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. 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, according to the city's deputy mayor. casualty figures are not yet known,

but reports within the last hour suggest that the theatre�*s shelter withstood the impact and most people inside may have survived. in other developments, ukraine's president volodymyr 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 re—arm

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 reportedly 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, and another one on a residential building on thursday, according to the intelligence service. 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. i'm joined by ukrainian mp, dmytro gurin, who is from mariupol,

and his parents are currently trapped in the city. thank you forjoining us. what's the latest from mariupol? the thank you forjoining us. what's the latest from mariupol?— latest from mariupol? the latest is the drama theatre, _ latest from mariupol? the latest is the drama theatre, it _ latest from mariupol? the latest is the drama theatre, it was - latest from mariupol? the latest is the drama theatre, it was bombed | the drama theatre, it was bombed yesterday. it was an intentional bombing because it's a long—standing building in the centre of the park and all other buildings are 100 metres away from the drama theatre. it was written near the building on both sides in very big letters, children. especially for pilots of aircraft bombing the city. so they did it intentionally, they know what they did and when mr biden said that mr putin is war crime, i think

everybody now says he is a war crime because mariupol is now in a medieval siege. we are all happy that the basement of the drama theatre wasn't destroyed and people, more than 1000 people there, mostly women with children, they started to go out and it looks like nobody died. . , ., , died. that is extraordinarily good news, if that's _ died. that is extraordinarily good news, if that's the _ died. that is extraordinarily good news, if that's the case - died. that is extraordinarily good news, if that's the case that - died. that is extraordinarily good i news, if that's the case that nobody died in that bombing. elsewhere you describe the siege on mariupol as being medieval. you hold out any hope for the future of mariupol now? it depends on what we think it is

hope for mariupol. now it's a medieval siege, there is no heating, electricity, water, they don't have gas and at night the temperature is below zero. they are out of water and out of food. the russians... no one can pass and we see clearly the goal of putin is to start hunger in mariupol and we know in the moment of closing the city, russian troops, there were 300,000 active sim cards in the city and the russians only allowed 211,000 people to get out. so

more than 300,000 people are still in the city without food, the shelling never stops and air planes dropped at least 100 bombs every day and artillery doesn't stop at all. there are street fights in mariupol but not with snipers, with tanks. the house where i grew up started burning, there are 200 apartments, it's a 9—storey building. my school is destroyed, my university destroyed, everything in mariupol destroyed. estimated at — 90% of

buildings are destroyed or heavily damaged —— and estimated 80 to 90%. have you had any communication with your parents who are trapped there? i had a one minute call yesterday and... $5 i had a one minute call yesterday and... �* , ., ~ i had a one minute call yesterday and... ~ i had a one minute call yesterday and... a. ~ ., i had a one minute call yesterday and... ~ ., ., , and... as an mp, you are potentially seen as a direct _ and... as an mp, you are potentially seen as a direct target, _ and... as an mp, you are potentially seen as a direct target, do _ and... as an mp, you are potentially seen as a direct target, do you - and... as an mp, you are potentially seen as a direct target, do you fear. seen as a direct target, do you fear for yourself? i seen as a direct target, do you fear for yourself?— for yourself? i am under russian sanctions and _ for yourself? i am under russian sanctions and i'm _ for yourself? i am under russian sanctions and i'm on _ for yourself? i am under russian sanctions and i'm on a _ for yourself? i am under russian sanctions and i'm on a hit - for yourself? i am under russian sanctions and i'm on a hit list, i sanctions and i'm on a hit list, intelligence said that is true, they confirmed it. it's kind of honourable, you know, that an mp is on the hit list of a russian terrorist state, let it be so. there

are negotiations _ terrorist state, let it be so. there are negotiations for _ terrorist state, let it be so. there are negotiations for a _ terrorist state, let it be so. there are negotiations for a ceasefire, i are negotiations for a ceasefire, what is your latest understanding on whether that is possible? i what is your latest understanding on whether that is possible?— whether that is possible? i lived in moscow for— whether that is possible? i lived in moscow for 12 _ whether that is possible? i lived in moscow for 12 years _ whether that is possible? i lived in moscow for 12 years during - whether that is possible? i lived in moscow for 12 years during the - whether that is possible? i lived in l moscow for 12 years during the putin regime and personally i am totally pessimistic. i think agreements with russia cost less than the paper they are written on. of course, the russian army is demotivated and they can't move. they cannot beat us on the battlefield, that's why they decided to change tactics to terror and mass killing, mass murder of the civil population. so, we have some

possibilities of a ceasefire but frankly i am extremely pessimistic about it. �* frankly i am extremely pessimistic aboutit. , , about it. and your president has of course called _ about it. and your president has of course called a _ about it. and your president has of course called a number _ about it. and your president has of course called a number of - about it. and your president has of course called a number of times i about it. and your president has of| course called a number of times for there to be a no—fly zone, he suggests the british parliament, the german parliament and us congress and he has reiterated each time the call for the no—fly zone and obviously you're aware of all of the issues around that and the concerns that were nato to get involved in policing a no—fly zone it could lead to an escalation, a much greater escalation of the conflict. there is a lot of military support coming your way and more coming your way from america now. is that adequate for you? from america now. is that adequate for ou? ~ ., , ., ~ for you? well, of course we thank ou and for you? well, of course we thank you and appreciate _ for you? well, of course we thank you and appreciate all _ for you? well, of course we thank you and appreciate all the - for you? well, of course we thank you and appreciate all the help i for you? well, of course we thank| you and appreciate all the help we get from international society, that is really united around ukraine and

we appreciate it really. but now we have a totally different situation. three weeks ago it was an ordinary wall. now it's mass murdering and in mariupol, what's the difference between hunger for mariupol, what's the difference between hungerfor 300,000 people between hunger for 300,000 people and between hungerfor 300,000 people and what we had in treblinka and auschwitz? what's the difference? so, we ask that the no—fly zone and we are still asking because if the whole world cannot save people in mariupol, all the world united around ukraine, if we can't save the people in mariupol what can we do? is anything able to get through to these people who are without any of

these people who are without any of the supplies that are normally required? the supplies that are normally reuuired? ,, ., , ., �* ., ., required? the russians don't allow humanitarian _ required? the russians don't allow humanitarian convoys, _ required? the russians don't allow humanitarian convoys, we've i required? the russians don't allow humanitarian convoys, we've had l humanitarian convoys, we've had several big trucks with food and water but it's not going to the people and they are out of food. for several days they have some of them but a lot of people are out of food completely. the russians have already by my information have an order to kill all civilians trying to escape, just usual cars with a white flag, they shoot them down. [30 white flag, they shoot them down. do you get involved militarily yourself? have you taken a weapon? i

have a weapon and i started to learn how to shoot. unfortunately i didn't do it before. i'm currently pretty useless but all the mps are working, somebody in humanitarian mission, somebody in humanitarian mission, somebody in humanitarian mission, somebody in the real army, somebody in the negotiation process, as we all are in in the negotiation process, as we allare in ukraine, or in the negotiation process, as we all are in ukraine, or the government, the president in ukraine. it is our land and will protect it till the last man. it’s protect it till the last man. it's humbling _ protect it till the last man. it's humbling to — protect it till the last man. it's humbling to speak to you, thank you forjoining us. humbling to speak to you, thank you forjoining oe— humbling to speak to you, thank you forjoining us-_ l - humbling to speak to you, thank you forjoining us._ i think- forjoining us. thank you. i think we've got _ forjoining us. thank you. i think we've got some _ forjoining us. thank you. i think we've got some breaking - forjoining us. thank you. i think we've got some breaking news l forjoining us. thank you. i think- we've got some breaking news away from ukraine. piano has suspended

sailings ahead of what's being called a major announcement, a statement —— p&0. the ferry operator posted this on twitter. it will be making a major announcement today to secure the long—term viability of p80 ferries. they add, to facilitate p&0 ferries. they add, to facilitate this announcement all vessels have been asked to discharge passengers and cargo and stand by for further instructions. this means we are expecting all our ports to experience serious disruption today. they wrote on twitter, regretfully p&0 ferries services are unable to run for the next few hours, we will guide you in trouble will be arranged via an alternative operator. —— travel will be arranged. it's a significant and dramatic announcement from p&0 arranged. it's a significant and dramatic announcement from p80 and will have a big announcement on anyone expecting to travel, it

sounds potentially like there are some on vessels who had been expecting to travel and the statement says all our vessels have been asked to discharge passengers and cargo. we will keep you updated as we get any further news. if you want to get in touch on twitter with me directly if you're affected by this, @bbcjoannag. the uk ministry of defence has given its daily update on the situation in ukraine. it states that three weeks after the military action began...

0ur correspondentjonah fisher is in lviv, the city in the west of ukraine which is serving as a hub for many of the people trying to flee the fighting. i asked him if he had any more details about the attack on the theatre in the besieged eastern city of mariupol, where hundreds of children were taking shelter. possibly a glimmer of what might turn out to be good news from mariupol. mariupol has been effectively cut off for the last two weeks. it has been encircled by russian troops so it's been very hard to get information in and out of the city. but we have had an mp from mariupol who has been speaking to the bbc in the last 20 minutes and if ijust read to you what he said. he said, "minutes ago we had information that the bomb shelter "survived and people there survived. "we don't yet know whether we have wounded people or killed people, "but it looks like most of them have survived and are ok." so, that is suggesting that when this bomb fell

yesterday afternoon on this theatre with perhaps between 1,000 and 1,200 people inside, that potentially people were already in the basement of the theatre and according to that mp, the casualties may not be as horrific as we first feared. that does sound like good news and as you say we have to wait to hear more on that. elsewhere, the uk ministry of defence saying the russian invasion of ukraine has largely stalled on all fronts. what is the overview from there? we have 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 and mariupol and shelling taking place. there was more shelling into the outskirts of kyiv today. we know that mariupol has come under sustained fire and other cities have been targeted.

why that is happening, particularly around kyiv, nobody is entirely sure. it's been speculated that it is due to logistical problems due to them running out of fuel. but the reality as we are now is 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 to be on targeting areas either through artillery or from the air. be back with developments in ukraine that we have other breaking news from the ferry operator p&0 ferries that has suspended sailings ahead of a major announcement. they are saying that all vessels have been asked to discharge passengers and cargo and standby for further instructions which has led to a huge amount of confusion and speculation as to what exactly is going on. this

is from simon calder the travel correspondent for the independent. he says... in terms of the confusion and disruption that that announcement is causing, we arejust disruption that that announcement is causing, we are just hearing that the two main roads that lead to dover are already experiencing a lot of disruption. it seems according to kent council that they have already implemented a scheme to try to manage when there is a backlog of traffic on the roads. so there is traffic on the roads. so there is traffic building up on the road to

dover because p&0 is one of the major companies that sales across the channel from dover to france. and we need to get to the bottom of what the situation is with p&0 but they say all sailings have been suspended ahead of a major announcement. we'll keep you updated and if you been affected get in touch on twitter @bbcjoannag. 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 links, 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 ourfreedom, 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. 0ur berlin correspondent damien mcguiness was listening to president zelensky�*s speech. he gave me this analysis. as soon as president 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 way that to 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 gas 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, 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 to do 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. obviously a carefully chosen speech, against a backdrop of germany already having shifted in its 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 be interesting to see because i think, until the invasion, until three weeks ago, it was pretty much seen definite that germany wouldn't send arms to ukraine. germany is quite fixed in its position on military spending. that changed within hours and 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've 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. where hearing from jens stoltenberg the nato secretary general and the german chancellor 0laf scholz their meeting in berlin. we have some comments from the kremlin spokesperson dmitry peskov who said that many people in russia are showing themselves to be traitors and he has specifically said that people who are resigning from their jobs and leaving the country. these comments from him today, after vladimir putin spoke of traitors yesterday when he was talking of oligarchs living abroad, using money they had made and are making in russia and having very different lifestyles, he said, that the west wants to use those oligarchs as a

fifth column to put pressure on the country to try to destroy russia. so the language of traitors is being used again today and that is now from the kremlin spokesperson dmitry peskov, talking beyond the oligarchs, talking about people he says are resigning from theirjobs and leaving the country. there is a war on the sort of information that is accessible in russia. in terms of the number of russian soldiers being killed, there is a big disparity between what is being reported in russia, where there hasn't been an update for two weeks in terms of the number of casualties compared with what the situation is in ukraine and what's being reported from there. there have been new laws brought in to try to prevent their being reporting around what is happening in ukraine in russia and russia has outlawed the use of the word war to

refer to the conflict, it's being referred to as a special operation. 0ur russia editor steve rosenberg has been to one military funeral in the west of the country. singing. 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 i 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. p&0 ferries has suspended sailings ahead of what they have called a "major announcement". mp for hull, karl turner posted a statement from the ferry operator on social media which said the announcement would include details of how the company plans to secure its long—term viability.

we have heard that passengers were being diverted, potentially taken off ferries in order to allow for the fleet of ferries to remain... i don't know what the word is, not grounded, but remain in port. let's get more on this with our business correspondent theo leggett this is unusual, tell us what you know. it this is unusual, tell us what you know. , ., ., , ., ., know. it is a remarkable situation. this morning _ know. it is a remarkable situation. this morning they _ know. it is a remarkable situation. this morning they stopped - know. it is a remarkable situation. this morning they stopped their i this morning they stopped their services between liverpool and dublin, holed —— but hull and rotterdam and the said until the announcement, services from p&0 ferries will not be running. we do not know why, there is a lot of speculation. speculation on social media that the company was in financial trouble. the statement we

have had from p&0 ferries says they are not going into liquidation. that is one element but a lot has been left unsaid in that statement. the union has been responding to reports that this could be about uk see fairies being sacked by cheaper foreign labour, they say they are deeply disturbed by growing speculation that the company are planning to sack staff to be replaced with foreign labour, we have told passengers to remain on board, and the secretary of state steps in. this is responding to speculation. untilthey steps in. this is responding to speculation. until they come out and tell us what the problem is, we do not know. it tell us what the problem is, we do not know. , ., ., ., ., , not know. it is an extraordinary situation- _ not know. it is an extraordinary situation- i— not know. it is an extraordinary situation. i cannot _ not know. it is an extraordinary situation. i cannot think - not know. it is an extraordinary situation. i cannot think of i not know. it is an extraordinary situation. i cannot think of a i situation. i cannot think of a president. i suppose, situation. i cannot think of a president. isuppose, when situation. i cannot think of a president. i suppose, when you operate a fleet of ships and you want to make a change, it is not clear how that can be achieved. it sounds currently like the staff are

being told to stay on the ship. it does not sound like it is going to be smooth sailing ahead. you have to ask the question _ be smooth sailing ahead. you have to ask the question why _ be smooth sailing ahead. you have to ask the question why would _ be smooth sailing ahead. you have to ask the question why would you i be smooth sailing ahead. you have to ask the question why would you take | ask the question why would you take all passengers and cargo of these vessels, keep them tied up alongside, unless the announcement you are going to make is going to be disruptive. in the meantime, a lot of passengers booked on the services today are effected. we of passengers booked on the services today are effected.— today are effected. we are now going today are effected. we are now going to berlin. translation: germany is making its contribution and we stand ready to do whatever is necessary. yesterday, the members of the german cabinet decided to invest additional amounts to increase our defence capability. this is an important contribution to further strengthening the alliance. yesterday we not only agreed on the budget and the priorities for the budget, we also focused on taking a decision on the spatial sum being

