 700 people who wrote in support of the | people who wrote in support of the war, they are the leaders of some of russia�*s universities. how genuinely

help to you believe their belief is in the invasion? surely they are afraid for theirjobs as well? i believe most of them feel they are hostage, the lose theirjobs and they are afraid. i�*m not sure if they are afraid. i�*m not sure if they really want more but these people were never elected by anyone. they do not represent the universities. they are officials authorities. they were put there by president putin, by the government of russia, so they declare their full support to them, not for the university communities. i feel like we have to recreate all of russian education after this war. hats we have to recreate all of russian education after this war.— education after this war. how are ou education after this war. how are you managing — education after this war. how are you managing to _ education after this war. how are you managing to continue - education after this war. how are i you managing to continue operating the free moscow university? you are an informal education establishment.

we have a horizontal structure, we have self—government, in our university we are fully online because we do not have meetings with their students for safety reasons. i feel like we have to protect students first of all, because communication with us can be dangerous in the present russia society which was pro—war and wanted people to pledge their allegiance to war. ~ ., , ., . , , war. where would you direct students to to get independent news of what is happening?— is happening? sorry, i didn't hear the question- _ is happening? sorry, i didn't hear the question. where _ is happening? sorry, i didn't hear the question. where do _ is happening? sorry, i didn't hear the question. where do you - is happening? sorry, i didn't hear| the question. where do you direct students to _ the question. where do you direct students to to _ the question. where do you direct students to to get _ the question. where do you direct students to to get news? - students to to get news? international information on youtube, there is lot of information

there, we cannot write about war. thank you very much, the founder of the free moscow university. thank you very much for talking to us on bbc news. let�*s cross now to my colleague yalda hakim in lviv. you have been talking to local doctors about what they are having to cope with. what have they told you? has to cope with. what have they told ou? . , ., to cope with. what have they told ou? . , . , ,., ., you? as we have been reporting over the last few — you? as we have been reporting over the last few days, _ you? as we have been reporting over the last few days, lviv _ you? as we have been reporting over the last few days, lviv in _ you? as we have been reporting over the last few days, lviv in western - the last few days, lviv in western ukraine has been a hub for the displaced, for the resistance, and it has become a hub for aid flowing in from the international community. i have been speaking to doctors here, health care facility workers who say that they are bringing together all the needs or the other parts of the country where the fighting is most fierce and intense, the north, the east and the south.

which is where hospitals for example and health care facilities are being targeted. we saw mariupol, a strategic port in the south where the maternity hospital was targeted. we are hearing about hospitals in kharkiv, children's hospital, cancer wards being moved underground into bunkers because they are so concerned about those facilities being targeted. the doctors here, the health care workers are trying to get supplies to the worst affected areas like those areas, the medicine they need, and supplies are running short and because some of these facilities are being targeted, they do not have the equipment they need. they are trying to facilitate that common sense applies in, but they also saying that the driver is going to these places are being directly targeted and hit as well. they are risking their lives getting those places.

they are risking their lives getting those nam-— they are risking their lives getting those places-— they are risking their lives getting those laces. ~ . , ., , those places. what is the atmosphere like in lviv? — those places. what is the atmosphere like in lviv? n — those places. what is the atmosphere like in lviv? it has _ those places. what is the atmosphere like in lviv? it has become _ those places. what is the atmosphere like in lviv? it has become a - those places. what is the atmosphere like in lviv? it has become a hub- like in lviv? it has become a hub because it is so far away from the worst of the fighting so far. overnight, we had some air raid sirens, and we have had almost every day, air raid sirens frankly, there is no illusion that the entire country is in a state of war, although the bombs are not falling in lviv. there is concern, we are 65 kilometres away from the polish border, the military equipment, the hardware, the weapons are flowing into the country from the west, the long border with the european union, there is growing concern here that this place, lviv, this area could become a target. the authorities are preparing for war. they are forming a strong resistance. they are also creating supplies for other parts of the country, for kyiv, i went to

