hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching context on bbc news. russia continues its bombardment of ukrainian cities, and civilian casualties mount. total destruction in mariupol, a city under seige, and people without food, water and heating. after two weeks of shelling, authorities say some have been able to evacuate. the us says china will face harsh consequences if it aids russia in its invastion of ukraine. moscow denies it asked for help. beijing says it's fake news. tonight with the context, from kyiv ukranian mp inna sovsun, joel rubin former deputy assistant secretary of state

during the obama administration and melinda herring from the think tank the atlantic council. hello, welcome to the programme. the siege of aleppo in syria was one of the worst war crimes we have seen in modern time, since the genocide in bosnia. the refusal to intervene, said some, was a defining moralfailure of the obama administration. today we saw the first overhead images from mariupol and the scenes are disturbingly familiar — a sober warning to the rest of ukraine, of where this war could take us. for weeks, the port city has been under siege. a relentless, untargeted assault, that has reduced large part of the city, like aleppo, to dust. it is extraordinary to think that only today —

some people were able to escape this hell. deprived of water, food, electricity, they have somehow survived amid bomardment and in sub zero temperatures. the 160 vehicle convoy, civilian cars, left this morning, slowly edging out of the city, along a route they know has been shelled incessantly. and tonight it is still to reach the city of zaporizhzhia. the aid that was coming the other way, the relief for those still trapped, has been held up. in kyiv to the north, the fierce resistance the ukrainians have been mounting, along the east and the west corridors of the russian advance, has for now averted a similar humanitarian tragedy in the capital. but blunted and frustrated the russians would appear to be resorting to a similar tactic. this was a russian missile hitting a block of flats in the obolonski region of northern kyiv this afternoon. authorities say it may have been shot out of the sky

by ukrainian air defences. a trolly bus conductor killed by the explosion. and only a few hours before — and just a few blocks away — another residential building was hit. at least one person was killed, 12 others were injured. and our correspondent jeremy bowen was there. the attack happened not long before dawn. it could have been worse for the residents, many had kyiv is feeling the pressure of the war much more sharply. "it's a tragedy, and he's an idiot," he said, meaning putin. kyiv�*s defenders are trying to keep russian artillery out of range, but this was a missile, fired from further away and much harder to stop. they're also very powerful. the explosion took lives and destroyed more ukrainian homes. this is the nightmare for the city, more attacks like this. and, of course, they're vulnerable to missile strikes. but kyiv is big and it's sprawling,

and the defenders have many advantages, which they're using. problems for the russians include rivers — notjust the mighty dnipro running through kyiv, but its tributaries and large areas of marshland that can hold up and bog down armies. when you see those pictures from mariupol, which goes to your mind? it is quitting extremely close. that was a district that i have lived in since 2009,15 minute dry from my home. that is extremely scary and it is getting extremely, extremely close. of course, the images from

mariupol are heartbreaking. i am getting messages from people who are staying there, they are desperate, they don't have food, they don't have water, they don't have electricity, they don't have heating over there. and it is winter here in ukraine. so, that is devastating, and we understand that potentially this can be happening to kyiv as well. we do not —— we hope the russians will not take us by surprise, the army is doing everything in its power to not let them close in on the city. the army is access for —— successful because they didn't get any closer to the city compared to where they were a week ago. the crazy guy in the kremlin does believe that getting pf is his goal so we do understand this is his goal so we do understand this is a threat as well. —— getting kyiv is a threat as well. —— getting kyiv is his goal. we is a threat as well. -- getting kyiv is his goal-— is a threat as well. -- getting kyiv is his goal. we have seen this time and time again _ is his goal. we have seen this time and time again and _ is his goal. we have seen this time and time again and we _ is his goal. we have seen this time and time again and we saw- is his goal. we have seen this time and time again and we saw it - is his goal. we have seen this time and time again and we saw it in - and time again and we saw it in syria, are we going to let this happen again?— syria, are we going to let this happen again? syria, are we going to let this hauenaaain? , ., �* ., happen again? christian, we're not lettin: it happen again? christian, we're not letting it happen — happen again? christian, we're not letting it happen again. _ happen again? christian, we're not