made available for strengthening. in so doing, we want to ensure that they are capable of fulfilling its duties and its mandate. 100 million euros will be made available which will be invested into defending and expanding and developing our defence capability. that is an expression of her determination to respond to the changed situation. of course, we will continue to discuss within nato how we can strengthen nato even further. thank you for all you have done, for the work you are doing in the interests in these difficult days and weeks. it the interests in these difficult days and weeks.— the interests in these difficult days and weeks. the interests in these difficult da sand weeks. , ., ., , days and weeks. it is great to be in berlin, days and weeks. it is great to be in berlin. thank _ days and weeks. it is great to be in berlin, thank you _ days and weeks. it is great to be in berlin, thank you for _ days and weeks. it is great to be in berlin, thank you for your - days and weeks. it is great to be in berlin, thank you for your warm i berlin, thank you for your warm welcome. i want to thank you for your leadership and your strong commitment to our alliance. it is important that we consult today one

week before our extraordinary nato summit in brussels. germany is at the heart of europe. and at the heart of the transatlantic alliance. it is even more important now at this defining moment for european security. president putin's war against ukraine has shattered shocked the world. we pay tribute to the brave ukrainian people and their armed forces. their courage and determination are an inspiration to us all. we continue to help them uphold the right to self—defence, enshrined in the un charter. i commend germany for providing ukraine with many different types of support. military, financial and humanitarian. you have already

welcomed more than 120,000 refugees to your country. demonstrating the generosity and solidarity of germany. nato has the responsibility to prevent this conflict from escalating further. that will be even more dangerous and cause more suffering, death and destruction. this is president putin boss mark waugh. he must stop the war. he drove his forces and engaged in good faith. i welcome your efforts, chancellor, to find a diplomatic solution including your direct contact with president putin. he is paying a high price. severe sanctions are harming his war machine. i thank germany for the

important role you are playing and enforcing international sanctions. germany has stepped up to help protect and defend the nato alliance with more troops in lithuania, fighterjets in romania and ships on patrol. this is part of nato's swift, decisive and united response to this fundamentally changed security environment. with hundreds, thousands of allied forces on high alert, for 2000 troops under command, backed up with major air and naval power. yesterday defence ministers started to consider what to do to reinforce our defence and deterrence for the longer term. this will require major increases to defence investments and germany is leading the way. let me commend you for your political courage and

determination to commit to investing more than 2% of gdp on defence starting this year. i also strongly welcome your government's decision to invest in fifth—generation aircraft. this is a historic turning point for european security. we cannot take peace and security for granted. europe and north america must continue stand together in nato to protect our peace, freedom and our values. chancellor, thank you once again for our discussions. jens stoltenberg, nato general secretary, saying it is important to consult nations at head of the nato summit in brussels next week. he said germany is at the heart of europe and at the heart of the

transatlantic alliance. while they were speaking they are about what is being done and can be done to support ukraine, we have had from the uk defence secretary wallace who said the uk will deploy sky missile system in poland along with 100 troops. let me tell you about that missile system. it is intended to create a no cross airline stretching for 240 kilometres along the eastern border of poland with ukraine and the sky sabre which is the very latest technology was only unveiled last month, launches missile at speeds of 2300 mph, it can target objects as small as a tennis ball and can be used against aeroplanes, drones and rockets. it is a lorry mounted weapon consisting of

launcher platforms from which up to 24 mrs can be simultaneously controlled by a central unit. a very modern piece of equipment which will be deployed to protect the border between ukraine and poland, part of the efforts to stop the conflict spilling beyond the borders of ukraine. we will keep you updated and go back to ukraine in a moment. 0ther other news gripping the uk. two british—iranians, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori, who've been freed after years in detention in teheran, have landed back in britain, shortly after one 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. simonjones reports.

crying. mother and daughter finally reunited. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe overjoyed to see seven—year—old gabriella again. she was just one when nazanin was first detained. the free nazanin campaign said, "no place like home, you have made us whole again." crying. emotions overflowing, too, for anoosheh ashoori's family. his daughter describing her feelings with one word — happiness. it was just after 1am that the plane touched down at raf brize norton, the two released detainees looking relaxed and relieved to be back on british soil. the foreign secretary one of the first to greet them. i've met the families, they are safe and well. people are in very, very good spirits. i think it's been a really difficult 48 hours — the expectation that they would be released, but we weren't sure right until the last minute,

so it's been very emotional, but also a really happy moment for the families. the journey back from iran to brize norton has taken around 12 hours, but nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's family have been campaigning for almost six years for her release. now they're set to begin what they're calling a new chapter in their lives. it's a new life, a normal life. and there will be bumps, no doubt, and all the normal squabbles we had before but, yeah, really looking forward to seeing her. nazanin was arrested in 2016 after visiting her parents in iran. she was accused of spying, then of plotting to overthrow the government in what was seen as trumped—up charges. anoosheh ashoori was detained in 2017 and given a ten—year sentence for spying. it's something he's always denied. the families believed they were being used as pawns

by the iranian government, but now relations with the uk have improved — particularly after britain agreed to pay a debt of almost £400 million for tanks which were sold in the 1970s but never delivered, paving the way for their release. being inside a prison cell, to suddenly, in a matter of 24 hours, have that turn around completely and to come back to normal life is very daunting, as well as it is amazing. so, you know, we still have challenges ahead, but we're going to face it together as a family. anoosheh now says he is looking forward to a beer — nazanin, a cup of tea. both are hoping for a return to normality, but it's clear that that will take time after the ordeal they've been through. simonjones, bbc news, brize norton. with me now is lara symons, the ceo of hostage international since 2004,

when terry waite cbe co—founded the charity. they have been providing crucial emotional and practical support to families affected by kidnaps as well as to returning hostages. thank you very much forjoining us. can you tell us more about the sort of support there is for a family going through this and also for the hostages themselves? how much is able to be communicated with hostages through this sort of ordeal that they have faced?— that they have faced? hostages and families going _ that they have faced? hostages and families going through _ that they have faced? hostages and families going through this - that they have faced? hostages and families going through this sort i that they have faced? hostages and families going through this sort of l families going through this sort of ordeal, eithera families going through this sort of ordeal, either a kidnap families going through this sort of ordeal, eithera kidnap —— kidnapper state detention are facing a lot of difficulties. it is a joyful moment and we are ecstatic to see them both back home. but they recognise themselves and ijust back home. but they recognise themselves and i just saw the clip, and richard saying that it is a very

difficult time when hostages return. it is a wonderful moment but it has huge difficulties. the families and the hostages have been through a huge trauma, whether short—term or long—term, and they have to come to terms with that, finding out what it is like living together again, and all the impact once they have been through having to sort through that and that takes a lot of time. what and that takes a lot of time. what sort of sunport — and that takes a lot of time. what sort of sunport is _ and that takes a lot of time. what sort of support is there _ and that takes a lot of time. what sort of support is there through that process?— sort of support is there through that rocess? ., ., ., ., that process? hostage international -rovides that process? hostage international provides dedicated _ that process? hostage international provides dedicated caseworkers i that process? hostage international provides dedicated caseworkers to l provides dedicated caseworkers to both family members and the returning hostages to be alongside them in this process, thisjourney going forward. we are there during kidnaps and detentions but we stick with them through the transition because it can be very difficult. they have a dedicated caseworker who

is their 24 hours a day to contact. they are often people who have had first—hand experience of either being a hostage or a family member of a hostage. they understand what they are going through. and they also... we have within our organisation a lot of support, we can access medical mental health, financial help, media support, self we bring to them if full package. this we bring to them if full package. as you indicate there, it is a very complex situation with so many strands. and no one individual experience is going to be the same as another. but you obviously have a huge amount of experience within your organisation. 0ne huge amount of experience within your organisation. one thing that comes to me and i think it was terry waite, but other hostages have stated, it depends on the situation they had been enduring during their

time in custody that he could never sleep in a bed again because he got accustomed to sleeping on a hard floor. that gives an indication of the practical impact but there will be so much emotional and intellectual questioning going on as to what was happening in all of that time while they were incarcerated. you mention adjusting to be able to sleep in a bed or eat at a table with yourfamily, it sleep in a bed or eat at a table with your family, it is taking back control of your life. people who have been in captivity whether by a criminal kidnapping group or imprisoned by estate, they have not had the power to make their own decisions. now they are free, they had to learn to do that again. i have heard hostages say that on the return home they were offered chicken or pasta, what do you want? they were not able to make that

decision. the brain has to adapt to being free. having freedom of choice. . ., , being free. having freedom of choice. . ., ' choice. richard ratcliffe spoke when he was on hunger— choice. richard ratcliffe spoke when he was on hunger strike _ choice. richard ratcliffe spoke when he was on hunger strike for - choice. richard ratcliffe spoke when he was on hunger strike for the i he was on hunger strike for the second time, he was asked about what he would dream of about when they got reunited and it was about the simple pleasures and trying to get back to a normal life. as you say, it sounds like there is going to be a journey i hate to be able to enjoy those simple pleasures without being bombarded with everything else that has created n. bombarded with everything else that has created n-_ bombarded with everything else that has created n. focusing on the small leasures has created n. focusing on the small pleasures in — has created n. focusing on the small pleasures in life _ has created n. focusing on the small pleasures in life is _ has created n. focusing on the small pleasures in life is a _ has created n. focusing on the small pleasures in life is a really _ has created n. focusing on the small pleasures in life is a really great i pleasures in life is a really great way to start. getting back into a routine and having children in the family helps with that. children need routine, responding to that and having that to focus is really helpful. it is a long journey. it will take time. it is all about taking it day by day, and there is

light at the end, people who have come back from dire situations who go on to turn that into something very positive. we go on to turn that into something very positive-— very positive. we heard the news esterda very positive. we heard the news yesterday that — very positive. we heard the news yesterday that she _ very positive. we heard the news yesterday that she was _ very positive. we heard the news yesterday that she was coming i very positive. we heard the news i yesterday that she was coming home, it was such an extraordinary moment because a situation that was gone from one that was desperately bleak to turn to hope and optimism for the future, your organisation was set up by terry waite to... he was out there on a negotiating mission when he was taken. he has used his experience sense to support anyone else who finds themselves caught up in difficulty that he was caught up in. presumably, no one's life, can they go back to what they were before? can they go back to do the jobs they did before? in your experience, the people who have gone

through this, almost transformed and use what they've experienced to channel it in other ways? it’s use what they've experienced to channel it in other ways?- channel it in other ways? it's a aood channel it in other ways? it's a good question. _ channel it in other ways? it's a good question, it _ channel it in other ways? it's a good question, it depends i channel it in other ways? it's a good question, it depends on. channel it in other ways? it�*s —. good question, it depends on the individual and how profile their case is. someone like terry waite, very difficult to go back to what you did before, the spotlight is on you, everyone sees you as a former hostage. whatever you do with your life after it detention, especially if it has been high—profile, will be remembered as a how people see you through that prism. that can be very difficult. it is a challenge. it can be turned into something positive as we saw with terry waite who co—founded our charity and has done lots of work with other charities. that is where we see people coming to us. former hostages and families have come to work with us to share

their experience, first—hand experience and help others who are going through it. experience and help others who are going through it-— going through it. when people see this family now _ going through it. when people see this family now out _ going through it. when people see this family now out and _ going through it. when people see this family now out and about, i going through it. when people see | this family now out and about, they will probably feel a real connection because we have seen their story play out over those six years and everyone has felt that desperate, desperation on their behalf of wanting this to come to an end, the anonymity can never come back. find anonymity can never come back. and that is difficult, — anonymity can never come back. mr. that is difficult, and that anonymity can never come back. fific that is difficult, and that is where we would say, please, to the media and public, i respect their privacy, they need time and space to get to know each other, to live together again, to enjoy with being each other again. again, to enjoy with being each otheragain. if again, to enjoy with being each other again. if they are constantly being reminded, almost celebrity status, that makes it more difficult, but very understandable, people do feel they know them. i know that people in the possession

in families of former hostages appreciate that but they appreciate having space and time to move with their lives. ~ ., , their lives. what will the first ste -s their lives. what will the first steps be? — their lives. what will the first steps be? will _ their lives. what will the first steps be? will they - their lives. what will the first steps be? will they be i their lives. what will the first steps be? will they be left i their lives. what will the firstj steps be? will they be left to themselves? will others get involved quickly? themselves? will others get involved tuickl ? . , themselves? will others get involved tuickl ? ., , . , ., quickly? that is their decision. it is alwa s quickly? that is their decision. it is always up _ quickly? that is their decision. it is always up to — quickly? that is their decision. it is always up to the _ quickly? that is their decision. it is always up to the family - quickly? that is their decision. it is always up to the family and i quickly? that is their decision. it | is always up to the family and the returning hostage how they want to move forward. some went to seek help immediately, help from friends and family is really important. they may want help from other organisations, from hostage international, others, we are always here, there is no time limit, so people can approach us for help today or they can wait several weeks or several months. we have had people approach us during covid—19... people approach us during covid-19. . .— people approach us during covid-19... ~ ., ., ., covid-19. .. we are out of time. thank you _ covid-19. .. we are out of time. thank you so — covid-19. .. we are out of time. thank you so much _ covid-19. .. we are out of time. thank you so much for- covid-19. .. we are out of time. thank you so much forjoining l covid-19. .. we are out of time. i thank you so much forjoining us. thank you so much forjoining us. thank you so much forjoining us. thank you for your here on bbc news.

hello. after that wash—out of a wednesday for many of you, much drier across the country today and much sunnier. not completely dry, though, some of you are already well aware. a few showers dotted around to the north and west of the country. through the afternoon, they will turn up in parts of northern england, wales and the midlands. the further south and east you are, the skies will stay predominantly blue. even where you do see the showers, they only form a small portion of the day. a lot of dry and bright weather. the showers fall across scotland and northern ireland. here they could be heavy with some hail, and a fresh breeze blowing in the north—west of scotland. temperatures six to seven celsius. compared to some spring warmth across the south—east corner, 14 or 15 in the sunshine, a big change from yesterday afternoon. tonight, showers continue in north—west scotland, dry conditions elsewhere. mist and fog developing through england and wales and with those clearskies, light winds, it is likely we are going to see

a frost just about anywhere across the country as we start tomorrow morning, particularly on the cars. after the low pressure and the rain of wednesday, we finish the week with high pressure. dry weather. that will be bringing clearer conditions from the continent. we should get rid of that mist and fog that is around to make for a sluggish commute for parts of england and wales. one or two spots lingering till late in the morning. bit of cloud to the far north and west of scotland. maybe northern ireland initially. but in the afternoon, blue skies are set to dominate and it will feel very pleasant out there. ten to around 16 celsius the expected highs. and those blue skies will last throughout the weekend for just about all. with it, though, we will see an increasing breeze blow and that will be most noticeable around some southern and eastern coasts. a bit gusty on the western side of hills as well. as it comes in off the sea, it will be a bit cooler than those southern and eastern coasts. the west, sheltered, we will see the highest of the temperatures. blue sky and sunny day, temperatures up to the teens across many western areas.

but it is in the parts of north—west scotland we will see the warmest of the conditions, 17 or 18 celsius on saturday afternoon. high pressure holds on saturday night into sunday. enough of a breeze to stop the frost from forming. potentially something late in the day towards the south—east corner. but for many of you, you start on sunday as you finished saturday, blue skies overhead, strong sunshine, the breeze, though, will be a chilly one down those eastern coasts. temperatures dropping a little bit relative to saturday. late in the day, the chance of some heavy showers and some thunderstorms in the far south—east.

this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm lucy hockings. our top stories: ukrainian authorities have begun rescuing people from a bomb shelter at a mariupol theatre, which they say was hit by russian shells. moscow denies attacking it. i'mjames reynolds in lviv, with the latest on that attack in mariupol and the wider conflict in ukraine. a standing ovation for ukraine's leader at the german bundestag. president zelensky says that sanctions are not enough to end the conflict. the british ferry company p&0 has suspended sailings ahead of what they've called a "major announcement".

