this is bbc news with the headlines. russia broadens its attack on ukraine, hitting more cities. an airstrike on the central eastern city of dnipro hits a nursery, an apartment block and a shoe factory. we have a report from the scene. this site is one of complete devastation. the smoke is still rising from the ruins of this building hours after the missiles struck. near the capital, kyiv, the exodus gathers pace as russian forces edge closer. president biden announces a new round of sanctions against russia, including revoking its most favoured nation status. this is going to make it harder for russia to do business with the united states, and doing it in unison with other nations that make up half

of the global economy will be another crushing blow. and france warns of the impact the conflict could have on global food supplies. translation: we must reassess the strategy for africa, _ because a number of african i countries are going to be hit by famines in the next 12—18 months because of this war. _ russian prosecutors have called for a ban on facebook�*s parent company, meta, after the firm changed its rules to allow violent speech in response to the invasion of ukraine. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk, on pbs in the us or around the world. russian forces are widening attacks on areas across ukraine,

and are now closing in on the capital, kyiv. the aerial bombardment was stepped up overnight, with russian forces attacking some cities for the first time — including lutsk and ivano frankivsk in the west. and to the east, here's the latest data showing the positions of russian forces getting ever closer to the capital, kyiv. the uk's ministry of defence says russian forces are making limited progress, but they would go for a renewed offensive soon, while a russian defence minister insisted its military operation was "going to plan. operation was "going to plan." dnipro, which has been a place of refuge for ukrainians fleeing other parts of the country, was also hit. dnipro is located in the south east of ukraine, but some way from the russia border, and the annexed territory of crimea. from there, here's our eastern europe correspondent, sarah rainsford. they struck at dawn, and dnipro wasn't expecting it.

this was not a military target. russia's missiles have destroyed a shoe factory. and they've shattered the idea many had clung to here — that this city was safe. amongst the rubble of their workplace were factory staff trying to clean up. dazed and disbelieving. many more could have died here had the factory not stopped work because of the war. "you see that black bag," this woman says. "that was our security guard. what else can i tell you? "you can see it all." many ignored the wail of the air raid siren because central dnipro had never been hit. this site is one of complete devastation. the smoke is still rising from the ruins of this building, hours after the missiles struck,

and the smell here is really acrid. but the thing that strikes me most, just being here, is that there are so many apartment blocks, residential buildings, all around here. the shockwave swept across the square, smashing windows and shaking buildings for blocks around. we saw irina cleaning up the mess, and she called us in. for her family, the attack was terrifyingly close — right on their doorstep. they are scared, but they are also furious here, at russia. "we didn't ask them to come and save us," irina tells me. "we were living fine in our own country. "we love our country, and will defend it," she says. across the hallway, alexander is clearing up for his 90—year—old aunt, distraught that she lived through one world war and she's now

being caught up in all this. and down the road we met natalya, demanding to know why russia is firing at them. haunted by the terrified screams of her son. they didn't make it to the bomb shelter — the missiles came in too fast. rescuers have been salvaging scraps from the factory wreckage. but however resilient ukraine is, this kind of attack sows fear and saps morale, because when the sirens go now, no—one can feel safe here. sarah rainsford, bbc news, dnipro. as the conflict intensifies, the column of armoured vehicles that had been heading to kyiv appears to have been redeployed i'm joined now by daria, who is from mariupol, and has been living in the netherlands for the last three years. she's a student at

university of twente. i know you've been struggling to hear from your family. when�*s the last time you've managed to hear from them? i iast time you've managed to hear from them?— last time you've managed to hear from them? , ., , ., , .,, from them? i spoke to my family last time on wednesday. _ from them? i spoke to my family last time on wednesday. but _ from them? i spoke to my family last time on wednesday. but yesterday, l from them? i spoke to my family last time on wednesday. but yesterday, i | time on wednesday. but yesterday, i was able to get news through someone who was visiting my mum, and he found the connection in the city and texted me my mum is alive. just a connected by somebody. i'm not able to contact my parents, my sister or any otherfamily to contact my parents, my sister or any other family members. how are ou any other family members. how are you ceping? — any other family members. how are you coping? well,... _ any other family members. how are you coping? well,... i— any other family members. how are you coping? well,... i do _ any other family members. how are you coping? well,... i do think- any other family members. how are you coping? well,... i do think i - you coping? well,... i do thinkl ut a lot you coping? well,... i do thinkl put a lot of— you coping? well,... i do thinkl put a lot of my _ you coping? well,... i do thinkl put a lot of my energy _ you coping? well,... i do thinkl put a lot of my energy in trying l you coping? well,... i do think i l put a lot of my energy in trying to help from where i am by contacting

