this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. ukrainian officials say a theatre, sheltering 1,000 civilians, has been bombed in mariupol. moscow denies attacking it. applause. a standing ovation for ukraine's leader at the german bundestag. president zelensky says that sanctions are not enough to end the conflict. russia counts its dead from the war, but vladimir putin insists the invasion is going to plan. if people stop believing that in large numbers, they'll start wondering why sons, brothers and husbands have been sent into ukraine for what's been called here the "special military operation." our other main story — after 6 years in captivity in iran,

nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe is waking up to her first full day of freedom. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the ukrainian government has accused russian forces of intentionally dropping a powerful bomb on a theatre in the besieged city of mariupol where hundreds of people — including children — were hiding from shelling. 0ne ukrainian mp has told the bbc that there was a large message visible from the sky which made it clear that children were present in the theatre. new pictures — verified by the bbc — show the building in ruins. the details of the attack have not been independently verified. up to 1,200 people may have been inside, the city's deputy mayor has told the bbc.

the numbers of casualties is currently unknown. russia says it wasn't responsible for the attack. in other developments, ukraine's president volodymir zelensky has told members of germany's lower house of parliament, the bundestag, that sanctions alone will not be enough to stop the war. and russia has reacted angrily to president biden labelling the russian leader vladimir putin a war criminal. these are the latest positions of the russian forces. uk intelligence claims the russia advance is effectively stalled. mark lobel has more. could this be the heaviest strike on civilians in this war so far? this building was a key part of the southern port city but seen from above on monday before the strike, the mariupol drama theatre was clearly marked in big white words of warning in russian on either side, that read, "children", as it had become a designated shelter

from the horrors of this war. translation: russian aircraft - purposefully dropped a huge bomb on the drama theatre in the city centre. hundreds of people were hiding from the shelling there. the building was destroyed. the death toll is still unknown. our hearts are broken about by what russia is doing to our people. citizens of russia, how is your blockade of mariupol different from the blockade of leningrad during world war ii? the kremlin denies bombing it. president zelensky showed this video of brutal russian bombardment as he received a hero's welcome from us lawmakers drawing parallels with pearl harbour and 9/11, he again tried in vain for a no—fly zone over ukraine. but the us president did pledge another $800 million to rearm ukrainians handsomely.

and was franker than ever on his russian counterpart. i think he is a war criminal. the kremlin says that's unforgivable rhetoric. president putin thinks his military plan is working and warned fellow russians of the threat of so—called traitors within. notably, oligarchs. translation: they are trying to bet on a so-called fifth column, - on traitors of the nation, on those who earn money here that live over there. and live there notjust in a geographic sense but in their minds, and their consciousness, which is that of slaves. i don'tjudge those with villas in miami or the french riviera or who can't get by with oysters or foie gras or so—called genderfreedoms. the problem is they mentally exist there and not here with our people, with russia.

yet negotiators have apparently thrashed out a framework for a way out of all this destruction — a tentative is—point peace plan, including a ceasefire and russian withdrawal hinging on ukraine's neutrality and renouncing its ambition to join nato. but ukraine's capital kyiv remains on edge, after these recent attacks during the city's curfew. but ukraine's capital kyiv remains on edge, after these recent attacks, and another one on a residential building on thursday. possibly final moves to squeeze out more concessions before a ceasefire, or, more bleakly, further strikes, with many more planned. no—one knows what's coming next. mark lobel, bbc news. the uk's ministry of defence has given its daily update on the situation in ukraine.

let me bring you some pictures we arejust getting from are just getting from the russian military and they show a convoy, said to be in ukraine but we don't know exactly where this is but you can see that moving convoy of russian tanks. previously, there has been a lot of attention paid to the convoy that was 64 kilometres, 40 miles long, or vehicles, tanks and artillery that was heading towards

kyiv. according to satellite monitoring it looked like that had broken up and dispersed. so, we can't tell whether those tanks are part of the original convoy or what they are, they are just three from they are, they are just three from the russian military. the bbc�*sjonah fisher is in lviv. particular focus again on mariupol, that attack on the theatre where many, many, including children were inside. , , , many, many, including children were inside. , , ., ., ., inside. possibly a glimmer of what mi . ht turn inside. possibly a glimmer of what might turn out _ inside. possibly a glimmer of what might turn out to _ inside. possibly a glimmer of what might turn out to be _ inside. possibly a glimmer of what might turn out to be good - inside. possibly a glimmer of what might turn out to be good news i inside. possibly a glimmer of what i might turn out to be good news from mariupol. it's been effectively cut off the last two weeks, it's been encircled. it's been very hard to get information in and out of the city but we've had an mp from mariupol speaking to the bbc and if i read what he said, he said, minutes ago we had information that the bomb shelter survived and people survived. we don't yet know whether

we have wounded people or killed people but it looks like most of them have survived and they are ok. that's suggesting that when this bomb fell yesterday afternoon on this theatre with perhaps between 1000 and 1200 people inside, potentially people were already in the basement of the theatre and according to the mp, the casualties may not be as horrific as we first feared. ., ,., , ~ ., ., , feared. that sounds like good news and we have _ feared. that sounds like good news and we have to _ feared. that sounds like good news and we have to wait _ feared. that sounds like good news and we have to wait to _ feared. that sounds like good news and we have to wait to hear- feared. that sounds like good news and we have to wait to hear for- feared. that sounds like good news. and we have to wait to hear for more on that. elsewhere, the uk mod saying that the russian invasion of ukraine has largely stalled on all fronts, what is the overview? we've seen very little _ fronts, what is the overview? we've seen very little movement - fronts, what is the overview? we've seen very little movement of - fronts, what is the overview? we've. seen very little movement of russian ground forces for more than a week, really. what the war has turned into is effectively the ground forces, the russian tanks effectively