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. aerial footage of the theatre from before the attack shows a large message visible from the sky making it clear that children were sheltering there. these pictures, verified by the bbc, show the aftermath of the attack. up to 1,200 people may have been inside, according to the city's deputy mayor. casualty figures are not yet known, but the latest reports suggest that the theatre's shelter withstood the impact and most people inside may have survived. details of the attack have not been independently verified. we will bring you more on that throughout the day.

in other developments, ukraine's president volodymyr 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 the kremlin has condemned russians who have quit theirjobs or left the country in protest at the war, saying they had "shown themselves to be traitors". let's go to lviv in western ukraine, and our correspondentjonah fisher for the very latest. mariupol, a huge amount of relief that it seems like the bomb shelter within that theatre withstood the shelling, what are you hearing? that is essentially — shelling, what are you hearing? that is essentially the _ shelling, what are you hearing? trisgt is essentially the reports we have been getting as well. of course, as you can imagine, when everyone at first saw those reports, looking at the pictures of that theatre, many would have thought how on earth would have thought how on earth would 1000 to 1200 people be able to survive such a direct strike? it may not turn out they were able to do so because they were in that shelter. people in lviv stressed to meet many of those old outbuildings were dealt

with basements in order to withstand previous times these territories were under attack from different enemies. it might be that forward planning from those in decades past have now saved people here. in lviv itself, from where i'm speaking to you, it is hundreds of miles from the front line but you feel the war every moment here. you feel it in the howl of air raid sirens, you feel it in glances of people checking their phones for news of relatives who may be fighting on the front lines. everything happens across ukraine is followed intently by people here, many of those refugees. with all the latest, here is my colleague, sean dilley. another day, another strike on a civilian target, possibly the heaviest so far. this building was a key path to the southern port city. these pictures were filmed on monday before the strike, on either side of the mariupol drama theatre, prominently marked in russian, the words "children". it was not enough, though,

to stop the building being shelled. it had been repurposed as a makeshift shelter from horrors of war. the ukrainian government say russia deliberately targeted it, a charge denied by the kremlin, which said it did not bomb the theatre at all. this morning, president zelensky continued his virtual tour of foreign parliaments, speaking remotely here to german lawmakers in the bundestag. his message was direct. translation: sanctions are obviously not enough to stop this war. _ we witnessed again and again what we were confident about in the past, but not all of you are noticing. it is as if you work behind the wall, not the berlin wall, but in the middle between freedom and non—freedom. meanwhile, western allies continued to ratchet up the sanctions and pressure against russia, which has caused a financial shock wave in the country and around the world. the already shaky relationship between the united states and russia thawed further last night when president biden said this. i think he is a war criminal.

and if there was any doubt about how this would be received in moscow, president putin left no room for confusion. translation: they are trying to bet on a so-called fifth column _ on traitors of the nation, and 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 do notjudge those with villas in miami or the french riviera, or who cannot get by without oysters orfoie gras, or so—called genderfreedoms. the problem is, they mentally exist there and not here with our people, with russia. the chorus of condemnation against russia's actions is overwhelming. the uk government says their offensives have largely stalled. but try telling that to those in the capital.

people here are fighting to protect their country and their city. residential blocks have been decimated and damaged. now, though, some hopes that these scenes which have been echoed across the country could end. peace talks are said to have made progress. a 15—point plan proposes ukrainian neutrality and that the country should rule outjoining nato, but until agreement is reached, those who have chosen or been forced to remain will continue living in fear of what may come next. sean dilley, bbc news. james, you have been in lviv so a few days now, i wonder what your impressions are of the city and what life is like there?— life is like there? lucy, it is really astonishing. - life is like there? lucy, it is really astonishing. if- life is like there? lucy, it is really astonishing. if you i life is like there? lucy, it is i really astonishing. if you dropped in to lviv from another planet during the day and did not speak to anyone and just walked around the streets, you would almost not notice there is a war on. you could take a tour walking behind me, there is a war on. you could take a tourwalking behind me, go there is a war on. you could take a tour walking behind me, go past a

petite shop, buy tiramisu at another shop, by a bouquet of tulips, you could listen to a busker, go for a long stroll, you might not notice there is a war going on. but it is only after that you begin to notice the signs of war. you see people in uniform, some with heavy rucksacks, clearly off to serve on the front lines and then you start noticing people checking their phones. when you speak to them you realise why. they have boyfriends, brothers, husbands are serving on the front lines and are extremely worried about them. when you start speaking to people even as they do not live in lviv normally, they are refugees. this is a stopping point for some people on the way towards poland and real safety. and then at night, you understand the sounds of war. you hear it first in the silence which comes at about ten o'clock at night when everyone is inside and it is so silent i am able to hear at the 11 o'clock church bell tolling without any noise from the city and then

overnight, you hear the howl of air raid sirens which wake everyone up. we had one at about four this morning and three the night before and you lie awake, worrying those sirens will be followed by explosions. so far they have nots but people here in lviv feel war every moment. 50 but people here in lviv feel war every moment.— but people here in lviv feel war every moment. but people here in lviv feelwar eve moment. , ., ., every moment. so surreal hearing you describe that- — every moment. so surreal hearing you describe that. thanks _ every moment. so surreal hearing you describe that. thanks for _ every moment. so surreal hearing you describe that. thanks for that. - everyone usually concerned about what is happening in mariupol. real humanitarian disaster happening as well as the bombing of a theatre. last week, we spoke to vitalina dubovyk, who is from mariupol but moved to kyiv at age 17 for university and stayed their since — it's been ten years. she and her husband have fled from kyiv to his family's hometown in the zhytomyr region. she mentioned to us that she had not heard from her parents since the 2nd of march — they live in mariupol. today she came to us with some reassuring news.

vitalina joins us now. very good to see you again. have you heard from your parents, how are they? heard from your parents, how are the ? , ,., heard from your parents, how are the ? , ., they? yes, i feel so relieved today because my _ they? yes, i feel so relieved today because my dad — they? yes, i feel so relieved today because my dad actually, - they? yes, i feel so relieved today because my dad actually, he i they? yes, i feel so relieved today l because my dad actually, he phoned me today for the first time since the beginning of march and he told me that he and my mum and my aunt and grandmother and cats, they are all 0k, staying in a private house in another part of the city. my parents managed to leave their home and go to another part of the city on the 5th of march and now they are altogether and i'm so happy to hear from them. ~ ., ., altogether and i'm so happy to hear from them-— from them. what a relief. it must have been — from them. what a relief. it must have been so _ from them. what a relief. it must have been so worrying _ from them. what a relief. it must have been so worrying are - from them. what a relief. it must have been so worrying are not i have been so worrying are not hearing from them. how did you manage to make contact with them finally? manage to make contact with them finall ? �* . . , manage to make contact with them finall ? n . , , manage to make contact with them finall ? a ., , , ., ., finally? actually, my dad somehow manated finally? actually, my dad somehow managed to — finally? actually, my dad somehow managed to find _ finally? actually, my dad somehow managed to find some _ finally? actually, my dad somehow managed to find some spots i finally? actually, my dad somehow managed to find some spots in i finally? actually, my dad somehow managed to find some spots in the | managed to find some spots in the area and he came into that spot and

got a signal and hejust area and he came into that spot and got a signal and he just called area and he came into that spot and got a signal and hejust called me, sojust some miracle. because people spread information, there are some points in the city where you still can get some connection and he managed to find such a spot so he and my mum, they came to that place, risking their lives because bombing is nonstop and i heard some bombing sounds when we had a conversation, it is a nonstop situation happening, so wejust had it is a nonstop situation happening, so we just had a it is a nonstop situation happening, so wejust had a quick it is a nonstop situation happening, so we just had a quick talk and they said ok, it is time for us to go back to our house, our basement. so let's keep in touch and we arranged to have a new call tomorrow at the same time. to have a new call tomorrow at the same time-— to have a new call tomorrow at the same time. ~ ., , ., ., same time. was their time for him to tell ou same time. was their time for him to tell you any — same time. was their time for him to tell you any more _ same time. was their time for him to tell you any more details _ same time. was their time for him to tell you any more details about i same time. was their time for him to tell you any more details about what| tell you any more details about what they are experiencing there, whether they are experiencing there, whether they have water to drink, food to eat? , . ~ , ., they have water to drink, food to eat? , w , ., ., they have water to drink, food to eat? , , ., ., eat? yes, luckily we had at some time to talk _

eat? yes, luckily we had at some time to talk and _ eat? yes, luckily we had at some time to talk and he _ eat? yes, luckily we had at some time to talk and he said - eat? yes, luckily we had at some time to talk and he said to i eat? yes, luckily we had at some time to talk and he said to me i eat? yes, luckily we had at some i time to talk and he said to me that they have some supply of rainwater, so they drink it, use it for cooking, washing it somehow and my dad organised some kind of fireplace in a small shed in the yard so they are cooking there some food. he said also they have some supply of food so now there are five people in their house so they are trying to save some food to eat not so much, but they have some supply. and still they have no electricity, running water, heating, gas, etc, they have nothing. was in my dad and mum, they managed to tell me that there are 35 small private houses on the lane where they are living right now and 35 of the houses, 20 are damaged. and he also told me about some people i know, their neighbours, that already died or got injured

from the street, but they hope the sky will somehow be protected and closed. my mum screams to me, please ask to send some air defence, we needed as soon as we can have it. then at the military situation in mariupol will be much better. do then at the military situation in mariupol will be much better. mariupolwill be much better. do you think they will _ mariupolwill be much better. do you think they will try _ mariupolwill be much better. do you think they will try and _ mariupolwill be much better. do you think they will try and leave - mariupolwill be much better. do you think they will try and leave or i think they will try and leave or stay in mariupol?— think they will try and leave or stay in mariupol? there waiting for the corridor. _ stay in mariupol? there waiting for the corridor, they _ stay in mariupol? there waiting for the corridor, they hope _ stay in mariupol? there waiting for the corridor, they hope for- stay in mariupol? there waiting for the corridor, they hope for this i stay in mariupol? there waiting for the corridor, they hope for this a i the corridor, they hope for this a lot, because now the corridors are semi—official, no one guarantees you you will not be bombs, it happened yesterday actually, but they wanted to leave. there waiting for the green corridor. luckily they have their car not damaged, but it is

quite problematic to take my grandmother, her leg was amputated last year so it is problematic to take her in the car and they do not want to leave without my granny. they do not want to leave her there. that is why they are waiting for the official corridor, for evacuation which is guaranteed by both sides, and as soon as it is open, they will leave the city. and as soon as it is open, they will leave the city-— leave the city. semi people are in the same position, _ leave the city. semi people are in the same position, wanting i leave the city. semi people are in the same position, wanting to i leave the city. semi people are ml the same position, wanting to stay with older people, vulnerable people, i know. we are really believed you have spoken to them and i can see you are too. —— so many people in the same position. do take care. . ~' people in the same position. do take care. ., ~ , ., 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... and it also notes... as we've been hearing, president zelensky has spoken to the german parliament by video link, a day after he addressed the us congress in the same way. you can see here the standing ovation. in an emotional address, he compared the invasion of ukraine to a new berlin wall that was dividing europe. he said the now cancelled russian—german gas pipeline nord stream 2 had been cement for that wall, and that now german hesitation for ukrainian eu membership was another brick helping to build it. he called for european countries to do more to help. let's speak to our correspondent in berlin, damien mcguinness. just tell us more about the reaction to president zelensky�*s gas. yes. just tell us more about the reaction to president zelensky's gas. yes, as ou saw to president zelensky's gas. yes, as you saw there. _ to president zelensky's gas. yes, as you saw there, standing _ to president zelensky's gas. yes, as you saw there, standing ovation, i you saw there, standing ovation, standing applause but tough

listening for german mps. —— president zelensky's address. he said germany had been too hesitant and he had a tough message for germany saying it was in part because of the energy policy tradition here in germany and the links to russia, business links to russia, that this new wall, as he put it, was dividing europe between the free and the oppressed. a lot of german mps and many in the government will agree with him on that, because the green party for example, we shall runs the economy ministry which is also as possible for energy, they have been against this controversial russian german pipeline for years now and as we speak, a german economy minister is trying to divest diversify imports. that the fact that it was so critical of germany will get people thinking. his impression was that

jeremy was too slow to react at first and it was not untiljust after the invasion that germany started delivering arms to ukraine, but when it generally did do that, it was pretty sudden and it was unexpected. —— germany was too slow to react. and after the substantial rise in military spending a few weeks ago. according to president zelensky it is still not enough, because he wants more support for ukraine and it is that thorny issue of energy coming from russia. the german government says if you have an embargoed overnight it would destroy the german economy, but that is why really the german government is why really the german government is desperately now looking at how to diversify it supplies. a new deal was announced this morning with a way to get norwegian gas instead of russian gas here. also the economy minister has headed to qatar to try and get a deal there, so lots of things happening, but really, for president zelensky, underfire right now in ukraine, it is not enough or fast enough. now in ukraine, it is not enough or

fast enough-— now in ukraine, it is not enough or fast enouth. �* g , ,, ., , , fast enough. and jens stoltenberg is also holdint fast enough. and jens stoltenberg is also holding talks _ fast enough. and jens stoltenberg is also holding talks with _ fast enough. and jens stoltenberg is also holding talks with chancellor i also holding talks with chancellor 0laf scholz, do we know what has come out of that meeting? that olaf scholz, do we know what has come out of that meeting? that is ritht, come out of that meeting? that is right. they — come out of that meeting? that is right. they have — come out of that meeting? that is right, they have been _ come out of that meeting? that is right, they have been talking i come out of that meeting? that is| right, they have been talking about more german supplies, military supplies, for ukraine. this again is a tough topic really in germany, because traditionally germany tries to rely on dialogue and cooperation with russia rather than military spending, but they have had to change tack here and i think now what we are seeing from resident 0laf scholz is a full on support for ukraine and increasingly that means a military. he spoke to journalists just after the meeting with nato secretary generaljens stoltenberg. translation: we have to do whatever we can in order to silence _ the weapons and we continue to stand at the side of these brave and courageous people in ukraine who try to stand up to russia's aggressions. we make available financial support, humanitarian aid, but we also provide military equipment.

germany is making its contribution here and we continue to do so. but i would also like to be very clear and would like to say that nato will not intervene militarily in this war. 0laf scholz and jens stoltenberg wrapping up that meeting a short time ago. damien, thank you very much. there's a human toll being paid in russia too, with thousands of soldiers being sent to ukraine to fight in president putin's war. 0ur russia editor steve rosenberg has been to one military funeral in the west of the country. singing 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 iowan 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 i 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.

