today at one — powerful explosions again rock the capital of ukraine. russian airstrikes hit residential apartment blocks in kyiv and a metro station — the mayor says four people were killed. nearly three million refugees have fled ukraine. we report from poland, where a shopping centre is being used to house families. hooliganism — how the kremlin describes the anti—war protest of the woman who interrupted a live news show. also this lunchtime... ukraine's president tells the uk and other nations the west needs to do more to help his country fight russia, otherwise, he warned, "they will come for you". translation: the world is silent. after two nuclear power plants were captured, we're just hearing words,

and that is not enough. british iranian national nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, detained in iran for five years, has been given back her british passport — raising hopes of her return to the uk. the number of people out of work in the uk has fallen again and is now lower than it was before the pandemic — but wages are failing to keep up with the rising cost of living. and outdoor civil weddings and partnerships in england and wales are here to stay. and stay with us on bbc news for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondents in the uk and around the world.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one, live from lviv in western ukraine. the mayor of kyiv says four people have been killed in the capital after russian air strikes hit an apartment block and set it on fire. several other residential buildings have been damaged by attacks. in kyiv, the strikes took place on the western side of the city as the war entered its 20th day. you can see the current state of russian troop movements in red. all this as the international organisation for migration says nearly three million people have fled ukraine since russia began its invasion. our first report today on the continuing russian assault is from our kyiv correspondent, james waterhouse. parts of this war, the russians do want you to see. their defence ministry released this footage of a helicopter strike on a ukrainian

military target. at the start of this 20 day war, vladimir putin claimed cities and citizens wouldn't be targeted. we have known for some time that the opposite has happened. four people killed and another shelling of residential blocks, this time in north—western kyiv. kyiv�*s mayor vitali klitschko has described it as a dangerous moment for the city and announced a 36 hour curfew. translation: today is a difficult and dangerous moment. according to the decision of the military command, from today, march the 15th, from eight o'clock, a curfew is established in kyiv. movement through the city is prohibited without special passes. president zelensky is _ without special passes. president zelensky is sounding _ without special passes. president zelensky is sounding more - without special passes. president i zelensky is sounding more upbeat, boosted by the us�*s assessment that every russian advance had stalled over the weekend because of ukrainians fighting back. he called on the invaders to surrender. and he praised this high—profile protest

against the war on russian state tv, although many ukrainians online have been calling it a token gesture because of there being no letup in the fighting. because of there being no letup in the fighting-— the fighting. translation: i'm . rateful to the fighting. translation: i'm grateful to those _ the fighting. translation: i'm grateful to those russians - the fighting. translation: i'm grateful to those russians who l the fighting. translation: i'm | grateful to those russians who do not stop trying to convey the truth. to those who fight disinformation and tell the truth, real facts to their friends and loved and tell the truth, real facts to theirfriends and loved ones, and personally, to that young woman who entered the studio of channel one with a poster against the war, to those who are not afraid to protest. and now, for the first time in this war, and hypnotic visit to ukraine. not one word leader, but three, from poland, the czech republic and slovenia. they will visit kyiv today, countries which have taken in refugees from putin's war. they will present a support package from the european union. peace negotiations continue between russia and ukraine

today as well. kyiv is confident, with one official predicting the war and be over by may at the latest through either a deal or rush of resources. as ukraine cleans up after yet more missile attacks, it's difficult to picture. james waterhouse, bbc news, in kyiv. let's talk now to our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, in kyiv. overnight attacks again on kyiv and a curfew in place tonight for many hours? yes, reeta, this is the week where there is a new and sad symbol of a war which seems to creep slowly but ever closer to the centre of the capital kyiv. high—rise residential blocks on fire. we woke to one image yesterday, a residential building was hitjust after 5am. today, it was hitjust after 5am. today, it was three residential blocks on fire stop the mayor, vitali klitschko, the emergency services are still trying to put out the flames. but we