relatively static outside some of the major cities like kyiv, mariupol, and shelling taking place. there was more into the outskirts of kyiv today. we know that mariupol has come under sustained fire and other cities had been targeted. why thatis other cities had been targeted. why that is happening, particularly around kyiv, nobody is sure. it's been speculated it's due to logistical problems, due to the running out of fuel. the reality as we are now is that the map of ukraine in general, the areas the russians have been taking, has been relatively static for a while and much of the focus of the russian effort at the moment seems on targeting areas either through artillery or through the air. thank ou, artillery or through the air. thank you. jonah _ artillery or through the air. thank you, jonah fisher _ artillery or through the air. thank you, jonah fisher in _ artillery or through the air. thank you, jonah fisher in lviv. - as we heard, president zelensky has been speaking to the german parliament by videolink — a day after he addressed the us congress in the same way. in an emotional address he urged german mps to help destroy a new "wall" that he said russia was erecting in europe.

let's have a listen. translation: sanctions are obviously not enough to stop this war. _ and after, when we've seen how many connections connections here businesses have with russia, where russia is using you and some other countries to fund, to finance this war, for this three weeks of war, for our life, for our freedom, we... we witnessed, again and again, what we were confident about in the past but not all of you are noticing. it's as if you're behind a wall, not the berlin wall, but in the middle between freedom and non—freedom. and this wall is getting stronger and stronger with every bomb dropped on our land, with every decision which is not taken.

live to berlin with our correspondent damien mcguinness. what reaction has there been to his words? ~ ., , what reaction has there been to his words? ~ .,, .,, , words? well, as soon as president zelensky appeared _ words? well, as soon as president zelensky appeared on _ words? well, as soon as president zelensky appeared on the - words? well, as soon as president zelensky appeared on the screen l zelensky appeared on the screen there was a standing ovation, mps applauded for a couple of minutes. after he left, again, a standing ovation. it was interesting because the speech was similar to other speeches, lots of historical parallels catering to the specific audience, in the same weight about the us congress he made references to american history like 9/11 and pearl harbor and in the british houses of parliament he almost quoted speeches from winston churchill, referencing some of those famous phrases from world war ii. in the german parliament he made specific references to german history and as we heard, he compared the bombing and the invasion of ukraine to a new berlin wall that wasn't dividing the german capital but was dividing europe. it was an

emotional speech but also critical. he slammed german businesses, some of whom he said are still doing business in russia and he said germany had been too hesitant at the beginning. before the invasion germany refused to support ukraine militarily, that changed after the invasion pretty quickly. more radically than most people expected. president zelensky said that ukraine had been warning for a while that the very controversial russian german pipeline nord stream 2 had been, he said, cement for the new wall that's being built. and now today even german hesitancy for eu membership was another brick in the wall. so, an emotional speech, membership was another brick in the wall. so, an emotionalspeech, he thanked germany but was also critical, saying germany was still being too hesitant and he wanted more support, including he mentioned in passing a no—fly zone which generally doesn't support, saying

that ukraine needed a similar sort of support like the air left in the cold war that west berlin got from the allies. he said today that you need a no—fly zone. very critical, appealing to german sensibilities, reminding germany of its responsibility historically, saying some parts of his country were being destroyed for the second time in 80 years, reminding germans of the crimes of the nazis which appeals to german voters and mps. a good reception in berlin.— reception in berlin. obviously a carefully chosen _ reception in berlin. obviously a carefully chosen speech, - reception in berlin. obviously a. carefully chosen speech, against reception in berlin. obviously a i carefully chosen speech, against a backdrop of germany already having shifted in his historic position in the amount of military support and expenditure it's now offering. what impact are his words likely to have now in terms of pushing germany any further? it’ll now in terms of pushing germany any further? �* , , ., , further? it'll be interesting to see because i think, _ further? it'll be interesting to see because i think, until— further? it'll be interesting to see because i think, until the - further? it'll be interesting to see| because i think, untilthe invasion, because i think, until the invasion, until three weeks ago, it was pretty

much seen is definitely germany wouldn't send arms to ukraine. germany is quite fixed in its position on military spending. that changed within hours and be chancellor 0laf scholz made some quite radical decisions. an extra 100 billion euros on defence spending. the entire defence budget is half of that for a year. to suddenly pump that into defence is pretty radical. so that change overnight, it's hard to predict how things are going to shift. the big question now for germany is to do with russian gas imports. at the moment, germany gets more than half of its gas from russia. that is obviously very controversial, something the german government say they are trying to change. german voters say the majority want an embargo straightaway on russian energy imports. the government says the german economy would collapse if that happened overnight but what they are doing is getting some deals pretty quickly on the table from other countries to pivot away from

russian gas, including this morning an announcement that there is a new deal with norway. the german minister was there yesterday, they struck a deal to get more gas from norway. this week that minister is going to qatar to get more gas there. the german government is acting pretty quickly, not quickly enough according to president zelensky, but there are things shifting pretty radically here in berlin. given what we've seen over the past three weeks, the shift in not only opinion but concrete policy, i think everything is on the table depending what happens next in ukraine. ., ~ , ., , table depending what happens next in ukraine. ., ~ ,, , ., ukraine. thank you. there is of course the _ ukraine. thank you. there is of course the human _ ukraine. thank you. there is of course the human toll - ukraine. thank you. there is of course the human toll on - ukraine. thank you. there is of course the human toll on bothl ukraine. thank you. there is of - course the human toll on both sides. thousands of russian soldiers have been sent to ukraine to fight in president putin's war. there is still quite a disparity between what is being reported in russia in terms of numbers of casualties and the numbers that ukraine is putting out.