russia's defence ministry has denied it targeted the theatre in mariupol, instead claiming that the building had been mined and blown up by members of ukraine's far—right militia, the azov battalion. i'm joined now by izabella tabarovsky from the wilson center — she manages its russia file and focus ukraine blogs. good to see you. we know president putin claims to be denazify ukraine is it the azov battalion he's taking about? he probably means the as of battalion, but the word denazify, the idea ukraine has been overrun by the idea ukraine has been overrun by the nazis is it the idea ukraine has been overrun by the nazi , ., the nazis is it something that russia has — the nazis is it something that russia has been _ the nazis is it something that russia has been talking - the nazis is it something that| russia has been talking about the nazis is it something that - russia has been talking about for years since 2014, so he may be talking about the as of battalion,

but now it has become broader and bigger than anyone at far—right group that exists in ukraine. listening to president putin's latest address, have you noticed a change in his language or tone? i think yesterday's address was quite significant, because i think it is the third time we hear putin admit essentially that something is happening that needs addressing. things have not gone according to plan. he still says that he military operation is going as planned, that everything is going as it was meant to go, but the very fact that he had to go, but the very fact that he had to come out and talk about the sanctions and it really attack the west and attack ukraine once again and talk about the west trying to break russia to its knees by using the sanctions, indicates that he feels threatened. he feels he can no longer simply slide and glide over it. the people are starting to notice the effects of the sanctions, they are starting to see prices

rising. he needs to whip up... and need to use this address to point out some domestic enemies. he indicated there were some internal enemies that people need to direct their attention to. is it enemies that people need to direct their attention to.— their attention to. is it possible to know where _ their attention to. is it possible to know where public _ their attention to. is it possible| to know where public sentiment their attention to. is it possible i to know where public sentiment is their attention to. is it possible - to know where public sentiment is at in russia and whether it is changing? i in russia and whether it is changing?— in russia and whether it is changing? in russia and whether it is chanauin? ~' , , ., ., changing? i think it is very hard to know specifically _ changing? i think it is very hard to know specifically where _ changing? i think it is very hard to know specifically where it - changing? i think it is very hard to know specifically where it is. - changing? i think it is very hard to know specifically where it is. i - know specifically where it is. i would be very careful with trusting any opinion surveys because so much hangs on the specific wording. as we know, the word war is prohibited with regard to this war, so whether you use that word or not will very much influence the way that the person responds to you. i think it is important to know there is an entire war sentiment, it is probably safe to say also that the general public opinion is still in favour of

the war, but we also have to recognise that that is because the majority of russians live in an information bubble and putin has been working very, very hard to close off any leaks to make this double sealed so people cannot learn other opinions and get real information from other sources. figs information from other sources. as it split along generational lines? are we seeing young people able to access of information and that is therefore shaping their views? i think that exists but i think i would be careful that i think there are young people who are either apolitical or intimidated to think tiffany. they maybe use the internet but use it for entertainment purposes. —— to think differently. just because you see a young person does not mean they will be against the war, but the generational divide does exist. . ~ the war, but the generational divide does exist. ., ~ , ., ., ., does exist. thank you for 'oining us. do stay with us for the continuing coverage of the war in ukraine and to do not forget you can reach me on twitter will stop.

i'm @ lucy hockings bbc. see you in a few minutes. after that wash—out of a wednesday for many of you, much drier across the country today and much sunnier. not completely dry, some of you already well aware. a few showers to the north and the rest of the country and through the afternoon they will turn up in parts of northern england, wales and made even the midlands. further south, the east you are, skies will a predominantly blue. even when you do see showers, only a small portion of the day. showers mainly across scotland and northern ireland, could be heavy, tempeartures of 6 or 7 degrees, compared to more springlike in the south—east corner, 14 or 15 in the south—east corner, 14 or 15 in the south—east corner, 14 or 15 in the centre, a big change from yesterday afternoon. tonight, shows continuing west scotland. mist and

fog developing in england and wales and with his clear skies, light winds and are likely to see a frost just about anywhere across the country as we start tomorrow morning, particularly on the cards. at at low pressure and rain on wednesday, we finished with high pressure, dry weather, which will bring clear conditions from the continent so we should get rid of that mist and fog which is around to make a sluggish meat that parts of england and wales. one or two spots lingering. for most in the afternoon, blue skies are set to dominate and it will feel very pleasant, ten to 16 celsius expected highs. these skies will last throughout the weekend just about all. with it we will see an increasing breeze blow and that will be most noticeable around southern and eastern coasts, may be a bit the western side of hills as well, as it comes in and of the sea, it will be cool it down the north, southern and eastern coasts rose towards the west, sheltered we will see the highest of the temperatures. blue

sky and sunny day, captures up to mid teens across many western areas, but it is only part of north—west scotland we will see the warmest of the conditions, getting to around 17 or 18 celsius on saturday afternoon. 18 is 64 fahrenheit. high pressure holds on saturday night into sunday. enough of a breeze to stop frost forming. potentially something later in the day, but blue skies ahead, strong sunshine. the breeze will be a chilly one down those eastern coasts. temperatures dropping a little bit relative to saturday and then late in the day, the chance of some heavy showers, maybe some thunderstorms, in the far south—east.

this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories... ukrainian authorities have begun rescuing people from a bomb shelter at a mariupol theatre, which they say was hit by russian shells. 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. the british ferry company p&o has suspended sailings, ahead of what they've called a major announcement. and after 6 years in captivity in iran, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has returned to herfamily in britain.

the uk's ministry of defence has given a update on the military situation in ukraine. it states that three weeks after the invasion began, "the russian invasion of ukraine has largely stalled on all fronts." it adds that russian forces have made minimal progress on land, sea or air in recent days and they continue to suffer heavy losses. the statement goes on to say ukrainian resistance remains staunch, and well—coordinated. and it also notes the vast majority of ukrainian territory, including all major cities, remains in ukrainian hands. let's talk about an aspect of the conflict in ukraine now that we can't see easily, but which our next guest will say is a crucial element in the war for both russian forces and for the ukrainians. dr tom withington is an expert in electronic warfare. he joins us now in toulouse, france. can you explain something very

basic. ~ . , can you explain something very basic. ., , . ., . ., ., basic. what is electronic warfare? it is nice to _ basic. what is electronic warfare? it is nice to be _ basic. what is electronic warfare? it is nice to be with _ basic. what is electronic warfare? it is nice to be with you. - it is nice to be with you. electronic warfare is effectively part of the electromagnetic spectrum. all armies, airforces, spectrum. all armies, air forces, navies spectrum. all armies, airforces, navies need two things, radar to see targets at long range in all weathers and they need radio to talk to one another. to exchange orders, to one another. to exchange orders, to share awareness details, what is happening. both radio and radar depend on the electromagnetic spectrum and that is where both of these technologies live. electronic warfare is about finding those radars, finding those radios and intercepting them, jamming them, preventing them from working or listening to them, working out what they are identifying and hearing and exploiting that information. what they are identifying and hearing and exploiting that information.- exploiting that information. what is ha - eninu exploiting that information. what is happening in _ exploiting that information. what is happening in this — exploiting that information. what is happening in this particular - happening in this particular conflict on both sides? we don't

know a huge _ conflict on both sides? we don't know a huge amount _ conflict on both sides? we don't know a huge amount about - conflict on both sides? we don'tj know a huge amount about what conflict on both sides? we don't - know a huge amount about what the ukrainians are doing in terms of electronic warfare and i suspect for good reason. that is probably to preserve their operational and tactical situation. to prevent giving the russians advantage. but we are finding out a bit more about how the russians are using electronic warfare and what they are struggling with so far is their ability to attack the ukrainian radar and radar systems —— radio systems. they are having a bit more luck with civilian communications which we use in our everyday lives, satellite communications with your correspondence rely on to send their reports back to london. the actual military systems ukrainians are using, they are having a tough time with finding out where those are and then jamming them with electronic warfare. ~ ., ., ,, ., warfare. when we hear about russian senior commanders _ warfare. when we hear about russian senior commanders being _ warfare. when we hear about russian senior commanders being killed, - warfare. when we hear about russian senior commanders being killed, and| senior commanders being killed, and there is quite a lot of surprise

around that, is a possible bad communications is making them vulnerable? it communications is making them vulnerable?— communications is making them vulnerable? , , , , vulnerable? it is possible because one of the things _ vulnerable? it is possible because one of the things that _ vulnerable? it is possible because one of the things that is _ vulnerable? it is possible because one of the things that is quite - one of the things that is quite interesting that we are seeing online is that radio enthusiasts, in some cases they are able to listen to what the russian military are saying on their communications. this seems absolutely extraordinary but nevertheless on some websites you can actually go and listen to what russian troops are saying in real time. if you are lucky enough to have a russian translator with you, you could interpret that information. it is possible it could be something really quite as crude as ukrainians been able to identify the person on the communications, perhaps a big way corrie big general, and then once you can hear the communications if you have the right technology you can identify the source. once you can do that, you can identify where they are and then you just need the rest, to attack it with military or infantry.

can i ask about this awful attack on the theatre in mariupol? can you explain to us a communication that happens between the ground and a pilot in the air whether it is a pilot in the air whether it is a pilot that makes a decision about a missile being dropped? it is pilot that makes a decision about a missile being dropped?— missile being dropped? it is very difficult to say _ missile being dropped? it is very difficult to say without _ missile being dropped? it is very difficult to say without definitive | difficult to say without definitive information, but generally what happens and what would happen in the nato army and air forces you would have a joint terminal attack controller and theirjob is to see the target and then talk that pilot onto the target. so it is like directing a friend in a car he was trying to reach your address and you talking through the streets. it is a little bit like that with the aircraft. and that is how the coordination works. from what i would understand, it would always be pilot's decision to go ahead with the attack or not because they are the attack or not because they are the person in the aircraft, it might

not immediately be safe. but there should be a tight level of coordination between the ground and the pilot and that is to ensure that both the person on the ground the pilot in the aircraft are looking at the same target and coordinate that attack. that should precisely prevent exactly those incidents, those tragic incidents like we have seen today. those tragic incidents like we have seen today-— those tragic incidents like we have seen toda . , , ., seen today. very interesting. thanks for 'oinin: seen today. very interesting. thanks forioining us— seen today. very interesting. thanks forjoining us on _ seen today. very interesting. thanks forjoining us on that _ seen today. very interesting. thanks forjoining us on that aspect - seen today. very interesting. thanks forjoining us on that aspect of- seen today. very interesting. thanks forjoining us on that aspect of the i forjoining us on that aspect of the war that we haven't talked a lot about. victoria is with us now with the business news. the about. victoria is with us now with the business news.— the business news. the crisis is continuing _ the business news. the crisis is continuing to — the business news. the crisis is continuing to exact _ the business news. the crisis is continuing to exact and - the business news. the crisis is continuing to exact and awful. the business news. the crisis is i continuing to exact and awful price in terms of loss of life and human suffering and now there is a warning that the depth of the humanitarian crisis could impact livelihoods around the world. the oecd which

represents more than 30 economies across the world says the conflict could damage growth and jobs just as countries start to emerge from the shadow of the pandemic. to discuss all of this in some of the predictions is at the head of equities at premier my term. it is a war between two countries, ukraine and russia, that between them account for just 2% of and russia, that between them account forjust 2% of global and russia, that between them account for just 2% of global growth and the warning from the oecd is that there could be a really significant impact our countries right across the world. i significant impact our countries right across the world.- significant impact our countries right across the world. i think at the start of _ right across the world. i think at the start of this _ right across the world. i think at the start of this period, - right across the world. i think at the start of this period, even . the start of this period, even before — the start of this period, even before the ukrainian while there was a shortage _ before the ukrainian while there was a shortage developing oil, energy and metals, strategic metals and even _ and metals, strategic metals and even foodstuffs. so even before we saw this _ even foodstuffs. so even before we saw this conflict there was uncertainty about this. this was already— uncertainty about this. this was already reflected in rising prices. clearly— already reflected in rising prices. clearly with sanctions on the conflict _ clearly with sanctions on the conflict which is reducing the ability— conflict which is reducing the ability to— conflict which is reducing the

ability to farm in ukraine, this is now— ability to farm in ukraine, this is now leading to these shortfalls becoming much worse. and that is leading _ becoming much worse. and that is leading to — becoming much worse. and that is leading to a significant effect on the global economy.— leading to a significant effect on the global economy. reading some of the global economy. reading some of the detail in this _ the global economy. reading some of the detail in this research, _ the global economy. reading some of the detail in this research, 30% - the global economy. reading some of the detail in this research, 30% of- the detail in this research, 30% of wheat comes from that ukraine and russia right across the world and some middle eastern countries, it is 75% of the importer of wheat. i do wonder whether you think we are likely to see a fundamental structural shift in how countries spend the money they have as a result of this war.— result of this war. security supplies — result of this war. security supplies have _ result of this war. security supplies have become - result of this war. security i supplies have become much result of this war. security - supplies have become much more important — supplies have become much more important politically, particularly with still — important politically, particularly with still relying on russian gas in europe _ with still relying on russian gas in europe and even after the conflict started~ _ europe and even after the conflict started. so this has raised the issue — started. so this has raised the issue right the way up and so we need _ issue right the way up and so we need more — issue right the way up and so we need more sources of energy and also strategic— need more sources of energy and also strategic metals and foodstuffs. it will he _ strategic metals and foodstuffs. it will he a _ strategic metals and foodstuffs. it will be a huge period of investment and coming at a time when inflation has already— and coming at a time when inflation has already started and it may be made _ has already started and it may be made worse by the shortfall and may constrain— made worse by the shortfall and may constrain the ability of us to fund additional— constrain the ability of us to fund additional expenditure to bring in

these _ additional expenditure to bring in these new sources of supply. people like ou these new sources of supply. people like you and — these new sources of supply. people like you and me _ these new sources of supply. people like you and me spend _ these new sources of supply. people like you and me spend a _ these new sources of supply. people like you and me spend a lot - these new sources of supply. people like you and me spend a lot of - these new sources of supply. people like you and me spend a lot of time | like you and me spend a lot of time talking about gdp, inflation all these big ideas, but really this comes down to people. we are looking at 3 million people plus currently refugees coming over to different countries, fleeing this war and that in itself will place additional spending on the host nations in terms of housing, food, medicine, schooling etc. is there any way to model that kind of spending? are the country is able to cope with that kind of spending? do we have any idea what kind of contribution these people were making the future when they rebuild their lives? litrul’ith they rebuild their lives? with immigration _ they rebuild their lives? with immigration you _ they rebuild their lives? with immigration you tend - they rebuild their lives? with immigration you tend to - they rebuild their lives? with immigration you tend to find they integrate — immigration you tend to find they integrate into the local population, generate _ integrate into the local population, generate more gdp growth, more ability— generate more gdp growth, more ability to— generate more gdp growth, more ability to deliver services and goods— ability to deliver services and goods to _ ability to deliver services and goods to the host economy. so overall— goods to the host economy. so overall it — goods to the host economy. so overall it will be good news story for people in the economy, but in the short— for people in the economy, but in the short term you have expenditure to worry _