do know that those armoured convoys that had been on the north—west, north—east of the city and the suburbs, which are now blackened wastelands, are not approaching because they are being stored by their own logistical difficulties, but also by the force of the ukrainian resistance, while we hear more more russian artillery fire, we also hear the sound of ukrainians firing surface to air missiles to fight back. but today president zelensky told european leaders in a video call, which included boris johnson, he thanked them for all the ammunition and weapons and said, what you send in a week, we use up in 20 hours. but he did strike a note of cautious optimism. there is another round of peace talks today. but 20 days in, still no breakthrough on the battlefield or the negotiating table.— the negotiating table. lyse, thank ou. that the negotiating table. lyse, thank yom that is _ the negotiating table. lyse, thank you. that is lyse _ the negotiating table. lyse, thank you. that is lyse doucet - the negotiating table. lyse, thank| you. that is lyse doucet reporting. well, that's the situation

in the capital, let's go now to our eastern europe correspondent, sarah rainsford, who is in the central ukrainian city of uman, 120 miles south of kyiv. what are things looking like there? it is strange. there have been air raid sirens almost all day today. but other than that, it seems relatively normal. i say relatively because we have spent the past three weeks to the east of here and in the north, in areas which are being much more directly affected by the fighting in ukraine. here in uman, the sirens are going up again in the background but there are people out and about i spoke to a woman in a coffee shop who said it's a sign that our air defence systems are working here. they are trying to remain upbeat and strong. but to the east of here, nothing is normal any more. we have seen checkpoints all along the roads we have taken. there are sandbags all around the cities we have been in. there are people in cities we have visited who are now living their lives underground, on

the metro, for example, in kharkiv, which has been so badly affected by the fighting. and many people, of course, fleeing the fighting, even here in uman. the first three families i stopped on the streets, all of them had been forced to come here because of fighting in their own cities. one moment i asked, are you going to travel further west? she said no, ijust want to go home. she said no, ijust want to go home. she said no, ijust want to go home. she said her mother was still caught up she said her mother was still caught up in the fighting to the north of kyiv and all she wants is for all of this to be over.— this to be over. sarah rainsford reporting- _ just short of three weeks into this conflict, the kremlin is insisting that its so—called "special military operation" is going to plan. but some in moscow admit the campaign was not progressing as quickly as moscow wanted, and the united states says it has pretty much stalled. so what is the current state of the russian campaign and how have the ukrainians managed to frustrate them? our security correspondent, gordon corera, reports.

the russian offensive continues to make only slow progress. their original plan of a lightning strike failed, thanks partly to so much secrecy that some of the russian forces seem to have been unprepared. that, combined with bad intelligence at what reception they would get. they have moved most effectively across the south of the country. but around kyiv, there has been little change as the russians continue to regroup and slowly encircle the capital. they have not gone in on the ground, and it's not clear when they will, but they have launched strikes from the air, including these three districts overnight. in all, russia is thought to have fired around 900 missiles during the invasion, including a couple of dozen which hit this ukrainian training centre near the polish border on the weekend. as well as faulty assumptions, the russian initial thrust also stalled due to ukrainian tactics and stiffer resistance than moscow expected. rather than head on combat against a

largerforce, ukrainianforces rather than head on combat against a largerforce, ukrainian forces have been skilled at adapting, ambushing russian forces in targeting senior russian forces in targeting senior russian officers with snipers, using drones which can carry explosives to target convoys and using military aid from the west. so what help is the west giving? it has supplied what is called defensive equipment, but some of it high end stop these are valued for their ability to target russian tanks and armoured vehicles. britain sent 2000 before the invasion, training ukrainian troops to use them injanuary, and nearly as many again since it started. other countries have also supplied stinger anti—aircraft missiles as well as other equipment. but nato has ruled out direct involvement on the ground, or through creating a no—fly zone. so the question is now, we the russians make a direct assault on kyiv even though it is heavily defended?