letting it happen again. this - happen again? christian, we're not letting it happen again. this is - happen again? christian, we're not letting it happen again. this is a i letting it happen again. this is a very— letting it happen again. this is a very different dynamic right now, the world — very different dynamic right now, the world is united in strangling russia's— the world is united in strangling russia's economy, in bringing it to its knees — russia's economy, in bringing it to its knees. we may see it default this week— its knees. we may see it default this week on its foreign debt. we are seeing — this week on its foreign debt. we are seeing are dynamic at play where russia _ are seeing are dynamic at play where russia is— are seeing are dynamic at play where russia is now begging for help from syria and _ russia is now begging for help from syria and from china because they know _ syria and from china because they know they — syria and from china because they know they are not only bogged down but they— know they are not only bogged down but they are getting strangled so this is— but they are getting strangled so this is very different. the military suppiies— this is very different. the military supplies are very different and the global— supplies are very different and the global response is very different so it. global response is very different so it but _ global response is very different so it but it— global response is very different so it~ but it is— global response is very different so it. but it is devastating, it is heartbreaking, my heart goes out to inna sovsun, and clearly the american _ inna sovsun, and clearly the american people are standing as celebrity— american people are standing as celebrity bash solidarity with it is amazing — celebrity bash solidarity with it is amazing to see the flip overnight into a _ amazing to see the flip overnight into a and — amazing to see the flip overnight into a and solidarity with the blood on a putin— into a and solidarity with the blood on a putin who saddam hussein as one

i on a putin who saddam hussein as one i understand _ on a putin who saddam hussein as one i understand what you are saying, the response is very different to the response is very different to the global response over the attacks in syria. _ the global response over the attacks in syria, but the outcome is the same — in syria, but the outcome is the same. ~ ., , in syria, but the outcome is the same. . . , , , . , same. we have 'ust seen the pictures from mariupol, — same. we have just seen the pictures from mariupol, looks _ same. we have just seen the pictures from mariupol, looks the _ same. we have just seen the pictures from mariupol, looks the same - same. we have just seen the pictures from mariupol, looks the same as - from mariupol, looks the same as aleppo, and they must be that as a starter approach kyiv, and they struggle to fight their way into the city, they will employ the same tactics, so it not working. that is the fear and _ tactics, so it not working. that is the fear and that _ tactics, so it not working. that is the fear and that is _ tactics, so it not working. that is the fear and that is what - tactics, so it not working. that is the fear and that is what is - tactics, so it not working. that isj the fear and that is what is trying to he _ the fear and that is what is trying to be forestalled and that is where the dynamics are different and aren't— the dynamics are different and aren't significant. back in 2012, 13, aren't significant. back in 2012, 13. 14, — aren't significant. back in 2012, 13, 14, there was not this kind of resistance — 13, 14, there was not this kind of resistance and pressure. earlier during _ resistance and pressure. earlier during the — resistance and pressure. earlier during the days of the arab spring, and then— during the days of the arab spring, and then when russia got involved and then when russia got involved and completely took over the theatre there. _ and completely took over the theatre there. in_ and completely took over the theatre there, in essence, the world kind of closed _ there, in essence, the world kind of closed its _ there, in essence, the world kind of closed its eyes. that is not what is happening — closed its eyes. that is not what is happening now. that dynamic is different— happening now. that dynamic is different but it is heartbreaking and without a doubt we are in the midst— and without a doubt we are in the midst of— and without a doubt we are in the midst of a — and without a doubt we are in the midst of a war and nobody was doing