the short term you have expenditure to worry about and we have already seen _ to worry about and we have already seen the _ to worry about and we have already seen the price moving up, shortfalls in certain— seen the price moving up, shortfalls in certain areas, shipping and other things _ in certain areas, shipping and other things. governments themselves are runningm _ things. governments themselves are running... they have to pay extra interest _ running... they have to pay extra interest costs, extra wage rises so there _ interest costs, extra wage rises so there is— interest costs, extra wage rises so there is a — interest costs, extra wage rises so there is a real shortfall on the government's ability to fund this additional expenditure.- government's ability to fund this additional expenditure. thank you for our additional expenditure. thank you for your thoughts. _ additional expenditure. thank you for your thoughts. another - additional expenditure. thank you for your thoughts. another story | for your thoughts. another story thatis for your thoughts. another story that is just breaking is one of p80 ferries, they have passed the services and have an announcement later today. services and have an announcement latertoday. it services and have an announcement later today. it operates across europe and says it is not going into liquidation but all ferries have been instructed to stay in part. what is going on? i speak to our correspondent. how unusual is something like this to happen? it is

deel something like this to happen? it is deeply unusual. company announcements happen all the time but ordering all of your vessels to return _ but ordering all of your vessels to return to — but ordering all of your vessels to return to pot, off—load passengers and cargo — return to pot, off—load passengers and cargo and standby waiting for an announcement, that is much more rare and you _ announcement, that is much more rare and you have _ announcement, that is much more rare and you have to speculate why would and you have to speculate why would a company _ and you have to speculate why would a company do this? it is clear that some _ a company do this? it is clear that some disruption is expected as a result— some disruption is expected as a result of— some disruption is expected as a result of the announcement. we don't know what— result of the announcement. we don't know what it _ result of the announcement. we don't know what it is going to be. as you have _ know what it is going to be. as you have said. — know what it is going to be. as you have said, the company said it is not going — have said, the company said it is not going into liquidation and hasn't — not going into liquidation and hasn't provided any further details. the unions — hasn't provided any further details. the unions are deeply concerned. the rmt union— the unions are deeply concerned. the rmt union has said that it is worried _ rmt union has said that it is worried about speculation that hundreds of uk seafarers might be sacked and replaced by foreign workers — sacked and replaced by foreign workers who will be cheaper to employ — workers who will be cheaper to employ. that is the rumour that is doing _ employ. that is the rumour that is doing the — employ. that is the rumour that is doing the rounds at the moment. they are deeply— doing the rounds at the moment. they are deeply concerned hannah boarded their members to stay aboard the vessels _ their members to stay aboard the vessels and appeal to the government for support. so we don't know what it is _ for support. so we don't know what it is it _ for support. so we don't know what it is it is _ for support. so we don't know what it is. it is highly disruptive. at the moment, passengers booked on services _ the moment, passengers booked on services on — the moment, passengers booked on services on the very easy dover to calais _ services on the very easy dover to calais route —

services on the very easy dover to calais route have been advised to turn up _ calais route have been advised to turn up at — calais route have been advised to turn up at the port and are being offered _ turn up at the port and are being offered services on an alternative carrier _ offered services on an alternative carrier but— offered services on an alternative carrier. but we are waiting for the announcement from p&0 ferries and from dp_ announcement from p&0 ferries and from dp world, a town. we simply don't _ from dp world, a town. we simply don't know— from dp world, a town. we simply don't know what it is going to be yet. don't know what it is going to be et. ~ . yet. when we have it, we will let the viewers _ yet. when we have it, we will let the viewers around _ yet. when we have it, we will let the viewers around the _ yet. when we have it, we will let the viewers around the world - yet. when we have it, we will let the viewers around the world to l yet. when we have it, we will let - the viewers around the world to know about that. thank you, theo. we are expecting to hear from the bank of england about interest rate coming up england about interest rate coming up anytime now in 20 minutes. ads, up anytime now in 20 minutes. a story which has gripped the uk. two british iranian nationals have been freed after years in detention and are reunited with their families. they landed back in britain shortly after one o'clock this morning uk time. ms arnie was... both were arrested while visiting relatives.

their release came after the uk paid off a debt to iran of over half a billion dollars, dating back to the 1970s. simonjones reports. she was just she wasjust one she was just one when nazanin was first detained. the freak nazanin campaigns had no place like home, you have made us whole again. emotions overflowing for his family. his daughter describing your feelings with one word, happiness. it was just after 1am that the plane touched down the two released detainees looking relaxed and believed to be back on british soil. the foreign secretary one of the first to greet them. i’ge the foreign secretary one of the first to greet them.— first to greet them. i've met the families. they _ first to greet them. i've met the families. they are _ first to greet them. i've met the families. they are safe - first to greet them. i've met the families. they are safe and - first to greet them. i've met the | families. they are safe and well. people _ families. they are safe and well. people are — families. they are safe and well. people are in very good spirits. i think— people are in very good spirits. i think it _

people are in very good spirits. i think it has — people are in very good spirits. i think it has been a really difficult 48-hour — think it has been a really difficult 48—hour. the expectation that they would _ 48—hour. the expectation that they would he _ 48—hour. the expectation that they would be released, but we weren't sure until— would be released, but we weren't sure until the last minute so it has been _ sure until the last minute so it has been emotional but also a really happy_ been emotional but also a really happy moment for the family. the 'ourne happy moment for the family. the journey back _ happy moment for the family. i'ia: journey back from happy moment for the family. iia: journey back from iran happy moment for the family. i“i;a: journey back from iran has happy moment for the family. ina: journey back from iran has taken around 12 hours but nazanin to gary ratcliffe's family have been campaigning for almost six years for her relief —— nazanin. they are now set to start a new chapter in their lives. a, set to start a new chapter in their lives. “ ., ., ., lives. a new life, a normal life. there will _ lives. a new life, a normal life. there will be _ lives. a new life, a normal life. there will be bumps, _ lives. a new life, a normal life. there will be bumps, no - lives. a new life, a normal life. there will be bumps, no doubt| lives. a new life, a normal life. i there will be bumps, no doubt in lives. a new life, a normal life. - there will be bumps, no doubt in all the normal squabbles we had before but i think we are really looking forward to seeing it.— but i think we are really looking forward to seeing it. nazanin was arrested in _ forward to seeing it. nazanin was arrested in 2016 _ forward to seeing it. nazanin was arrested in 2016 after— forward to seeing it. nazanin was arrested in 2016 after visiting - forward to seeing it. nazanin was arrested in 2016 after visiting her parents in iran. she was accused of spying then plotting to overthrow the government and what was seen as trumped up charges. he was detained

in 2017 and given a ten year sentence for spying. it is something is always denied. the families believe they were being used as pawns by the iranian government. now relations with the uk have improved, particularly after britain agreed to pay a debt of almost £400 million for tanks which were sold in the 19705 for tanks which were sold in the 1970s but never delivered. it paved the way for — 1970s but never delivered. it paved the way for their _ 1970s but never delivered. it paved the way for their release. - 1970s but never delivered. it paved the way for their release. being - the way for their release. being inside a prison cell and suddenly in a matter of 24 hours after the turnaround completely and go back to normal life is very daunting as well as it is amazing. so we still have challenges ahead but we are going to face it together as a family. he challenges ahead but we are going to face it together as a family.— face it together as a family. he now sa s he is face it together as a family. he now says he is looking _ face it together as a family. he now says he is looking forward - face it together as a family. he now says he is looking forward to - face it together as a family. he now says he is looking forward to a - face it together as a family. he now says he is looking forward to a beerj says he is looking forward to a beer and nazanin, a cup of tea. both are hoping for a return to normality but it is clear that will take time after the ordeal they have been

through. ukraine has accused russian forces of bombing a theatre where civilians were sheltering in the besieged southern city of mariupol. they are struggling to find food and unable to leave. ukrainian officials say they were up to 1200 people with sought refuge in the theatre when it was attacked. outside the theatre had been written children in large letters on the ground. most of the children were in a shelter and have survived the attack. but the reality for the children is grim. over a million children have said that ukraine and that means that there are several more million still in the country. james, the last time we spoke we spoke about the refugees but i wanted to focus today on the

children left inside ukraine at the moment. what sort of stories are you hearing, what are your biggest concerns?— hearing, what are your biggest concerns? ., ., , ., , concerns? harrowing stories, whether it is those children _ concerns? harrowing stories, whether it is those children who _ concerns? harrowing stories, whether it is those children who had _ concerns? harrowing stories, whether it is those children who had to - concerns? harrowing stories, whether it is those children who had to hide i it is those children who had to hide in a bunkerand it it is those children who had to hide in a bunker and it seems they have survived, to the many millions who are continually under attack almost as we speak. there are things that the security council agreed many years ago called great violations against children in war, things like indiscriminate attacks, not differentiating between combatants and noncombatants, combatants and children or attacks on schools and hospitals or denying of humanitarian aid. that is what millions of children in ukraine are facing right now. orwhat children in ukraine are facing right now. or what scores of children, thatis now. or what scores of children, that is what has killed scores of children at this current moment so it is harrowing, unconscionable, as

unicef have said, and it is important to get a sense of what these children look like. they are huddled together. it is cold, they are hungry, you see the fear in their eyes and they are toddlers or teenagers or ten years old. they are in an active conflict zone, war and right now they are under attack in mariupol. irate right now they are under attack in mariu ol. ~ ., _ right now they are under attack in mariuol. ~ ., ., , mariupol. we often say how resilient children are. — mariupol. we often say how resilient children are, james. _ mariupol. we often say how resilient children are, james. it _ mariupol. we often say how resilient children are, james. it is _ mariupol. we often say how resilient children are, james. it is hard i mariupol. we often say how resilient children are, james. it is hard to i children are, james. it is hard to imagine though what these children are going through. in the long term, they will need an incredible amount of support. who can be there to provide for them? that of support. who can be there to provide for them?— of support. who can be there to provide for them? that is spot on. i have had people — provide for them? that is spot on. i have had people notice _ provide for them? that is spot on. i have had people notice that - provide for them? that is spot on. i have had people notice that in i have had people notice that in border areas, have had people notice that in borderareas, children have had people notice that in border areas, children coming out of bunkers being held by their mothers for hours. that is trauma. what seeing is continual scar is now on children, psychological stress and it is right to point out that we'd know from yemen and syria are in the

east of ukraine where children have been under psychological stress for years, now this is a nationwide problem. and it means mental health issues, development issues, issues for their society, economy, communities and the longer this goes on, the longer these children are hearing the brunt of this, the bearing the brunt of this, the harder it is to reduce that trauma. an organisation like unicef, we have dozens almost 50 mobile teams and they go in between lines of conflict to try and reach some of these children. but this is not... there are millions of children in ukraine. so the only sane and swift way out of this for those children is obviously to end this war. good to hear from you. — obviously to end this war. good to hear from you, jane. _ obviously to end this war. good to hear from you, jane. we - obviously to end this war. good to hear from you, jane. we will i obviously to end this war. good to hear from you, jane. we will talk | hear from you, jane. we will talk again soon. to bring viewers one piece of good news when it comes to children in ukraine, 65,000

ukrainian children are now enrolled in polish schools. it is incredibly generous of the education system. 90% of them are in regular classes and 10% are taking part in preparation classes. that gives them a sense of normal life. 65,000 children now enrolled in polish schools. as the devastating events continue to unfold in ukraine, many artists and performers around the world have responded by fundraising for humanitarian aid. ballet stars ivan petrov and and alina cojocaru both studied ballet in kyiv before becoming dancers at the royal ballet in london. they have organised a gala, called dance for ukraine, which will will feature the most prominent russian ballerina outside russia along with artists from the royal ballet, the english national ballet and the paris opera ballet. proceeds from the event will go to the disasters emergency committee's ukraine humanitarian appeal. organiser and ukrainian ballet star ivan putrov is with me to tell us more.

you must be absolutely shattered, running on adrenaline, getting this up running on adrenaline, getting this up and running and organised. i would have been and why did you decide to do it?— decide to do it? thank you for invitini decide to do it? thank you for inviting and — decide to do it? thank you for inviting and spreading - decide to do it? thank you for inviting and spreading the i decide to do it? thank you for i inviting and spreading the word. we studied in kyiv as children. we begun studying before coming to the royal ballet and we have so many loved ones back home, my family in particular in ukraine and in kyiv, and we thought we must do something, as much as we can to help them. we decided to do what we can do best. i can produce, we all can don sent invite our guests and we have such great response and support from the royal ballet, english national ballet, english national opera in support of this gala.— support of this gala. there is a real sense _ support of this gala. there is a real sense of _ support of this gala. there is a real sense of unity, _ support of this gala. there is a real sense of unity, support i support of this gala. there is a | real sense of unity, support and love? . , , , ., ., love? absolutely, it is unheard of to do something _ love? absolutely, it is unheard of to do something like _ love? absolutely, it is unheard of to do something like this - love? absolutely, it is unheard of to do something like this in i love? absolutely, it is unheard of to do something like this in two l to do something like this in two weeks and it is because of the support of the art community. the

aim of this gala, there are two, one to raise funds and save lives back home through a humanitarian appeal and also to send a strong message of unity to the world and also to russia. because russian dancers are wonderful dancers and we love them so much. we danced with them throughout our careers. it is important to show to russian citizens that life is not as normal, not everything is ok. going back to cold war times, russia is not closed, it was open, integrated. although they are not expressing their shock openly, this will change what is happening in russia. it can be done in the russian name. so the change has to happen from within and at some point it will happen. we are sending this message to russians to do everything they can. hide sending this message to russians to do everything they can.—

do everything they can. we 'ust saw the dancers — do everything they can. we 'ust saw the dancers there. it i do everything they can. we 'ust saw the dancers there. it is i do everything they can. we 'ust saw the dancers there. it is the i the dancers there. it is the opposite of violence what you see on stage, the beauty of dance and music. , ., ,., stage, the beauty of dance and music. , ., music. there is a soft power. absolutely. _ music. there is a soft power. absolutely, ukraine - music. there is a soft power. absolutely, ukraine has i music. there is a soft power. absolutely, ukraine has this| absolutely, ukraine has this wonderful soft power of dance and it is tragic how only six months ago i organised ukrainian ballet gala to give a platform in london and now ukrainians are in focus again and it is tragic to see that those dancers that came are now scattered around europe and ukraine without a clear future. little get together and try to help. future. little get together and try to hel. ., ., i. future. little get together and try to hel. ., ., ., , to help. ivan, for you with family back home. _ to help. ivan, for you with family back home, what _ to help. ivan, for you with family back home, what right _ to help. ivan, for you with family back home, what right now i to help. ivan, for you with family l back home, what right now defines the ukrainian spirit?— the ukrainian spirit? everyone is not in the same _ the ukrainian spirit? everyone is not in the same room _ the ukrainian spirit? everyone is not in the same room but i the ukrainian spirit? everyone is. not in the same room but everyone the ukrainian spirit? everyone is- not in the same room but everyone is together in unity, in spirit. i'm so happy that my mother has just made it after a horrific journey to london from kyiv. my father stayed behind because he felt it was too much stress and danger to try to

take the road. the rest of the family are moving all the time, trying to save their lives and their loved ones. it is horrible that after a week, more than a week of travel my mum is here and will be able to attend the show. we travel my mum is here and will be able to attend the show.— able to attend the show. we are seeini able to attend the show. we are seeing some _ able to attend the show. we are seeing some pictures _ able to attend the show. we are seeing some pictures of - able to attend the show. we are seeing some pictures of you i able to attend the show. we are | seeing some pictures of you with your parents. what sort of response has been, in the ballet world it has been incredible, but from audiences? we are overwhelmed with messages from people you would like to send donations and come to the show. there might be some return tickets. it is sold out? it has sold out in two days. incredible. also we are raising funds for the ukrainian humanitarian appeal but also their is the ukrainian embassy who were doing the impossiblejob of is the ukrainian embassy who were doing the impossible job of helping others as much as possible. they have their own pad from which i would ask everyone to consider and