humanitarian help and helping out with the humanitarian organisations here. if you think about what people in ukraine and what my family are going through, it's unmeasurable. otherwise, i would not be able to get out from that physically. thank ou. when get out from that physically. thank yom when you _ get out from that physically. thank you. when you think _ get out from that physically. thank you. when you think about - get out from that physically. thank you. when you think about it, - get out from that physically. thank you. when you think about it, when you. when you think about it, when you speak, when you get some communications with their family, when this all started just a couple of weeks ago, were they considering leaving? did they talk about leaving ukraine? ., ., ., ., ., ukraine? no, not at the moment. not when it was— ukraine? no, not at the moment. not when it was starting, _ ukraine? no, not at the moment. not when it was starting, because - ukraine? no, not at the moment. not when it was starting, because i - when it was starting, because i don't think that people in ukraine or in the world believe that it's going to happen. nobody thought

that. nobody thought putin was going to launch what he did and kill civilians for no reason. the scale of it, the — civilians for no reason. the scale of it, the numbers _ civilians for no reason. the scale of it, the numbers of _ civilians for no reason. the scale of it, the numbers of people - civilians for no reason. the scale - of it, the numbers of people leaving that we've been witnessing, two and a half million people have left ukraine. i guess, and your capacity to help out with the local groups where you are, when you meet the people that have left, how are they to you? people that have left, how are they to ou? ~ ~ �* , to you? well, i think... it's unmeasurable, _ to you? well, i think... it's unmeasurable, you - to you? well, i think... it's unmeasurable, you just - to you? well, i think... it's| unmeasurable, you just left to you? well, i think... it's - unmeasurable, you just left your whole life and you have to start over with nothing. it's a disaster. it's a disaster for the world in

general. it's a disaster for the world in ueneral. ., , it's a disaster for the world in ueneral. . , ., ., ., general. daria, we see an image of yourfamily- _ general. daria, we see an image of your family. talk— general. daria, we see an image of your family. talk us _ general. daria, we see an image of your family. talk us through - general. daria, we see an image of your family. talk us through them. | your family. talk us through them. what are they like? they seem a lovely family. they seem a family thatis lovely family. they seem a family that is very close. you must miss them terribly. i that is very close. you must miss them terribly-— them terribly. i call her sister, but she's _ them terribly. i call her sister, but she's actually my - them terribly. i call her sister, but she's actually my cousin. i them terribly. i call her sister, i but she's actually my cousin. we have different parents, but we grew up have different parents, but we grew up together, and we've been going... we spend our whole lives with each other, so we've been very close. i'm a godfather of the child, you can say he's my nephew. —— godmother. they're going to get through it better than all of us. they've gone through lots. my mum is a super

positive person. always has been. yeah, he was very strong. my sister, last time i spoke to her, my friends here in europe were suggesting for them to flee. she said she's going to repeat the words of our president. they don't want to give up. president. they don't want to give u -. , president. they don't want to give u . _ , ., ., “ “ president. they don't want to give up. they look like an absolutely ”oreous up. they look like an absolutely gorgeous family. _ up. they look like an absolutely gorgeous family. we _ up. they look like an absolutely gorgeous family. we hope - up. they look like an absolutely| gorgeous family. we hope you'll up. they look like an absolutely - gorgeous family. we hope you'll get reunited soon and you hear from them soon. have you thought about what happens in the future? because the situation in ukraine is so volatile at the moment, it's so invertible and we don't know how long this will last. what happens next for you? it

depends on how things are going to develop. we hope that ukraine wins soon and we come back to the country at its best again. we wish you so much of the best. we hope that you hear from your family, your lovely family and mariupol, studying in the netherlands, separated from the families. hasn't heard from them. thank you for speaking at us. we know it's not easy, so we really do appreciate it. european leaders have been in france for a scheduled summit, which is now focusing on the emergency in ukraine. the french president has been consistently engaged in talks with his russian counterpart. after the summit, he said he was committed to keeping the dialogue going.

translation: we constantly engaged in the discussions _ with president putin till the very last minute before he launched his war and after he decided to launch this war to try to reopen negotiations and get a ceasefire. nevertheless, i have to confess that today the conditions he put on the table are not acceptable by anybody and we will remain engaged to discuss with president putin and try to get what seems to be a realistic, but i think this option remains for me the best one, a ceasefire and a negotiation. i don't see the ceasefire realistic in the coming hours, to be honest with you. i manuel macron speaking earlier. the human catastrophe simply grows. two and a half million people have

now fled the country in what they described as a senseless war. poland has seen the greatest influx of people, totalling 1,000,000 and a half. our correspondent danjohnson has been speaking to refugees and volunteers in krakow. this is one of the relief centres in krakow in a theatre that this is one of the relief centres in krakow in a theatre that's been taken over. there are clothes here, food, there are people sleeping on the floor upstairs as a temporary measure before they're found somewhere to go on to, and julia's one of those people who escaped ukraine in the last few days. you've been able to sleep here last night, do you know where you'll sleep tonight, after that, in the future? maybe this night, we'll stay also here but in the future, i don't know our future because this is a short stay here. and we'll have a house only in some days, on the 17th of march, that's it.