anyway, _ midst of a war and nobody was doing anyway, i— midst of a war and nobody was doing anyway, i certainly don't want to in anyway, i certainly don't want to in any way, _ anyway, i certainly don't want to in any way, minimise the pain and damage— any way, minimise the pain and damage that is happening now, but the response is significant difference. unfortunately, take some time for— difference. unfortunately, take some time for these decisions, these policies — time for these decisions, these policies to— time for these decisions, these policies to impact, but the alternative of sending in a nato force _ alternative of sending in a nato force right now into theatre, eight, doesn't _ force right now into theatre, eight, doesn't necessarily mean it would stap. _ doesn't necessarily mean it would stap. and — doesn't necessarily mean it would stop, and be, a good expand. it is painful. _ stop, and be, a good expand. it is painful. it — stop, and be, a good expand. it is painful. it is— stop, and be, a good expand. it is painful, it is horrifying, but it is a significantly different approach from we — a significantly different approach from we saw in syria.— a significantly different approach from we saw in syria. melinda, you were one of — from we saw in syria. melinda, you were one of 27 _ from we saw in syria. melinda, you were one of 27 signatories - from we saw in syria. melinda, you were one of 27 signatories to - from we saw in syria. melinda, you were one of 27 signatories to a - were one of 27 signatories to a letter asking for nato to impose a no—fly zone, is there anything you have seen today that has changed your mind over a nato no—fly zone? hi, christian. there is no way that this administration will implement a limited no—fly zone, even for humanitarian reasons. the biden

administration has done a lot of good things but they haven't stopped the bloodshed. we haven't rinsed —— convinced bladder may prudently stand out and there is a lot more we could be doing. i would givejoe biden a flat b. you are on a one to five scale, you will have to translate that into british standards but he made a really bad decision last week, we should have allowed the mix, the polishjets, there are 30 of them, to be transferred from poland to ukraine. but the white house is afraid of vladimir pardo —— putin, and we look like. we haven't intimidated putin at all and he is continuing, and we see his game plan, look at marie apple, that is going to be kyiv and kharkiv next if we don't change as planned. we are alienating the mashed —— russian middle—class and we haven't had putin there. it is good we have got their attention and it is good we are sending defensive material but it is not enough. d0 it is good we are sending defensive

material but it is not enough. do we need to get — material but it is not enough. do we need to get more _ material but it is not enough. do we need to get more inventive, - material but it is not enough. do we need to get more inventive, and - need to get more inventive, and melinda? i send cv issues with a nato response, it would bring nato into the war but there is another option, there is the un charter, there is article 42 of the un charter and i will read it. it says the security council consider that measures not involving the use of armed force would be inadequate or proved to be inadequate, it may take action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. and they have shown before that they can bypass the security council, that the general assembly can take a vote, so why is the united nations, which is there to defend humanity, not triggering article 42? i defend humanity, not triggering article 42? ., ., , , ., article 42? i would not put my faith in the un and _ article 42? i would not put my faith in the un and i— article 42? i would not put my faith in the un and i don't _ article 42? i would not put my faith in the un and i don't know - article 42? i would not put my faith in the un and i don't know anyonel in the un and i don't know anyone who would — in the un and i don't know anyone who would. i will put my faith in the united — who would. i will put my faith in the united states and in ukraine's western— the united states and in ukraine's western friends and allies. i think the argument that doing more necessitates nato boots on the ground — necessitates nato boots on the ground is — necessitates nato boots on the ground is nonsense, that is not what we are _ ground is nonsense, that is not what we are talking about. the biden

administration can step up its support— administration can step up its support to ukraine without putting boots _ support to ukraine without putting boots on _ support to ukraine without putting boots on the ground. biden has made a very— boots on the ground. biden has made a very dear — boots on the ground. biden has made a very clear. it is time to impose a limited _ a very clear. it is time to impose a limited no—fly zone. there are places— limited no—fly zone. there are places where you can put into place in ukraine, — places where you can put into place in ukraine, where it will not descend _ in ukraine, where it will not descend into world war iii, that is a bs argument. the descend into world war iii, that is a bs argument-— descend into world war iii, that is a bs aruument. ., ., .,, a bs argument. the pentagon has said the bombin: a bs argument. the pentagon has said the bombing of — a bs argument. the pentagon has said the bombing of the _ a bs argument. the pentagon has said the bombing of the base, _ a bs argument. the pentagon has said the bombing of the base, the - the bombing of the base, the military base close to poland, the bombs were launched by bombers that were still flying in russia. and these bombs landed just 11 miles from the nato border. that's right. when you look at that, there is room for a mistake, when you look at that, there is room fora mistake, isn't when you look at that, there is room for a mistake, isn't there? when you look at that, there is room fora mistake, isn't there? for missiles to be fired from the s0 far away, there is room for error. does that concern _ away, there is room for error. does that concern you? _ away, there is room for error. does that concern you? certainly, - that concern you? certainly, vladimir putin was the united states to go into further conflict right now, he is losing on the ground, he is taken a shot back at home, and i

