some ask welcome to bbc news — i'm david eades. eades. our top stories: a missile attack on a ukrainian military training base close to the polish border kills at least 35 people — the local mayor is defiant. translation: they can bomb us, but they will never be able - to break ukrainian spirit. they will never be rulers at our land. ukraine's president zelensky visits injured troops. the country says it's lost 1300 soldiers in battle. and "stop this massacre" — the words of pope francis, who's made an impassioned plea for an end to the violence.

all the latest developments on the developments with ukraine. the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky, has again urged nato to impose a no—fly zone over his country. he warned that, otherwise, it would be only a matter of time before russia targeted member states of the alliance. but nato has consistently maintained that imposing a no—fly zone would lead to direct confrontation and an escalation. president zelensky spoke after a russian missile attack on a ukrainian base near the polish border left 35 people dead. the base, which was previously used for joint exercises and training with nato is located at yavoriv —

just a short drive from the polish border. the attack on the base is part of a widening of russian advances, towards the west of ukraine, on the door—step of a nato member, and away from the areas which russian forces currently control, shown here in red. to the north, the south, and the east. our special correspondent, fergal keane, has the latest. the war has come west, and brutally. "this is the russian world", a soldier says. dozens were killed here by russian missiles in the early hours of the morning. it comes after russian warnings that they'd strike against weapons shipments coming from the west. these servicemen among the dozens injured during the attack. they were still recovering the injured and dead as we drove into the town, air raid sirens sounding again over local radio.

it was a huge... huge bomb, you know, sound in the morning, and we saw here the fire. it was very scary. the mayor called an urgent news conference. what's the feeling of the town now after this has happened? translation: they can bomb us, but they will never be able - to break ukrainian spirit. they will never be rulers at our land. they will all return back home in coffins. cameras were kept away from the scene, but last january, the bbc filmed at the base. british troops were training ukrainian forces in the use of anti—tank weapons. now, in the east, those

missiles are being used against russian armour, as this ukrainian soldier explained. this one was shot from this beautiful thing, and i want to say a big thank you to our british comrades that are helping us. back in western ukraine, people's sense of security is shaken by the russian attack. here, heading for an air raid shelter amid fresh alarms. translation: before, - it was something we only saw in the media, but finally, it has affected us as well here, as sad as that may sound. the attack here in the west is an escalation, but it's not a surprise. it's weapons coming across the borderfrom poland that have helped ukraine to mount a stiff resistance, and this is a signal from russia that it intends to expand its campaign and to try and stop the shipment of those weapons. fergal keane, bbc news,

near yavoriv military base. we have seen graphic images of the devastation caused to some cities. we will take you to kyiv, it is calm, it is for the morning, are still some element of life and care seen so far from the destruction we have seenin from the destruction we have seen in other cities full dark. ukraine says it's lost 1,300 soldiers since russia began its invasion 18 days ago. our international correspondent, 0rla guerin, sent us the latest from kyiv. and a warning, her report contains some distressing images. "i wish you health," he says. ukraine's wartime leader visiting wounded troops in a military hospital. he makes time for a morale—boosting selfie. before handing out medals for valour.

every day now, more casualties of europe's newest war. these soldiers were injured this morning in battlefields on the outskirts of the capital. his wounds are painful, not life—threatening, but the losses here are growing. ukraine says about 1,300 of its soldiers have been killed. sergiy shows me his country's coat of arms, always close to his heart. he was a farmer before russia invaded. now, minus a finger, he intends to go straight back to the fight. "the russians will not take kyiv," he says. "if they take it, they will have to raze it to the ground. "we are ready to fight until victory."

and from his hospital bed, he thanks borisjohnson and britain, which he says is helping ukraine a lot. doctors here are treating the patients while struggling themselves. it's horrible to see them like this, especially from a nation that called brothers. we don't. we can't understand this, why it's happened here. so these people are very peaceful and want to live, only to live. but how to live in a capital under threat? the streets are ready for battle. so are many of the people. behind every tree, molotov cocktails. this is a very normal neighbourhood in kyiv, and this is what you have here now.