0ur russia editor steve rosenberg has been to one military funeral in the west of the country. they sing. in russia, they are grieving, too. mikhail was killed in action in ukraine. angelika is his widow. how many russian soldiers have been killed in what the kremlin still refuses to call a war? 0ne family's pain is being repeated across the country. it's a criminal offence in russia to quote anything but official figures. and those are 498 russian servicemen dead. that was on march 2nd. there has been no

update for two weeks. many russians rally around their leader in times of crisis. it's as if they don't want to believe their president may have taken a fatal decision. "we're doing the right thing," nikolai says. "nato wanted to set up shop right next to us in ukraine, "and they've got nuclear weapons. "well done, putin, for stopping them." the kremlin wants russians to believe that what their troops are doing in ukraine is both necessary and heroic. it's what the state media is telling them from morning till night. because if people stop believing that, in large numbers, they'll start wondering why sons, brothers and husbands have been sent into ukraine for what's been called here "the special military operation".

father ivan is wondering why. he recently delivered an anti—war sermon, and he criticised the kremlin�*s offensive on the church website. he was detained and fined under a new law for discrediting the russian armed forces. translation: i believe that any bloodshed, however - you try to justify it, is a sin. blood is on the hands of the person who spilled it. if an order was given, it's on the hands of whoever gave the order, supported it, or stayed silent. on his finaljourney, full military honours for soldier mikhail. his country calls him a defender of the fatherland.

and yet it was russia's army that attacked ukraine, on the orders of president putin, to restore russian power, and to force ukraine into russia's orbit. russian national anthem plays. but at what cost? steve rosenberg, bbc news, kostroma. we can cross live to moscow — and speak to the bbc�*s jenny hill. what reaction from there to the bombing of the theatre when many civilians, including children, were sheltering in mariupol?— civilians, including children, were sheltering in mariupol? moscow has denied any involvement. _ sheltering in mariupol? moscow has denied any involvement. this - sheltering in mariupol? moscow has denied any involvement. this is - sheltering in mariupol? moscow has| denied any involvement. this is what we see pretty much every day from the kremlin. the strategy is to deny it, blame it on someone else and if you can't, to announce it has fake

news. so we've heard from several officials this morning, most recently the foreign ministry spokeswoman, who has said that russian troops most certainly didn't do this, we do not bomb cities, she said. she's also hinted that fake news of such attacks is being generated by the west. she talks about edits being done in nato structures. the kremlin official line is they believe the theatre was blown up by ukrainian so—called nationalist militias who had mined the building. this is the kremlin strategy and it must seem strange to people watching these pictures coming from all over ukraine, the pictures you're seeing at home. bear in mind that most russians are only getting access to information about this war from state tv. state tv follows mr putin's line, they don't call it a war, anyone who does find

their website or outlet rapidly shut down. state tv doesn't show the pictures you're seeing at home. so they don't see cities being bombed and they are being continually told that the west is either making it up or that such attacks are being perpetrated by ukrainian forces. it's a very interesting environment in which journalists work. there are very few independentjournalists now left in this country. legislation was recently changed to criminalise those who spread what the kremlin deemed to be fake information about the russian army and its activities and that's why it's significant that officials continue to say this is fake news, because it makes it very difficult for anyone who is left here to independently report on what happened. here to independently report on what ha ened. ., ~' ,, now a story which has gripped the uk — two british—iranians, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori — who've been freed after years in detention in tehran —

have landed back in britain, shortly after1 o'clock this morning. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested in 2016, and mr ashhoori has been held since 2017. both were arrested while visiting their families. their release came after the uk paid off a debt to iran of over half a billion dollars, dating back to the 1970s. 0ur correspondent simonjones is outside the british foreign office in central london. what are they saying about what led to the return of those two?- to the return of those two? firstly, here at the — to the return of those two? firstly, here at the foreign _ to the return of those two? firstly, here at the foreign office - to the return of those two? firstly, here at the foreign office they - to the return of those two? firstly, here at the foreign office they are| here at the foreign office they are describing this as a good day. there are smiles on faces and that's what we saw earlier this morning at raf brize norton as the plane touched down. in recent weeks there has been an increase in diplomatic activity. we've had diplomats and officials

sent from the foreign office overtook tehran to out negotiations. the big sticking point in recent years had been this debt of $500 million. that was money that britain bowed to tehran for a deal dating back to the 1970s for some tanks that weren't provided. britain had always said in recent years it was difficult to repay the debt to iran because potentially it could breach sanctions against iran and there was also fears that iran could use the money to sponsor terrorism. but now a way forward was found, it was only found in the past 48 hours, it has been a whirlwind of activity and what they decide it is that the debt can be paid but the money must be ring fenced for humanitarian purposes. it was ultimately that deal between the two countries which saw the two former detainees touched down on british soil in the early