think we should downplay the impact of the sanctions on the russian economy and on the ability of russians to actually regenerate its military capacity right now and say that that is somehow being soft, these are the most impactful economic sanctions that have ever hit a country in a short amount of time in the history of this programme since world war ii. but i know care of hitting into poland, potentially, that will trigger a response, without a doubt. but the idea of the no boots on the ground when one begins to engage militarily with russian forces over ukraine is a fake linguistic twist there. that is a direct conflict with russia. and one does not know how that end. i certainly can't imagine it could end badly for ukrainians and americans and much of europe if it is done without thought, if it is done and perhaps added weight. establishing a no—fly zone over the

country, that doesn't necessitate shooting down craft, shooting down on the ground of russian and thai aircraft facilities and killing russian forces, so that is boots about. ~ ., ., , russian forces, so that is boots about. ~ . ., , ., russian forces, so that is boots about. ~ . ., ., about. melinda has no faith in the united nations _ about. melinda has no faith in the united nations but _ about. melinda has no faith in the united nations but 141 _ about. melinda has no faith in the united nations but 141 countries l united nations but 141 countries voted against the war in the general assembly a couple of weeks ago. do you think that i united nations should be getting about now? i think the united nations— should be getting about now? i think the united nations have _ should be getting about now? i think the united nations have always - the united nations have always implied an important role in terms of engagement, building international support, alliances, peacekeeping, of course there is a signal there but frankly i am with ukrainian ambassador and calling the occupied, the faux —— the former seat... the un unfortunate doesn't have significant impact on the ground events in terms of the military dynamic. it does, however, play a crucial role in supporting

humanitarian crisis and those who are stepping up to support ukrainian people. you are stepping up to support ukrainian --eole. ., ., ., are stepping up to support ukrainian ”eole. ., ., ., ., , people. you have heard the thoughts of two foreign _ people. you have heard the thoughts of two foreign policy _ people. you have heard the thoughts of two foreign policy experts, - people. you have heard the thoughts of two foreign policy experts, they i of two foreign policy experts, they have gone around the houses on the united nations, they have talked about why a no—fly zone will be imposed —— won't be imposed, had as deal to hear that while you are sitting in the ukrainian capital? mr; sitting in the ukrainian capital? m nine—year—old son, sitting in the ukrainian capital? m1: nine—year—old son, martin, sitting in the ukrainian capital? m1 nine—year—old son, martin, is sitting in the ukrainian capital? m1: nine—year—old son, martin, is in western ukraine right now. i did believe that was a safe place for him to stay but after recent attacks, now my son, who is nine years old, needs to learn that when he hears a siren he needs to go down into the basement. and that is something that can never be forgiven or forgotten. something that can never be forgiven orforgotten. and that something that can never be forgiven or forgotten. and that is not even the worst witch children in ukraine are experiencing while everybody here is talk about this cannot be done, that cannot be done. that is our reality here on the ground. imagine those families who were living in this house, what they were feeling right now. i do believe that

there are solutions that could be deployed much faster than we are getting right now. the no—fly zone, the limited no—fly zone could have been saving lives in ukraine for the past week already if we got those migs. we didn't get those jets, even when we knew how it would work. that is unacceptable, that is not what the west should be standing for. it is not actually situation. but the point here in the nato countries is that there is a concern that if nato gets involved, that will be a conflagration that we will not be able to control. and in some ways, they are trying to control this war to the theatre of ukraine, do you understand that? does it make sense to you? or do you think he

