this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe i'mjoanna gosling. our top stories... ukraine says it hopes a number of humanitarian corridors from the besieged city of mariupol will open up and accused russia of blocking supplies. air—raid sirens sound in cities across ukraine — as russia pushes into new areas. the president remains defiant. translation: i can assure you that 100% of all people in all— democracies will know this. the actions of the russian invaders will be equated with the actions of isis terrorists. lam i am yalda hakim live in the west of ukraine _ i am yalda hakim live in the west of ukraine where tens of thousands of people _ ukraine where tens of thousands of people continue to arrive to flee

the fighting but there are concerns that the _ the fighting but there are concerns that the war is moving westwards. concerns grow about the protection of ukraine's nuclear power plants — as shelling and air raids threaten their safety. it's estimated more than two and—a half million people have now left ukraine to escape the war. hello and welcome to bbc news. a huge armoured column of russian troops appears to be slowly closing in on the ukrainian capital, kyiv. air raid warnings have sounded there — and also in many other cities across ukraine as moscow steps up it's military campaign. here's the latest situation with areas held by russian forces in red — and stripes where they are making progress. we mentioned advances near kyiv — and also the south with troops moving towards odesa. the other key news lines this hour.

the ukrainian government has said it hopes several humanitarian corridors will be open today so more civilians can escape towns and cities including mariupol. over two and a half million people have now left ukraine to escape the war. moldova says that every eighth child on its territory is a refugee. president biden has again insisted the united states will not become directly involved against russia. let's cross now to my colleague yalda hakim in lviv. joanna, thank you. air raid sirens were heard across this country in the last 2a hours and in the early hours of this morning we spent the time in an underground bunker because increasingly those air raid sirens are becoming more and more frequent. there are concerns that this western part of the country up until now relatively safe and relatively peaceful could become at

risk of russian bombardment. we know that in the north west of the country, in lurgan, military air bases were turn —— targeted. still, with those humanitarian corridors opening up, people are trying to get to the west of the country, to be able to move to places like poland. gunfire. in the forests outside kyiv, a firefight as ukrainian solders take on russian troops. in some areas, the enemy is now less than ten miles from the centre of the capital. on the road to the town of bucha, close to the frontline, the streets are almost deserted. but 72—year—old anatoly is risking his life, out looking for petrol. "everything is destroyed," he says. "there is no electricity or gas." cries.

"it's very cold in the house," he goes on. from the air, north—west of kyiv, you can make out houses on fire after coming under attack, as well as a small airport. explosion. dnipro, in the centre of ukraine, was previously considered safe but that's no longer the case. the city of almost a million people bombed for the first time since the conflict began. "we didn't ask them to come and save us," irina says, as she cleans up some of the damage. "we were doing fine in our own country." some of the worst russian shelling has come at night. this is the southern city of mykolaiv, on the black sea. at a local hospital, many of the injured are too fragile to be moved to safety and doctors here say they want a no—fly zone.

mykolaiv is a border between the russians and western civilisation. further east, the port city of mariupol continues to be besieged. speaking overnight, president zelensky has said there will be another attempt to allow civilians to escape. translation: today, russian troops also disrupted the work of most humanitarian corridors. but, despite everything, 7,114 people were saved from enerhodar, bucha, hostomel and kozarovychi, and these are 7144 reasons to try to organise evacuation for ukrainians from the besieged cities tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. ukraine's international allies are continuing to ramp up sanctions and there have been further warnings to russia about the use of chemical weapons. direct confrontation between nato and russia is world war iii — - something we must strive to prevent.

but we already know putin's war against ukraine will never- be a victory. he hoped to dominate i ukraine without a fight. he failed. all the while, the refugee crisis continues to grow. as the russians widen their assault, less and less of ukraine remains safe and more and more families feel they have no choice but to leave. jon donnison, bbc news. as the fighting rages on, as does the bombardment, _ as the fighting rages on, as does the bombardment, many- as the fighting rages on, as does the bombardment, many peoplel as the fighting rages on, as does. the bombardment, many people are worried, _ the bombardment, many people are worried, outside _ the bombardment, many people are worried, outside of— the bombardment, many people are worried, outside of the _ the bombardment, many people are worried, outside of the country- worried, outside of the country about— worried, outside of the country about those _ worried, outside of the country about those who _ worried, outside of the country about those who are _ worried, outside of the country about those who are stuck. - let's speak to oksana nikolayenko in nottinghamshire. she wants to get her dad mykhaylo or misha for short — a family scheme visa to bring him to the uk. thank you forjoining us, tell us a bit more about where your father is on the situation he faces. my bit more about where your father is on the situation he faces.— on the situation he faces. my dad lives in kyiv _ on the situation he faces. my dad

lives in kyiv at _ on the situation he faces. my dad lives in kyiv at the _ on the situation he faces. my dad lives in kyiv at the moment - on the situation he faces. my dad lives in kyiv at the moment and l on the situation he faces. my dad l lives in kyiv at the moment and he is not in the central area, his area is not in the central area, his area is relatively ok for now, but the russian troops are swarming here and the only complication factor is that my father has kidney failure and he has to go to the hospital twice a week, it used to be three times a week, it used to be three times a week, for treatment. he has to go there, that takes just over an hour each way. it is quite complicated for him to be there because of his dialysis. we are obviously working on that, there have been some changes recently, we have been able to apply online for a visa, but that is not in placejust to apply online for a visa, but that