places where the volunteers were making helmets, camouflage nets, molotov cocktails, one brewery that was making beer two weeks ago is now making molotov cocktails. they told me their workers had me 2000 molotov cocktails in the space of a few days and they had to stop, but they sent those to kyiv. there is concern that the war could come here but for the time being, it has become a place where tens of thousands of people have to seek shelter and i spoke to the mayor of the city who said we are completely at capacity. we are overwhelmed. they had 200,000 people who have sought shelter, every day tens of thousands more arrive at the train station. i was there and women and children were emerging after hours and hours of travel. some said they had been travelling for 18 hours to get to safety away from the

bombardment. they were shell—shocked. there is a lot of support they need as well as mental health support. thank you mark for the moment, thank you very much, the latest from lviv. the british government has defended its response to the refugee crisis, after criticism that the number of people taken in so far, is about a thousand. unlike the european union — which is allowing ukrainians three—year residency without a visa — the uk has retained controls on entry. phil mackie is in france; it's a route taken by many hopeful refugees to the uk, and he sent this update from the town of arras in the north there's a new visa application centre opening for ukrainians to come to the uk, and it's going to be here in the prefecture building in arras. i've been told that they can process about a0 ukrainians every day and it will be open for as long as is necessary. you'll remember that there have been a lot who originally came to calais to effectively the channel ports to try and get into britain, thinking that they would be allowed to do so

because the british government has said that close relatives of people, ukrainians who already had the right to stay in the uk would be able to come. when they got to the channel ports, they realised they had to get a visa. and what's happened over the past week is that they've had to be travelling to to brussels and paris quite long journeys from the channel coast to go in person, to present their documents, to give their fingerprints and and carry on the process. well, now if you're in northern france, you can come here by appointment only. first of all, you have to register online, register your application. when you do need to come in person to present those documentation, you might get an appointment here. you might still get it in brussels or paris, and then you have to sit and wait until your visa comes through. i think over the last couple of days, a lot of people have gone through that process already, which means that hopefully by this weekend they will be getting their visas and able to cross. and of course, next week, we know that the british government says that the whole system will become simpler still. it will be more or less entirely online. you certainly won't have to turn up to one of these processing centres

in person to give your fingerprints, for instance, that can all be done on the other side of the channel once people have been allowed in. i'm joined now by bronwen maddox, director of the institute for government. thank you forjoining us. we are expecting things to get a little easier for ukrainians who wish to come and take refuge in the united kingdom. but come and take refuge in the united kinudom. �* ., come and take refuge in the united kinadom. �* ., i. ~ ., come and take refuge in the united kinadom. �* ., ~ ., ., kingdom. but given what you know of how britain usually _ kingdom. but given what you know of how britain usually views _ kingdom. but given what you know of how britain usually views refugees . how britain usually views refugees and asylum seekers, how easy might it become? it’s and asylum seekers, how easy might it become? �* , ., and asylum seekers, how easy might it become? fl ., ., and asylum seekers, how easy might it become? �* , ., ., ., and asylum seekers, how easy might it become? �*, ., ., ., , it become? it's not going to become ve eas , it become? it's not going to become very easy. i — it become? it's not going to become very easy. ithink— it become? it's not going to become very easy, i think it's _ it become? it's not going to become very easy, i think it's clear. - it become? it's not going to become very easy, i think it's clear. the - very easy, i think it's clear. the government is trying to do two things which are respectable, make sure it's treatment of these refugees is consistent and clear so that it refugees is consistent and clear so thatitis refugees is consistent and clear so that it is clear what benefits will be offered when they arrive, and make sure that people who might be armed and it does not want in the countries aren't there. fine, but these people who are fleeing from a

war zone have come up against the most incredible wall of bureaucracy which is anything but clear. we have just had to description of how they've had to go from north—western continental europe to find out how to make the application. in theory, that gets easier on my next week. but they do not have telephones with them, they are in a desperate state. it is hard to say that britain has ruled out the bureaucratic welcome. some of the details of the scheme, the second scheme, not the close relative scheme, but how communities or individuals can sponsor a ukrainian, we are yet to see the full details on that. if we don't know, they don't know. how quickly can the home _ know, they don't know. how quickly can the home office _ know, they don't know. how quickly can the home office work? - know, they don't know. how quickly can the home office work? this - know, they don't know. how quickly can the home office work? this is l can the home office work? this is the department who is responsible for immigration control and we are now asking them to be one that is providing relief.—

