the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky, has urged russia to respond to military setbacks it has suffered in his country, and engage in serious peace talks. the president claimed more than 16,000 russian troops had been killed, including senior officers. the united states has called for tougher international sanctions on north korea, following its latest missile test. washington's ambassador to the un accused pyongyang of �*increasingly dangerous provocations�*. a ferry operated by p&0 has been held in northern ireland because of fears about staff training. the uk transport secretary, grant shapps, said the maritime and coastguard agency deemed the european causeway "unfit to sail". at one o'clock, we

have a full round—up of the day's news. first, ukraine: reporting from the front lines. from both inside ukraine and the countries on its borders, yalda hakim and the bbc�*s teams report on the events of another seismic week from the front lines of this conflict. as this conflict enters its fourth week, a staggering 10 million people, a quarter of ukraine's population have been forced to leave their homes, according to the un. whilst the damage inflicted here has been catastrophic, russia's initial strategy of lightning strike attacks has failed to topple city after city. this is now a war of attrition, with russian troops launching a long—range missile

attacks to devastating effect. while ukrainian fighters try to cut their supply lines. the conflict has now been raging for 26 days, and kyiv is under a new curfew. at least eight people are killed after the city is struck by a series of explosions. russian forces continue to hit hard from outside the city. but large areas around kyiv remain under ukrainian control. we meet the territorial defence recruits now training for urban combat as they prepare to defend the capital. the key target is kyiv. and in the forest on the outskirts, its defenders are preparing for battle. their instructor is a georgian, who fought the russians during the war in his homeland in 2008.

the concern here is not that russia can surround or capture kyiv, but that it may avenge itself on the city. i am not sure they will be able to besiege kyiv because it is a long city, there is a lot of defence and it would be really hard to encircle it. but out of weakness, out of despair, because they are losing this war, they will destroy it as much as possible, because of hate. then time to get into position. behind the sniper�*s sights. alex has been a hunter since boyhood. he is unflinching and unapologetic about his new wartime role, hunting the enemy. it is our motherland,

we must defend it. in this case i think it is no difference between animals which i try to shoot, and animals which come here to kill our people, kill our children and destroy our buildings and destroy our life. ukraine unequivocally rejects a russian deadline for its forces to stop fighting in the besieged port city of mariupol. the humanitarian situation has become increasingly desperate. bodies are being buried in the streets and hundreds of thousands remain trapped with little food, water or power. some do manage to escape, and head for safety. we meet the families who have made the 200 mile journey to the city. 200 milejourney to the city of dnipro. nearly everyone who leaves mariupol in cars packed with families arrives here with absolutely nothing at all. and it's to places

like this they come, waiting patiently for the very basics, food, clothes, and medicines. some will stay in dnipro, and for others it is the start of a long journey. as they escaped mariupol, some are told by russian soldiers to keep going as the city would soon be under attack we were driving out under fire, shells exploding, they were bombing and there were bodies everywhere. the un says there are six and a half million displaced people inside ukraine alone. the city and community are doing their part to make that less traumatic. as russia puts more pressure on ukraine, the authorities in moscow are only too aware of the economic and financial pressure being felt by millions of russians. international sanctions are biting already.

for example russia's largest airport here in moscow, today it furloughed 20% of its workers. last week it shut down two of its terminals and took one runway out of service, and that is because passenger traffic has plunged because of sanctions. from flights to food, or rather food shortages, fearing that sanctions could put russia into recession, shoppers have been stocking up big time on essentials. the result, sugar has sold out. it's very difficult to find sugar right now here in moscow and a lot of the supermarkets are now limiting the sale of other essentials like vegetable oil, flour and salt, although russian�*s deputy prime minister today said no need for panic buying, we have all the sugar we need, all the buckwheat we need for everyone. the other thing, by the way, in short supply right now is diplomatic niceties. today the us ambassador in moscow was summoned to the russian foreign