give generously to which is with ukraine. they are endorsing us and doing a very big job for everyone. seeing this unity is very important and for those ones who haven't yet woken up, please wake up. it is heartbreaking to see how some countries still deal with russia right now. we cannot trade with them, we cannot do anything. it is not... it is a message that we sent to russians. they both know it is not ok. they must wake up and make the change. not ok. they must wake up and make the chance. ~ ~' not ok. they must wake up and make the chance. ~ ~ ., the change. when you think of kyiv and ou the change. when you think of kyiv and you have _ the change. when you think of kyiv and you have a _ the change. when you think of kyiv and you have a memory _ the change. when you think of kyiv and you have a memory of- the change. when you think of kyiv and you have a memory of learning ballet there and dancing there, what is your strongest memory of that time? ., ., , ., ., time? how vulnerable an individual can be, time? how vulnerable an individual can be. going _ time? how vulnerable an individual can be. going on — time? how vulnerable an individual can be, going on stage _ time? how vulnerable an individual can be, going on stage is— time? how vulnerable an individual can be, going on stage is a - time? how vulnerable an individual| can be, going on stage is a moment of two b are not to be and now so many ukrainians are in the situation thatis

many ukrainians are in the situation that is br not to be, take the road artfully stay or fight. and it is really what ukraine is fighting for and its people are standing for. it is human rights and human values that at the west have developed and is now helping ukraine to defend. and it is also through this individual that it is important. going on stage doing live performance as this magic of the moment and this is the same magic of life. it is vulnerable, it has eight imperfections but also it is so beautiful at the same time. for your russian friends _ beautiful at the same time. for your russian friends who _ beautiful at the same time. for your russian friends who are _ beautiful at the same time. for your russian friends who are also - beautiful at the same time. for your russian friends who are also in i russian friends who are also in the ballet world, do they feel their life will never be the same again? how do they feel about their country and what is happening? most how do they feel about their country and what is happening?— how do they feel about their country and what is happening? most of them are so embarrassed _ and what is happening? most of them are so embarrassed of— and what is happening? most of them are so embarrassed of what _ and what is happening? most of them are so embarrassed of what is - are so embarrassed of what is happening but they can't say it out loud because they are compromised and their families loud because they are compromised and theirfamilies are loud because they are compromised and their families are compromised. some left. some sadly are in support

of what is happening. sadly, their lives will change as our lives have changed, but by what this dictator is doing, he is incredibly separated russia from the rest of the world but the rest of the world has united, which is wonderful to see. and i am not going to go into politics, but politics that happened in the summer and prior to that, i think generally the nations around the world had enough of the west not supporting its values in other countries so now its values in other countries so now it is wonderful to see the western world has woken up and are supporting ukraine. not enough, but supporting ukraine. not enough, but supporting truly. it is sad to see lack of support for other nations. in a way, the way they have united and i really hope it goes well. it is so inspirational. i will be

speaking and producing. it is wonderful- — speaking and producing. it is wonderful. the _ speaking and producing. it is wonderful. the way - speaking and producing. it is wonderful. the way the dance world can bring us all together will be something to see at the concert. now we're just going to bring you a tape feat of president putin. he's been chairing a meeting on the development of crimea. dear colleagues. _ development of crimea. dear colleagues, good _ development of crimea. ilsa. colleagues, good afternoon. development of crimea. iiaza. colleagues, good afternoon. we development of crimea. inez: colleagues, good afternoon. we meet on the eve of the day of the reunification of the crimea with russia. we all remember that in those difficult weeks of february 2014, the president of crimea stopped the radicals, those who executed the coup in kyiv. people in crimea stand, stood up and they won.

they made a choice to be with russia. the years, previous years showed how direct the right choice was made and it is everything becomes clear. today i suggested to discuss the way the strengthening of the social potential of crimea is going on and we need to focus our tasks. starting from 2015 onwards, we are implementing a special programme on the social development of the peninsular and up to 2025 the plan is to implement this programme we allocated to more than 1 trillion

roubles. these funds will assist in establishing thousands of assets and more than half of them are ready and their priority was made to the modernisation of the transport infrastructure. we have built a modern airport. we opened a vote and railway communication on the crimean bridge and i getting prepared to do other things. the region has become more stable by introducing and generating capacities, modernising of our data networks. that afforded to get rid of the long—standing

issue of switching off electricity supplies, and we are resolving the issues in providing quality and pure water to the peninsular starting from 2014, we started drilling sources of water and transporting water from the mountains. sources of water and transporting waterfrom the mountains. we have renovated some supplies and utilities. that was the big issue and everyone knows about it because for dozens of years, nothing had been done there. we have constructed additional water intake facilities so we reconstruct, renovate you verification facilities. this is also a big issue and needs to be resolved and will need some time and funding.

we have to do a lot in resolving transport, energy other infrastructure issues such as to extend the period of the social economic programme for crimea. to extend the term to 2027, the deadline was 2025 for us but we need to extend it to 2027, up to the possibility to extend it possibly to 2030. naturally allocating budget funds. and i would like to underscore on all the infrastructure projects where it is possible of course we need to speed up the activities, we need to complete the construction of the eighth stage of the motorway. i tried to motivate myself and it is fantastic. the last

stage is more than half ready and this is a key part of the motorway. —— i tried the motivate myself. commissioning these new access roads will be opened and i would like to discuss this at the today because my meeting. naturally it is important to continue creating comfortable living conditions and all the funding further next year should not be cut. we are talking about creating parks and beaches and other facilities. you are aware of how this is going on and it is all taken positively among people and for crimea, for sevastopol and the whole of russia, naturally we need to use widely domestic projects and foreign

projects and take into consideration the suggestions coming from residents themselves. also, to fund the reconstruction of motorways, of regional and national importance. one of our colleagues reported today that this work is implementing quite widely and the resources are needed, but the resources which are allocated and implemented are used much better and more comfortable a network of motorways is the foundation for developing transport logistics for tourism etc. we need to modernise utilities, including the reconstruction of modernisation of outdated purification facilities

and waste water facilities. huge work is needed for the environment well being of the peninsular and this is a key to strengthen tourism and agriculture and other sectors. we need to use this opportunity to be maximum to support the business initiatives. i would like to report today on the plans, what is planned today on the plans, what is planned to stimulate further investment to strengthen positions of small and medium businesses. creating jobs etc. what i would also like to mention here naturally, to the economy of the peninsular, of western sanctions having an impact on that, those that cover the banking sector, delivery of goods etc, after the start of the military operation in ukraine, a package of sanctions was imposed and yesterday after a meeting on social economic support in the russian federation, i

mentioned restrictions imposed on russia, naturally they do create many issues, but not only issues, they open new opportunities including now all the conditions are including now all the conditions are in place the russian business structures who frankly speaking previously were afraid of some sanctions, they have nothing to be afraid of now. they can get involved, come to the peninsular and operate actively in the region, widening the activities, exploring new niche is for activities, including the crimea peninsula and the city of sevastopol. we will support this activity of businesses, including the deploying of bank and financial infrastructure. in this respect, one of our leading dunking institutions would 100% has promised

they are already present in the peninsula but they should start operating in the crimea and operating in the crimea and operating widely. —— leading banking institutions. they will provide loans to agriculture and other sectors which should open branches and develop their retail network. indeed, it will strengthen business activities in crimea and link it with the partners. 0k, activities in crimea and link it with the partners. ok, let's discuss all these issues and let's listen to reports and i give the floor to the deputy prime minister.— deputy prime minister. president putin that just _ deputy prime minister. president putin thatjust opening _ deputy prime minister. president putin thatjust opening at - deputy prime minister. president putin thatjust opening at that i putin thatjust opening at that meeting. he is the chair of the meeting. he is the chair of the meeting on the future of the economic condition of crimea. he says you need to discuss the potential of crimea and says western sections have already affected the economy of crimea and also said

those sanctions are creating problems and made a point to say the sanctions are also opening up new possibilities. president putin opening up a meeting on the economic future of korea. —— of crimea. 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. aerial footage of the theatre from before the attack shows a large message visible from the sky making it clear that children were sheltering there. these pictures, verified by the bbc, show the aftermath of the attack. up to 1200 people may have been inside, according to the city's deputy mayor. casualty figures are not yet known, but the latest reports suggest that the theatre's shelter withstood the impact and most people inside may have survived. in other developments, ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky has told members of germany's lower

house of parliament, the bundestag, that sanctions alone will not be enough to stop the war. the kremlin has condemned russians who have quit theirjobs or left the country in protest at the war, saying they had "shown themselves to be traitors". and the uk's defence secretary ben wallace has said britain will send a sabre anti—air missile system to poland, along with 100 troops, to protect polish airspace from what he called "further aggression by russia". let's get the latest from ukraine now, and go live to james reynolds in the city of lviv. what is the latest you're hearing about to marry a poll? that shelter, that basement _ about to marry a poll? that shelter, that basement in _ about to marry a poll? that shelter, that basement in the _ about to marry a poll? that shelter, that basement in the theatre, i about to marry a poll? that shelter, that basement in the theatre, may i that basement in the theatre, may have saved many lives. —— hearing about mariupol. when the news came at there were 1000 people shouting that the first thought was how many would have been caught up in the explosion, but it is worth remembering these things were built many years ago and so many of these

had a basement needed for protection in previous wars, so it does seem from the information we have been able to put here from colleagues here and in london, that people were able to take some kind of refuge in that shelter, but we do not have exact figures at the moment as to how many people were in when it was sheued how many people were in when it was shelled and hammy people have been out and it has been difficult to try to check how much access rescue services have had. —— how many people. across the country the conflict has continued. my colleague sean dilley has more. another day, another strike on a civilian target, possibly the heaviest so far. this building was a key path to the southern port city. these pictures were filmed on monday before the strike. on either side of the mariupol drama theatre, prominently marked in russian, the words "children". it was not enough, though, to stop the building being shelled. it had been repurposed as a makeshift shelter from the horrors of war.

the ukrainian government say russia deliberately targeted it, a charge denied by the kremlin, which said it did not bomb the theatre at all. this morning, president zelensky continued his virtual tour of foreign parliaments, speaking remotely here to german lawmakers in the bundestag. his message was direct. translation: sanctions are obviously not enough to stop this war. _ we witnessed again and again what we were confident about in the past, but not all of you are noticing. it is as if you were behind the wall, not the berlin wall, but in the middle between freedom and non—freedom. meanwhile, western allies continued to ratchet up the sanctions and pressure against russia, which has caused a financial shock wave in the country and around the world. the already shaky relationship between the united states and russia thawed further last night when president biden said this. i think he is a war criminal. and if there was any doubt about how this would be received in moscow,

president putin left no room for confusion. translation: they are trying to bet on a so-called fifth column, - on traitors of the nation, and those who earn money here but live over there. and live there notjust in a geographic sense, but in their minds and their consciousness, which is that of slaves. i do notjudge those with villas in miami or the french riviera, or who cannot get by without oysters orfoie gras, or so—called genderfreedoms. the problem is, they mentally exist there and not here with our people, with russia. the chorus of condemnation against russia's actions is overwhelming. the uk government says their offensives have largely stalled. but try telling that to those in the capital. people here are fighting to protect their country and their city.

residential blocks have been decimated and damaged. now, though, some hopes that these scenes which have been echoed across the country could end. peace talks are said to have made progress. a 15—point plan proposes ukrainian neutrality and that the country should rule outjoining nato, but until agreement is reached, those who have chosen or been forced to remain will continue living in fear of what may come next. sean dilley, bbc news. of course, there is a disinformation war taking place as well and as we hear those reports from mariupol of people who have survived that bombing who were in the bunker, we havejust had a bombing who were in the bunker, we have just had a comment from the foreign ministry spokeswoman in moscow denying that russia targeted the 30. she said of course this is a lie, the rationed armed forces do not vomit cities. everyone is well aware of this. no matter how many

video shots nato compiled, the truth will eventually merge full —— do not form cities. this is where we leave viewers on bbc two. stay with us on bbc world and the news channel for continued coverage of developments in ukraine and other news. james, and if you're still with us on the fifth dating people —— updating people. what are your impressions on ordinary life there and how people are coping? i impressions on ordinary life there and how people are coping? i think the bi est and how people are coping? i think the biggest impression _ and how people are coping? i think the biggest impression i _ and how people are coping? i think the biggest impression i have - and how people are coping? i think the biggest impression i have had. the biggest impression i have had from my time here is how much people are clinging to the ordinary rules of civilisation in order to get by, in order to have a structure to their life, the minute in this particular way. their life, the minute in this particularway. if their life, the minute in this particular way. if you go to the pedestrian crossing here in lviv, kuwait likely to change from red to green, you do not cable, you go into

a grocery shop and if you do not have enough to be kind will give you a mask pandemic rules will be obeyed. there were no queues here, the rules of normal life that perhaps remind people that i think they have survey which keep them from descending into something more difficult. , ., , from descending into something more difficult. , , difficult. games, good to see. james re -aortin difficult. games, good to see. james reporting from _ difficult. games, good to see. james reporting from lviv _ difficult. games, good to see. james reporting from lviv for _ difficult. games, good to see. james reporting from lviv for us. _ as we've been hearing, president zelensky has spoken to the german parliament by video link, a day after he addressed the us congress in the same way. because the reaction here, a standing ovation. in an emotional address, he compared the invasion of ukraine to a new berlin wall that was dividing europe. he said the now cancelled russian—german gas pipeline nord stream 2 had been cement for that wall. and that now german hesitation for ukrainian eu membership was another brick helping to build it. he called for european countries to do more to help. speaking ahead of a meeting with the nato secretary general, the german chancellor olaf scholz said germany was proud to stand with ukraine and offer

what support it could. translation: we have to do whatever we can in order to silence _ the weapons and we continue to stand at the side of these brave and courageous people in ukraine who try to stand up to russia's aggressions. we try to make available financial support, humanitarian aid, but we also provide military equipment. germany is making its contribution here and we continue to do so. but i would also like to be very clear and would like to say that nato will not intervene militarily in this war. our berlin correspondent damien mcguiness was listening to president zelensky's speech. he says it was well received. a standing ovation, lots of applause, but also tough listening for german mps, because even though he thanked germany for the substantial amount of support, certainly within civil society here in germany as well for refugees, as well as delivery of weapons, he said germany had been too hesitant. and he had a tough message, really, for germany, saying it was in part

because of the energy policy traditionally here in germany and the links to russia, business links to russia, that this new wall, as he put it, was dividing europe between the free and the oppressed. now, a lot of german mps and many in the government will actually agree with him on that, because the green party for example, which now runs the powerful economy ministry, that is also responsible for energy, they have been against this controversial russian—german pipeline for years now and as we speak, german economy minister robert habeck is trying to diversify germany's imports, to move away from russian energy supplies. but still, i think the fact that president zelensky's message was so critical of germany will get a lot of people thinking, because i think his impression was that germany was too slow to react at first and it was not untiljust after the invasion that germany started delivering arms to ukraine, but when germany did do that, it was pretty sudden and it was unexpected. and along with a sudden announcement three weeks ago of a substantial rise in military spending,