providing relief. fleet of foot and the home office _ providing relief. fleet of foot and the home office you _ providing relief. fleet of foot and the home office you do - providing relief. fleet of foot and the home office you do not - providing relief. fleet of foot and - the home office you do not normally combined in one sentence. the struggle with migration and immigration. some of that is the home office, it's a culture, it has really struggled with this issue for a long time. some of that comes from a long time. some of that comes from a political need. which has been for many years to make it difficult for people to come into the country and thatis people to come into the country and that is the thrust of some of the legislation going through at the moment. it feeds through to a mindset, we saw an aspect of that in windrush, that does not see it either from the refugees and humanitarian point of view or from the point of view of the uk and what kind of people would like to welcome? we have argued for considering putting migration within the business department which might have a mentality more about who you want to bring to the country. this is an issue that has never, the home

office has not dealt with easily at all, they are already dealing with huge backlogs of other nationalities and asylum seekers and a crisis on top. and asylum seekers and a crisis on to ., ., , top. the governing party, the conservative _ top. the governing party, the conservative party _ top. the governing party, the conservative party has - top. the governing party, the conservative party has made| top. the governing party, the - conservative party has made much of wanting to reduce immigration, get numbers down from the hundreds of thousands for many, many years. how likely is that they are going to change track? they are going to be concerned, surely, they are letting people in who they can't get rid of, as some people might say. yes. people in who they can't get rid of, as some people might say. yes, that ma be as some people might say. yes, that may be at- — as some people might say. yes, that may be at- they _ as some people might say. yes, that may be at. they have _ as some people might say. yes, that may be at. they have not _ as some people might say. yes, that may be at. they have not decided . as some people might say. yes, that. may be at. they have not decided how long we can stay if they get permission to come in and they are sitting on a visa based application as opposed to some other countries in europe simply saying ukrainians can come without visa, without paperwork. i think what you can say in favour of their approach, they are trying to deal with refugees

consistently, work out how much it is going to cost the country for people who may be in the country for a long time, what it is going to cost and benefits, what rights they have got access to and so on. but i don't think there is any mistaking the fact that the thrust of the policy is to keep people out. that is the nature, the whole character of the borders and immigration bill going through parliament, going very fast through parliament. a lot of the stress from mps that many of the aspects of that are not being properly considered. some those said to undermine the basic rights of refugees to turn up at the country. how well equipped is border force immigration officers and working out who is trying to gain the system, trying to get and perhaps with less than ideal intentions? aha, trying to get and perhaps with less than ideal intentions?— than ideal intentions? a good question. _ than ideal intentions? a good question. i — than ideal intentions? a good question, i do _ than ideal intentions? a good question, i do not— than ideal intentions? a good question, i do not think - than ideal intentions? a good question, i do not think the i question, i do not think the problems are with the border force, too much weight is put on that, the

problems tend to be with confusion or the thrust of the policy before then and then they can be given really challenging job of trying to work out face—to—face what people are doing. my senses the problems are doing. my senses the problems are not... i would not locate them there as much as in whitehall itself. ., . ., , ., itself. to what extent do you believe the _ itself. to what extent do you believe the uk _ itself. to what extent do you believe the uk government i itself. to what extent do you i believe the uk government has misread the public mood with regard to ukrainian refugees coming in? i don't know. i really don't. the public mood is one of enormous generosity. this huge really spontaneous emotional outpourings of aid to help ukrainian refugees. what can i do to help? people turning up at refugee centres, can i give her room? the public mood has not on the whole been in that receptive to migration in large parts of the