is not in place just yet. you to apply online for a visa, but that is not in place just yet.— is not in place 'ust yet. you must be so worried — is not in place just yet. you must be so worried about _ is not in place just yet. you must be so worried about him, - is not in place just yet. you must be so worried about him, not - is not in placejust yet. you must| be so worried about him, notjust about getting out of the country, but for him to have his ongoing treatment. but for him to have his ongoing treatment-— but for him to have his ongoing treatment. , ., , , , , treatment. yes, absolutely, because obviously he — treatment. yes, absolutely, because obviously he cannot _ treatment. yes, absolutely, because obviously he cannot do _ treatment. yes, absolutely, because obviously he cannot do without - treatment. yes, absolutely, because obviously he cannot do without the l obviously he cannot do without the treatment. one kidney is not functioning. it is vital for him to be on this treatment. that is why he has been very hesitant on going anywhere, because as we all know, it takes quite some time to leave kyiv to travel to the west and once he crosses the border, he is 65 and he is quite fragile for his age, so we are trying to find the best solution for him at this moment in time. share for him at this moment in time. are ou auoin for him at this moment in time. are you going to — for him at this moment in time. are you going to try and get him out of the country? i know you say it is incredibly difficult on thatjourney to the west where we are in lviv, it is especially treacherous, especially when you are quite ill,

but if the fighting continues and if kyiv becomes besieged, will you try and get him out?— and get him out? absolutely. he is the only family _ and get him out? absolutely. he is the only family we _ and get him out? absolutely. he is the only family we have. _ and get him out? absolutely. he is the only family we have. myself. and get him out? absolutely. he is| the only family we have. myself and my sister, who both live here and we worry about him very much and we will do our best to get him out, we want him to stay safe and he is ex military, he is putting on a brave face, but obviously we need to make sure that he is safe for this time, because obviously, he has been awake with the sirens, he has been paying close interest since the beginning of the war. ~ .,, close interest since the beginning of the war-— of the war. with those air raid sirens, of the war. with those air raid sirens. we _ of the war. with those air raid sirens, we are _ of the war. with those air raid sirens, we are all— of the war. with those air raid sirens, we are all forced - of the war. with those air raid sirens, we are all forced to i of the war. with those air raid sirens, we are all forced to go underground into the bankers, because your father is so ill, what does he actually do?—

because your father is so ill, what does he actually do? well, he does not want to — does he actually do? well, he does not want to go _ does he actually do? well, he does not want to go into _ does he actually do? well, he does not want to go into the _ does he actually do? well, he does not want to go into the bunker, - not want to go into the bunker, because he does not think it will be safe for him to go into the bunker, but at the moment he just stays where he is. i think he has seen what has been happening in mariupol and other cities, where people have been buried underneath the building and he is quite worried about that. he has to go to his dialysis as well. at this time he is able to receive it, so at the moment he stays where he is. if receive it, so at the moment he stays where he is.— receive it, so at the moment he stays where he is. if you are able to net stays where he is. if you are able to get him _ stays where he is. if you are able to get him out — stays where he is. if you are able to get him out of— stays where he is. if you are able to get him out of kyiv _ stays where he is. if you are able to get him out of kyiv and - stays where he is. if you are able to get him out of kyiv and to - stays where he is. if you are able to get him out of kyiv and to the| to get him out of kyiv and to the west add to somewhere like poland, for example, do you think it is going to be easy to get him to the

uk, because we have seen the difficulties and challenges and i know they have change the system and it can be done virtually now, but so many people have had trouble trying to get family members into the uk. n to get family members into the uk. i think that puts him off as well, because he thinks it is very complicated and he will have to wait for a couple of weeks without having his treatment. at the moment i don't really know. i will have to see how the system works. after the 15th of march, you could apply online. it would make sense for him to come to us, because most of his family are here. we willjust have to see what we can do to make it faster for here. we willjust have to see what we can do to make it fasterfor him, and see if he can get dialysis in another country, we willjust have to see what the best solution is. we are running out of time now that

kyiv is being surrounded.- are running out of time now that kyiv is being surrounded. when you seak to kyiv is being surrounded. when you speakto him. _ kyiv is being surrounded. when you speak to him, does _ kyiv is being surrounded. when you speak to him, does he _ kyiv is being surrounded. when you speak to him, does he give - kyiv is being surrounded. when you speak to him, does he give you - kyiv is being surrounded. when you speak to him, does he give you the| speak to him, does he give you the sense that it is only a matter of time before russian forces come into kyiv? we know about the column of troops that have been waiting on the outskirts of kyiv, they have scattered now, but there is this concern, almost like a weight. yes. m dad is concern, almost like a weight. yes. my dad is really _ concern, almost like a weight. yes. my dad is really brave. _ concern, almost like a weight. yes my dad is really brave. he is telling us that everything is ok, he has mentioned a few times that he would hear some shots and noises and he has got a little dog as well, a cocker spaniel who is very sensitive to all of that, but he is being very calm, he is not really saying it is just a matter of time and that things will get quite bad and quite dangerous over there. as far as we

can see, the situation is getting worse. yes. ithink can see, the situation is getting worse. yes. i think we will definitely have to act to get him out of there, because i know he is just trying to be really brave for us. it isjust just trying to be really brave for us. it is just not that kind of situation where you have to be brave. ~ ., , ., situation where you have to be brave. ~ .,, ., i. i. brave. we hope that you get your father out safely. _ brave. we hope that you get your father out safely. thank - brave. we hope that you get your father out safely. thank you - brave. we hope that you get your father out safely. thank you for l father out safely. thank you for joining us on the programme. she is trying to get her father out of kyiv. prior to russia invasion the ukrainian city of odesa served as the countries largest port, and hub for the vast amounts of agricultural produce of the ukrainian breadbasket. due to russian naval dominance the port was closed. the one ready supply still coming from odesa's shore is now sand for sandbags, as odesans continue to fortify their strategically crutial city. valerii nowak is owner of agricultural export