so, you're safe, but it's still uncertain? yes, yes. 0k. thank you, we appreciate your time. this is a huge effort from voluntary groups, from charities and anna is one of the volunteers in charge here. from charities, and anna's one of the volunteers in charge here. it's been a phenomenal effort for the last two weeks, so much generosity — people opening up their homes to look after refugees. can that carry on? unfortunately, we cannot carry on like this because poland gave us a big support for all ukrainian people, they host them, they gave them food, they gave them warm clothes, everything. but it is not enough and poland cannot do it by itself. poland cannot do everything. we need other countries to support us and to help us with relocation for ukrainians. there are all sorts of volunteers who are giving their time and offering goodwill and support for all kinds of reasons. but the pressure's been on for a fortnight and the message is thatjust can't continue indefinitely. danjohnson, bbc news, krakow.

danjohnson dan johnson speaking to danjohnson speaking to people who have left ukraine. let's crossover live to poland. dominika pszczolkowska is a researcher at the central migration research in warsaw. the numbers are just absolutely unprecedented. if you think about the volume of people that have come into poland alone, it is overwhelming. describe to us how people are coping, how polls have been coping. 50 people are coping, how polls have been toning-— been coping. so far, i think there was something _ been coping. so far, i think there was something unprecedented i been coping. so far, i think there. was something unprecedented and been coping. so far, i think there - was something unprecedented and very heart—warming that was happening. people were helping in many ways — opening their homes, sometimes to people they didn't know. but obviously, this is reaching its limits. i think especially in terms of housing. there is a huge problem.

you there's just not enough housing. i've been searching all day for an apartment for a friend's friend, and i haven't found one in warsaw, despite the fact that this is one of the few families that can pay the growing rates. everything is occupied, and up to now, when we announced on facebook that we are looking for someone to host a newcomer, within minutes, there would be somebody. now, that's not the case any more. it's slowing down because people can't continue like that. the government is also opening temporary shelters. i think long—term, the polish labour market and the housing market can absorb several hundred thousand people, but

certainly not several million, which is what might be the case.- certainly not several million, which is what might be the case. which is certainly what _ is what might be the case. which is certainly what might _ is what might be the case. which is certainly what might be _ is what might be the case. which is certainly what might be the - is what might be the case. which is certainly what might be the case. l is what might be the case. which is certainly what might be the case. i | certainly what might be the case. i was at the borderjust a day certainly what might be the case. i was at the border just a day after the war started, and initially, you saw that absolute overwhelming kindness and generosity of people helping and people reaching out as well. but it was predominantly, predominantly volunteers, people doing it off their own back. you're now described it's more organised. talk us through the schemes. if you think about it, the children need to go to school and get back into education. how is that working? the education. how is that working? tue: government was education. how is that working? tte: government was obviously education. how is that working? t'te: government was obviously late education. how is that working? tte: government was obviously late and stepping in, but it is stepping in, and i think the most important thing it is a law that is going through parliament, which gives ukrainian citizens the right to reside and

work in poland for 18 months, and that can be extended. it also guarantees access to health care and benefits, such as the child benefit, but also, bilingual classes are being created where ukrainian teachers can teach, because we really don't have enough teachers. before this crisis, there is a shortage of teachers, so ukrainian teachers will be employed in classes taught partly in ukrainian. find t taught partly in ukrainian. and i wonder when — taught partly in ukrainian. and i wonder when it _ taught partly in ukrainian. and i wonder when it comes - taught partly in ukrainian. and i wonder when it comes to... - taught partly in ukrainian. and i wonder when it comes to... we're talking about the children, and it's a huge amount of children, but a lot of these people do move on as well, and a lot are absorbed because there is a high ukrainian community. but these particular rules, they are specific to ukrainian nationals. although ukrainian nationals are predominantly the largest group going through, there are also the

other nationalities coming through — the students, the workers. what happens to them?— the students, the workers. what ha ens to them? , ., ., , happens to them? yes, unfortunately, the law doesn't — happens to them? yes, unfortunately, the law doesn't cover _ happens to them? yes, unfortunately, the law doesn't cover them, _ happens to them? yes, unfortunately, the law doesn't cover them, so - happens to them? yes, unfortunately, the law doesn't cover them, so they i the law doesn't cover them, so they can receive some immediate aid — food at the border and a shelter — but it is assumed that they will leave and go to their countries of origin or go somewhere else. for many people, that is probably the first thing they wish for, but for some people, it's not possible. i see that as a problem. and there's another group, which is even larger, we believe, which is people who have not crossed the border from ukraine directly to poland. they have family in poland. they want to join their families or they already have, but