will continue until he has stopped? exactly. i want to remind everyone that in 1994, ukraine gave up our nuclear weapons in exchange for assurances from the uk and the us that in case someone threatens our security we shall be protected. that was a promise that was made to our country. those policies are not being kept right now. second, this argument that let's not escalate, in the crazy guy brain of putin, it is read the same way, they are not going to intervene, i can go on. let's not escalate was the argument used in 2014 when putin started the war in donbas, for no good reason, and killed 14,000 people in this war for eight years. we have heard this argument, let's not get escalate, and what do we have here, a full—scale war because for eight years the west were saying, let's

not escalate. i want the west to understand, this is a very scary thought and i believe that being in denial is nice but we cannot afford to be in denial any more. this is a crazy man in the kremlin who is going to further. we are hearing russian propaganda on russian television telling that we shall go into poland next, we shall go into the baltic states next. if he is willing to go there, he will. all we can try and stop him here in ukraine but we are not even asking for troops on the ground, we are asking forjets and air defence systems, in order to save ourselves and also to save other countries. 0therwise, if he is not stopped here, he will go further. that nasty understood. you make a good _ further. that nasty understood. you make a good point, we say the war is 20 days old but it started in 2014. the united states national security advisor, jake sullivan, was in rome today where he sat for seven hours with one

of china's top diplomats. the meeting had been long scheduled, but it followed the weekend reports that moscow had sent beijing a request for military and economic assistance. the us—china correspondent at the financial times tweeted tonight that china is looking favourably on that request. mr sullivan we are told raised concerns and has warned the chinese government they are watching closely what manner of support beijing might offer. the white house says there will be serious reprecussions, should china's military hardware find its way to the front line in ukraine. stuart lau is a europe correspondent for politico covering europe—china relations. he's in brussels. thank you for being with us. tell us first of all what you understand has gone on today in rome, who was there from the chinese delegation and how was the message received?— from the chinese delegation and how was the message received? thanks for havin: me. was the message received? thanks for having me- on — was the message received? thanks for having me. on the _ was the message received? thanks for having me. on the china _ was the message received? thanks for having me. on the china side, - was the message received? thanks for having me. on the china side, we - having me. on the china side, we have a politburo member, one of the top 25 communist party members, he is in charge of diplomacy for the chinese communist party, so he's the main diplomacy guy for the

president. we havejust got main diplomacy guy for the president. we have just got a readout from the chinese government, basically laying out the chinese position on ukraine. a lot of focus on humanitarian poker —— concerns, not a focus on the need for talks, not a focus on the need for talks, not just not a focus on the need for talks, notjust between ukraine and russia but also between nato, europe, and russia on the future european security architecture. so, for china, the main concern right now is a couple of things. first of all, the humanitarian crisis should dealt with, china is trying to prove to the us that it is doing its best to provide humanitarian assistance to the ukrainians. and also stressing its position that it is not something that china would like to say, this current situation, in a way to distance itself but from the claims we have seen that china is potentially providing arms to russia. the other concern for china,

of course, is it is really not, you know, interested to see any further escalation which might mean europe being dragged into the war and of course, for china, the business relationship with europe is very important but also it is... imposing secondary sanctions on chinese business. . ., ., ., ., business. the humanitarian aid that china sent was _ business. the humanitarian aid that china sent was $750,000 _ business. the humanitarian aid that china sent was $750,000 which - business. the humanitarian aid that china sent was $750,000 which i i china sent was $750,000 which i think some colleges in america have raised, so it is not that much, is it? the other point is there were talks that were open with nato and president putin invaded. to go back to those talks, something is going to those talks, something is going to have to change. do you get the sense that china wants to play a role in this? doesn't want to bring russia to the table? because let's face it there chinese president is about the only person who could bring this war to a halt.