company east globe limited. he is now is coordinating humanitarian aid in odesa and joing us from the �*odesa in our heart's aid centre. thank you forjoining us on the programme. tell us a bit more about trying to get aid into odesa. we have seen what has happened to the port city of mariupol also in the south, are you concerned that that is going to be the fate of odesa? i don't think that anything is vital at this stage. however, it would be reasonable enough to mention that the exports which were happening from the ports, the southern ports of ukraine, odesa in particular, are now fully displaced, there is no possibility to perform those operations as of now. however, if we are speaking about getting

humanitarian aid into odesa, most of it arrives by truck from europe, through the polish border, my friends, just yesterday, received a few trucks from germany. so, they humanitarian aid does come in, but it comes in via trucks. d0 humanitarian aid does come in, but it comes in via trucks.— it comes in via trucks. do they face difficulty on — it comes in via trucks. do they face difficulty on the _ it comes in via trucks. do they face difficulty on the path _ it comes in via trucks. do they face difficulty on the path to _ it comes in via trucks. do they face difficulty on the path to odesa? . it comes in via trucks. do they face | difficulty on the path to odesa? are they facing any kind of shelling, rocket attacks firing from russian forces? i rocket attacks firing from russian forces? . rocket attacks firing from russian forces? , ., , forces? i believe that the western arts of forces? i believe that the western parts of ukraine _ forces? i believe that the western parts of ukraine are _ forces? i believe that the western parts of ukraine are not _ forces? i believe that the western parts of ukraine are not as - parts of ukraine are not as endangered as the rest of the country, especially the north and the eastern parts of the country, therefore i assume that they are also travelling with protection and there are certain corridors made by there are certain corridors made by the government which are deemed secure, therefore so far, we are not

blockaded at all and it is quiet in odesa itself and in the bordering regions. odesa itself and in the bordering reuions. ~ ., ., regions. what do you need most? the main issue right _ regions. what do you need most? the main issue right now— regions. what do you need most? the main issue right now is _ regions. what do you need most? the main issue right now is the _ regions. what do you need most? the main issue right now is the finished i main issue right now is the finished product, as in child produce, child food, all the necessary things for child care, finished products themselves are the main issue right now, because many families are facing a tremendous lack of income, possibly their income has been shut down, they have lost theirjobs, there are a lot of families with children, a lot of elderly people who also require daily assistance and basically everyone in the city who has the ability is trying to assist those people and get them

what is needed. find assist those people and get them what is needed.— what is needed. and these humanitarian _ what is needed. and these humanitarian corridors, . what is needed. and these humanitarian corridors, or| what is needed. and these - humanitarian corridors, or people safely able to get out if they want to make their way to the west and out of the country? that to make their way to the west and out of the country?— out of the country? at this stage, es. out of the country? at this stage, yes. there have been _ out of the country? at this stage, yes. there have been huge - out of the country? at this stage, l yes. there have been huge queues out of the country? at this stage, - yes. there have been huge queues in the very beginning and now we see that women and children are able to get out, some parts of my distant relatives have left the country, especially women with children. all the men have stayed, but we have taken them to the borders of moldova where they then travel to romania and then through into spain. there is something _ and then through into spain. there is something quite _ and then through into spain. there is something quite eerie _ and then through into spain. there is something quite eerie about seeing, just here in lviv and i saw the train station, the number of women and children coming out without the man and to think about odesa now, the majority of the men left in that city waiting to defend it. , , , , , ,

it. this is very true. this is very true. it. this is very true. this is very true- despite — it. this is very true. this is very true. despite the _ it. this is very true. this is very true. despite the fact _ it. this is very true. this is very true. despite the fact that - it. this is very true. this is very. true. despite the fact that odesa it. this is very true. this is very - true. despite the fact that odesa is the quietest city in the country at this stage, all the men are in full readiness to protect the country and to protect our land, but the fact is at this moment, while it is still quiet, we hope it will remain this way, but still we are able to do much more as a civilian population, helping the people who are facing lack of food, who need the regular support. actually, you know, before that, i never understood how many people are in need in the country and once the war happened, it opened my ice to all those troublesome issues now that we are facing and i am very grateful that i am able to help and i think everyone who is able to help is very grateful for this opportunity. but

able to help is very grateful for this opportunity.— this opportunity. but there are concerns that _ this opportunity. but there are concerns that odesa _ this opportunity. but there are concerns that odesa will - this opportunity. but there are concerns that odesa will not . this opportunity. but there are - concerns that odesa will not remain quiet for long, it is a strategic port city, the largest in ukraine and it is also the port city that is the bread basket of this country, how much has not been impacted now that the port has been disrupted in this way? this that the port has been disrupted in thiswa ? a ,.,,._ that the port has been disrupted in thiswa ? a , , ~ ., this way? as you probably know, ukraine is able _ this way? as you probably know, ukraine is able to _ this way? as you probably know, ukraine is able to feed _ this way? as you probably know, ukraine is able to feed more - this way? as you probably know, | ukraine is able to feed more than half a billion people around the world. we produce so much corn that we are on the second place for exports of corn, second place in the world for exports of barley, we are the number one producer of sunflower oil in the world and given the fact that all of those cargoes are exported, most of those cargoes are exported, most of those cargoes are exported via sea routes, the export is now impossible and we are now having restrictions by the government in order to keep the