they would not be entitled to all these things i mentioned, which is i think very problematic. i know there is now an amendment to include these people, but very unsure whether that will pass. we'll see. so, these two groups, i think, will pass. we'll see. so, these two groups, ithink, should be included, but in the eyes of the polish government, i guess they were supposed to go elsewhere. than supposed to go elsewhere. an extremely complicated situation, but i have to stress, dominika, just immense kindness from the volunteers and hundreds of people helping the thousands coming in. dominika pszczolkows ka, thousands coming in. dominika pszczolkowska, thank you for speaking to us.— you very much. president zelensky has rejected russian claims that chemical weapons or weapons of mass destruction were developed in ukraine. in a video address, he also warned

that russia would get "the most severe sanctions response" if it were to use such weapons. the us said the allegations were intended to justify a potential russian chemical attack. with more, here's our security correspondent, gordon corera. the aftermath of a shelling in kharkiv. as russia's tactics become more aggressive and desperate, a growing fear is that it could use chemical weapons. ukraine's leader today added his voice to those warning of that danger. translation: 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 kharkiv? or at the children's hospital? so, what are chemical weapons? they release a toxin or poison, often a gas, and were used to devastating effect in the syrian conflict by russia's ally, the assad regime. and russia itself used a nerve

agent, a type of chemical weapon, in salisbury in the uk four years ago. so, what is russia saying? one concern is that moscow has been making claims that ukraine has its own weapons programmes. russia actually called a un meeting today amid claims of a secret us—backed biological weapons lab, something washington and ukraine deny. russia asked the security council for today's meeting for the sole purpose of lying and spreading disinformation, and that is exactly what you have heard from the russian pr this morning. the fear is that russia is preparing for what's called a "false flag", using chemical weapons itself and then blaming the ukrainians in order to justify the invasion. that, one western official said today, seems more likely than widespread military use of chemicals. so, what would the consequences be? in 2013, parliament voted not to take military action after the use of chemical weapons in syria, even though

they'd been described by the west as a "red line," so what would happen this time? officials here at the foreign office and across the west have been vocal about their concerns, but also careful not to say exactly how they would respond. i'm not going to speak| about the intelligence, but russia would pay a severe price if they used chemical weapons. - a strike on lutsk overnight, the devastation is already terrible. the hope will be that public warnings may dissuade moscow, though, from taking action which could bring even more suffering. gordon corera, bbc news. in towns and cities across ukraine, military funerals are now a daily occurrence. this country's regular armed forces — its soldiers, sailors and airforce — have beenjoined by volunteers, men and women who three weeks ago had never picked up a weapon, but who are now fighting and dying in defence of their land. fergal keane was at the ceremony.

sung prayers, weeping. the dead are returning... ..to homes far from the battlefield. today, they buried dmitro kabakov, 59, andrei stefanushin, 40, taras diduk, aged 25. for all the solidarity of crowds... ..this grief is solitary. prayers continue. each loss individual. forfamilies. for comrades.

prayers continue. singing. ukraine's dead in this war are full—timers, reservists, and conscripts. andrei stefanushin was a permanent soldier, married, with a three—year—old daughter. jaroslav is a friend from when they worked on the railways together. translation: we kept in touch, talked. -

you're watching bbc news. thanks for joining us. good evening. well, the weekend is almost upon us now, and the weather's looking a little bit mixed over the next few days. it's been turning increasingly unsettled through the day on friday. this was the picture in cornwall during the afternoon. so, a bit of sunshine, some big shower clouds around as well, and we will continue to see that mix of sunshine and showers through the course of the weekend. we've got one weather front which is clearing off towards the north—east, another one following in its wake and then another area of low pressure approaching from the atlantic. so, low pressure in charge over the next couple of days. plenty of showers, lots of cloud around across much of the uk through the course of tonight. fairly breezy, too, especially up towards the northern isles and for southern england. so, temperatures 6—7 degrees for most of us, a little bit cooler for northern ireland with lighter winds and clearer skies here. could be some misty patches, in fact, to start off your day on saturday. but after a fairly cloudy, drizzly start for most areas,

there is some sunshine developing in the south. sunny spells for much of southern england up towards northern ireland as well before the next area of wet, windy weather arrives from the south—west later on. temperatures about 9—13 degrees for most of us, a little bit cooler where the showers persist for the north of scotland. but let's concentrate on the wind gusts for south—west england and south wales, 50 to perhaps 60 mph gusts later on on saturday afternoon during the evening, so some really windy weather developing as we move through saturday night and on into sunday. the winds progressing more widely across the uk as we start the second half of the weekend. so, sunday morning, again it's looking frost—free, it is looking cloudy, breezy and damp from the word go. so, outbreaks of rain with us on sunday. as you can see, low pressure is in charge, lots of isobars on the map, so another windy spell of weather, particularly windy closer to that area of low pressure. around some of these irish sea coasts, gales developing with gusts of 50—60 mph, but breezy wherever you are. and you can see a mix of some showery rain, but some sunny spells developing as well, especially later in the day. top temperatures a little bit