ministry and he was told that comments by president biden, who recently described putin as a a war criminal, were not appreciated and those remarks had pushed bilateral relations to the verge of collapse. frustrated in their advance towards kyiv, russian forces are trying to create a land route towards the historic port city of 0desa, a strategic target along the southern coastline. the city is bolstering its defences. now 0desa is well prepared for defence, and local authorities do everything they can. of course, there is a lack of some equipment, maybe, for military, but all the time humanitarian aid from other

countries comes to 0desa and ukraine, to the whole of ukraine and also 0desa now has time, has time due to its defenders. this is the city to the northern east. they deterred the russians quite successfully, so we have time to prepare better, even better. much of ukraine's imports and exports come through the southern city of 0desa. it is crucial to the country's economy. now, if russia were to capture it, they would gain a strategic foothold in the south of ukraine, cutting off access to the black sea. across the country, the ukrainian response remains robust. this town is a potential land route for the russians towards 0desa and saw a ferocious attack by the russian army. many residents have managed to escape, but andrew harding meets the town's defenders ready to stand their ground once more.

security cameras captured the moment russian tanks roared into town, determined to seize the bridge and beyond it, a clear road across southern ukraine. but the locals were already setting a trap. all hands on deck. blocking off roads, guiding the russians into an ambush. a local shopkeeper, alexander, filmed himself on the front lines. you little beauties, he shouts. it was a colossal effort by the whole town, he says. we used hunting rifles, people threw bricks, old women loaded sandbags, the russians did not know where to look. i've never seen the community come together like that. as the invaders approach the bridge, the locals blew it up.

at which point, these british anti—tank weapons played a decisive role. the ukrainians destroyed almost every russian vehicle, denying them the chance to seize the town and to rebuild the bridge. tank track still mark this woman's garden. her outhouse took a direct hit. she says the russians took two ukrainian soldiers prisoner in there, and she feared they were going to kill them, but then the battle got out of hand. that is the blood of russian soldiers who were sheltering in her house. it may be russia's heaviest defeat so far, troops retreating far to the east. this town, this community achieved something remarkable here. but we need to put it in perspective, this war is only a few

weeks old, and the russians will almost certainly be back, with more soldiers and a lot more firepower. we know we can't win here without more anti—tank weapons, says this man. we are grateful for western supplies, but we need more. we know the russians will be back. back for the bridge and back for the town that stood its ground. the 28th day of this conflict, and there are signs for the first time of ukrainian forces going on the offensive. the government says its troops have retaken the town to the west of kyiv, and among the foreign fighters arriving here to support ukraine are belarusian dissidents, thousands have arrived here after

the disputed re—election of belarusian leader alexander bela rusian leader alexander lukashenko in belarusian leader alexander lukashenko in 2020. for the dissidents, this is a battle against both vladimir putin's forces and the regime of lukashenko, which has heavily backed moscow. we meet some of the recruits in warsaw preparing for the journey. of the recruits in warsaw preparing for thejourney. pas of the recruits in warsaw preparing for the journey-— for the “ourney. pas val came back from for the journey. pas val came back from his life _ for the journey. pas val came back from his life in _ for the journey. pas val came back from his life in new— for the journey. pas val came back from his life in new york _ for the journey. pas val came back from his life in new york to - for the journey. pas val came back from his life in new york to battle | from his life in new york to battle the creme and's forces, supported by president lukashenko of belarus —— kremlin. i president lukashenko of belarus -- kremlin. ., , president lukashenko of belarus -- kremlin. . , ., kremlin. i really admire the ukrainian — kremlin. i really admire the ukrainian nation. _ kremlin. i really admire the ukrainian nation. from - kremlin. i really admire the ukrainian nation. from the | kremlin. i really admire the - ukrainian nation. from the beginning we supported ukrainians in their fight _ we supported ukrainians in their fight for— we supported ukrainians in their fight for freedom, and i would like to have _ fight for freedom, and i would like to have my— fight for freedom, and i would like to have my belarusian nation to be a strong _ to have my belarusian nation to be a strong and _ to have my belarusian nation to be a strong and powerful as ukrainians i’ilht strong and powerful as ukrainians right now — strong and powerful as ukrainians right now. do strong and powerful as ukrainians riaht now. ~ strong and powerful as ukrainians riaht now. ,, ~ , right now. do you think lukashenko will send belarusian _ right now. do you think lukashenko will send belarusian troops - right now. do you think lukashenko will send belarusian troops into - will send belarusian troops into ukraine? i will send belarusian troops into ukraine? ., , will send belarusian troops into