country and that presumably is what the government thinks it is playing too. ., , ., too. from the institute of government, _ too. from the institute of government, thank - too. from the institute of government, thank you i too. from the institute of. government, thank you for too. from the institute of- government, thank you for talking too. from the institute of— government, thank you for talking to us on bbc news. many of us saw sunshine to start the day but it is not looking that way as we head through the rest of the afternoon. an unsettled weekend. this picture was taken by one of our weather watchers. the cloud, outbreaks of rain, courtesy of the front spilling its way northwards and eastwards. a lot of isobars on the map, gusty weatherfor the rest of today and into the weekend. a line of rain this afternoon stretching from kent to dumfries and galloway, to the north and east of that, clear skies, temperatures 13 celsius. coolerfrom the that, clear skies, temperatures 13 celsius. cooler from the south—west, sunny spells and a rash of showers

moving in. some of these showers in cornwall could be thundery. strong gusty winds in exposure as well. tonight, cloudy and breezy with showers pushing north. temperatures frost free, cooler and parts of northern ireland with fog patches on saturday morning. tomorrow we start the day with cloud and showers pushing northwards, lingering in scotland, some sunshine from england, wales and northern ireland before the next area of rain from the south—west. temperatures between 8 degrees and 13 degrees. the windy weather moving into south west england and wales, 50 to 60 miles perfor the england and wales, 50 to 60 miles per for the isles of scilly, some windy weather and blustery showers continue to push their way through the uk as we move through saturday evening and overnight into sunday. low pressure dominating the weather

through the course of the weekend, particularly on sunday, the winds rotating around the area of low pressure, plenty of showers, some sunny spells in between the showers, later on in parts of england and wales, not particularly warm. temperatures eight to 12 celsius but feeling colder when exposed to breast winds. gusts of wind on sunday, 30 to a0 mph, through the irish sea coast up to 50 to 60 mph. into next week, it looks more settled as high pressure builds, some symbols of rain, temperatures on wednesday could reach 18, possibly 19 degrees towards the south. unsettled for the next few days, more springlike into next

week.

this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm martine croxall. our top stories: reports of blasts in ukrainian cities that haven't seen shelling before — in dnipro, a factory, apartment block and school have all been hit. new satellite images show that russian military convoy moving to new positions near kyiv — ahead of a possible attack on the capital. life on the frontline for ukrainian forces fighting to defend the country's second—largest city, kharkiv. and if these tactics are unfamiliar to you, then you haven't been paying attention, because this is the russian attack

playbook perfected in over ten years of war in syria. new plans to help those fleeing the fighting, the british government draws up a scheme to allow ukrainian refugees to live with families here in the uk. so far about 1,000 visas have been issued. president putin backs proposals from his defence minister to bring in thousands of volunteer fighters from the middle east to fight against ukraine. and on the polish—ukranian border, the quest for safety meets the path to war — foreign volunteers sign up to fight alongside ukraine against the russian invasion. let's take a moment to recap some of the main developments today in the war in ukraine. satellite images suggest that the huge russian convoy which has been heading towards kyiv from the north has now

begun to disperse — it's thought it is deploying its forces in nearby woodlands and other areas. officials in kharkiv say a psychiatric hospital has been hit — but more than 350 patients and staff escaped unharmed because they were in a bomb shelter at the time. there have been reports of attacks on new areas — including lutsk, and dnipro. the united nations says the number of people who have left ukraine since the fighting began has risen to two and a half million. one and a half million of them have crossed into poland. and ukraine and nato have both dismissed russian claims that ukraine is developing chemical weapons. russia has called for a meeting of the united nations security council later on friday to discuss its allegation. president zelensky addressed the diplomacy forum in antalya, turkey — let's hear what he has to say.