cooler than recent days, between about 8—12 degrees and feeling cooler in the breeze. but there will be some sunshine in between those showers as well. these are the gusts we're expecting, though, 50—60 mph through some of these irish sea coasts, the likes of pembrokshire up towards northern ireland. for instance, the isle of man looking very windy, but wherever you are, you'll notice that breeze. and looking ahead into next week, and higher pressure builds, so not completely dry, but it's looking drier and brighter. we could see temperatures in the south up to about 18 degrees by wednesday. bye— bye.

this is bbc news with the headlines.... russia broadens its attack on ukraine — hitting more cities. an airstrike on the central eastern city of dnipro hits a nursery, an apartment block and a shoe factory. we have a report from the scene. this site is one of complete devastation. the smoke is still rising from the ruins of this building hours after the missiles struck. near the capital kyiv — the exodus gathers pace — as russian forces edge closer. president biden announces a new round of sanctions against russia — including revoking its most favoured nation status. this is going to make it harder for russia to do business with the united states, and doing it in unison with other

nations that make up half of the global economy will be another crushing blow. and france warns of the impact the conflict could have on global food supplies. translation: we must reassess the strategy for africa, _ because a number of african i countries are going to be hit by famines in the next 12—18 months because of this war. _ and russian prosecutors call for a ban on facebook�*s parent company, meta, after the firm changed its rules to allow violent speech in response to the invasion of ukraine. as the conflict intensifies, the column of armoured vehicles that had been heading to kyiv appears to have been redeployed to surrounding areas — causing more concern that

a new attack on the capital could be imminent. our international correspondent orla guerin has been to the frontline, close to the town of bucha where russian troops are battling ukrainian forces — just 15 miles — or 2a kilometres from the centre of kyiv. the lonely road towards russian positions on the outskirts of kyiv. we headed carefully towards the commuter town of bucha, bombed day and night. there are battlegrounds along the way. well, this is as far as we can go. we've just come through the last ukrainian checkpoint. up ahead is no man's land, and the next checkpoint is in the hands of the russians. we've been hearing the sounds of battle in the last few minutes,

with outgoing shelling from here towards the russian positions. "the fighting is hard, very hard," says victor, breaking down. "15 days." he is a pensioner turned defender of ukraine. "overall, it's fine," he says. "we have our children... "..our wives. "this is our land." anatoli, who is 72, was risking his life to look for petrol.

"everything is destroyed," he tells me. "there is no electricity, no gas. "it's very cold in the house. "i'm sorry. "this is life." inside bucha, there is no life. so today, once again, civilians were fleeing. from russia, this choice — go or be bombed. documents are checked before they head for kyiv. ukrainian forces don't want russian saboteurs getting through. cars brimming with desperation and trimmed with white ribbons, a plea for safe passage.

did you see the russian forces in your area? "we passed three of their checkpoints. "there were tanks there," says alexander. his wife, natalya, also weeps for ukraine. russian armour is now closing in on kyiv, according to these satellite images. the pentagon says the russians may now be less than ten miles from the city centre. orla guerin, bbc news, on the outskirts of kyiv. russia has called for foreign volunteers to fight alongside its troops in ukraine, suggesting there were thousands in the middle east ready to join. us officials said these could include fighters from syria, which is a long—standing ally of russia. from moscow, our russia editor steve rosenberg reports.

for russia's defence minister, sergei shoygu, it was a busy day. medals for his troops wounded in action. and a video call with the kremlin to announce that 16,000 volunteers from the middle east want to fight for russia in ukraine. "good idea," said the president. translation: if you see that some volunteers would like to come i and help people in the donbas, especially without being paid, then we should meet them halfway and help them relocate to the war zone. soon after, this. chanting. russian tv showed what it said were pro—russia fighters in syria, ready and willing. they've helped moscow in the syrian war, but what will happen if they fight in ukraine? they'll be very ruthless, and they'll use syrian tactics liberating ukrainian cities

by reducing them to rubble. this war is turning into a war of attrition in which russia cannot win because the ukrainians are going to have more supplies, more money coming their way, while the russian financial system is going broke because of sanctions, the russian economy is tanking. vladimir putin has much to reflect on after 16 days of what he calls his "special military operation". the kremlin says that by sending thousands of foreign fighters to ukraine, it's acting no differently from the ukrainian government, which has also been signing up volunteers. but remember, it was russia that launched this offensive, sending its troops across the border into a sovereign nation. moscow seems determined to secure a military victory. but at what cost to the russian people? in moscow today, more queues, more western shops closing, more economic pain from sanctions.