ukraine? , ukraine? i hope so, because we will destroy them _ ukraine? i hope so, because we will destroy them on _ ukraine? i hope so, because we will destroy them on ukrainian - ukraine? i hope so, because we will destroy them on ukrainian territory| destroy them on ukrainian territory first, _ destroy them on ukrainian territory first, and _ destroy them on ukrainian territory first, and then we won't have a lot of problems— first, and then we won't have a lot of problems with our comeback to our motherland _ of problems with our comeback to our motherland. for of problems with our comeback to our motherland-— motherland. for these dissidents, it's on party _ motherland. for these dissidents, it's on party proxy _ motherland. for these dissidents, it's on party proxy war— motherland. for these dissidents, it's on party proxy war against - motherland. for these dissidents, it's on party proxy war against a i it's on party proxy war against a regime at home that has made belarus a launch pad for russian attacks on ukraine. 30,000 russian troops advancing from there to kyiv. they will also take on supplies and what they hope they won't to use. and then a crash course in first aid by a polish veteran of afghanistan, the tourniquets and bandages of that vicious conflict now a part of life in europe. just hours before leaving, they are learning the vital lessons that could save their lives. when you look around, you can see that these are just ordinary guys, mainly, who are suddenly preparing for what it will be like entering a theatre of war when they cross tonight. so they head off to someone else's war, which has become their

own. both countries fighting the imperial or press. they travel from warsaw to war, i was first to the border. a final step of safety before a crossing off limits to our camera. their sights set on victory for two nations in arms. in southern ukraine, the residents of mariupol are still facing unimaginable conditions. their city is in ruins, and is still under intense russian bombardment. if mariupol falls, it will give russia a land bridge between the east and crimea, which russia annexed into thousand and ia. those who have managed to escape the siege are now able to speak out. —— in 201a. we meet a survivor of the

russian attack on the city's theatre. a . russian attack on the city's theatre. ., ., ~ russian attack on the city's theatre. ., ., ,, ., ., russian attack on the city's theatre. ., .,~ ., ., theatre. maria walked for four days to esca -e theatre. maria walked for four days to escape mariupol, _ theatre. maria walked for four days to escape mariupol, without - theatre. maria walked for four days| to escape mariupol, without money, theatre. maria walked for four days i to escape mariupol, without money, a car orfamily, she has nothing but at the first known survivor of the mariupol theatre attack to speak about what happened. translation: about what happened. tuna/mom- about what happened. translation: ., ., , translation: the feature was completely _ translation: the feature was completely packed _ translation: the feature was completely packed with - translation: the feature was| completely packed with people, translation: the feature was - completely packed with people, there was no space to lie down, people were just sitting. it was clear this was a shelter, people knew this. also those massive signs saying children, that were made on both sides of the theatre.— children, that were made on both sides of the theatre. where were you at the exact — sides of the theatre. where were you at the exact time _ sides of the theatre. where were you at the exact time of _ sides of the theatre. where were you at the exact time of the _ sides of the theatre. where were you at the exact time of the attack? - at the exact time of the attack? translation: we at the exact time of the attack? translation:— at the exact time of the attack? translation: ~ ., translation: we were getting our breakfast, translation: we were getting our breakfast. and — translation: we were getting our breakfast, and by _ translation: we were getting our breakfast, and by breakfast - translation: we were getting our breakfast, and by breakfast i - translation: we were getting our breakfast, and by breakfast i mean | breakfast, and by breakfast i mean we were getting some boiled water, someone brought me some pieces of fish to feed the dogs. when they finished eating i went outside to the water tank to get a bowl of water for them.