so all of this has happened quite quickly. according to president zelensky, it is still not quite enough though, because he wants more support for ukraine and of course, it is that thorny issue of energy coming from russia. the german government says if you have an embargo overnight it would destroy the german economy, but that is why really the german government is desperately now looking at how to diversify supplies. we are going to take you back to mariupol. last week, we spoke to vitalina dubovyk, who is from mariupol but moved to kyiv at age 17 for university and stayed there since — it's been ten years. she and her husband have fled from kyiv to his family's hometown in the zhytomyr region. she mentioned to us that she had not heard from her parents since the 2nd of march, they live in mariupol. we were able to contact her today and she had sent reassuring news for

us. i feel so relieved today because my dad actually, he phoned me today for the first time since the beginning of march and he told me that he and my mum and my aunt and grandmother and cat, they are all ok, staying in a private house in another part of the city. my parents managed to leave their home and go to another part of the city on the 5th of march and now they are all together and i'm so happy to hearfrom them. what a relief. it must have been so worrying not hearing from them. how did you actually manage to make contact with them finally? actually, my dad somehow managed to find some spot in the area and he came to that spot and got a signal and hejust called me, sojust some miracle. because people spread information, there are some points in the city where you still can get some

connection and he managed to find such a spot so he and my mum, they came to that place, risking their lives because bombing is nonstop and i heard some bombing sounds when we had a conversation, it is a nonstop situation happening, so wejust had a quick talk and they said ok, it is time for us to go back to our house, our basement. so let's keep in touch, and we arranged to have a new call tomorrow at the same time. was there time for him to tell you any more details about what they are experiencing there, whether they have water to drink, food to eat? yes, luckily we had some time to talk and he said to me that they have some supply of rainwater, so they drink it, use it for cooking, washing. my dad organised some kind

of fireplace in a small shed in the yard so they are cooking there some food. he said also they have some supply of food so now there are five people in their house, so they are trying to save some food, to eat not so much, but they have some supply. and still they have no electricity, running water, heating, gas, etc, they have nothing. my dad and mum, they managed to tell me that there are 35 small private houses on the lane where they are living right now and out of the 35 the houses, 20 are damaged. and he also told me about some people i know, their neighbours, that already died or got injured from the street, but they hope the sky will somehow be protected and closed. my mum screams to me,

please ask to send some air defence, we need it as soon as we can have it. then reassure the military situation in the will be much better when we have the additionaljets, actually. do you think they will try and leave or stay in mariupol? they're waiting for the corridor, they hope for this a lot, because now the corridors are working, semi—official, no one guarantees you you will not be bombed, it happened yesterday actually, but they want to leave. they're waiting for the green corridor. luckily they have their car almost not damaged, but it is quite problematic to take my grandmother. her leg was amputated last year so it is problematic to take her in the car

and they do not want to leave without my granny. they do not want to leave her there. that is why they are waiting for the official corridor, for evacuation which is guaranteed by both sides, and as soon as it is open, they will leave the city. i'm joined now by vitaliy shevchenko — russia editor at bbc monitoring. some better news you can bring us, vitaliy. reports of people emerging alive from the bomb shelter under the theatre. did people survive and are now getting out?— did people survive and are now caettin out? , , ., getting out? yes, we started getting aood news getting out? yes, we started getting good news this _ getting out? yes, we started getting good news this morning _ getting out? yes, we started getting good news this morning finally, - good news this morning finally, mariupol. ukrainian mp wrote on facebook saying that after horrible night of uncertainty, people have

started to emerge from the shelter underneath the theatre alive and this is so welcome and this man, he is from the region, he is to be a local governor, so hopefully he knows what he's saying, unfortunately we do not know the exact numbers of people who survived the attack. more than 1000 were reported to have been sheltering there, so there is hope. we have 'ust there, so there is hope. we have just heard _ there, so there is hope. we have just heard from _ there, so there is hope. we have just heard from the _ there, so there is hope. we have just heard from the russian - there, so there is hope. we have i just heard from the russian foreign minister as well and they deny attacking the theatre. they say they do not attack ukrainian cities. what is the line coming from moscow? it is the line coming from moscow? it is straight from the decades—old kgb playbook of deny, deny, deny. they have been saying since the war started that ukrainians are targeting their own, that is a quote, shelling their own cities, their own nuclear power stations, and obviously it is a parallel reality designed to justify the war.

talking about her parents there, wanting to leave, what is the situation if you wanted to leave, are there any safe corridors out of mariupol? are there any safe corridors out of mariu ol? ., , ., are there any safe corridors out of mariu ol? . , . ~' . . mariupol? that is what ukraine and russia are negotiating, _ mariupol? that is what ukraine and russia are negotiating, but - mariupol? that is what ukraine and russia are negotiating, but as - russia are negotiating, but as things stand at the moment, though. it is not safe at all. i have seen pictures of cars that are politically mariupol. they have words children take on their sides, they have towels tied to door handles as a sign of a peace convoy, children inside, yet there are bullet holes, windows were smashed, because are totally battered. it is clear they were under attack and the mayor of mariupol said that even though we have been negotiating safe passage, it isjust though we have been negotiating safe passage, it is just not happening. have to be really brave to try and escape the city. and even after you have, yesterday we heard that a

convoy of refugees was attacked hours away from mariupol, near the next big city, and there were pictures of cars burnt out and shelled, so even after you leave poll, you are not by any means and save. , , , , poll, you are not by any means and save. ,, , save. very briefly, is anything caettin save. very briefly, is anything getting in. — save. very briefly, is anything getting in, food, _ save. very briefly, is anything getting in, food, supplies, - getting in, food, supplies, medicine?— getting in, food, supplies, medicine? ~ . ' . , ., medicine? with much difficulty and in very small _ medicine? with much difficulty and in very small qualities _ medicine? with much difficulty and in very small qualities -- _ in very small qualities —— quantities. thank you. we have a life page on the bbc website when we bring you all the very latest news lines. you can see that reports from people being evacuated from that theatre. see you in a few minutes' time. after that was that of the wednesday for many of you, but straight across

the country today and is based sunnier. is completely dry, some already one. a shower is dotted to the north and west of the country and through the afternoon, it will set up in other parts of england and maybe the is. it my new pc showers, they will only from a small portion of the day. showers across scotland and northern ireland could be heavy and northern ireland could be heavy and fresh peas in the north—west of scotland, temperatures 6 or 7 degrees. —— fresh breeze. going into tonight, shall continue in other scotland, dry conditions elsewhere. mist and fog developing for england and wales and with his clear skies, light winds, we have a severe frost just about anywhere across the country tomorrow morning, particularly on the car is. that has a low pressure and rain of wednesday, we finish the week with high pressure, dry weather and that will be bringing in conditions. one

or two spots of fog lingering later into the morning. for most in the afternoon, these skies are set to dominate and it will feel very pleasant out there, ten to around 16,000 is the expected heights. knows that these skies will last throughout the weekend. that victory ten to around 16. is a concert of the sea, it will be a bit cooler down at the southern and eastern coast west was the best, we will see the height of the templars. these bright and sunny day, time at the mid—teens that it is in the north of scotland where we will see the warmest of conditions. 1864 fahrenheit. pressure then holds on a saturday night into sunday. enough of a breeze to stop frost from

forming. for many people start sending —ish on saturday. the breeze will be hiv—1 down the eastern coast, temperatures. —— breeze will be a chilly one.

this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories... ukrainian authorities have begun rescuing people from a bomb shelter at a mariupol theatre which they say was hit by russian shells. 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. the british ferry company p&o has suspended sailings, ahead of what they've called a 'major announcement�*. and after six years in captivity in iran, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has returned to her family in britain.

here in the uk, the bank of england has increased interest rates by 0.25% to 0.75%. it comes a day after the federal reserve lifted us borrowing costs for the first time since 2018, as the war in ukraine pushes prices upwards. let's get more on this from our economics correspondent andy verity. is this what was expected, broadly? yes, most economist did expect interest rates to rise. when you look at the rate of inflation, 5.5%, it is well above target and if you look at the old—fashioned index of inflation, the retail prices and tricks, it is running at 7.8%. so in those circumstances the interest rate centres at the bank of england feel they have to do something to head off inflation in the future. they are not targeting inflation right now. they are targeting the proper inflation in the next two

years. but they are judging that we have had a serious opt successive large shocks to the economy. covid then the resurgence of covid with then the resurgence of covid with the omicron variant and now the war in ukraine which have had an unpleasant effect. the economy was already searching back around the world after the pandemic began to lift and that created an imbalance between supply and demand, huge surge in demand and supply not catching up. before the war in ukraine there were inflationary pressures to head off. but now the bank of england is saying that they do expect inflation to peak at 8%, higher than its previous prediction. 8% inflation is the official prediction now for the second quarter of this year and the hope is that after that it subsides. but the interest rate centres are giving out a warning, when you look at energy prices into the future partly because of the war in ukraine it is looking like energy bills will bump

up, notjust next month but also at the next reset of those bills in october. the risk is for the bank of england to sack people start demanding higher pay and that the only way that employers can cover that extra cost is to raise prices and you get an inflation wage price spiral that may embed and becomes much harder to stop inflation. we've got some pictures now which show people sheltering in the theatre in mariupol which authorities in ukraine say has been bombed by russian forces. this footage is from a week ago — the 10th of march — but it gives you an idea of what it was like for the people hiding in that building. mariupol�*s deputy mayor has told the bbc that between one thousand and 1,200 people had sought refuge in the building.

it's unclear how many have been killed or injured but a local mp said many had been gathered in the basement, which appears to have withstood the bombing. it's understood there are survivors, but emergency workers are struggling to reach them due to continued shelling. ukraine says the building was targeted by russia despite large messages on the ground warning that children were present being visible from the sky. moscow denies targeting the theatre. that has caused a huge shock around the world. the fact that children both written and outside the theatre, i've been speaking to james elder from theatre, i've been speaking to james elderfrom unicef theatre, i've been speaking to james elder from unicef to get its reaction. elder from unicef to get its reaction-— reaction. harrowing stories consistently, _ reaction. harrowing stories consistently, whether - reaction. harrowing stories consistently, whether it. reaction. harrowing stories consistently, whether it is| reaction. harrowing stories - consistently, whether it is those children who had to hide in a bunker and it seems to have survived, to the many millions who continually are under attack almost as we speak.

there are things that the security council agreed many years ago called great violations on children at war. indiscriminate attacks, not to fringing the —— differentiating between combatants and noncombatants, attacks on schools and hospitals, denying humanitarian aid and that is what millions of children in ukraine are facing now. that is what has killed scores of children at this current moment. so it is harrowing, unconscionable as united nations unicef director said, and it is important to get a sense of what they look like. they are huddled together, they are cold, it is hung —— they are hungry, they are a toddlers, teenagers, ten years old. they are in an active war zone

and they are under attack. irate old. they are in an active war zone and they are under attack. we often sa how and they are under attack. we often say how brazilian _ and they are under attack. we often say how brazilian children _ and they are under attack. we often say how brazilian children are. - and they are under attack. we often say how brazilian children are. but i say how brazilian children are. but it is hard to imagine what these children are going through. in the long term, they will need an incredible amount of support. who can be there to provide that for them? ., , can be there to provide that for them? . , , ., ., ., them? that is spot on. i have had --eole them? that is spot on. i have had people noticed — them? that is spot on. i have had people noticed that _ them? that is spot on. i have had people noticed that on _ them? that is spot on. i have had people noticed that on border- them? that is spot on. i have had i people noticed that on border areas and so on they saw children coming out of bunkers standing are being held by their mothers for hours at a time, don't cry. so that is trauma. it is psychological stress and you rightly point out that we know from yemen or syria or the east of ukraine where children have been under this psychological distress for years, now of course it is a nationwide problem. and it means mental health issues, development issues, issues for their society, economy, communities and the longer

this goes on, the longer these children are bearing the brunt of this, the harder it is to reduce that trauma. an organisation like unicef, we have dozens, almost 50 mobile teams and they go in between lines of conflict to try and reach some of these children but this is millions of children who are still in ukraine. so the only sane and swift way out of this for those children is obviously to end this war. the uk's ministry of defence has given a update on the military situation in ukraine. it states that, three weeks after the invasion began, "the russian invasion of ukraine has largely stalled on all fronts. it adds that russian forces have made minimal progress on land, sea or air in recent days and they continue to suffer heavy losses. the statement goes on to say ukrainian resistance remains staunch, and well—coordinated. and it also notes that the vast majority of ukrainian territory, including all major cities, remains in ukrainian hands.

amongst the weaponary ukraine is using to counter the russian invasion, there is a growing use of drones, known as unmanned aerial vehicles, or uavs. to discuss the role they are playing, i'm joined by matthew smith, a military analyst at the defence focused publisher shepherd media. good to see you. can you explain to used in this conflict? yeah, at the moment it — used in this conflict? yeah, at the moment it seems _ used in this conflict? yeah, at the moment it seems like _ used in this conflict? yeah, at the moment it seems like there - used in this conflict? yeah, at the moment it seems like there are i used in this conflict? yeah, at the moment it seems like there are a | moment it seems like there are a range of different capabilities be deployed by the ukrainian military. and we have got much better visibility of what is going on with ukrainian military then we do with the russian military. but broadly speaking it looks like there is a range of capabilities, from small what look like they are probably mainly commercial type drones for targeting and reconnaissance missions, take much more sophisticated systems, which were quite evident in a lot of media

pushed out by ukrainian armed forces. that is a tactical system, much larger and much more sophisticated, armed with weapons that are capable of identifying and destroying armed vehicles. we are seeinr destroying armed vehicles. we are seeing pictures _ destroying armed vehicles. we are seeing pictures of— destroying armed vehicles. we are seeing pictures of it _ destroying armed vehicles. we are seeing pictures of it at _ destroying armed vehicles. we are seeing pictures of it at the - destroying armed vehicles. we are i seeing pictures of it at the moment. where is it made? it is a turkish system made indigenously in turkey. one of the interesting aspects of how the conflict has evolved is that these kind of systems are being increasingly deployed in this kind of conflict environments, a couple of conflict environments, a couple of years ago it was used very effectively. it is an increasing trend that the armed forces are seeing this kind of system, and it is relatively cheap with high—impact

and increasingly attractive to military. and increasingly attractive to milita . �* and increasingly attractive to milita .�* . ~' and increasingly attractive to milita .�* ., ~ military. are you talking about drones that — military. are you talking about drones that i _ military. are you talking about drones that i could _ military. are you talking about drones that i could buy - military. are you talking about drones that i could buy in - military. are you talking about drones that i could buy in a . military. are you talking about i drones that i could buy in a shot myself? drones that i could buy in a shot m self? ., , ., ., , myself? the category of drought is enormously _ myself? the category of drought is enormously wide. _ myself? the category of drought is enormously wide. there _ myself? the category of drought is enormously wide. there is - myself? the category of drought is enormously wide. there is running| enormously wide. there is running intake commercial sector. ones that are used in parks and have a camera on them and can provide a feed and used for targeting. and then there are military specific drones and that goes from bb tiny systems like black hornet, a reconnaissance drone, it is about the size of your finger, all the way up to enormously capable and expensive systems like global hawk or the predator used by the uk and the us. [30 global hawk or the predator used by the uk and the us._ the uk and the us. do these drugs have weapons _ the uk and the us. do these drugs have weapons on _ the uk and the us. do these drugs have weapons on them? _ the uk and the us. do these drugs have weapons on them? some - the uk and the us. do these drugs have weapons on them? some of i the uk and the us. do these drugs - have weapons on them? some of them. the majority _ have weapons on them? some of them. the majority are — have weapons on them? some of them. the majority are not _ have weapons on them? some of them. the majority are not armed _ have weapons on them? some of them. the majority are not armed but - the majority are not armed but predator can. it really depends