absolutely. at present, china's position is for nato and europe to have an equal dialogue with russia and of course china's focus here is equal which means that russia �*s position should be heard, russian concerns should be considered by the west and of course, china is also repeating its respect for sovereignty in a direct way of supporting ukraine's situation right now. so far, we have not seen a public sign that china would like to join those discussions although we have heard from some diplomats saying they would not rule out such interest from china since they are actively persuading their european partners to have this kind of dialogue with russia. earlier on, the french president, that german chancellor, they have travelled to russia and tried to talk to russia. 0nly russia and tried to talk to russia. only those dialogues did not result in a peaceful situation because of putin's ambition.—

that, joel rubin, what should the punishment be if china starts supplying military hardware to russia for its war in ukraine? it should be as tough on china as it is on russia. they should be no daylight in the way we treat china in terms of the sanction policies as we do with russia right now. china cannot underwrite russia's you'vea invasion of ukraine and get away with it. it will be bad for business and for china but that reputation and for china but that reputation and quite frankly, it would be a signal of where china was to go in its own sphere of influence that it hopes to have regarding taiwan. so, no daylight. from the american perspective it would be very robust, the benefit of this coalition building is that it can be transferred over to china if need be as well, and not going too far on no—fly zones, as an example, that

has kept us together. but this is this big fish with china looking over at the situation, it would be very bad business for china. but it would be very _ very bad business for china. but it would be very bad _ very bad business for china. but it would be very bad news _ very bad business for china. but it would be very bad news in - very bad business for china. but it would be very bad news in ukraine, melinda herring, because we know the russians are struggling at the moment, they have shortage of precision guided munitions, many of their parts that were sourced from germany. if the chinese were to start supplying military drones, that would be a significant change on the battlefield.— that would be a significant change on the battlefield. yes, that would be a big problem. _ on the battlefield. yes, that would be a big problem. i _ on the battlefield. yes, that would be a big problem. ithink— on the battlefield. yes, that would be a big problem. i thinkjoel- be a big problem. ithinkjoel nailed it and he outlined the right approach. i think this a great area for diplomacy. it is good they had this discussion today and i hope this discussion today and i hope this that if they do this, they will be a worldwide pariah and you will not have the respect of the world any longer, so i hope they were very direct with the chinese. it

any longer, so i hope they were very direct with the chinese.— direct with the chinese. it was intense, direct with the chinese. it was intense. it _ direct with the chinese. it was intense, it went _ direct with the chinese. it was intense, it went on _ direct with the chinese. it was intense, it went on for - direct with the chinese. it was intense, it went on for seven l direct with the chinese. it was i intense, it went on for seven hours. joel intense, it went on for seven hours. joel, if it were to happen, then all bets are off, aren't they? this would be a serious conflagration because you would have a russia chinese access facing off against the west. ., , chinese access facing off against the west. . , , ., . ., the west. that is the dynamic that we may be — the west. that is the dynamic that we may be confronting _ the west. that is the dynamic that we may be confronting very i the west. that is the dynamic that we may be confronting very soon | the west. that is the dynamic that i we may be confronting very soon and that is— we may be confronting very soon and that is very— we may be confronting very soon and that is very dangerous. this is a clarifying — that is very dangerous. this is a clarifying moment for where we are i’ilht clarifying moment for where we are right now— clarifying moment for where we are right now in — clarifying moment for where we are right now in the world. there is an alignment— right now in the world. there is an alignment happening. this is something different, this is significant, we are talking about democratic societies, democracies organising — democratic societies, democracies organising themselves to push back now, organising themselves to push back now. and _ organising themselves to push back now, and this might very well be the moment— now, and this might very well be the moment to _ now, and this might very well be the moment to see who is on which team. if moment to see who is on which team. if you _ moment to see who is on which team. if you add _ moment to see who is on which team. if you add up — moment to see who is on which team. if you add up the global democracies when it— if you add up the global democracies when it comes to their economic power, — when it comes to their economic power. it— when it comes to their economic power. it is— when it comes to their economic power, it is about half the world's labet— power, it is about half the world's label gdp~ — power, it is about half the world's label gdp. russia combined is 20%. those _ label gdp. russia combined is 20%. those are _ label gdp. russia combined is 20%. those are numbers i am happy with. it those are numbers i am happy with. it would _ those are numbers i am happy with. it would not — those are numbers i am happy with. it would not be good to see the united — it would not be good to see the united states and china get into an economic— united states and china get into an economic war and shiny certainly won't _ economic war and shiny certainly won't benefit from that. —— china