translation: day 16 is four times was planning for the invasion. it was hoping that the ukrainians would surrender. —— four times longer. but ukrainians are proud people and always defend their land and the won't give up a piece of its land, their land. 16 days and many people started filling tired. i understand this, impatience, i a that. emotions are playing that game with people. when we mobilise ourselves, when we see

our victories and losses, we expect that the fight will be over sooner and the invaders will be defeated but this is life, this is war, this struggle. time is needed, patience is needed, our wisdom, struggle. time is needed, patience is needed, ourwisdom, energy, the ability to do yourjob to maximum for us to move to counter victory. it is not possible to to see how many more days it will take to liberate our ukrainian land but it is possible to say we will do that because we have achieved already the turning points strategically under on the way to our victory. this is the patriotic war, this is a war against a strong obstinate enemy which does not pay attention to thousands of their own people dead and their soldiers dead. the dad

that reservists and conscripts all over russia to send them to this war. they decided to bring mercenaries to kill our people, those bullies from a country destroyed the same ways as the invaders are destroying hours like mario paul and others. mariupol. this is the way the russian invaders treat the donbas. many things were said in moscow, missiles and bombs and now there are syrian mercenaries who do not differentiate who speaks which language here, which church they go to, those mercenaries who

simply go to kill to an alien land for them anyway. last night and morning the water supply in chernihiv was left without water and we are doing everything we can do to relieve the constant shelling and in sumy and donetsk and kyiv, no water supply and it is a catastrophe. at night the invaders were bombing a shoe factory, a block of flats and nursery in the dnipro. they were

threatening, the russian state, they were destroying residential houses and torturing the residents of mariupol and shelling lutsk. i expect right now new sanctions against russia from our western partners. russia should pay for this horror war, to pay on a daily basis. yesterday was an important meeting of the leaders of the european union countries, a one, substantive, and we know that all the leaders who were supporting us there and who was keeping silent and he was trying to put wadding in such a way that there were not sufficient for us and for ourjoint freedom. how do we take

the decision taken? and very simple terms, it is necessary for decisions of politicians match the expectation of politicians match the expectation of their people. we are aware of this mood and they are aware of that, all the politicians and in different countries the statistics are different but there is a big support, at least 60% are supporting, and this is the prevailing majority for ukraine to be part of europe and it is a clear indication. i'm confident they will be able to see that clearly to the politicians if their politicians didn't really understand that yet. the decisions made yesterday at the eu summit no are transferred to the executive stage and the european union should do more for us, for them, and we expect that. we expect

that all the european nations are expecting that, our government officials organised 12 humanitarian corridors today, food, water, medication. they are on the way to areas such mariupol as and kozarovych. if the invaders start shelling and break this silence resume there would be reaction from international community that they would need humanitarian corridors themselves. our officials are doing everything possible in order to provide food and fuel and all the territory of ukraine and it is not easy but it is

extremely important. all goods which are necessary for people, petrol, fuel, everything being delivered today at a morning meeting i was asked the question made sense, taking the consideration we are in spring, what would happen with the sowing campaign especially in areas that are occupied? this really is like every other spring, we need to do a fully fledged sowing campaign to the extent to which it is possible. everything depends on the specific situation but this is all about life, life is important and this is a boat life, dreams, our future and a victory. once again, i will repeat, when we are defending ourfreedom, we need to be a

will repeat, when we are defending our freedom, we need to be a fully fledged army. everybody should do everything possible in order to receive a result which we all deserve. in order to achieve victory we need to stay strong, to fight and give all our force and our energy with this neighbour, it won't be easy with such a neighbour but with us also as has already been discovered. thank you. european union leaders are continuing their discussions at versailles just outside paris. our europe correspondent jessica parker is there. what is on the agenda today? they are continuing their discussions around energy and the eu trying to wean itself off russian oil and gas. what is quite interesting as early in the big we had a commitment for

the eu to try to get rid of its reliance on russian fossil fuels by 2013. well before 2030 they said. it appears to develop overnight a proposal to try to do that by 2027 so pushing that date three years forward and being a little bit more specific but eu leaders would have to sign that off so we will have to wait to hear what they see on the conclusions later. also the eu foreign affairs chief said they were going to double the aid they sent to ukraine in terms of military support. in the last couple of weeks the eu agreed for the first time to find weapons to a third country, ukraine, seen as something of a watershed moment in brussels and initially signed off 500 million euros to do that, most of which was going to go on so—called lethal assistance. they will double that money ever again eu countries give that the nod. we are also getting reports from america supporting that