for some, the priority now is buying an air ticket out of here. but president putin insists his country will get through this. when he met the leader of belarus, vladimir putin said, in the past, sanctions had made russia stronger. from the kremlin leader, no hint of regret. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. i'm joined now by fawaz gerges, professor of international relations at the london school of economics. he specialises in middle eastern studies. what are you hearing from your sources? how likely is putin to get foreign volunteers? i think there is a lot of hype and propaganda involved and we should be

careful about accepting at face value that there are 16,000 foreigners who would like to volunteer and join the russian war in the ukraine. at most be talking about hundreds as opposed to 16,000 the russian defence minister mentioned. the russian defence minister mentioned-— the russian defence minister mentioned. ., ., , mentioned. you are revising the numbers we _ mentioned. you are revising the numbers we had _ mentioned. you are revising the numbers we had healing - mentioned. you are revising the numbers we had healing from i mentioned. you are revising the l numbers we had healing from the kremlin but the likelihood they will come, where are they coming from and given the relationship between putin and president assad when will they come from. ~.,, and president assad when will they come from-— come from. most of the former is more probable. — come from. most of the former is more probable, from _ come from. most of the former is more probable, from syria, i come from. most of the former is more probable, from syria, the i more probable, from syria, the russian military intervention in 2015 in syria was a watershed. president assad would not have survived without the military intervention by the russians so there is a great deal of support for

russia in syria. what we need to tell our audience, your audience is that it tell our audience, your audience is thatitis tell our audience, your audience is that it is interesting that a few days ago the ukrainian president said there were 17,000 16,000 formosa volunteered for the cause, call them of the international legion and today the russian defence minister mentioned the exact number 16,000 foreign volunteers to join the russian campaign. what i am trying to say as there is an information and propaganda war and information and propaganda war and in syria probably the russian might be able to get a few hundred fighters particularly from the syrian military, it is ironic there are reports in the syrian military and by the president assad's

followers calling for volunteers to join the russian campaign in ukraine but this is the beginning, there is no credible information talking about thousands of potential volunteers in syria joining the campaign so far. volunteers in syria “oining the campaign so far._ volunteers in syria “oining the campaign so far. volunteers in syria “oining the camaiansofar. , ., ., , campaign so far. focusing on what is ha enin: campaign so far. focusing on what is happening in — campaign so far. focusing on what is happening in terms _ campaign so far. focusing on what is happening in terms of _ campaign so far. focusing on what is happening in terms of the _ campaign so far. focusing on what is happening in terms of the ukraine i happening in terms of the ukraine military and bolstering that, when i was in poland i saw people ukrainian nationals going back to fight but also a couple of foreigners going over tojoin and support also a couple of foreigners going over to join and support ukraine's military efforts so took us through, is that an assumption that russia is suggesting that is that ukraine is also calling for people to join it. absolutely, notjust ukraine, absolutely, not just ukraine, remember that absolutely, notjust ukraine, remember that the british foreign secretary made it very clear she does not mind for blitz to join the

war, the fight against the russian invasion of ukraine. we know there are brits and americans and canadians and australians there, thousands. my fear as the russian invasion of ukraine has internationalised the conflict. if the russians succeed and most probably they will and getting hundreds of syrian and other fighters, this hotel to be a regional conflict. i think everyone loses because we know when foreigners join conflicts talking about afghanistan or iraq or syria and libya not only do they internationalise the conflict they get a militarised and radicalised and when they return home they bring the radical ideologies with them so i fully understand ukraine the radical ideologies with them so ifully understand ukraine has been calling forforeign ifully understand ukraine has been calling for foreign volunteers but what we need to understand the implications long—term of internationalising this conflict

because this will come to harm not only ukraine but even european security. only ukraine but even european securi . ., , only ukraine but even european securi. ., , security. those words everyone loses will stay with — will stay with us, good to speak to you, and get your thoughts and expertise. thank you. more now on president biden's announcement — a further tightening of restrictions on trade with russia. mr biden said the united states had agreed with its g—7 allies and the european union to revoke preferential terms for russian goods — known as most favoured nation status. the move will lead to higher tariffs. mr biden condemned vladimir putin as an aggressor, and said he must be made to pay a price. a most favoured nation status designation means two countries have agreed to trade with each other under the best possible terms — low tariffs, few barriers of trade and the highest possible imports allowed.