the water tank to get a bowl of waterfor them. this is when the water tank to get a bowl of water for them. this is when the she“ water for them. this is when the shell landed. i saw that it landed just where i had been sitting. i was outside and survived only because there was some men nearby who heard there was some men nearby who heard the shell falling, grab me by the collar, pen b between the ground and the will and covered me with his body. we were sprayed with broken glass and concrete, i was stunned and probably concussed because i fell unconscious several times since. when the dust settled the bit i cleared my eyes, sore injured people around. i tried to make my way inside. the dogs were family for me, they were everything i had left. i could not find a way to get inside to at least find out whether they were alive or dead. i sincerely hope they died instantly. aha, were alive or dead. i sincerely hope they died instantly.— they died instantly. a month since they died instantly. a month since the conflict _ they died instantly. a month since the conflict began, _ they died instantly. a month since the conflict began, and _ they died instantly. a month since the conflict began, and leaders i they died instantly. a month since the conflict began, and leaders of|

the conflict began, and leaders of the conflict began, and leaders of the western military alliance nato meet in brussels to discuss what the world should do now.— world should do now. vladimir putin was banking — world should do now. vladimir putin was banking on _ world should do now. vladimir putin was banking on nato _ world should do now. vladimir putin was banking on nato being - world should do now. vladimir putin was banking on nato being spiked, l world should do now. vladimir putin i was banking on nato being spiked, my early conversations with him in december and january, it was clear to me he did not think we could sustain this cohesion. we to me he did not think we could sustain this cohesion.— sustain this cohesion. we are equipping _ sustain this cohesion. we are equipping ukraine _ sustain this cohesion. we are equipping ukraine with - sustain this cohesion. we are - equipping ukraine with significant military— equipping ukraine with significant military supplies, including air defence — military supplies, including air defence systems and drones, proving highly— defence systems and drones, proving highly effective. but defence systems and drones, proving highly effective-— highly effective. but zelensky, who addressed nato _ highly effective. but zelensky, who addressed nato leaders _ highly effective. but zelensky, who addressed nato leaders by - highly effective. but zelensky, who addressed nato leaders by video i addressed nato leaders by video link, is asking for much more. translation:— link, is asking for much more. translation: nato still has to demonstrate _ translation: nato still has to demonstrate that _ translation: nato still has to demonstrate that the _ translation: nato still has to demonstrate that the alliance l translation: nato still has to | demonstrate that the alliance can translation: nato still has to - demonstrate that the alliance can do something to say people, to show that indeed it is the strongest defence alliance in the world. the world is waiting. ukraine is waiting for actual actions, world is waiting. ukraine is waiting foractualactions, proper world is waiting. ukraine is waiting for actual actions, proper safety guarantees. for

for actual actions, proper safety guarantees-— for actual actions, proper safety auarantees. ., ., ., , guarantees. for long weeks of this bitter conflict, _ guarantees. for long weeks of this bitter conflict, and _ guarantees. for long weeks of this bitter conflict, and the _ guarantees. for long weeks of this bitter conflict, and the city - guarantees. for long weeks of this bitter conflict, and the city of- bitter conflict, and the city of kharkiv, less than 25 miles from the border with russia, is facing relentless russian missile strikes and shelling, yet ukrainian troops remain resolute. we are with two ukrainian fighters who have been there since the beginning. aha, ukrainian fighters who have been there since the beginning. a month auo, there since the beginning. a month ago. 22-year-old — there since the beginning. a month ago, 22-year-old flat _ there since the beginning. a month ago, 22-year-old flat went - there since the beginning. a month ago, 22-year-old flat went off- there since the beginning. a month ago, 22-year-old flat went off to i ago, 22—year—old flat went off to fight. he and this fellow private mark have been here ever since. they have quickly grown comfortable with war�*s daily temple. they have the upper hand in kharkiv. the first three days were the hardest, when they drove the russians out. now their duties are at the small base and have fallen into a pattern.