america, the eu, g7 countries could look to strip russia of its most favoured nation status. that would potentially mean more tariffs on russian goods so it would be a further economic sanction against russia. no official confirmation that at the moment but it looks like we could be hearing more about that this afternoon. let's gauge the mood in russia to the ongoing war in ukraine. i'm joined now by dr katerina tertytchnaya, assistant professor in comparative politics at university college of london. thank you very much forjoining us. we are hearing that already facebook has been cancelled effectively in russia. we are now hearing that the court case is going to be taken out

against meta, the parent extent is that any freedom of social media? it is notjust social media under attack but also independent news organisations. in the past few weeks these organisations, radio, tv, etc have been forced to shut down because either they find themselves directly attacked by the kremlin because new legislation has made it illegal for anyone to contradict the kremlin official message about the war. according to this legislation people who contradict the official narrative could face fines or imprisonment up to 15 years and as a result several outlets have decided to shut down, also concerned about their editors and journalists. this is to say that russia today is a very controlled information

environment and the information above access to is very tightly controlled by the authorities. there are still ways to access foreign media and independent information to vpns media and independent information to vpns in other ways but the information environment is closing down. ., , ., down. how is it possible tell to aauae down. how is it possible tell to gauge what — down. how is it possible tell to gauge what the _ down. how is it possible tell to gauge what the genuine - down. how is it possible tell to gauge what the genuine public| gauge what the genuine public attitude is towards the invasion of ukraine by russia?— attitude is towards the invasion of ukraine by russia? there are a few thinas we ukraine by russia? there are a few things we can _ ukraine by russia? there are a few things we can look _ ukraine by russia? there are a few things we can look at _ ukraine by russia? there are a few things we can look at order- ukraine by russia? there are a few things we can look at order to - things we can look at order to understand what russian public opinion thanks. one way is to look at public opinion polls that come out of russia and in the past few weeks we have seen several opinion polls conducted. some of them offer examples of misconduct online. in discussing the finding from these pools there are a few things we need to keep in mind. the informational environment in which russians find

themselves, also the fact that some people may be concerned to contradict the official narrative and that means there may be less likely to consent to participate in these opinion polls. nevertheless, what opinion polls show, both those they are conducted by pollsters closer to the kremlin and also those conducted by independent and reputable agencies, is that although there is a majority in support of there is a majority in support of the war of russians, there are also sharp divisions within russian society. younger people are less likely to support the war than younger ones and people in bigger cities are also less likely to support the war effort. people who report their financial conditions have deteriorated are also less likely to prove of the so—called operation and people who trust the official state sources, those who

consume the controlled media, are those more likely to support it. home ight president vladimir putin use false flag attacks in ukraine to control that narrative to the russian audience?- control that narrative to the russian audience? , , russian audience? there is extensive censorshi- russian audience? there is extensive censorship and _ russian audience? there is extensive censorship and misinformation - russian audience? there is extensive censorship and misinformation and i censorship and misinformation and russian media and a great effort to control the narrative. it is important to know that the biggest tv channels with full penetration and russia are state controlled and it is indeed a very concentrated effort to control the narrative exploding events on the ground are misinterpreting them. —— mike or misinterpreting them. —— mike or misinterpreting them. the united nations is warning that the number of people fleeing ukraine could grow to four million in the coming days. nearly 2.5 million have left already, with the vast majority —

as you can see from this map — moving across the western border into poland. slovakia, hungary, romania, and moldova are also hosting thousands of refugees. in the uk 1300 family visas have been issued so far. i'm joined by madeleine sumption, who is director at the migration observatory at the university of oxford and is also a member of the migration advisory committee, an independent panel that advises the uk government on migration issues. where are the big diaspora ukrainian communities we would expect people to head to? in a communities we would expect people to head to? . . , , ,, , to head to? in a crisis like this a-eole to head to? in a crisis like this people often _ to head to? in a crisis like this people often try _ to head to? in a crisis like this people often try to _ to head to? in a crisis like this people often try to seek - to head to? in a crisis like this people often try to seek out . to head to? in a crisis like this - people often try to seek out support from family members or friends they may have another countries. the biggest ukrainian diaspora is thought to be in poland but actually there are quite a few different eu countries with substantial ukrainian born populations including the czech republic, spain, italy, germany. so