local stock, to make sure that we have enough strategic products in order to provide to the local consumers. order to provide to the local consumers-— order to provide to the local consumers. , , , consumers. yes, because if odesa noes consumers. yes, because if odesa aoes and consumers. yes, because if odesa goes and mariupol— consumers. yes, because if odesa goes and mariupol goes _ consumers. yes, because if odesa goes and mariupol goes on - consumers. yes, because if 0desa| goes and mariupol goes on russian forces have control, ukraine essentially becomes landlocked. it is true but i would not want to speculate on that that much, because maybe i am keeping myself positive because i was born and raised in odesa and i love the city so much that even in my wildest dreams i would never imagine that someone can take over at this beautiful city of ours. . ~' take over at this beautiful city of ours. . ~ , ., take over at this beautiful city of ours. . ~ i. ,., take over at this beautiful city of ours. . ~ i. . take over at this beautiful city of ours. . ~ . ., ., ours. thank you so much for “oining us and sharing fl ours. thank you so much for “oining us and sharing your * ours. thank you so much forjoining us and sharing your thoughts - ours. thank you so much forjoining us and sharing your thoughts from | us and sharing your thoughts from odesa. that is just a snapshot of

the situation in the south of the country, quite different to mariupol, we are hearing devastating stories, devastating reports of bodies dumped in the streets because of the bombardment and the fighting, mass graves, people running out of food and water. there is no water or no power, the city has been plunged into darkness and in these freezing conditions, i know the sun is out today, but it was —15 last night and in those conditions, the people do not have heating either. we will continue our coverage, so stay with us, but for now back to you, joanna. the uk's ministry of defence has given this update of the latest developments in the fighting in ukraine. it says that its intelligence indicates that fighting north—west of kyiv continues, with the bulk of russian ground forces now around 25 kilometres from the centre of the city. it continues — elements of the large russian column north of kyiv have dispersed.this is likely to support a russian

attempt to encircle the city. it could also be an attempt by russia to reduce its vulnerability to ukrainian counter attacks, which have taken a significant toll on russian forces. and it concludes — beyond kyiv, the cities of kharkiv, chernihiv, sumy and mariupol remain encircled and continue to suffer heavy russian shelling. so what about the ukrainians who want to come to the uk. details of a second visa scheme, which will allow people in britain to take refugees into their homes, is due to be announced on monday. the government has been criticised for not allowing more into the uk — around 1,000 have arrived so far. our political correspondent jonathan blakejoins us now. bring us up to date with the latest on the visa programme. we bring us up to date with the latest on the visa programme.— bring us up to date with the latest on the visa programme. we are still awaitin: on the visa programme. we are still awaiting details _ on the visa programme. we are still awaiting details of— on the visa programme. we are still awaiting details of that _ on the visa programme. we are still awaiting details of that second - awaiting details of that second route, the so—called sponsorship route, the so—called sponsorship route that was announced almost two weeks ago. there are details in the next few days coming from the

government about how it will work but the broad principle is that individuals, families, charities, businesses and other organisations will be able to offer accommodation to ukrainians fleeing the fighting in their country and allow them to come here for initially i2 in their country and allow them to come here for initially 12 months, when they will be a able to work and claim benefits for anything they may be entitled to. that is for people who do not already have family ties in the uk, the first route that has been established is for people to apply for and subsequently be granted visas to come to the uk if they have family here. we are told there will be no limit on the number is eligible, but while it will widen the opportunities for people to come to the uk, so far the requirement for a visa we are told will remain with that group, there will still be a process for people to go through, to be approved for a visa and so far that has only resulted in 1300 or so

approvals being granted. the government says those numbers will rise sharply, but we are yet to see that. ~ ., ., , ,., that. what does the uk government sa about that. what does the uk government say about the _ that. what does the uk government say about the thinking _ that. what does the uk government say about the thinking behind - that. what does the uk government say about the thinking behind the i say about the thinking behind the visa, there has been some criticism and it does differ from what many other countries are doing. i and it does differ from what many other countries are doing.- other countries are doing. i don't think there _ other countries are doing. i don't think there has _ other countries are doing. i don't think there has been _ other countries are doing. i don't think there has been any - other countries are doing. i don't think there has been any other. other countries are doing. i don't - think there has been any other doubt that the government's which has fallen short of expectations, opposition parties at westminster and a number of conservative mps, who are frustrated at the government approach, but the prime minister has said that while he wants the uk to be as generous as possible to those fleeing ukraine, people also expect the government to be careful and they stress the security risk of allowing people to come to the uk unchecked or with fewer checks fleeing the war zone. that is the rationale that the government is putting forward and in the absence of any more details about the scheme, there is a bit of a blame game playing out in government departments about who is putting the

brakes on allowing more people to come and who should be responsible for making it happen, but in the next day or so we should get more details and i think that will say, undoubtedly, given the response of the public, huge numbers of offers of accommodation coming forward and how quickly they can be processed and how efficient the process will be, we will have to say.— and how efficient the process will be, we will have to say. the west�*s crackdown on some of the oligarchs linked to president putin is continuing — italy's financial police say they have seized the yacht of the russian billionaire andre melnichenko. this is it — moored in the port of trieste. it's one of the largest yachts in the world and reportedly worth almost 600 million dollars. mr melnichencko, who owns a coal mining company, and the fertiliser producer eurochem, was sanctioned by the european union on march 9th.