the shell of a bus being used as a barricade, sandbags, a gas canister. all of this has been brought here by local people to defend their own streets. they say they don't believe the russians will get this far, but they intend to be readyjust in case. yuri took up a gun and abandoned his business. and i wanted to say to the russians that all the streets, all these houses, entrances, roofs, basements, will be obstacles we will ambush for them, and kyiv will be the total cemetery for them. only thing they will receive, it will be the mass grave for them. but this mass grave, outside kyiv, was for ukrainians killed during russia's bombardment of the town of bucha. the authorities say 67

civilians were buried here. no prayers, no dignity. in the europe of today, it has come to this. 0rla guerin, bbc news, kyiv. it does raise the question as to how much worse it might yet be. moscow's claims that washington is involved in biological warfare programmes in ukraine have been rubbished by the united states. but there are concerns that those allegations are a so—called �*false flag' to allow russia to unleash chemical or biological weapons and blame ukraine. if moscow took that decision, nato leaders would have to consider their response. lynn klotz is a senior science fellow and a member of the scientists working group on biological and chemical security and hejoins me now from gloucester, massachusetts. thank you very much for your time. it is fair to say that every claim has a counterclaim

in times of conflict like this. how much credence to give to that false flag idea?— that false flag idea? well, i would call _ that false flag idea? well, i would call the _ that false flag idea? well, i would call the false - would call the false flag unfounded allegations. i think russia could launch biological weapons attack or a chemical weapons attack or a chemical weapons attack, but i think in theory, they will probably only launch a chemical weapons attack if they launch anything attack if they launch anything at all. a biological weapons attack in order to cause mass casualties the pathogen used would have to be highly contagious and that would boomerang back on the russians themselves because the russians are there and they would be contagious to any contagious pathogen themselves. so i suspect they will not do that but they may launch chemical weapons attack which would be much more limited. i think russia's false flag unfounded allegations as a way forgiving themselves provisions to launch

such a weapons attack. in themselves provisions to launch such a weapons attack. in terms of sco -e such a weapons attack. in terms of scape it's _ such a weapons attack. in terms of scope it's an _ such a weapons attack. in terms of scope it's an awful— such a weapons attack. in terms of scope it's an awful subject - of scope it's an awful subject to even contemplate, in terms of scope of what a chemical weapons attack might or might not do, what would militarily, what would make sense? well, i think, the _ what would make sense? well, i think, the chemical _ what would make sense? well, i think, the chemical beacons - think, the chemical beacons attack could kill thousands of people. militarily, the russians would have to stay out of the way about themselves, so they would to clear any area and not be present in that area where the attack was being made. ~ . . ., , made. what are the legalities around these _ made. what are the legalities around these sorts _ made. what are the legalities around these sorts of- made. what are the legalities i around these sorts of weaponry at the moment then? bath at the moment then? both biological. _ at the moment then? both biological, weapons - at the moment then? both biological, weapons attack| at the moment then? errt�*i biological, weapons attack will present are certainly illegal by the chemical weapons convention which the united nations has endorsed both. so that much is clear, obviously, we have seen in conflict of the

relatively recent past over the last 20, 30 years, very, very difficult to nail this on one particular side because of this propaganda nature of things. can i ask you, do you see this as likely? i mean, it's such an awful prospect?— awful prospect? well, i think the fact russia _ awful prospect? well, i think the fact russia is _ awful prospect? well, i think the fact russia is accusing i the fact russia is accusing ukraine of heaven biological weapons laboratories, working with the us military, is in a wayjust an with the us military, is in a way just an excuse for them to launch such an attack. and i don't know if it's likely or unlikely i can't predict what person is thinking.- unlikely i can't predict what person is thinking. that much is absolutely _ person is thinking. that much is absolutely understandable, thank you for your expertise. joining us from gloucester, and massachusetts. there have again been protests against the war in cities across russia, the largest taking place in moscow and st petersburg. the rights monitoring group, 0vd, said police had detained