on... drones can be as effective unarmed as they are armed. imira on... drones can be as effective unarmed as they are armed. who makes the best drones, _ unarmed as they are armed. who makes the best drones, man? _ unarmed as they are armed. who makes the best drones, man? that _ unarmed as they are armed. who makes the best drones, man? that is _ unarmed as they are armed. who makes the best drones, man? that is a - the best drones, man? that is a good cuestion. the best drones, man? that is a good question- it — the best drones, man? that is a good question. it depends _ the best drones, man? that is a good question. it depends on _ the best drones, man? that is a good question. it depends on what - the best drones, man? that is a good question. it depends on what you - question. it depends on what you want from it. from a technological perspective, drones manufactured in the us are at the very high end of capabilities. the us has historically restricted those systems and key partners have been reluctant to export those. what that has led to is a situation where many other countries invested in their own capabilities, understanding how important these systems are for warfare. so turkey, for example, china, israel, all have very strong capabilities and exploiting them around the world. we capabilities and exploiting them around the world.— capabilities and exploiting them around the world. ~ ., ., , around the world. we are now seeing the us saying — around the world. we are now seeing the us saying they — around the world. we are now seeing the us saying they want _ around the world. we are now seeing the us saying they want to _ around the world. we are now seeing the us saying they want to support i the us saying they want to support ukraine. we have seen $1 billion

package being an ounce, a military package being an ounce, a military package of funding and support to ukraine. could this involve drones, even though they have held historically, that technology close to their chest?— to their chest? from my understanding, - to their chest? from my understanding, the - to their chest? from my - understanding, the systems in the to their chest? from my _ understanding, the systems in the us that they are looking to supply to ukraine are drone adjacent. so the switchblade is much lighter and less sophisticated in uav terms. you use it. it is man portable, set up ten to 15 kilometres from the target and thenit to 15 kilometres from the target and then it flies in the air for half an hour or so which gives the operator time to identify and attack. but these are not uavs in the classic sense. you don't expect the systems to come home. sense. you don't expect the systems to come home-— to come home. really fascinating. thank ou to come home. really fascinating. thank you for— to come home. really fascinating. thank you for your _ to come home. really fascinating. thank you for your analysis - to come home. really fascinating. thank you for your analysis there i thank you for your analysis there and your insights. matt smith joining us out. the black hornet,

the size of a finger. amazing details. thank you, matt. 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 teheran — have been reunited with theirfamilies. they landed back in britain, shortly after one o'clock this morning — uk time. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested in 2016, and mr ashhoori has been held since 2017. both were arrested while visiting relatives. their release came after the uk paid off a debt to iran of over half a billion dollars, dating back to the 19705. simonjones reports. crying. mother and daughter finally reunited. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe overjoyed to see seven—year—old gabriella again. she was just one when nazanin was first detained. the free nazanin campaign said, "no place like home, you have made us whole again." crying. emotions overflowing, too,

for anoosheh ashoori's family. his daughter describing her feelings with one word — happiness. it was just after 1am that the plane touched down at raf brize norton, the two released detainees looking relaxed and relieved to be back on british soil. the foreign secretary one of the first to greet them. i've met the families, they are safe and well. people are in very, very good spirits. i think it's been a really difficult 48 hours — the expectation that they would be released, but we weren't sure right until the last minute, so it's been very emotional, but also a really happy moment for the families. the journey back from iran to brize norton has taken around 12 hours, but nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's family have been campaigning for almost six years for her release. now they're set to begin what they're calling a new chapter in their lives.

it's a new life, a normal life. and there will be bumps, no doubt, and all the normal squabbles we had before but, yeah, really looking forward to seeing her. nazanin was arrested in 2016 after visiting her parents in iran. she was accused of spying, then of plotting to overthrow the government in what was seen as trumped—up charges. anoosheh ashoori was detained in 2017 and given a ten—year sentence for spying. it's something he's always denied. the families believed they were being used as pawns by the iranian government, but now relations with the uk have improved — particularly after britain agreed to pay a debt of almost £400 million for tanks which were sold in the 19705 but never delivered, paving the way for their release. being inside a prison cell, to suddenly, in a matter of 24 hours, have that turn around

completely and to come back to normal life is very daunting, as well as it is amazing. so, you know, we still have challenges ahead, but we're going to face it together as a family. anoosheh now says he is looking forward to a beer — nazanin, a cup of tea. both are hoping for a return to normality, but it's clear that that will take time after the ordeal they've been through. simonjones, bbc news, brize norton. some business news to bring you now. the british ferry operator p&o has paused its services "in preparation for a company announcement" later on thursday. the company — which operates routes around europe — said it wasn't going into liquidation but all ferries had been instructed to stay in port. our business correspondent theo leggett explains how unusual this is. it is deeply unusual. company announcements happen all the time but ordering all of your vessels to

return to port, off—load passengers and cargo and standby waiting for an announcement, that is much more rare. and you have to speculate why would a company do this? it is pretty clear that some disruption is expected as a result of the announcement. we don't know what it is going to be. as you said, the company said its not going into liquidation and hasn't provided any further details. the unions are concerned. the rmt union has said that it concerned. the rmt union has said thatitis concerned. the rmt union has said that it is worried about speculation that it is worried about speculation that hundreds of uk seafarers might be sacked and replaced by foreign workers who would be cheaper to employ. that is the rumour doing the rounds at the moment. they are deeply concerned and boarded their members to stay aboard the vessels and appeal to the government for support. so we don't know what it is. it is highly disruptive. at the moment passengers who are booked on on the very busy dover to calais route having been advised to turn up

at the port and have been offered alternative services. we are waiting for the announcement from p&o ferries. for the announcement from p&0 ferries. �* , as the devastating events continue to unfold in ukraine, many artists and performers around the world have responded by fundraising for humanitarian aid. ballet stars ivan petrov and and alina cojocaru have organised a gala, called 'dance for ukraine,�* which will feature the most prominent ballet dancers from around as the devastating events continue to unfold in ukraine, proceeds from the event will go to the disasters emergency committee's ukraine humanitarian appeal. ivan petrovjoined us to explain why he and alina cojocaru decided to organise the event. we studied in children as children in care. we have so many loved ones back home. my family in particular in ukraine and in kyiv and we thought that we must do something, as much as we can to help them. we decided to do what we can do best, i

can produce, we can all dance and invite our guests. we have such great response and support from the royal ballet, english national ballet, english national opera in support of this gala. it ballet, english national opera in support of this gala.— support of this gala. it has been strikin: support of this gala. it has been striking the _ support of this gala. it has been striking the real _ support of this gala. it has been striking the real sense - support of this gala. it has been striking the real sense of- support of this gala. it has been striking the real sense of unity, | striking the real sense of unity, love and support?— striking the real sense of unity, love and support? absolutely, i don't think— love and support? absolutely, i don't think anything _ love and support? absolutely, i don't think anything like - love and support? absolutely, i don't think anything like that i don't think anything like that happen to put something like this in two weeks, it is unheard of and it is because of the support of the arts community. the aim of this gala is there are two games, one is to raise funds and save lives back home through the ukrainian humanitarian appeal and also to send a strong message of unity from the dance community not only to the world but also to russia because russian dancers are wonderful dancers and we love them so much. we danced for years with them. it is important to show to russian citizens that not everything is ok. compared to cold war times,

everything is ok. compared to cold wartimes, russia is everything is ok. compared to cold war times, russia is not closed society, it is open and integrated. although not everyone is expressing their shock openly, they tell me in private, but this will change in the end what is happening in russia. it can't be done in russia's's name. so the change has to happen from within and at some point it will happen and we are sending this message to russians to do everything they can. we just saw the dancers there. it was the exact opposite of violence what you see on stage. the beauty of dance, music. it was really a soft power you are using.— power you are using. absolutely, ukraine has _ power you are using. absolutely, ukraine has this _ power you are using. absolutely, ukraine has this wonderful - power you are using. absolutely, ukraine has this wonderful soft l ukraine has this wonderful soft power of dance and it is tragic how only six months ago i had organised ukrainian ballet gala to give a platform for ukrainian giants to be showcased —— ukrainian dance. it is tragic to see that those dancers came and are now scattered around europe and ukraine without a clear

future, so let's all get together and try and help them. ishiith future, so let's all get together and try and help them. with you with famil back and try and help them. with you with family back home, _ and try and help them. with you with family back home, what _ and try and help them. with you with family back home, what defines - and try and help them. with you with family back home, what defines the i family back home, what defines the ukrainian spirit?— ukrainian spirit? although everyone is not in the — ukrainian spirit? although everyone is not in the same _ ukrainian spirit? although everyone is not in the same room, _ ukrainian spirit? although everyone is not in the same room, everyonei ukrainian spirit? although everyone| is not in the same room, everyone is together in unity and spirit and i am so happy my mother has dismayed after a horrificjourney am so happy my mother has dismayed after a horrific journey to am so happy my mother has dismayed after a horrificjourney to london from kyiv. my father stayed behind. we felt that it was too much stress and danger to try to take the road. the rest of the family are moving all the time, trying to save their lives and their loved ones. it is horrible but after a week, more than a week of trouble my mum is here and will be able to attend the show. we are seeing pictures of you with your parents. lovely news to hear your mum is here and say. what sort of response had to in terms of the audiences about the performance? i audiences about the performance? 1 am so overwhelmed with audiences about the performance? i am so overwhelmed with messages

where people would like to send donations. it is sold out? it sold out and listen two days. incredible, really. also we are raising funds for ukrainian human in terry on appeal, but also there is a ukrainian embassy who are doing impossiblejob of ukrainian embassy who are doing impossible job of helping as possible. they have their own platform which i would ask everyone to consider and give generously to. they are endorsing us and doing very big job for everyone. seeing this unity is very important and for those ones who haven't yet woken up, please wake up. it is heartbreaking to see how some countries still deal with russia right now. we cannot trade with them, we cannot do anything. it is not... it is a message we sent to russians, they

must know it is not ok. they must wake up and make the change. imitten wake up and make the change. when ou think wake up and make the change. when you think of — wake up and make the change. when you think of kyiv _ wake up and make the change. when you think of kyiv and _ wake up and make the change. when you think of kyiv and you _ wake up and make the change. when you think of kyiv and you have a memory of learning ballet there and dancing there, what is your strongest memory of that time? how vulnerable an — strongest memory of that time? finn" vulnerable an individual can be, going on stage. it is a moment of two b are not to be are now so many ukrainians are in the situation that is br not to be. take the road and flee our stay and fight. it is what ukraine is standing far more people are standing for. it is human rights and human values that the west have developed and is now helping ukraine to defend. it is also through this individual that it is important. going on stage doing live performance has this magic of the moment and this is the same magic of

life. it is vulnerable, it has its imperfections, but also it is so beautiful at the same time. and imperfections, but also it is so beautiful at the same time. and for our beautiful at the same time. and for your russian _ beautiful at the same time. and for your russian friends, _ beautiful at the same time. and for your russian friends, you _ beautiful at the same time. and for your russian friends, you are - beautiful at the same time. and for your russian friends, you are also i your russian friends, you are also in the ballo treatment ballet well, do they feel their life will never be the same again? —— the la world. most of them are so embarrassed but they can't say it because they are compromised and their families are compromised. some left, some are sadly in support of what is happening. sadly, their lives will change as our lives have change, but ljy change as our lives have change, but by what this dictator is doing, he is incredibly separated russia from the rest of the world, and the rest of the world has united which is wonderful to see. and i'm not going to go into politics, but with all international politics that happened international politics that happened in the summer prior to that, i think generally the nations around the

world had enough of the west not supporting its values in other countries so now it is wonderful to see the western world has woken up and is supporting ukraine, not enough, but supporting truly. it is sad to say lack of support for other nations. ., ., , , ., ., ., nations. ivan petrov, inspirational what he has _ nations. ivan petrov, inspirational what he has done _ nations. ivan petrov, inspirational what he has done to _ nations. ivan petrov, inspirational what he has done to put - nations. ivan petrov, inspirational what he has done to put together| what he has done to put together this show on saturday night called dance for ukraine. we have pictures that show the scale of the refugee crisis and the fact that this is ongoing. there are still many thousands of refugees crossing the borders with ukraine. this is on the ukraine moldova border. in moldova, it is already the poorest country in europe. there is only about 2.5 million people in the country and they have had between 250000 and 300,000 refugees arriving in the country in the past few weeks so it is putting real pressure on all the

services, but as you can see they are being well cared for. they have been welcomed by people in moldova. the weather is settling down again, however it has been a different story further south in winter it would have any wet day with about an inch of rain falling across the south. 24 millimetres there in places. if we look at the forecast over the next week or so, there will be a lot of dry weather to come but mostly with some sunny spells, just a few showers here and there. the reason the weather is becoming dry again in this big area of high pressure is becoming re—established. we are looking at pressure rising to around 1050 millibars. today there will be a lot of dry weather for

england and wales. i narrow band of rain moving across northern ireland and scotland bring in around ten to 15 minutes worth of rain. eventually it gets into parts of northern england later this afternoon. further south, largely drive with sunshine. why 24 western scotland with gusts of wind around 40 to 50 mph. there will be some passing showers. over 99, high pressure building in making it largely dry and clear. turning cold with patches of frost developing. minus three degrees in newcastle. mrfog patches around, particularly in somerset. fog will clear and then looking at a fairly gorgeous day on friday. long spells of spring sunshine. in the sunshine, mild weather, 16 degrees in london, 15 for cardiff, 13 the top temperature for glasgow. in the fine weather is set to continue for the first part of the weekend. the will be gusty winds developing

around some of the headlines across the south—west of england. winds coming in from the chilly waters of the north sea. these eastern areas of scotland and england will have temperatures pegged back to a degree. however, across western areas of north—western areas it will feel warm in the sunshine and across parts of scotland we could see temperatures locally getting to around 17 or 18 degrees across some places. so it will feel pleasantly warm in the sunshine. for sunday, generally more clout. some showers for east anglia and across the parts of eastern england, perhaps some soft hail in those and then it will turn cooler as well.

welcome to the bbc news at one. british—iranian nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, who was imprisoned in iran for six years, has a right back in the uk and been reunited with herfamily. anousheh ashoori, who was detained in iran for five years, ashoori, who was detained in iran forfive years, has ashoori, who was detained in iran for five years, has also been freed and arrived back in britain. it is incredibly emotional. waiting for the paint to on was like waiting for the paint to on was like waiting for santa claus, and knowing they have spent the first night together. in ukraine, the search goes on for survivors— in ukraine, the search goes on for survivors trapped in the rubble of mariupol, — survivors trapped in the rubble of mariupol, bombed by russia. around 1000 people may have been shouting

inside _ 1000 people may have been shouting inside the _ 1000 people may have been shouting inside the building because my basement. a local