you're watching bbc news. hello. changeable weather, we will get to see some rain at times but it will not be raining all the time, there will be sunshine occasionally on the after what for many was a cloudy and damp start, it is a brightening up story and there will be sunny spells with the chance of a shower. windy throughout the weekend and getting windier still today particularly close to this area of low pressure that moves into south west england and south west wales this afternoon. an area of rain pushing its way north overnight and into this morning, this afternoon it moves into scotland and still raining at the end of the afternoon in the northern and western isles. for many other places, fine weather,

broken cloud, sunshine, the chance of a shower, the weather going downhill to cornwall, pembrokeshire as we see rain and ever strengthening winds moving in. highs of 13 degrees. there are wind warnings for the west of the uk going into the weekend, have a look at those if you have travel plans, there could be disruption because of these costs, up to 70 mph in cornwall. with the rain moving into south west england are more of wales as we go into the evening, across northern ireland, into the west of scotland and over night, feeding east into england. also a spell of rain running close to the north sea coast and that could keep a cloudy and damp overnight and clear spells to the north and north west of scotland, may bring a touch of frost in the cold spots. here is that area of low pressure, running north across western areas on sunday, it will be windiest again, gales through the irish say. gusts of 50-60

through the irish say. gusts of 50—60 mph. a spell of rain clearing through the east of and and the east of scotland by the afternoon and then again it is a case of sunshine and showers, some heavy, possibly thundery, gusty winds around the showers, it is more windy across the uk tomorrow, particularly through northern ireland and the west of scotland in the afternoon and tomorrow it will fail a touch cooler. not as windy in the week ahead, still some rain around, not much change in the feel of the weather in the north of the uk but the further south you are, it may become very mild for a time. that is your latest forecast.

this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe, i'mjoanna gosling. our top stories — ukraine says it hopes a number of humanitarian corridors from the besieged city of mariupol will open up and accused russia of blocking supplies. air—raid sirens sound in cities across ukraine — as russia pushes into new areas. the president remains defiant. translation: i can assure you that 100% of people in all— democracies will know this. the actions of the russian invaders will be equated with the actions of isis terrorists. concerns grow about the protection of ukraine's nuclear power plants — as shelling and air raids threaten their safety. it's estimated more than 2.5 million people have now left ukraine to escape the war.

intense fighting is being reported in the north—west of kyiv, with the bulk of russian forces believed to be just 25 kilometres from the city. sirens were heard throughout the night in many other cities across ukraine — from lviv, in the west, to the north—east region of sumy — as russia's troops pushed forward. meanwhile, heavy shelling of the south—eastern city of mariupol has once again prevented residents from being able to escape. with a new evacuation attempt planned for today. i'm joined now by glen grant, retired royal artillery lieutenant colonel, and now a senior defence analyst at the baltic security foundation. welcome, and thank you forjoining us. what is your assessment of the

military positions now? it is interesting in military positions now? it is interesting in that military positions now? it is interesting in that the military positions now? it is interesting in that the russians military positions now? it is interesting in that the russians are pushing forward where they can but every time they try a new route, for example every time they try a new route, for examl . ., , ., ., every time they try a new route, for examl. ., , ., ., , every time they try a new route, for examl . ., , ., ., , example around kyiv, or to block off k iv example around kyiv, or to block off kyiv kharkiv, — example around kyiv, or to block off kyiv kharkiv, they _ example around kyiv, or to block off kyiv kharkiv, they are _ example around kyiv, or to block off kyiv kharkiv, they are being - example around kyiv, or to block offj kyiv kharkiv, they are being stopped and there are lots of small counterattacks at the moment going on outside of kyiv and outside of kharkiv that are actually taking the russians in their rear, so to speak. this is causing the russians a lot of hardship and quite a lot of disruption and they are losing a lot of vehicles and people especially in the north. in the north—west, you said 25 kilometres. well, they are now, but they have been a lot closer to that, irpin which they held previously, was actually right on the edge of the entrance of kyiv. i've driven through it many times.

now they have been pushed back to bucha, which is further away, but it is a residential area and there are still a lot of people living there. we are only 17 days into this, so is it possible at this stage to say, although it is not going, it seems, as russia had intended, which side actually has the upper hand currently? i actually has the upper hand currently?— actually has the upper hand currently? actually has the upper hand currentl ? ~ , ., ., currently? i think it is fair to say that in military _ currently? i think it is fair to say that in military terms, - currently? i think it is fair to say that in military terms, ukraine | currently? i think it is fair to say i that in military terms, ukraine has got the upper hand although they have lost quite a lot of ground in all sorts of places, the russians are stuck with staying on the roads and they haven't actually captured any of the major places, major towns or cities yet, and as you know from mariupol, they are fighting in mariupol, they are fighting in mariupol like mad and day after day mariupol like mad and day after day mariupol is actually surviving. so what russia has intended to do has not worked and now they are moving

towards more terror and atrocities, so targeting schools, targeting people wherever they can, and in kherson, which they have taken, they are targeting individuals in the city and detaining them, and probably in that case torturing them. . . . . probably in that case torturing them. ,, . ,.., probably in that case torturing them. ,, . _., them. russia is claiming it has 16,000 volunteers _ them. russia is claiming it has 16,000 volunteers in - them. russia is claiming it has 16,000 volunteers in the - them. russia is claiming it has i 16,000 volunteers in the middle them. russia is claiming it has - 16,000 volunteers in the middle east who will go to fight with the russian troops. there is also, ukraine believes, belarus potentially being about to join the conflict. what change with those two micro dimensions make? in conflict. what change with those two micro dimensions make?— micro dimensions make? in the first case, both dimensions _ micro dimensions make? in the first case, both dimensions say - micro dimensions make? in the first case, both dimensions say russia i micro dimensions make? in the firstl case, both dimensions say russia are struggling with manpower for its forces because it is at the beginning they pulled their troops over from beginning they pulled their troops overfrom siberia beginning they pulled their troops over from siberia who were the first troops to come in through belorussia. the belarusians are 50-50 belorussia. the belarusians are 50—50 about whether they will fight. lukashenko obviously wants them to