hours of the morning.— down on british soil in the early hours of the morning. thank you. we are 'ust hours of the morning. thank you. we are just seeing _ hours of the morning. thank you. we are just seeing pictures _ hours of the morning. thank you. we are just seeing pictures of— hours of the morning. thank you. we are just seeing pictures of them - are just seeing pictures of them having arrived back in this country and as simon was saying, it was a long road to bring them back and now of course they are going to be spending much needed time with their families as they readjust, because they went from being ordinary families with, i was talking yesterday to nazanin's sister—in—law who said they had very little knowledge of the wider geopolitical picture and of course they have been fully emerged into navigating it and richard ratcliffe has been absolutely central to fighting for the return of his wife. he went on hunger strike for two periods of time and her daughter was only 18

months old when her mother was taken and now, of course, she was in iran with her mother when she was taken but returned three years ago. for her it's going to be getting used to having both parents back together. we'll keep you updated on that. the uk ministry of defence has given an update on the situation in ukraine and state three weeks after the military action began the russian invasion has largely stalled on all fronts. that is the picture in ukraine according to the ministry of defence and we are going to be speaking to the former uk chief of the defence

staff to get his reaction to what is happening on the ground. you're watching bbc news. today, soggy conditions for the vast majority but a big difference to the next few days. here is a sneak peek at the outlet. lots of sunshine on weather charts. there are a few showers in inverness and coleraine. today we've still got one or two downpours around. some of those are heavy with hail but more showers working its way through later. they are putting into parts of northern england, northern wales and may be parts of the midlands but they will only form a small portion of the day. still sunny spells around. best

of the blue skies in the south and east of england and will see temperatures and light winds and a pleasant 14—15. in scotland, tonight we'll continue to see some heavy showers but across the rest of the country those showers dissipate, sky is clear and then later on fog starts to form. dense fog patches into friday morning. clear skies for most of the night, a cold night once again. a touch of frost first thing in the morning. after wednesday, high—pressure dominates for the end of the week and weekend. that generally means dry weather and starting to bring in clearer conditions. a sluggish start for england and wales on friday, dense fog for the morning commute. but that of cloud lingering but for most of you, friday afternoon, blue skies in abundance and feeling very

pleasant. blue skies will dominate right the way through into the weekend. there will however be an increasing breeze. especially around southern and western coasts, southern and western coasts, southern and western coasts, southern and eastern coasts where that breeze comes in off the chilly c. temperatures across western parts of england and wales could easily get into the mid teens. in the north and west of scotland will see some of the highest temperatures, up to around 18 is possible. high there on sunday, blue skies dominate for the most part but late in the day we could see one or two showers in east anglia and the south—east.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. ukrainian officials say a theatre — sheltering a thousand civilians — has been bombed in mariupol. moscow denies attacking it. a standing ovation for ukraine's leader at the german bundestag. president zelensky says that sanctions are not enough to end the conflict. russia counts its dead from the war, but vladimir putin insists the invasion is going to plan. if people stop believing that in large numbers, they start wondering why sons, brothers and husbands have been sent in to ukraine for what is being called here the special military operation. our other main story — after 6 years in captivity in iran, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe arrives back in britain to be

reunited with her family. hello, and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. let's return to our stop story. president zelensky of ukraine has accused russia of intentionally dropping a powerful bomb on a theatre in the besieged city of mariupol where hundreds of people were hiding from shelling. the details of the attack have not been independently verified. in his nightly television address, mr zelensky said his heart was breaking from what the russians were doing to the ukrainian people. russia has denied carrying out the attack. the uk's ministry of defence has given its daily

update on the situation in ukraine. it states, that three weeks after the military action began, �*the russian invasion of ukraine has largely stalled on all fronts.�* it adds — i'm joined by lord richard dannatt, former head of the british army from 2006 to 2009. welcome, thank you very much for joining us. let's look at a map that shows the situation on the ground where we talk to you. bearing in mind what we had from that uk assessment, three weeks into the invasion, when you look at the map, you see the areas that are currently

controlled by russia, that is the area is in red and white stripes where there is russian advancement, what is your view of the state of play? bi; what is your view of the state of play? by any reckoning, whatever vladimir putin _ play? by any reckoning, whatever vladimir putin was _ play? by any reckoning, whatever vladimir putin was my _ play? by any reckoning, whatever vladimir putin was my plan - play? by any reckoning, whatever vladimir putin was my plan had . play? by any reckoning, whatever- vladimir putin was my plan had been, the timescale, it is not going according to plan and is behind timescale. viewers are looking at the map which you mention, at the outset, he intended a major thrust from belarus towards kyiv, along the southern coast, and a thrust west from the donbas area, all that has been achieved so far is minimal penetration from the north and in the south they have made more progress, and you can see that mariupol is critical to preventing the linkup between crimea and russia proper through the donbas area. over