more than 800 people during the demonstrations. police in moscow said 300 people had been arrested there. in st petersburg, the main thoroughfare was blocked off by police vans to prevent people gathering. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: 0n the baftas' red carpet, benedict cumberbatch reveals he hopes to give a home to a ukrainian refugee. today we have closed the book on our heartbreak and that chapter. more than 3,000 subway passengers were affected. nausea, bleeding, headaches and a dimming of vision. all of this caused by

an apparently organised attack. the trophy itself was - on the pedestal in the middle of the cabinet here. this was an international. trophy, and we understand now that the search for it has i become an international search. above all, this was a triumph for the christian democrats of the west, offering reunification as quickly as possible, and that's what the voters wanted. this is bbc news. the main story this hour: a russian missile attack on a military training base in ukraine kills at least 35 people and injures more than a hundred.

the us secretary of state antony blinken has held talks with his ukrainian counterpart in the last few hours, looking for any possible diplomatic route to ending the war. so is a diplomatic settlement even possible? to help us answer that we can speak to jeffrey d sachs, professor at columbia university, who has served as adviser to three un secretaries—general. he joins us from new york. thank you very much indeed for your time, jeffrey.— your time, jeffrey. people would ask— your time, jeffrey. people would ask about - your time, jeffrey. people would ask about where i your time, jeffrey. people would ask about where on your time, jeffrey. people - would ask about where on earth diplomacy lies at the moment, but do you see a way out? i but do you see a way out? i think there is a way out, and i think— think there is a way out, and i think negotiations are actually taking — think negotiations are actually taking place, even in the midst of this— taking place, even in the midst of this horrific violence, and the war_ of this horrific violence, and the war strategist von closets who defined war as politics the

russians— who defined war as politics the russians are engaged in politics— russians are engaged in politics as part of. they have aims. — politics as part of. they have aims, politicalaims, they have actually— aims, politicalaims, they have actually stated those political aims — actually stated those political aims very clearly. the neutrality of ukraine, crimea going — neutrality of ukraine, crimea going to _ neutrality of ukraine, crimea going to russia permanently and politically, and the independence of two eastern regions, _ independence of two eastern regions, gdansk and the nets. days— regions, gdansk and the nets. days may— regions, gdansk and the nets. days may not —— lugansk and donetsk. they are the basis — lugansk and donetsk. they are the basis for a real negotiation and for finding a diplomatic solution. i do not think— diplomatic solution. i do not think there is a military solution for ukraine. are you sa in: solution for ukraine. are you saying ukraine _ solution for ukraine. are you saying ukraine would - solution for ukraine. are you saying ukraine would need i solution for ukraine. are you | saying ukraine would need to accept that its future relies in a neutral position, then? it can't be a member of nato,

maybe it can't be a member of the eu because that certainly wouldn't feel like it is on president zelenskiy�*s cards? i president zelenskiy's cards? i think ukraine will not be a member_ think ukraine will not be a member of nato. in fact, nato leaders — member of nato. in fact, nato leaders know this, which makes this all— leaders know this, which makes this all terribly sad and tragic, _ this all terribly sad and tragic, in fact, because that so-catted _ tragic, in fact, because that so—called future membership of ukraine, — so—called future membership of ukraine, in private, is absolutely rejected by many nato — absolutely rejected by many nato countries, and it is disdained in general. now, the fact of— disdained in general. now, the fact of the matter is basic. look— fact of the matter is basic. look at— fact of the matter is basic. look at a _ fact of the matter is basic. look at a map. from russia's point — look at a map. from russia's point of— look at a map. from russia's point of view, that is a dire security— point of view, that is a dire security threat, and i believe it was— security threat, and i believe it was a _ security threat, and i believe it was a mistake ever to have offered — it was a mistake ever to have offered the idea of nato enlargement to ukraine, which was made by george bushjunior in 2008. — was made by george bushjunior