fight because putin tells him to, but the soldiers themselves don't want to come. so even if they do come they are not going to come and fight very well. they will deliberately try not to fight. 16,000 people from syria, i don't know whether this is a story or whether this is actually true, but if they come they are going to be like fish out of water wherever they are because they are not going to fit in with the russian forces. so it is extremely difficult to see where russia would actually use them and in what form. the where russia would actually use them and in what form.— and in what form. the russian strate: and in what form. the russian strategy would _ and in what form. the russian strategy would appear - and in what form. the russian strategy would appear to - and in what form. the russian strategy would appear to be . strategy would appear to be surrounding cities and effectively leaving the residence without any vital supplies. leaving the residence without any vitalsupplies. how long leaving the residence without any vital supplies. how long could that go on for? if vital supplies. how long could that no on for? , ., �* vital supplies. how long could that coonfor? , , ,, go on for? if they don't press forward and _ go on for? if they don't press forward and just _ go on for? if they don't press forward and just stay - go on for? if they don't press forward and just stay as - go on for? if they don't press forward and just stay as they| go on for? if they don't press i forward and just stay as they are it could go on for months. the supplies are getting into kyiv and they are

getting into kharkiv. i know people who are driving in and out of kharkiv and bringing supplies in and out. those places, the backs of them have stayed open. but it depends how much energy russia puts in to which parts of the battle. at the moment they have left the west of the country pretty much empty. but maybe they might start pushing in from belorussia into the west, or trying to stop the supply lines. that is unclear at the moment. glen grant, thank ou unclear at the moment. glen grant, thank you for— unclear at the moment. glen grant, thank you forjoining _ unclear at the moment. glen grant, thank you forjoining us. _ unclear at the moment. glen grant, thank you forjoining us. we - unclear at the moment. glen grant, thank you forjoining us. we have i thank you forjoining us. we have some pictures to bring you of a place around 20 miles outside kyiv. these are pictures of a ukrainian military airbase which is, as you can see, on fire. wright is saying russian rocket attacks destroyed that airbase in the kyiv region on

saturday morning, so the military airfield home to one of ukraine's four air defence control centres and has been attacked by russian forces. moldova has warned of the humanitarian catastrophe. if the country's already saturated resources are overwhelmed by refugees from ukraine. the number of people fleeing the war in ukraine is so high that the moldovan government says one in eight children is now a refugee. our europe correspondent lucy williamson reports. sometimes, the long, cold journey from ukraine ends here — in the emergency department of moldova's ignatenko children's hospital. within the last week, alexei has fled a war, left family and is living in a new country as a refugee. a high temperature almost counts as normal. around a dozen refugee children arrive here every day,

often suffering from dehydration or breathing problems. tanya came straight here from the border. her daughter sofia caught pneumonia on theirjourney from dnipro, in central ukraine. she spent two days in intensive care. "i am completely broken," she told me. "they were bombing everywhere. "now, i'm reading in the news that they bombed a shoe factory "and people's homes. it's horrible. "it's why everyone's leaving." every eighth child in moldova is now a refugee. and as the fighting creeps closer to moldova's border, the numbers keep rising. fewer than half the refugees arriving here actually stay on, but that's still enough to have increased moldova's population by 4% in a fortnight — the equivalent of 2.5 million people arriving in the uk. the government says they are running out of buildings to house them.

our only hope is that the war will stop, the front line will stay where it is — this is what we hope. even without any dramatic changes of the front line, we are approaching a breaking point, but if there's a dramatic implosion and fighting around odesa, that could be a complete catastrophe for the humanitarian situation here and for that, you cannot plan, you cannot prepare. it would just be completely overwhelming. charities say it's already proving difficult to keep track of some children fleeing ukraine. our main concern is that we've got 100,000 children trapped in the orphanage system in ukraine itself and no tracking system to monitor where those children are at any one time. we've had verified by local authorities who have asked us to help receive 150 children through one of the border crossings. between them leaving that orphanage and the time that we anticipated they would be at the crossing, all 150 children have gone missing. we have no idea where they are.

border checks across the region are minimalfor those fleeing the war but protection rests on making sure the vulnerable are visible, because it is hard to protect them if they are not. lucy williamson, bbc news, moldova. more than 2.5 million people have now fled ukraine and the humanitarian situation is stretching resources to the limit in several countries. at least 1.5 million of the refugees have made their way to poland; some are being housed in reception centres near the border and others have been welcomed into the homes of local people. our correspondent danjohnson gave us this update from krakow in southern poland. still a busy situation at krakow train station, and the contrast of ukrainians who are queueing up for beds for the night, trying to find transport to the place that they want to get, and then at the same time you've got

commuters milling about going through the station getting on with their day. there is a shopping centre above this railway station with all the usual sort of things that you would find in a shopping mall. and there is a huge volunteer effort and the pressure really is coming to bear now. the easy options have kind of gone. the people who had space to take in ukrainianfamilies, most of that has been used up in the last two weeks so now there is a difficult challenge to actually find more spaces. there is a campaign from the polish authorities, i don't know if you can see the map on the wall by the door, that is actually suggesting smaller polish cities that ukrainian families could head to. the message says that there may be more space in those cities, they may be cheaper to live, there may be morejobs, because this is notjust temporary accommodation, this is people trying to build entirely new lives. and although people are progressing through the different staging posts on this journey, people are, if they have bedded down for a night in the station, then moved on to temporary accommodation and perhaps

to something more permanent. more and more people keep on coming so the pressure is relentless, and the space, and potentially the goodwill, may eventually run out. that is the fear. let's grab a quick word with anya, one of the volunteers who is working here this morning. very busy. what sort of things have you been doing, anya? i volunteered to give out some food to the refugees, and now i'm just helping everyone who asks because i'm speaking a bit of russian, so this is the case. why did you want to do this, get involved? there are so many people and they need help, and honestly i think that here in poland we all also have this thought that maybe we will need help at some time, orat some point, we have this history of the second world war and it sometimes comes back. i would like that someone would help me if i need it. what is it like talking to ukrainian people? it is mainly women and children, isn't it? and some older people. what sort of stories are you hearing? they are confused, they are scared, they are waiting since 3am, and in many cases we do not know

what to tell them. people are looking for a job, asking me where i can find a job. i don't know. where i can find an apartment place, how to find my friends. there was a guy asking, he has some family somewhere in poland, how he can get the. in poland, how he can get there. so there is a lot of mess also. do you think... it is an impressive effort, isn't it, from volunteers, community groups, and charities. do you think we are coping, are people managing? i think we are doing our best but definitely some more organisational framework would help, right? someone to coordinate all these volunteering people who want to help. where do you think that should come from? it should come from our government, from eu government, because i think we are not the last point for the majority of these people. they will go further probably. some are moving on beyond poland?