in the united states, we call this permanent normal trade relations, pntr, but it's the same thing. revoking pntr for russia is going to make it harder for russia to do business with the united states, and doing it in unison with other nations that make up half of the global economy will be another crushing blow to the russian economy. it's already suffering very badly from our sanctions. conflict on the ground is now just one part of waging a military campaign. there's also a war to fight on social media and in cyberspace. as a digital barricade between russia and the world continue to grow, russia's state media watchdog, roskom—nadzor, now says instagram will be blocked in the country due to "calls for violence" against russian soldiers. facebook, twitter, tiktok all face restrictions and bans in russia in the last two weeks.

alp toker, the director of netblocks, a london organization that tracks internet censorship in realtime. meta changing its user policy to allow calls for violence against russian soldiers. what exactly does that mean? tit sounds quite extraordinary that a company as large as meta says calls for violence are ok as long as they are targeted against russians. what they are saying and reality is a bit more nuanced. the reality is and what time when another aggressive as attacking another country ukrainian is have a right to voice their discontent and anger and the adamant as a linguistic one that the term the russians can be used to refer to the russians can be used to refer to the russians can be used to refer to

the russian army and also it is legitimate to criticise putin and make threats of violence against him because she is the aggressor in this case. there is this argument but on face value it seems like quite a departure from company moderation rules which do not allow this kind of speech. we rules which do not allow this kind of seech. ~ ., rules which do not allow this kind of speech-— of speech. we are effectively talkin: of speech. we are effectively talking about _ of speech. we are effectively talking about the _ of speech. we are effectively talking about the ability i of speech. we are effectively talking about the ability and | talking about the ability and incitement of violence and a specifically talking about not against russian nationals of course, this is more targeted than that but still it sounds like an overwhelming concept and i wonder what the thinking is behind that, as it this company taking sides or an inability to process all the information and block these kind of incitement to violence. we block these kind of incitement to violence. ~ ., ., , ., violence. we have to remember that facebook and _ violence. we have to remember that facebook and instagram _ violence. we have to remember that facebook and instagram and - violence. we have to remember that facebook and instagram and the i facebook and instagram and the platforms that meta operate have

billions of users and amongst them facebook, meta has a responsibility to protect users and keep them safe. it cannot look at these cases one by one case—by—case so by imposing these rules they create a situation where they keep some users are safe but in this case that has broken down because you have entire countries where people are so discontented with the russian military action in ukraine that they are calling for violence and protection from invading forces. that has left meta and a difficult place where effectively effort sticks to its own rules then it has no option but to ban huge swathes of users. significant populations within these countries so faced with this dilemma of kicking out the victims of the aggression they have taken the decision which has been

communicated badly because it was leaked from the company and writers broke the news so they do not have the opportunity to be negated effectively. —— communicated effectively. -- communicated effectively-— effectively. the state media watchdog — effectively. the state media watchdog putting _ effectively. the state media | watchdog putting restrictions effectively. the state media i watchdog putting restrictions on social media organisations, what does that mean in terms of the information flow allowed or not allowed in russia. it is allowed in russia. it is extraordinary, - allowed in russia. it is extraordinary, we i allowed in russia. it is extraordinary, we are| allowed in russia. it is i extraordinary, we are seeing allowed in russia. tit 3 extraordinary, we are seeing the closure of the information space in russia to an extent that has not been seen since the soviet. this is an entire new period for the country and it is difficult to see how this will impact people. we have seen facebook and twitter have been restricted since almost the beginning of the invasion and that has been extended to media

platforms, news media including websites like the bbc and local news websites like the bbc and local news websites so suddenly you have an environment where the internet or international platform new sources are restricted and people cannot get access to independent sources of news and that is extremely concerning and it has not been this way and many years in russia so these are very different times. thank you. millions of artworks are at risk of being destroyed or looted amid russia's invasion of ukraine — with the boss of getty calling it a �*cultural catastrophe'. russian forces have also been accused of destroying ukraine's cultural heritage, including museums and monuments. so, how much of an impact is the war having on ukraine's culture and art? let's talk to maya asha mcdonald. she's a writer, art historian and advisor on cultural restitution.

talk us through this aspect that what we are seeing on the ground and difficulties with something that may be under looked but it is crucial as well and terms of the culture of the nation. ., .., . well and terms of the culture of the nation. ., . ., . ., nation. now the conflict we are -a in: nation. now the conflict we are paying attention _ nation. now the conflict we are paying attention to _ nation. now the conflict we are paying attention to the - nation. now the conflict we are paying attention to the human | paying attention to the human suffering and that is first and foremost the most important thing but simultaneously in these conflicts as the systematic looting and destruction of objects so they get split into two groups of objects that rf bringing back to the invading country, and this case moscow or objects that need to be destroyed for propaganda purposes. we already know the museum in eastern ukraine has been burned to the ground and distinctly celebrated ukrainian heritage, it was very