time, it is likely he will take control of mariupol, despite the brave efforts of the ukrainians, the report overnight of the bombing of the cinema or theatre, risking the lives of children is appalling. whatever his plan was, it is not going according to plan and it is still well behind schedule. 0ne going according to plan and it is still well behind schedule. one has to say that the ukrainians have fought determinedly and extremely well, proving again the power of the defender against frankly a weak and disorganised attacker. in defender against frankly a weak and disorganised attacker.— disorganised attacker. in terms of strate: , disorganised attacker. in terms of strategy. is _ disorganised attacker. in terms of strategy. is it _ disorganised attacker. in terms of strategy. is it a — disorganised attacker. in terms of strategy, is it a familiar _ disorganised attacker. in terms of strategy, is it a familiar strategy i strategy, is it a familiar strategy that you have seen in play before in other environments and would you expect it to change? indie other environments and would you expect it to change?— expect it to change? we need to se arate expect it to change? we need to separate the _ expect it to change? we need to separate the strategy _ expect it to change? we need to separate the strategy from - expect it to change? we need to separate the strategy from the l separate the strategy from the tactics. the strategy is failing, if

his strategy was to make a lightning strike to kyiv from the north and to gain control of the south and ultimately of the whole of ukraine, that strategy is failing. because his soldiers have made poor progress on the ground, he has had to revert to the appalling tactic of surrounding towns and then shelling them, hoping to bring the time to submission as a result of the appalling casualties that the civilians will be suffering. that is what president zelensky, every night, every day he is talking about that, the pain and the suffering his countrymen and countrywomen are experiencing. it is quite remarkable their resilience and determination. what can be done to effectively counter the russian tactic? president zelensky said he wants to be a no—fly zone. is that the only possible way to take this on? i’m

possible way to take this on? i'm afraid not- _ possible way to take this on? i'm afraid not- a _ possible way to take this on? i“n afraid not. a no—fly zone, as everyone has argued, would risk movement towards general war with all the implications that can have between nato and russia. also the practicality of a no—fly zone, if one was attempted to be established, it could be policed, with aircraft, but we have already established that is a very highly risky thing to do and the west has written it out. this is an important point. a no—fly zone does not stop missiles or altered artillery shells or mortar bombs going through the air. it is the latter, that is causing the damage in the city. a no—fly zone is a red herring. what can be done, though, and what is being done is passing into ukraine from friendly nations, nato nations, more defence

equipment which can shoot down drones and inhibit missiles in the air. ., . . ., air. you have clarified the point, whether it _ air. you have clarified the point, whether it was _ air. you have clarified the point, whether it was actually - air. you have clarified the point, whether it was actually taking i air. you have clarified the point, i whether it was actually taking away the concerns around what a no—fly zone would mean in terms of escalation, whether it was the only military way to take on the russian tactics, but you say there it is not. if we look specifically at mariupol, which is besieged, the city is slowly being razed to the ground, what can be done now to support that? to support the people and to try and restore the situation there? ., , and to try and restore the situation there? . , , ., ., _ there? the tragedy is, i am going by there? the tragedy is, i am going by the reporting — there? the tragedy is, i am going by the reporting which _ there? the tragedy is, i am going by the reporting which i _ there? the tragedy is, i am going by the reporting which i have _ there? the tragedy is, i am going by the reporting which i have seen - there? the tragedy is, i am going by the reporting which i have seen and| the reporting which i have seen and other snippets of news, the situation in mariupol has been very difficult for almost two weeks now. frankly, i do not think much can be

done. the russians have got control of both sides of mariupol, they can bombard the town at will. the remaining people there are having an appalling life. when president biden described vladimir putin yesterday as a war criminal, he is absolutely right. these tactics are appalling, they abe steele, contrary to any norms of conventional warfare. this is a war crime in the making, probably verging on genocide. when ou talk probably verging on genocide. when you talk about _ probably verging on genocide. when you talk about going _ probably verging on genocide. when you talk about going against the norms, there has been set speculation as to whether chemical weapons might be used. what would that mean if that were to be the case? it that mean if that were to be the case? , ,.,, , , ., , case? it is quite possible that they may resort — case? it is quite possible that they may resort to _ case? it is quite possible that they may resort to that. _ case? it is quite possible that they may resort to that. again, - case? it is quite possible that they may resort to that. again, that. case? it is quite possible that they may resort to that. again, that is l may resort to that. again, that is just another degree of appalling nests. if chemical weapons were to be used in principle civilian areas

that would compound the level of the number of war crimes being committed. president putin and his acolytes need to be aware that everything that is going on is being carefully logged, evidence is being gathered, there will come a time when these people will be indicted for war crimes. whether they will be imprisoned orface for war crimes. whether they will be imprisoned or face a trial is another matter, but there is no doubt that the judgment of history will be that president putin and his generals have been conducting war crimes in the most appalling fashion. if they were to use chemical weapons, fashion. if they were to use chemicalweapons, it fashion. if they were to use chemical weapons, it increases the magnitude of how awful it is. you use the word _ magnitude of how awful it is. you use the word genocide, as a former head of the british army, you do not use that word lightly. i head of the british army, you do not use that word lightly.— use that word lightly. i spent a lot of time in the _ use that word lightly. i spent a lot of time in the balkans _ use that word lightly. i spent a lot of time in the balkans in - use that word lightly. i spent a lot of time in the balkans in the - use that word lightly. i spent a lot i of time in the balkans in the 1990s, if you look at what happened in shape and it sat, 8500 muslim men and boys were murdered by the serbs,