gordon corera reporting. live now to moscow and our correspondent there, jenny hill. and has there been any word on what's happened to the woman who protested against the war on tv? no. her lawyers apparently don't know where she is being held and they don't know what kind of charges she could face. it has been more than 17 hours since she burst onto that tv set of her own employer. she was detained after the protest, which was an astonishing sight on prime—time television last night. she had also recorded a separate video statement in which she explained that her father was ukrainian and her mother russian. she said she was ashamed of having worked for her state tv employer, for having, in her words, propagated the kremlin propaganda that she said had led to the zombification of

russian people. this is an astonishing moment and the russian authorities are likely to make sure she suffers severe consequences. there are a number of lawyers under which she could be prosecuted. some of them involve jail sentences. a kremlin spokesman said her activities were hooliganism. i think while we wait to find out more about her whereabouts, while we wait to find out more about herwhereabouts, it while we wait to find out more about her whereabouts, it is worth emphasising that in today? russia, to conduct such a high—profile individual protest that had taken a great deal of courage. jenn? individual protest that had taken a great deal of courage.— great deal of courage. jenny hill, re ”ortin great deal of courage. jenny hill, reporting from — great deal of courage. jenny hill, reporting from moscow. - as we've heard, close to three million refugees have fled the fighting in ukraine. around 1.8 million have crossed into poland. pressure on cities close to the border is intense, with beds running out. in krakow, an old shopping centre is now being used to house refugee families, until they find longer term accommodation. from there, danjohnson reports.

from desperation comes innovation. abandoned six months ago, but now it's the latest safe space for ukrainian families. empty shops refitted in record time to take the pressure off a city struggling to cope. there are 400 beds here and there's capacity to add even more. we've seen transit camps for people fleeing wars time and time again, but this, it's the most modern of solutions to that age—old requirement, and it goes on and on. but how long will this be for? we are prepared to do this as long as it will be needed. so i can't say it will be one week, one month, nobody knows at the moment, unfortunately. it's warm, it's dry, it's relatively comfortable. businesses have volunteered to put in these showers and tiling... we bumped into this british volunteer who's helped with the conversion. it's going to help process... ..for those people who are

displaced, and help kind of alleviate the pressures on the borders, so i think absolutely, i think it's great. i think it is what happens after this, and the logistical chain of how these people then relocate to somewhere a bit more permanent. the first ukrainian families are settling in, enjoying some space, some peace and quiet after a journey that's left most of them stunned. normally, i work as an emergency practitioner in bridgwater. this nhs doctor's here from somerset. this is a big improvement on what he saw at the border. they have showers, they have normal bathrooms, the rooms are actually separated. so far, what i've noted, mostly it's anxiety. general pains, they've been walking or standing in a queue to cross the borderfor hours. it's sad to see the children just with kind of like a... empty face. it's... yeah. it's something which i've never experienced before, so...

kamila's volunteering here as a first—aider. she moved back to poland three years ago after living in manchester. are you able to help everybody? we would love to, but sometimes it's just... we can't do it. like, we try our best, and actually one ambulance broke on us so we only have one ambulance now, so we do try to transport as many people as possible, because every life counts for us. and there's relief here in different forms for all ages. those under the stress and strain of running from war and for communities trying to look after them. danjohnson, bbc news, krakow. i'll be back later in the programme, but now i'll hand you back to the studio in london. thank you very much. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has said he is frustrated with nato — the military alliance of 30 nations — because it won't implement

a no—fly zone over his country. in a video call to borisjohnson and representatives from baltic and northern european countries in london, mr zelensky claimed some nato countries had been hypnotised by russia. britain today imposed more sanctions against russia — 370 new sanctions on individuals and entities and also a ban on exports of luxury goods. our political correspondent, david wallace lockhart, reports. while economic battle rages here, president zelensky fights war in ukraine. this morning, after the uk announced further sanctions on russia, he addressed european leaders who make up the joint expeditionary forces here in alliance. a plea for more action. translation: we alliance. a plea for more action. translation:— alliance. a plea for more action. translation: ~ ., ~ ., ., ,~ translation: we would like to ask ou to hel translation: we would like to ask you to help yourself— translation: we would like to ask you to help yourself by _ translation: we would like to ask you to help yourself by helping - translation: we would like to ask you to help yourself by helping us, i you to help yourself by helping us, you to help yourself by helping us, you know what type of weapon we need, everyone knows you know what