while those countries bordering ukraine are going to be on the front lines of the crisis, over time we may see people move out a little further into other countries depending on who they know and where they can find people to help them. how different is this exodus computer that we saw following the civil war in syria? —— mike compared to the civil war in syria? this seems to have happened at great speed. seems to have happened at great seed. , , ., . ., speed. this is more concentrated so we are looking _ speed. this is more concentrated so we are looking at _ speed. this is more concentrated so we are looking at well _ speed. this is more concentrated so we are looking at well over- speed. this is more concentrated so we are looking at well over 2 - we are looking at well over 2 million people. during the war in syria it took around two years, and 201a and 2015, for that number of people deemed displays. the other big difference is the geography. generally when you have humanitarian crises people are displaced relatively locally, either

internally or to immediately neighbouring countries and in that case it means europe so the large majority of people fleeing ukraine have come into the european union on this occasion. this was not the case in the syrian crisis when most people ended up in neighbouring countries, particularly tacky. denali countries, particularly tacky. devon there is not— countries, particularly tacky. devon there is not a _ countries, particularly tacky. devon there is not a particularly _ countries, particularly tacky. devon there is not a particularly big - there is not a particularly big ukrainian diaspora in the united kingdom but we expect to see it become gone to the government easier for people to get here, how likely is that ukrainians will want to come to britain? it is that ukrainians will want to come to britain? , .,, ., , , to britain? it is obviously difficult to _ to britain? it is obviously difficult to predict - to britain? it is obviously difficult to predict these l to britain? it is obviously - difficult to predict these things. so far there have been reasonably high numbers, initial expressions of interest in the scheme in the first few days alone there were just under 18,000 people started an application. we do not know if all those people will continue the

process and come to the uk but the numbers suggest that a 100,000, 200,000. these are really speculative and it is quite possible the numbers will be lower than that. it depends partly on whether people want to come to the uk are perhaps prefer to stay with the family members or friends prefer to stay with the family members orfriends in other eu countries and of course how easy it is for people to get here, particularly those people who don't have family relationships in the uk and will get a little more detail on that next week but so far the scheme that next week but so far the scheme that would allow people without family members to come to the uk is not actually operational. haifa family members to come to the uk is not actually operational.— not actually operational. how great is the risk ukraine _ not actually operational. how great is the risk ukraine will— not actually operational. how great is the risk ukraine will be _ not actually operational. how great is the risk ukraine will be affected l is the risk ukraine will be affected for future generations if people choose not to go back? —— particularly turkey. in necessity they have to find somewhere else. one of the big uncertainties no, we don't know how long the war will

last and how severe the damage will be across the whole of ukraine, but the longer that people stay outside of the country, the more likely it is that the set down roots and that they never return and obviously that has impact and there are a lot of countries that have very significant levels of immigration and the do just fine and in some cases that can be modest benefits but when you see really big totals of people it can then start to be difficult to rebuild and have enough population to support basic amenities locally so if the displacement is both very significant and very long—term then in generations to come that will be a challenge for the country.- a challenge for the country. thank ou ve a challenge for the country. thank you very much- —

the city of dnipro has been hit by three russian air strikes, damaging an apartment block and a kindergarten. it's located in the south east of ukraine, but some way from the russia border, and the annexed territory of crimea. our correspondent sarah rainsford spoke to us from dnipro. this was an air strike, or three air strikes, in fact, that happened in the early hours of this morning. the air raid sirens went off at about a:30am this morning here in dnipro. they rang out for more than three hours, which is extremely unusual. we have been hearing sirens every single day since this war began and people have got used to scrambling to their basements and to their bunkers, if they have them. but until now, there hasn't been any actual danger to the city because we understand that has been missiles and things flying over and the air raid sirens just detecting that, but this time, there was a direct strike. what we understand from the authorities is that what was actually hit was primarily a small shoe factory, around about six kilometres from where we are staying. it is pretty central to the city, it is a sprawling city,