this is akin to that level of criminality, and i have given evidence against the generals at the international criminal tribunal will end their hate against those war crimes and the word genocide was associated with that. these are on the same kind of level and vladimir putin must be made aware if he has not already aware that he is standing in great danger. committing the most appalling atrocities. irrespective of what news is reported in russia, we can all have confidence that what we are understanding is true, it is not fake news, it is appalling and the truth will out even if it takes time to do so. ., ., .,. to do so. the threat of facing the consequence _ to do so. the threat of facing the consequence of _ to do so. the threat of facing the consequence of action _ to do so. the threat of facing the consequence of action is - to do so. the threat of facing the i consequence of action is potentially a long time down the line, does that... is that likely to have an impact or doesn't potentially make a mindset go another way which might be to think, well, now we've gone

this far, there is no way back. that is uuite this far, there is no way back. that is quite possible. _ this far, there is no way back. trisgt is quite possible. what is obvious in the last few weeks is the sense of history that vladimir putin has, he has referred back to the days of the soviet union, catherine the great and peter the and he has a great and peter the and he has a great sense of his plays in the flow of russian history. 0ver great sense of his plays in the flow of russian history. over time, his contribution to russian history will be the leader at a moment when war crimes were perpetrated apparently in the name of russia but rather more at his behest and he will not go down as a hero but as a villain of great magnitude.— of great magnitude. what is your view of what _ of great magnitude. what is your view of what more _ of great magnitude. what is your view of what more can _ of great magnitude. what is your view of what more can be - of great magnitude. what is your view of what more can be done i of great magnitude. what is your| view of what more can be done as this unfolds to try and mitigate the impact? this unfolds to try and mitigate the im act? ., ., , impact? there are two things, amonust impact? there are two things, amongst other— impact? there are two things, amongst other things, - impact? there are two things, amongst other things, a - impact? there are two things, - amongst other things, a concerted effort to try and bring this conflict to a negotiated end. it

would appear there are some direct talks going on between ukraine and russia, that may or may not make progress but it is going to need a third—party facilitator and i think the most likely area orfactor of facilitation is probably chinese. vladimir putin hits the west but he fears the chinese. he hates the west but he fears the chinese.— but he fears the chinese. there have been reports — but he fears the chinese. there have been reports that _ but he fears the chinese. there have been reports that russia _ but he fears the chinese. there have been reports that russia has - but he fears the chinese. there have been reports that russia has asked l been reports that russia has asked china for weapons. china did not give clarity on whether they had been asked for weapons under a lot of questioning from journalist, describing it as fake news and it is in the position to do what you are talking about which is to have... bring pressure to bear. i mean, if china were to offer up military

support, that would be another matter again, wouldn't it? it would. we have to — matter again, wouldn't it? it would. we have to take _ matter again, wouldn't it? it would. we have to take the _ matter again, wouldn't it? it would. we have to take the reports - matter again, wouldn't it? it would. we have to take the reports of- we have to take the reports of russia asking china for military support at face value. whether it's true or not, i don't know. the point i was making, not very well, that russia fears china, because of china's burgeoning economic growth. but russia needs a friend. because of that link which has got stronger in recent days going back to the meeting at the start of the two leaders at the winter olympics, it does give the chinese an opportunity to be the one to put pressure on russia, to put pressure on vladimir putin to say whatever you are trying to do it is not succeeding. this has got to stop and we have to find a negotiated solution. a return to negotiation by one means or another is critical. the other point is the

west is right to supply ukraine with ammunition, weapons, anti—tank and anti—aircraft weapons, to enable their resistance. their spirit is fantastic. they will at some point run short of weapons and ammunition and we should quite properly supply them. it has to be remembered that conflicts such as this throughout history rarely end with one side winning and the other being defeated. the end around in negotiation table. the sooner the parties realise that, in particular president putin, the sooner they will get round the table and start to negotiate. what the terms will be as another issue. that is where the pressure should come. the diplomats of the world have to get the party is around a table and negotiate an end to this appalling of events.

thank you very much. before russia's invasion of ukraine there seemed to be all sorts of divisions in europe about energy, arming ukraine, or cutting off russia's banks. but since then there has been a broad consensus. countries like poland and hungary that were once so irritating to the commission in brussels are now front line players needing support. those hooked on russian gas are looking elsewhere and it's open season on the oligarchs. gabriel gatehouse assesses the landscape of a newly united europe. 3 million refugees in three weeks. it is the biggest migration crisis europe has seen since the second world war and yet... what we have seen so far is an unprecedented solidarity shown by eu citizens. it is really amazing. also the solidarity shown by the officials, you know, the border guards, the police, they are also working extra time without payment.

what a difference seven years makes. in the summer of 2015, the war in syria sparked a huge influx of refugees into the eu. germany opened up its borders, setting off a mass movement of people across the continent. this has become the platform from our contacts could mark i would like to mention the visit of our prime minister and a recent visit of the head of the federation councils, our trade and economic have developed successfully, the turnover was almost 5.5 billion us dollars which

placed the arab emirates in first placed the arab emirates in first place among our partners in trade and economy and the arab world joined russian commission, the decision took place in dubai in november 2021. at the end of november, the 13th meeting of russian arabic business council took place, direct funds operating successfully. promising areas for cooperation and the other subject is fighting the pandemic, covid—19 pandemic on the basis of russian designs and developments. we are working on strengthening the legal base, the last year we signed an