in 2008, really to the shock and — in 2008, really to the shock and dismay of a lot of european leaders — and dismay of a lot of european leaders at — and dismay of a lot of european leaders at the time. this is also — leaders at the time. this is also very— leaders at the time. this is also very well known.- leaders at the time. this is also very well known. that is well known. _ also very well known. that is well known. hold _ also very well known. that is well known. hold on, - also very well known. that is well known. hold on, the - also very well known. that is - well known. hold on, the danger of this obviously from a nato point of view is that you are then same to any other country of course, we can no longer say whether or not we are going to have you in, it depends on circumstances beyond our control, and in a sense that is the root of nato's offering, that a sovereign state has a choice, and basically this is the moment that thread is broken? ~ ., ., the moment that thread is broken? . ., ., broken? what a strange idea that the united _ broken? what a strange idea that the united states - broken? what a strange idea i that the united states alliance has the — that the united states alliance has the right or the ability to be anywhere in the world that it wants! _ be anywhere in the world that it wants! it is not prudent, it is utterly— it wants! it is not prudent, it is utterly provocative. it is a hi i is utterly provocative. it is a big mistake, and it is a us kind— big mistake, and it is a us kind of— big mistake, and it is a us kind of blind spot, because actually _ kind of blind spot, because actually america does believe, almost — actually america does believe, almost like in a board game,

that— almost like in a board game, that it — almost like in a board game, that it can— almost like in a board game, that it can put its military pieces— that it can put its military pieces on any square in the world, _ pieces on any square in the world, any place on the map that— world, any place on the map that it — world, any place on the map that it wants. but this is absolutely dangerous and provocative. it is obvious. please, _ provocative. it is obvious. please, people should take out a map. — please, people should take out a map, look at ukraine and ask, is it— a map, look at ukraine and ask, is it really— a map, look at ukraine and ask, is it really right that a us military— is it really right that a us military alliance advances right _ military alliance advances right up— military alliance advances right up to russia's border? is that— right up to russia's border? is that really— right up to russia's border? is that really save, is it prudent, is it wise, is it going _ prudent, is it wise, is it going to _ prudent, is it wise, is it going to keep it out of conflict, and why is it that so many— conflict, and why is it that so many ways people have said for the last — many ways people have said for the last 25 years, don't do this? _ the last 25 years, don't do this? this _ the last 25 years, don't do this? this is dangerous, this is provocative. in fact, the leaders _ is provocative. in fact, the leaders know it in fact. they feel. — leaders know it in fact. they feel, well, we can't see it now, — feel, well, we can't see it now, because for the exact reason, _ now, because for the exact reason, david, youjust reason, david, you just mentioned. reason, david, youjust mentioned. they don't want to take _ mentioned. they don't want to take their— mentioned. they don't want to take their prerogative of the table. — take their prerogative of the table, but the fact of the matter— table, but the fact of the matter is ukraine '5 sovereignty, its safety lies, the end _ sovereignty, its safety lies, the end of mass bloodshed and

killing. — the end of mass bloodshed and killing, actually, prudential, can be — killing, actually, prudential, can be found, i believe, with a neutrai— can be found, i believe, with a neutral ukraine. it is basic geography. neutral ukraine. it is basic geography-— neutral ukraine. it is basic geography. neutral ukraine. it is basic au-eorah. , geography. let me ask you this, van, geography. let me ask you this, van. jeffrey. _ geography. let me ask you this, van, jeffrey, there _ geography. let me ask you this, van, jeffrey, there is _ geography. let me ask you this, van, jeffrey, there is the - van, jeffrey, there is the issue of a neutral ukraine, also the issue of a president putin who said modern ukraine was entirely created by russia, and his russian essentially, and his russian essentially, and may be his real proposal is to go further than the measures that you have pointed out, which is to bring crimea back into the fold, a couple of eastern ukrainian regions back into the fold and live it at that. maybe he really does want the whole of this country? than: the whole of this country? arc it's possible. _ the whole of this country? arc it's possible, in _ the whole of this country? arc it's possible, in which case, there — it's possible, in which case, there is— it's possible, in which case, there is no— it's possible, in which case, there is no diplomatic outcome possible. — there is no diplomatic outcome possible, because ukrainian neutrality would be conditioned on a complete russian withdrawal and demobilisation. in withdrawal and demobilisation. in other— withdrawal and demobilisation. in other words, out of ukraine. so it— in other words, out of ukraine.