ukrainian heritage, it was very ukrainian centric and that has implications for putin's message that ukraine is not a real country and there is no ethnographic difference between russians and ukrainians and we have seen that was indiscriminately destroyed and we know he did this in crimea when he has moved between 2014 and 2019 over one million archaeological artefacts back to moscow so there is a huge implication of what can happen to the distinctly ukrainian heritage and as well as that the product heritage of the region.- and as well as that the product heritage of the region. could you clari to heritage of the region. could you clarify to us _ heritage of the region. could you clarify to us this _ heritage of the region. could you clarify to us this is _ heritage of the region. could you clarify to us this is targeted, i heritage of the region. could you clarify to us this is targeted, you | clarify to us this is targeted, you think this is the target at destruction of these museums and places where culture and art is usually celebrated.— places where culture and art is usually celebrated. yes. i think putin from _ usually celebrated. yes. i think putin from my _ usually celebrated. yes. i think putin from my brief _ usually celebrated. yes. i think putin from my brief experience| usually celebrated. yes. i think i putin from my brief experience with him is a very shrewd individual who is not going to destroy things

indiscriminately. we know stamina not do that during the macjust of stalin the there were specific instructions of what was to be destroyed and brought back to russia and putin being a kgb man inherently will not go against his soviet training and allow them to run wild because that is real propaganda and iconographic value nn bringing bike certain artefacts to russia and also destroying things distinct for ukraine so besought hitler do this in poland but he destroyed iconography of the polish people which played a huge role and demoralising the population should be also anticipating something similar or cutting. we be also anticipating something similar or cutting.— be also anticipating something similar or cutting. we hear how putin believes _ similar or cutting. we hear how putin believes ukraine - similar or cutting. we hear how putin believes ukraine is i similar or cutting. we hear how

putin believes ukraine is not i similar or cutting. we hear how putin believes ukraine is not al putin believes ukraine is not a country, have it potentially as part of russia itself, kyiv being so important culturally for russia. you have sat down with him and what is says thinking here? thea;i have sat down with him and what is says thinking here?— says thinking here? they are twofold, there _ says thinking here? they are twofold, there is _ says thinking here? they are twofold, there is the - twofold, there is the straightforward answer of he does not believe ukraine is a real country. we know he said this to president bush that it is not a real place, that goes back to a deep—seated soviet ideology which is the mode in which putin is made. but there is also the idea of imperialism which putin is a fan of, we have seen this, he harkens back to the almost glittering age of the tsar so he is very antithetical to what lennon betrayed which was coming as and no interest in imperial legacy. putin as because

his oligarchs went on a crusade to reacquire the roman of faberge easter eggs. once putin came into power and we know they are very close and he is somebody who values history and that was very clear in my interactions with him when he wanted to very much quiz me about what i knew about russian artistic history, if i had visited the faberge museum, i had not at the time and he was visibly annoyed with me and i was only able to save myself because i started talking about the hermitage and how it is like the liver and are testament to imperialism and the treasures with a napoleonic tone and that it cannot be underestimated because it is a very similar mindset.— be underestimated because it is a very similar mindset. could you help us understand _ very similar mindset. could you help us understand when _ very similar mindset. could you help us understand when you _ very similar mindset. could you help us understand when you met - very similar mindset. could you help us understand when you met him i very similar mindset. could you help| us understand when you met him and talked to him, what, what was he

like? he talked to him, what, what was he like? ., , , talked to him, what, what was he like? . , , .., talked to him, what, what was he like? ., , .., ., , like? he was very cold at first, most people — like? he was very cold at first, most people would _ like? he was very cold at first, most people would anticipate l like? he was very cold at first, i most people would anticipate that but once you size me up he was interested in my specialty features buys and tyne out and it became clear that he has a possessiveness over estate museums and russia and their artefacts and treasure and he views them as real proof of his nation's superiority that look at these things i have, it was like a parent boasting about a gifted child and i have seen other politicians talk about it repositories about but never with that level of competitiveness and at the end of an exchange she told me i knew a lot for a canadian. the implication that because i am canadian i have a listen and to stick it edge so even

in that moment when there is no competition that back sorry, we are out of time, thank you.

this is bbc news. i'm kasia madera with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. russia broadens its attack on ukraine, hitting more cities. an airstrike on the central eastern city of dnipro hits a nursery, an apartment block and a shoe factory. we have a report from the scene. this site is one of complete devastation. the smoke is still rising from the ruins of this building hours after the missiles struck. near the capital, kyiv, the exodus gathers pace as russian forces edge closer. meanwhile at the un in new york, russia claims, without providing evidence, that there's a biological weapons programme inside ukraine. translation: we have discovered truly shocking facts of emergency l

clean—up by the kyiv regime of the traces of a military