certainly— won't benefit from that. —— china certainly won't benefit. the temperature right now are steadily towards _ temperature right now are steadily towards getting pressure on russia. anything _ towards getting pressure on russia. anything done to undermine that will have an _ anything done to undermine that will have an impact on those countries. stuart, _ have an impact on those countries. stuart, we — have an impact on those countries. stuart, we have a minute left. the final word. there is a serious problem with covid in china, they have shut down a big tech hub. do they want lockdowns and also sanctions?— they want lockdowns and also sanctions? , , ,, ., , sanctions? definitely the lockdowns are lookin: sanctions? definitely the lockdowns are looking serious _ sanctions? definitely the lockdowns are looking serious right _ sanctions? definitely the lockdowns are looking serious right now, i sanctions? definitely the lockdowns are looking serious right now, a i sanctions? definitely the lockdowns are looking serious right now, a lot| are looking serious right now, a lot of residence in the city, they are told not to go out, they are told to do three deaths within days so —— three tests within days, so it is getting tough right now. bearing in mind, the bigger picture right here, we have been told about the sanctions, ukraine, and also covid, the big picture is the communist party congress happening in a few months�* time where the president will be having a third term and right now is definitely not the moment he will be looking for chaos and confusion.—

and confusion. thank you very much to all of you- — and confusion. thank you very much to all of you. do _ and confusion. thank you very much to all of you. do stay _ and confusion. thank you very much to all of you. do stay with _ and confusion. thank you very much to all of you. do stay with us, i and confusion. thank you very much to all of you. do stay with us, we i to all of you. do stay with us, we are going to go to the break, but we are going to go to the break, but we are going to talk about the food crisis around the world, that is coming up. hello. the aurora borealis lit up our northern skies last night, and tonight, with clearing skies, there�*s a chance of seeing the phenomenon again, particularly in northern scotland as the solar wind lights up our magnetosphere. so, let�*s have a look at the satellite picture. now, you can see clear skies recently across parts of central england, the south west as well. but this lump of cloud brought the rain initially to northern ireland, then scotland, then northern england and through the night, the skies will continue to clear. so, i think a good chance of catching that aurora further north where the skies clear, maybe across mainland scotland as well. there is a weather front approaching to the north—west. slightly milder here, but elsewhere,

where it�*s clear, cold and calm, temperatures will be around freezing or below in some towns and cities. now, let�*s pick up on the weather front. it�*s a slow—moving weather front, so it�*s not really going to make much progress into western scotland or northern ireland through the course of the day. in fact, edinburgh�*s probably going to stay bright with some sunny spells. and elsewhere across england and wales, it should be a dry day. the highest temperatures in the south east up to around 16 degrees, but hull is expecting 14—15 as well. now, this is the evening, and you can see that rain just about nudges into the central lowlands by the time we get to around about 7pm, 8pm, 9pm. now, here�*s wednesday�*s weather map, and weather fronts crossing the bulk of england and wales. it does look as though scotland and northern ireland will get away with a relatively bright day. at least in the morning it will be raining, but then come the afternoon, we�*ll see some sunshine developing first in the western isles, then northern ireland, then perhaps a little bit of brightness in glasgow as well. but as far as england and wales is concerned, most of the day it�*s going to be cloudy, and then the further

south and east you are, the wetter it�*s likely to be. quite heavy rain for a time at least in london. here, around 14 degrees, but colder in the north because that colder air has arrived from the northern climes. now, on thursday, another weather front moves across the north west of the uk. colder winds here, even some wintry showers across the scottish hills, but to the south, we�*ve got high pressure building, so it does mean the weather settles down thursday and friday and into saturday and sunday. so, i think once we get wednesday out of the way with that rain, after that, the weather�*s looking fine and dry. bye— bye.

a strike on a block of flats in the north west of kyiv kills one person and injures 12. in the north west of kyiv kills one this in the north west of kyiv kills one is the nightmare more this is the nightmare for the city. more attacks like this and of course they are vulnerable to missile strikes. but kyiv is big and it is sprawling and the defenders have many advantages which they are using. scenes of devastation in the southern port city of mariupol — where food, water and heating are said to have become desperately scarce. and in russia — a rare moment of protest on state television — as a broadcast is disrupted by an anti—war demonstrator.