yes, and i know that moldova and slovakia are also getting more and more people, so it should become an effort. thank you, anya, we appreciate you talking to us this morning. it is an incredible effort but there is so much pressure and the difficulty is if this continues, where will everybody go? we are already hearing that some of the evacuation trains that have been bringing people over the border, they are now diverted away from major polish cities to smaller towns to try to spread people out. the scenes we are seeing here at this sort of transport hub are being replicated at big cities, notjust across poland, but across so many european countries now. annejohnson reporting from crack of. —— danjohnson reporting from krakow. the russian defence minister has said that 16,000 fighters from the middle east have volunteered to fight with the russian army in ukraine. if they do take up weapons there, it won't be the first time russia

has actively engaged in recruiting what many people consider mercenaries. hanan razek has the story. syrian fighters that reportedly want to go and fight in ukraine alongside the russian troops. and a warm welcome from the kremlin that says it has received more than 16,000 applications from middle eastern fighters. but the bbc has learned that russian mercenary fighters are already in ukraine. first seen supporting separatists in ukraine in 2013, the russian wagner group has been infamous for operating 2014, the russian wagner group has been infamous for operating mercenaries in other countries, including syria and libya. one wagner fighter told us about his involvement in the current invasion. his words have been voiced by an actor. there have been reports that there are around 400 wagner fighters

in ukraine. a sign of desperation. it allows the russian government to keep the death toll down because they are not going to report the deaths of mercenaries within ukraine, nor are they going to report the deaths of syrians who may have gone over to volunteer to essentially serve as foreign fighters on behalf of vladimir putin. we understand from mercenary sources the recruitment was first carried out weeks before the invasion by russian military intelligence. we have been told they are being trained near this military base in southern russia. we have asked the russian ministry of defence about this and they have not responded yet. we have learnt that recruitment is taking place on a private telegram group used by mercenaries. there have been invitations to what's called a picnic to taste pork fat, a popular dish in ukraine. the message appeals to those

with mortgages, debts, or those who have been banned from mercenary groups to apply. the brand has changed. 0k? if you really think about it, for the last five or six years now we have been hearing more and more about the _ wagner group's human rights abuses in places like syria, libya, central african republic. moscow has always denied always denied any ties with mercenary groups but the worry is that the involvement of mercenaries might deteriorate the humanitarian situation even further. hanan razek, bbc news. one area where the russian advance on the ground has made tangible progress is in the south of ukraine. they have captured the city of kherson and are pushing west, towards the key port of odesa on the black sea. but the city of mykolaiv stands in their way and while ukraine's forces standing firm — it too has suffered

extensive damage. from there, andrew harding sent this. a snowstorm enfolds us as we head for the front lines towards a ukrainian city that is blocking the russian advance. civilians gather on the outskirts of mykolaiv, fleeing the madness. are you worried about the bombs and the artillery? yes, yes. it's also very loud, especially at night. explosions loud and deadly. the russians are trying to blast a path through this city in order to seize the whole black sea coast. but mykolaiv is proving obstinate. sirens wail ok, we just heard some artillery in the distance and then an air raid siren so we are going to suit up. you too. in a cellar volunteers follow the example set by millions of ukrainians nationwide,

forming a diy army. it's plates for body arms what we need from our factory. it's really heavy, but it's good. that defiance is echoed by the local governor who tells us the russians are actually in retreat here, for now. we pushed the enemy back from the borders of our city for about 15, 20 kilometres in the southern and western part. for now they are almost surrounded, we are attacking them. so from your perspective you are winning this war? you know, we are winning this fight but not this war. not winning the war, and in the local morgue it's a struggle to keep up with the bodies, soldiers and civilians alike out in the cold. some survivors here are still too frail to be moved to safer ground. 250 casualties in under a fortnight. what would you say to the world? to the world? what is your message? close our sky, close our sky.

we cannot work under the bombs, under the rockets. it's dangerous. you want a no—fly zone enforced by the west? yes, of course. in the meantime, the russians stick to their familiar routine, shock and horror, almost no weapons too gruesome, no target off—limits. the fear in civilian neighbourhoods like this one is that this is just the start, that because russian ground troops are being blocked from sweeping through this city they will now do what they have done in so many other parts of ukraine and simply intensify their aerial bombardment. and then what? this woman survived, but her city's fate remains unclear. andrew harding, bbc news, mykolaiv. as we were hearing, details about a sponsorship scheme to allow ukrainian refugees —

without family links to the uk — to come here are expected to be announced on monday. jayne mccubbin has been to meet people in north yorkshire who are taking matters into their own hands to help those fleeing ukraine. we feel exactly as every other village, town and city in the uk feel — we want to help. i watched the news with absolute horror. just over two weeks ago they were living in normal circumstances like we are. i think the government's response has been woefully pitiful. it's practically non—existent, really, isn't it? it's pathetic. there is no response, there's no active response. most definitely there is more that could be done. these are the residents of tockwith, a small village in yorkshire which is supporting the small town of milanowek in poland, which is itself supporting roughly the same number of ukrainian refugees as the whole of the uk.