intergovernmental... so that is the russian foreign minister who is referring they are to his with the uae foreign minister, they have been meeting in moscow. more than 122—thousand british families have registered their interest to host ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. jayne mccubbin has been to visit the people of one scottish village that have made it their mission to take in as many of the displaced, as they can. there is kindness here in the scottish highlands. bud there is kindness here in the scottish highlands. there is kindness here in the scottish hiahlands. �* ., scottish highlands. and escape from their war-torn _ scottish highlands. and escape from their war-torn country. _ scottish highlands. and escape from their war-torn country. this - scottish highlands. and escape from their war-torn country. this town - scottish highlands. and escape from their war-torn country. this town of| their war-torn country. this town of aberfeldy is — their war-torn country. this town of aberfeldy is going _ their war-torn country. this town of aberfeldy is going to _ their war-torn country. this town of aberfeldy is going to open - their war-torn country. this town of aberfeldy is going to open its - their war-torn country. this town of aberfeldy is going to open its heart| aberfeldy is going to open its heart and home is to help in a crisis more than 3000 miles away. we and home is to help in a crisis more than 3000 miles away.— than 3000 miles away. we have a tradition of— than 3000 miles away. we have a tradition of welcome, _

than 3000 miles away. we have a tradition of welcome, aberfeldy . than 3000 miles away. we have a tradition of welcome, aberfeldy is than 3000 miles away. we have a i tradition of welcome, aberfeldy is a great _ tradition of welcome, aberfeldy is a great community. this tradition of welcome, aberfeldy is a great community-— great community. this is less so far, 30 great community. this is less so far. 30 people — great community. this is less so far, 30 people here. _ great community. this is less so far, 30 people here. shared - great community. this is less so | far, 30 people here. shared flat, staffed _ far, 30 people here. shared flat, staffed guest— far, 30 people here. shared flat, staffed guest house, _ far, 30 people here. shared flat, staffed guest house, 25- far, 30 people here. shared flat, staffed guest house, 25 people. | staffed guest house, 25 people. holiday— staffed guest house, 25 people. holiday homes, _ staffed guest house, 25 people. holiday homes, rooms - staffed guest house, 25 people. holiday homes, rooms in- staffed guest house, 25 people. holiday homes, rooms in their. holiday homes, rooms in their houses, one person has offered the top floor of their house. we houses, one person has offered the top floor of their house.— top floor of their house. we have not a top floor of their house. we have got a great _ top floor of their house. we have got a great database. _ without an official data base, charities without an official database, charities match people who are in need with those who need help. to sponsor a refugee, they need a name of the refugee. today gavin is meeting the first person he hopes his time can help. tatiana had baby mark three weeks before she fled ukraine to poland.— ukraine to poland. tatiana, the community _ ukraine to poland. tatiana, the community wants _ ukraine to poland. tatiana, the community wants to _ ukraine to poland. tatiana, the community wants to help - ukraine to poland. tatiana, the community wants to help as - ukraine to poland. tatiana, the i community wants to help as much ukraine to poland. tatiana, the - community wants to help as much as it can _ community wants to help as much as it can we _ community wants to help as much as it can. we hope we can find a way to

-et it can. we hope we can find a way to get you _ it can. we hope we can find a way to get you over— it can. we hope we can find a way to get you over to scotland if that is where _ get you over to scotland if that is where you — get you over to scotland if that is where you want to be.— get you over to scotland if that is where you want to be. thank you very much, we appreciate _ where you want to be. thank you very much, we appreciate all— where you want to be. thank you very much, we appreciate all your - where you want to be. thank you very much, we appreciate all your help. i much, we appreciate all your help. he is a brave boy. he was great during our travel to poland, and when we were on the way here, the train was attacked at night, but we were really brave.— were really brave. they are safe, but they need — were really brave. they are safe, but they need to _ were really brave. they are safe, but they need to settle _ were really brave. they are safe, but they need to settle and i were really brave. they are safe, i but they need to settle and poland is already overburdened. henry is also ready to help. we is already overburdened. henry is also ready to help.— is already overburdened. henry is also ready to help. we can probably aet three also ready to help. we can probably get three or — also ready to help. we can probably get three or four _ also ready to help. we can probably get three or four families _ also ready to help. we can probably get three or four families here i also ready to help. we can probably get three or four families here on i get three or four families here on site. , , ., , , ., site. this is not the first time you have opened _ site. this is not the first time you have opened your _ site. this is not the first time you have opened your home - site. this is not the first time you have opened your home to i site. this is not the first time you i have opened your home to someone in need. ., ., . ., .,,

have opened your home to someone in need. ., ., . ., ., need. valentino! we adopted a little bo called need. valentino! we adopted a little boy called valentino _ need. valentino! we adopted a little boy called valentino who _ need. valentino! we adopted a little boy called valentino who has - need. valentino! we adopted a little boy called valentino who has been l boy called valentino who has been with us for 24 years.— with us for 24 years. more than 2 million people — with us for 24 years. more than 2 million people were _ with us for 24 years. more than 2 million people were displaced i with us for 24 years. more than 2 i million people were displaced during the bosnian war, valentino is about to welcome a refugee family. how do you feel about opening your family home to people? we you feel about opening your family home to people?— you feel about opening your family home to people? we have all talked about it, i came _ home to people? we have all talked about it, i came here _ home to people? we have all talked about it, i came here in _ home to people? we have all talked about it, i came here in 1997 - home to people? we have all talked about it, i came here in 1997 as i home to people? we have all talked about it, i came here in 1997 as a i about it, i came here in 1997 as a refugee, i do not remember anything because i was very young, but all i know is that feeling of being wanted, i had been saved by people. your dad has been telling me how much you have enrich their lives. no i didn't know that. yes, you did. the other man having valentino in the family is the best thing that could happen to us. if you have any doubt about helping at this point in time, do not think twice. callum and