so it is— in other words, out of ukraine. so it is not— in other words, out of ukraine. so it is not to unilaterally cede _ so it is not to unilaterally cede that, it is to negotiate an outcome. maybe it is not possible _ an outcome. maybe it is not possible but it could well be possible, it should be on the table — possible, it should be on the table. that possibly is on the table — table. that possibly is on the table in — table. that possibly is on the table in private negotiations, but the — table in private negotiations, but the united states, up until now. _ but the united states, up until now, publicly, has rejected the idea. _ now, publicly, has rejected the idea, which i believe is imprudent in the extreme of the united _ imprudent in the extreme of the united states. we are cheering the heroism as people are dying. _ the heroism as people are dying, massively, and as the country— dying, massively, and as the country is _ dying, massively, and as the country is being occupied, sol am saying _ country is being occupied, sol am saying we should look for a diplomatic, prudential approach. diplomatic, prudential approach-— diplomatic, prudential a - roach. �* , diplomatic, prudential auroach. �* , approach. and let me 'ust ask ou as a approach. and let me 'ust ask you as a last * approach. and let me 'ust ask you as a last point, _ approach. and let me just ask you as a last point, you - approach. and let me just ask you as a last point, you have. you as a last point, you have referred to a three times now to the fact that you believe this is going on. in fact i think it is clear there are channels. how positive might you be that this is emerging? because they have been rumblings about cautious optimism of some sort of arrangement coming together? we

don't know, i'm not privy to any— don't know, i'm not privy to any inside _ don't know, i'm not privy to any inside information. i am reading _ any inside information. i am reading the wire is the same way— reading the wire is the same way as— reading the wire is the same way as everybody else. there were — way as everybody else. there were reports earlier today that both _ were reports earlier today that both sides said that there was substantive progress being made _ substantive progress being made. both sides said it is possible _ made. both sides said it is possible to see an agreement in the coming days. either way, that— the coming days. either way, that could mean an intensification of this disastrous killing that is going _ disastrous killing that is going on right now. again, politics— going on right now. again, politics with other means. in other— politics with other means. in other words, to aim to get the maximum _ other words, to aim to get the maximum out of the negotiations, and i believe we need — negotiations, and i believe we need a — negotiations, and i believe we need a negotiated outcome, because _ need a negotiated outcome, because with everybody's blood pumping, and all of the valour and the — pumping, and all of the valour and the heroism that we are seeing. _ and the heroism that we are seeing, we are talking about an adversary— seeing, we are talking about an adversary with 1600 nuclear warheads. let's think straight,

please — warheads. let's think straight, lease. . ~' , warheads. let's think straight, lease. . ,, , . please. thank you very much indeed. pleasure _ please. thank you very much indeed. pleasure to - please. thank you very much indeed. pleasure to be - please. thank you very much indeed. pleasure to be with i indeed. pleasure to be with ou. indeed. pleasure to be with you- thank _ indeed. pleasure to be with you. thank you. _ actors and directors have been showing their support for ukraine — as the awards were handed out, at the bafta film awards in london. the power of the dog was named best film, with its directorjane campion taking the best director statu ette. our culture editor katie razzall reports. 0vershadowed by war, but back in person, and on the bafta red carpet, small tokens in honour of ukraine. sporting a badge of the ukrainian flag, benedict cumberbatch told the bbc he hopes to open his home to refugees, and wanted to show solidarity with the people of ukraine. we all have to continue to help, in any which way we can, whetherfrom donations, housing refugees, all of which i'm looking to do, and have done, so, yes. but as some of the movie industry's best known faces came together inside london's royal albert hall, celebrating film took centre stage. you know what we should do? period western, the power

of the dog, left with awards for best film and best director, though its star lost out to will smith for best actor. cook it right there on the cotes _ cook it right there on the coals. neither will smith nor directorjane campion attended the ceremony. benedict cumberbatch collected the award on her behalf. so bafta, i would like to... no, dammit, that's my speech! oops! laughter. joanna scanlan beat off lady gaga and others for best actress, for her role as a muslim convert, uncovering her dead husband's secrets, in after love. we have to thank bafta, the bbc, bfi, lottery, for making small films get made. thank you, thank you. applause. best supporting actress went to ariana debose for a big film, west side story, and history was made by troy kotsur, in kodi, as a deaf father, whose hearing daughter wants to sing.