type of defence measures are needed, you know what i need, the fighter jets, and without your support it would be very difficult. i am very grateful but i have to say we need more. ~ , , , more. the prime minister is trying to economically _ more. the prime minister is trying to economically isolate _ more. the prime minister is trying to economically isolate russia. - more. the prime minister is trying to economically isolate russia. he will travel to saudi arabia for talks on energy supply. it is will travel to saudi arabia for talks on energy supply. it is vital if we are to _ talks on energy supply. it is vital if we are to stand _ talks on energy supply. it is vital if we are to stand up _ talks on energy supply. it is vital if we are to stand up to - talks on energy supply. it is vital if we are to stand up to putin's i if we are to stand up to putin's bullying — if we are to stand up to putin's bullying and avoid being blackmailed by him _ bullying and avoid being blackmailed by him in _ bullying and avoid being blackmailed by him in the way that so many western— by him in the way that so many western countries, sadly, have been, we have _ western countries, sadly, have been, we have to _ western countries, sadly, have been, we have to get ourselves off russian hydrocarbons. we have to get ourselves off russian hydrocarbons-_ hydrocarbons. functions outline this mornin: hydrocarbons. functions outline this morning hits — hydrocarbons. functions outline this morning hits russian _ hydrocarbons. functions outline this morning hits russian antiques, - hydrocarbons. functions outline this. morning hits russian antiques, vodka and fur, just a few of the items that will face additional tariffs of 35%. the aim is to her tragic economically, although there was likely to be extra because for consumer years. alongside g7 oic will ban luxury goods being exported to russia and further sanctions on

more russians have been announced in the past hour. in the commons this morning, the chancellor said this is the right approach. the morning, the chancellor said this is the right approach.— morning, the chancellor said this is the right approach. the treasury has been hard at — the right approach. the treasury has been hard at work _ the right approach. the treasury has been hard at work with _ the right approach. the treasury has been hard at work with international| been hard at work with international partners putting in place the most comprehensive set of economic sanctions this country has ever done a treasure has ever experienced, diane parry proud. but a treasure has ever experienced, diane parry proud.— a treasure has ever experienced, diane parry proud. but with energy rice diane parry proud. but with energy price volatility. _ diane parry proud. but with energy price volatility, labour _ diane parry proud. but with energy price volatility, labour is _ diane parry proud. but with energy price volatility, labour is worried . price volatility, labour is worried about the cost of living. == price volatility, labour is worried about the cost of living.- about the cost of living. -- and i am really _ about the cost of living. -- and i am really proud. _ about the cost of living. -- and i am really proud. some - about the cost of living. -- and i | am really proud. some estimates about the cost of living. -- and i - am really proud. some estimates of averaue am really proud. some estimates of average annual— am really proud. some estimates of average annual household _ am really proud. some estimates of average annual household energy i average annual household energy bills suggest rises to £3000 or even more _ bills suggest rises to £3000 or even more from _ bills suggest rises to £3000 or even more from october, a terrible figure for many— more from october, a terrible figure for many constituents. the more from october, a terrible figure for many constituents.— for many constituents. the prime minister acknowledged _ for many constituents. the prime minister acknowledged that - for many constituents. the prime minister acknowledged that the l for many constituents. the prime - minister acknowledged that the west needs to do more for ukraine, but for now, most of the action remains economic. nearly 89,000 people have now registered an interest in opening up their homes to a ukrainian refugee. the figure was released

by the home office this morning, less than 2a hours after the launch of the homes for ukraine programme. the scheme should enable individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation for refugees for a minimum of six months. the detained british—iranian woman nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has had her passport returned. she's been held in iran since 2016 on charges of plotting to overthrow the government — something she's always denied. speaking this morning the prime minister said "delicate discussions" were going on around the case. here's our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. what can you tell us? we had this news from the mp who has campaigned for nazaninrelease, saying the passport had been returned, but nazanin was still with her family in tehran and she understood a british negotiating team was that right now. none of this has been confirmed by the foreign office, theyjust say this has been confirmed by the foreign office, they just say we this has been confirmed by the foreign office, theyjust say we are continuing to explore all options to