running along both sides of the river, a vast, vast river. it cuts through the city. the shoe factory was hit, it went up in flames, it has been very badly damaged, there was also damage to a kindergarten, and to a nearby apartment block. certainly one person has been killed in those air strikes. i think it has really changed the calculus a little bit for people in dnipro itself, because this is a very important industrial city in ukraine, it is full of factories. it includes a missile factory, it is a place that is heavily fortified already, it has been heavily fortified since the beginning of the war, but it has been considered as something of a safe haven. we have seen many people fleeing to it from other cities in the south and in the east and north of here. in this part of ukraine, those that have come under sustained russian attacks. dnipro was seen as a safe, people felt they could be safe here, at least for a while, before they started a very long journey to the west of the country. but i think for quite a few people

this might have changed with this direct hit on dnipro. people might be considering getting out, certainly in recent days, we have seen quite a lot of activity at the train station, lots of massive crowds heading for evacuation trains, and also the roads heavily congested on the way out of here, but nothing compared to what we have seen in comparison to other cities or we have seen tens of thousands of people trying to get to safety, so in dnipro, people are pretty shaken by what happened overnight. the international atomic commission has said it has lost all contact with chernobyl. that is to be in need proposed by the american government the international atomic energy

agency says the ukrainian authorities have confirmed they've lost all communications with the chernobyl nuclear power plant. on wednesday ukraine said all external power supplies had been cut to the site, which was seized by russian forces two weeks ago. chernobyl is no longer a working power station, but it still requires constant management. the us senate has voted to approve almost fourteen billion dollars in aid for ukraine as part of a huge spending bill proposed by the biden administration. the aid is intended to give support to ukraine's military, and help provide humanitarian assistance. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @martinebbc. this was the picture this morning in east lothian but we have had the cloud moving in from the south and delivering wet and windy weather to all parts of the uk during today. it is bringing this band of rain through the east of england through southern and eastern scotland as we head on into the evening hours. south england and wales seeing heavy showers. temperatures still in double figures

this evening at six o'clock but as we head through the evening we will see chavez pushing northwards across much of the uk. a blustery night with lots of showers around. not particularly cold. temperatures of six or 7 degrees first thing tomorrow and a little cooler across northern ireland with a could be a few misty patches. we start started the —— saturday with some showers and things will brighten up later saw sunshine for central england and wales and northern ireland before the next wet and windy weather works in from the south—west. we will keep showers across the north of scotland with temperatures generally in the mid teens. in the south of england and wales we will see the strongest wind gusts, potentially 50 mph to 60 mph into saturday afternoon and evening. overnight those blustery winds moved further across the uk is a set of low pressure pushes gradually north and east so that will dominate the weather as we head into sunday morning. a breezy day

across the hard and particularly windy on irish sea course where we could see gusts of 60 mph or more particularly close to course and hills. plenty showers around the area of low pressure. temperatures attach cooler than recent days but still around 9 degrees to 12 degrees. feeling cool where we are exposed to the gusty winds. the gusty winds strongest around the irish caused weather could reach 60 mph. as we head into the new working week the weather quite in stone a bit. still some windy weather in the north but temperatures in the south could reach 18 by wednesday.

today at one... russia expands its attacks here in ukraine — three more cities are targeted for the first time, the central—eastern city of dnipro was hit — officials say a shoe factory and kindergarten were struck russia says it hit military airfields, including in the north west, the city of lutsk — ukraine say the attack killed two as moscow accuses ukraine of developing biological weapons — president zelensky issues a strong denial. translation: this makes me really worried, because we've been - repeatedly convinced if you want to know russia's plans, look at what russia accuses others of doing. and the other main stories in the programme this lunchtime...