he is the first deaf actor to win, and has ideas for what comes next. have you considered perhaps a deafjames bond? 008? cheering. the sci—fi epic, dune, took away the most awards, five in some of the technical categories, and kenneth branagh's belfast won 0utstanding british film. all hail the streamingl revolution, but all hail the big screen, too! it's alive! alive, and celebrating 60 years of bond movie—making, with dame shirley bassey... # diamonds are forever! ..in the biggest night of the british film industry calendar. katie razzall, bbc news. pope francis has made an impassioned plea for an end to what he called a "massacre" in ukraine. addressing pilgrims in saint peter's square, he described russia's invasion as "unacceptable." you can reach me on twitter —

i'm @bbcdavideades. hello, there. it is mid—march, days are getting longer and the sunshine is getting stronger, and we will see some of that as we go through the week ahead. a lot of dry weather in the forecast, pretty mild, by day, in the sunshine. chilly at night still, with some patchy mist and fog, and there will be some rain this week, but it is most likely to be through wednesday. for the here and now, we've got rain clearing to the east. this little area of cloud bringing showers into scotland and down into the south—west. these showers in the south—west may be heavy and thundery. they will drift along the channel coast during the early part of the morning. at the same time, some showers moving out of northern ireland into central and southern scotland, along with northern england, with the best of the sunshine perhaps a little bit further south, into central parts of england and wales, with highs of 1a degrees. now, there's going to be a good

deal of dry weather around on tuesday as well, with light winds. yes, a weather front will start to move in from the far north—west, and we could see a few early morning showers, some patchy mist and fog around, but they will clear away quite quickly. a good deal of dry weather, light winds for most, so, in the sunshine, it will feel quite pleasant, with highs of 15 degrees. cloud and rain starts approaching from the atlantic, it's a cold front behind it, bringing in some colder air. but at the same time, we've got this very warm air blowing in from the near continent, and where these two frontal systems will meet, that is where we are likely to see a real clash, with some heavy rain, potentially; as much as half an inch likely to fall in some places on wednesday. it is likely to stay dry, though, east anglia and south—east england, and by contrast, here we could see temperatures peaking at 17 degrees, 63 fahrenheit. the average for this time of year in the south is around 11 celsius. the rain will clear its way south and east through wednesday night into thursday, and it may well take its time in doing so, and lingerfirst thing across that south—east

corner, with a ridge of high pressure building in behind. so after a cloudy, damp start across the far south—east, an improving weather story. a little bit of showery rain into the far north—west, not amounting to too much. thursday will see highs of around ten to 13 degrees. a little bit cooler, because the wind direction's changing slightly, coming in from the north sea, but it does mean friday and saturday, we keep that dry theme going, and again, those temperatures peaking at 15 degrees. enjoy.

this is bbc news. the headlines: a russian missile attack on a ukrainian military training base has killed at least 35 people and injured more than 130 others. the air strike was in yavoriv, just 25 kilometres from the border with poland. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky�*s visited wounded soldiers in a military hospital in the capital kyiv. during the visit, he awarded military orders and medals for courage and dedication and thanked the hospital staff for what he said was exemplary work in difficult conditions. pope francis has made an impassioned plea for an end to what he called a "massacre" in ukraine. addressing pilgrims in saint peter's square, he described russia's invasion as "unacceptable" and called for a real and decisive move towards negotiation. here, people are to be offered £350 a month to take

in ukrainians who've fled the war.