resolve this case. borisjohnson sounded like he was conscious that something was going on but also conscious of his role in the past in which he inadvertently complicated situation by suggesting she was working in a run as a journalist. he said that the rule is to say as little as possible until it is concluded. i don't want to do anything, he said, to interrupt the conversations. he clearly thinks we are at a very delicate stage. what might have broken the logjam? intriguingly, an iranian journalist based intriguingly, an iranianjournalist based in the uk has reported that a 400 million p debt that britain has uman around since 1979, the tail—ender the military deal with the shah cancelled the islamic revolution occurred, that debt has now been paid. the british government has never acknowledged

there was any connection between that debt and the fate of nazanin and other dual nationals, but if that debt has been paid, which would probably have involved delicate conversations with the americans because of sanctions, that really suggests that something may have broken and this logjam which has held her in detention for all of these years could soon be over, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. richard ratcliffe has been through hell containing on her behalf, has had moments in which he felt release was imminent only to have his hopes dashed, we do not know if we are there yet. dashed, we do not know if we are there et. ., ., dashed, we do not know if we are there et. ., ,, , ., ., new figures show that wages are still failing to keep up with the rising cost of living. the office for national statistics says that in effect that means average pay — excluding bonuses — shrank by 1% in the three months to january, compared with a year earlier. the unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in the most recent quarter, as our economics correspondent, andy verity, reports. it's all go at this giant warehouse

in corby, northamptonshire, which caters for the booming market in alcohol delivered to your home. existing staff are at full tilt, but what's holding business back is an increasingly intractable problem — they can't get enough new staff to cater for demand, even though they're using three different local recruitment agencies. what we've also done is launched a refer—a—friend scheme, which has been proved really, really popular. so if somebody introduces somebody into our organisation, after that person's passed their probationary review, the person that made the introduction will be given £1,000 by means of a reward. so that's proven very, very popular. in this sector with a now celebrated skills shortage made more acute by brexit, pay has surged and you'll start on £10.34 an hour. in the private sector the labour market is now more of a seller's market than it's been for decades. the number ofjob vacancies has hit a new record, 1.32 million. that's up by 100,000.

before inflation the average wage has risen by 3.8%, but because inflation is so high, you can't buy as much with it, a real terms pay cut of 1%. that renewed squeeze on living standards is now painfully tight for millions working in the public sector like gamu, a nurse with three kids to take care of and an energy bill that's set to double. once she donated to food banks, now she's having to turn to them herself. i felt worthless. i felt like i'm a failure, and i felt that i didn't deserve to have children because i can't look after them. and as a nurse, i actually felt, is myjob even worth it, if i can't afford to look after myself and i've got to go and get charity from other people so that i can support myself? it was one of the most scary things that i've done.

towns like corby had onlyjust left behind them the worst decade for improvements in living standards in 200 years. with wholesale gas and oil prices now falling one of the upward pressures on the cost of living may lessen in the coming months, but the inflationary squeeze is likely to get worse before it gets better. andy verity, bbc news. the mum of the murdered toddler star hobson has had her eight—year prison sentence for causing or allowing her daughter's death increased to 12 years at the court of appeal. frankie smith, who's 20, was jailed in decemberfor her role in the death of the 16—month—old. star hobson was killed by her mother's former partner, savannah brockhill, at keighley in west yorkshire in september 2020. the scottish government is due to announce this afternoon whether all of its covid legal restrictions will be removed next week. rules would be replaced by guidance on how to minimise risk. there were lots of changes made