nicky did not think twice. for the last two summers their farm on the edge of town has been helped by young ukrainians. fantastic people, i have been in touch with these guys, unfortunately, this year he is too busy to pick fruit. that is what he said. it is so sad.— he said. it is so sad. really sad, in his early _ he said. it is so sad. really sad, in his early 20s, _ he said. it is so sad. really sad, in his early 20s, know— he said. it is so sad. really sad, in his early 20s, know him i he said. it is so sad. really sad, in his early 20s, know him very | in his early 20s, know him very well, he will be a different character when he comes back. the vast majority _ character when he comes back. the vast majority of men had been forbidden from leaving ukraine but there are exceptions. you were able to get out with your husband. they see with you?— see with you? tatiana tells me her husband was _ see with you? tatiana tells me her husband was only _ see with you? tatiana tells me her husband was only one _ see with you? tatiana tells me her husband was only one of _ see with you? tatiana tells me her husband was only one of two i see with you? tatiana tells me her husband was only one of two men | husband was only one of two men allowed to leave poland because she could not cope with her baby after surgery. he could not cope with her baby after surue . . , , could not cope with her baby after sur.e _ ., , , ., could not cope with her baby after surue . , ., _ ,

surgery. he has been torn by this. absolutely- _ surgery. he has been torn by this. absolutely. of _ surgery. he has been torn by this. absolutely. of course _ surgery. he has been torn by this. absolutely. of course he - surgery. he has been torn by this. absolutely. of course he would i absolutely. of course he would rather be there with the rest fighting for our freedom, our people, but we need him here, i can't be without him at the moment. there are no easy decisions in war. just a young couple, a newborn child that deserves a start in life that we all take for granted. the quicker we all take for granted. the quicker we can do it and the quicker the red tape is lifted, the it is done. the latest on what is happening in mariupol where a theatre that was sheltering at least 1000 residents of mariupol including children was bombed, russia says it was not behind that bombing but these are

the pictures of the building with flames and smoke and the rubble of the destruction of the place that had been a shelter and had words in russian on either side spelling out children to clearly show what the situation was with that building. we have some positive news on that in that it have some positive news on that in thatitis have some positive news on that in that it is being reported that the bomb shelter of that building survived and most of the people inside survived. we still do not have any very clear details on numbers. it is expected there were at least 1000 women and children in the bomb shelter in the basement of the bomb shelter in the basement of the building. i am going to speak to an mp who is from mariupol and whose parents are trapped in the city.

that is coming up on bbc news. that is the situation in mariupol. elsewhere, at least one person has died after the debris of a missile hit a residential apartment in the k of mac. in the northern city, 13 people waiting in a tier 4 bread were reportedly killed by russian shelling. president biden has called vladimir putin in a war criminal. he has called him a war criminalfor the first time, that comes as america since $1 billion in weapons to ukraine. those are the latest developments on the situation in ukraine in the day that the uk military assessment is that the russian operation has stalled three weeks in. we will have the latest developments in a few moments. you are watching bbc news.

good morning. let's look at the weather in the uk. after the rain yesterday, improvements today. not completely dry just yet, yesterday, improvements today. not completely dryjust yet, on the way at the weekend. a band of showers across scotland clearing away from northern ireland. there is a gap and another batch of showers, some heavy or thundery. another batch of showers, some heavy orthundery. frequent another batch of showers, some heavy or thundery. frequent across the north west of scotland. in the afternoon, more rain in northern england and wales too. a small portion of the day, a lot of the day will be dry and sunny as the further south you are. 14 degrees in the sunshine, a fresh breeze across the north—west of scotland, temperatures

six or seven celsius. tonight, they showers disappear, clear skies overhead, light winds, mist and fog and anywhere could wake up to frost in the morning. it will be a chilly start to friday with dense fog patches, after the low pressure, high pressure in charge on friday, dry weather, to the east, clear conditions from the near continent. it should get rid of the mist and fog which will make for a sluggish friday morning commute, it may linger to the end of the morning. cloud across the north and west of scotland, friday afternoon, blue skies overhead and feeling warm, ten to 16 celsius. it will continue into the weekend. breeze develops as the week and goes on. noticeable around the coast, gusted to the west of high ground. southern and eastern

coast, they went off the sea it will feel more chilly. the sun will be strong wherever you are. but further west, temperatures climb into the mid teens for the mass majority. 0n mid teens for the mass majority. on saturday afternoon, the north—west highlands are the warmest, 18 celsius. it is going to be cooler on sunday, high pressure is still with us, moves away a little bit, is shipped in wind direction, more cloud towards the south—east, but over all, another blue sky day for most people. went across the sea, chilly 9 degrees celsius. elsewhere, temperatures climb into those teens. that is how the weather is looking. more updates throughout the morning.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. ukrainian officials say a theatre sheltering 1,000 civilians has been bombed in mariupol. moscow denies attacking it. a standing ovation for ukraine's leader at the german bundestag. president zelensky says that sanctions are not enough to end the conflict. russia counts its dead from the war, but vladimir putin insists the invasion is going to plan. if people stop believing that in large numbers, they'll start wondering why sons, brothers and husbands have been sent into ukraine for what's being called here the "special military operation." our other main story — after six years in captivity in iran, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe is waking up to her first

full day of freedom.