the general public, | god bless them all, are trying to do the right thing. we are sending direct aid, we're sending cash directly to poland, and that seems to be the only way we, community to community, can help. introduce yourself, andrew. hi, i'm andy, i'm 55 years old, i live in milanowek. hi, guys. and this is where tockwith's first £5,000 donation has gone. so, ijust got permission from the family to film in the flat. this is the little one. there's a family of six kids and a mum and they've moved in. hi, mum. angela. hi, angela. andy he has taken a family of seven ukrainians into his flat. his group of expat friends are taking in more. my mate steven, and he had four big rooms, and he's equipping them with bunk beds in every room with some of the money that was sent over by the tockwith crew. britain's not doing anything, yeah. britain as a country is not doing enough, yeah. but britain as people, as my friends, have reached out.

we're in the fire brigade. around 900 refugees are now housed in the town with the whole effort co—ordinated by volunteers at the local fire station. people that are are offering houses and accommodation. the phone's ringing all the time. the ladies are doing a brilliantjob. this is the kind of help some here in the uk are eager and able to provide. mathew, tell me about your business. so, we're a boat builder based in rural oxfordshire _ and we employ 135 people. we're based just oustide winchester, we make the most delicious ice cream and we have 55 people doing that. and you want to help? we're a wealthy nation and we should stand by the people of ukraine. - both of these businesses have signed up to a scheme to sponsor refugees in the uk. and if the government policy. will change sufficiently to allow people that are in desperate need to come into this country, - then we stand ready to help

in whatever way possible, l whether that's employment, whether it's sponsorship, i or whether it's just being actually a helping hand to some of thesel people that are coming over, we stand ready. i imagine if we were in that situation. we would want our neighbours to help and support, and i think that's the whole point of this — that, you know, ukraine is our neighbour and we can help and we should. but they can't. i call the home secretary. this was priti patel 12 days ago. making a success of the new humanitarian sponsorship pathway will require a national effort from the entire country. and, mr speaker, our country will rise to that challenge. but the scheme still hasn't launched. yesterday, the home secretary said more details would be given this monday. give me a wee bio... people like gavin are frustrated. i'm the owner of hospitality venues and i'm also the manager of the elgin city football club.

what we're looking to do is to provide accommodation, work for two ukrainian nationals, pay for flights, pay for any visas that happens, and get people over to safety. have you investigated whether or not this is even feasible? yeah, when we first looked at it, it was probably around about three months for a business to register at the home office to become a sponsor, which is obviously too long — it will probably take a lot, lot longer. it has to be the humanitarian route, and they have to open up the doors to make it far easier than what they have done. they're saying all the right things but they're not doing it. in the face of desperation, the uk has been accused of being too slow, too hard—hearted, too bureaucratic. but plenty of uk citizens are equally desperate to help. jayne mccubbin, bbc news.

an update from the besieged city of mariupol, the governess is bringing humanitarian aid to mariupol is complicated because there is constant shelling. you're watching bbc news. hello. changeable weather this weekend and we will all get to see some rain at times, but it is definitely not going to be raining all the time. there will be some sunshine occasionally, too, and in fact today, after what, for many, was a cloudy, damp start, it is a brightening up story now. and there will be sunny spells with the chance of a shower. throughout the weekend it is windy and in fact later today getting windier still, particularly close to this area of low pressure which moves into south west england and south west wales first this afternoon. we have got an area of rain that has been pushing its way northwards overnight and into this morning and this afternoon it is into the north of scotland and still raining at the end of the afternoon towards the northern and western isles. for many other places, though, this afternoon, there is a lot of fine weather out there, broken cloud, sunshine, the chance of catching a shower. the weather going downhill, though,

to cornwall, to pembrokeshire, as we see rain and ever strengthening winds moving in. highs of around 9—13 c. there are some met office wind warnings for western areas of the uk as we go on through this weekend, so do have a look at those if you have got travel plans. there could be some disruption because of these gusts in the isles of scilly, cornwall, 60—70 mph, 50—60 elsewhere, with the rain moving in here to south west england and more of wales as we go on through the evening. across northern ireland, into the west of scotland, overnight, just feeding a little bit further east into england. also that spell of rain just running close to this north sea coast and that could keep it rather cloudy and damp overnight. some clear spells to the north and north west of scotland mayjust allow for a touch of frost in the colder spots. so, here is that area of low pressure, running northwards across western areas during sunday. this is where it is going to be windiest again, again, gales through the irish sea and we are going to see gusts of 50—60 mph, windiest in northern ireland and western scotland by the end of the afternoon.

a little spell of rain clearing through the eastern side of england and eastern scotland by the start of the afternoon and then again it is a case of sunshine and showers, some heavy, possibly thundery, gusty winds around the showers, it is more widely windy across the uk tomorrow, but again particularly through northern ireland and the west of scotland by the the afternoon and if anything, and the west of scotland by the afternoon and if anything, tomorrow is going to feel a touch cooler. not as windy in the week ahead, still some rain around, but not much change in the feel of the weather across the northern half of the uk, but the further south you are, it mayjust become very mild for a time. that is your latest forecast.

this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. iamjoanna i am joanna gosling. our top stories... air—raid sirens sound in cities across ukraine, including in the capital, kyiv, as russia pushes into new areas. the president remains defiant. translation: i assure you that 100% of all people in all— democracies will know this. the actions of the russian invaders will be equated with the actions of isis terrorists. ukraine says it hopes a number of humanitarian corridors from the besieged city of mariupol will open up, and accused russia of blocking supplies. iam i am yalda hakim, live in the western city of lviv where tens of

thousands of people continue to arrive to flee the