during the pandemic and being able to hold outdoor weddings and civil partnerships was one of them. now they will be legalised permanently in england and wales. before, civil ceremonies had to take place indoors, or outdoors within a permanent structure like a bandstand. jenny kumah reports. getting married during the pandemic. restrictions and social distancing moved many ceremonies outdoors. before, civil ceremonies had to be held indoors or outside in a permanent structure like a bandstand. during covid that rule was relaxed, now the change will be made permanent. before the change to the rules we would have had to be inside the house for the wedding but now, rather excitingly, we can be completely open air out here in the garden at shilstone. it's made such a big difference to how we'll feel about the wedding day. holly is getting married injune. she's delighted to know for sure she will be able to have her ceremony outdoors at this venue in devon. now we can be open air, it means we can come down into the garden with them

so the ceremony itself can be that much more intimate, we can be close with our families and friends as we say "i do" to one another so it's very exciting. the change follows a consultation which showed overwhelming support from faith groups, the wedding industry and the public. i think it's great news. the owner of this venue, which has extensive grounds, feels today's announcement is a win—win all round. in the past we had to have the bride and groom and the registrar in the house and the congregation outside, which made the weddings a little disjointed, but with this change it brings it all together, makes it far more intimate. it gives us more freedom and gives our couples the opportunity of enjoying more of the open countryside in devon, lovely hills and the trees, and be more part of nature. the law does not apply to religious ceremonies but the government says reform will follow here too. the change should mean greater choice for how couples celebrate one of the most important days of their life, although one thing they cannot rely on is the weather.

jenny kumah, bbc news. crowds return today to the cheltenham festival for the first time since 2020, when it was one of the last big sports events with spectators before the lockdown. last year, the racing had to be held behind closed doors. live now to our sports correspondent, andy swiss, in cheltenham. is it packed ? is it packed? yes, welcome to cheltenham — is it packed? yes, welcome to cheltenham when _ is it packed? yes, welcome to cheltenham when in _ is it packed? yes, welcome to cheltenham when in a - is it packed? yes, welcome to cheltenham when in a few - is it packed? yes, welcome to - cheltenham when in a few minutes we should hear the famous cheltenham roar as the first race of the festival gets under way. as you say, it is a noise we have not heard for a while because last year's festival had to take place behind closed doors because of covid restrictions. at this year it is very much back to business as usual. in fact, they expect record crowds with more than a quarter of a million people expected over the course of the week. organisers here say they are also very aware of the backdrop to

this year's festival with the war in ukraine. manyjockeys are expected to wear armbands with the ukrainian flag and they are raising money to support the british red cross appeal for ukraine. as a's big race, the champion hurdle, once again all eyes will be on rachael blackmore and honeysuckle to cfa can repeat last year's honeysuckle to cfa can repeat last yea r�*s success. honeysuckle to cfa can repeat last year's success. it was an incredible festival for rachael blackmore 12 months ago when she became the first woman to be the top jockey at the festival, topjockey woman to be the top jockey at the festival, top jockey at the festival, top jockey at the festival, and she then a few weeks later. all eyes on her when the champion hurdle gets under way at 3:30pm. and that's all from me, now back to reeta in ukraine. thank you. thank you very much, victoria. seven—year—old amelia anisovych touched hearts around the world when a video of her singing let it go from the disney movie frozen in a bomb shelter in kyiv

was posted on social media. amelia is now safe with her grandmother in poland and graham satchell has been catching up with her. girl sings "let it go". a packed bomb shelterfalls silent as seven—year—old amelia starts to sing. her rendition of let it go from the film frozen, a moment of defiance and hope in the chaos of war. a week on, amelia is still singing. this time, a ukrainian folk song. amelia has made it out of ukraine and is now in poland with her grandmother vera, but her parents are still in kyiv. what was it like in

the bomb shelter, amelia? translation: it was ok. there were other children there. this is amelia in happier times, a seven—year—old girl at home with her cat, reading with her mum. she is now one of more than a million ukrainian children separated from their home, their country and, in amelia's case, her mum and dad, who have stayed to help fight the russians. vera, what do you think of your granddaughter and her singing? translation: | know - that she really loves singing. she really does sing from morning till night. and amelia, what do you hope will happen for you and your family in the future? translation: i would be very happy to be with my mother and father. - the extraordinary resilience of ukrainian people embodied in one little girl, and the words of one song.

she sings "let it go".