run away, there is nothing else to say. eitheryou run away, there is nothing else to say. either you stay here forever in the ground or you go back home. and stop killing children and destroying homes and families. {30 stop killing children and destroying homes and families.— stop killing children and destroying homes and families. go back home while ou homes and families. go back home while you are _ homes and families. go back home while you are still _ homes and families. go back home while you are still alive. _ homes and families. go back home while you are still alive. their- while you are still alive. their steady determination - while you are still alive. their steady determination and - while you are still alive. their steady determination and a i while you are still alive. tie: " steady determination and a little help from western weaponry have gotten this far. it is time to head out to the front again. this, they say, is their land, they know these fields and villages better than the

invaders. and here amid the melting winter snows, they cover every inch of ground. ukrainian mount is the defender�*s friend. mark's foxhole has room for one, and offersjust about enough protection from exploding russian shells. suddenly on the rise and there is movement from enemy scouting parties. gunshots the russians shoot back. but the danger here is artillery. mark tells us we have to move. the russians will definitely respond, he says, ioo%. it is will definitely respond, he says,

100%. it is time to seek better recovery. what is it like spending day and night out in those tiny little trenches? translation: element b ships are longer during the day, but that night when it is called, we swap often —— the shifts. it is night when it is called, we swap often -- the shifts.— night when it is called, we swap often -- the shifts. it is ok, you aet often -- the shifts. it is ok, you get used — often -- the shifts. it is ok, you get used to _ often -- the shifts. it is ok, you get used to it. _ often -- the shifts. it is ok, you get used to it. humans - often -- the shifts. it is ok, you get used to it. humans can - often -- the shifts. it is ok, you - get used to it. humans can adapt... explosion humans can adapt to everything. what is auoin on humans can adapt to everything. what is going on right _ humans can adapt to everything. wisgt is going on right now? humans can adapt to everything. what is going on right now? they _ humans can adapt to everything. what is going on right now? they are - is going on right now? they are tarauetin is going on right now? they are targeting our— is going on right now? they are targeting our position. - explosion get down, get down. the shells begin to land all round is only metres away.

you can see what they are up against here. this is daily, but the steadfastness of these men has been felt notjust in kharkiv, but around the world. they have had four weeks of this and still they remain, the russians have not been able to break their lines, and this invasion might have come as a surprise to the rest of the world, but this is what they have been expecting and training for four years. have been expecting and training for fouryears. —— have been expecting and training for four years. —— for years. have been expecting and training for fouryears. —— foryears. unable have been expecting and training for four years. —— for years. unable to move, the shelling is relentless. these bombardments are endless. this is russia's tactic of choice. we are told for the third time that day to get into a nearby underground shelter. here, some sanctuary, and a brief moment of respite amid this

unending chaos. a month into this war, ukrainian confidence is growing, not weakening. while russia stumbles, ukraine stands firm. the russians are pretty determined to break these lines. are they going to get past here and you and these men? translation: i get past here and you and these men? translation:— translation: i think no. we will not surrender kharkiv. _ translation: i think no. we will not surrender kharkiv. our _ translation: i think no. we will not surrender kharkiv. our loved - translation: i think no. we will not surrender kharkiv. our loved ones - surrender kharkiv. 0ur loved ones have got our backs. they won't get through here. for many of ukraine's displays, the country's trains have become a lifeline. the rescue express, the sight and sound of hope. we follow the rail workers who have helped to

evacuate millions of people. it is the sound of reassurance, any world of chaos. the rescue express... rolling through the night and the day, from lviv to the war zones of the east and back. keeping these trains running, running on time as they do, takes the work of so many people at all different levels on the railways. without them, it simply wouldn't have been possible to evacuate millions of people from the danger zone. many are railway veterans who started work in soviet times and are now rescuing people from their own hometowns.

translation: it hometowns. translation: , translation: it is really terrifying. _ translation: it is really terrifying. my _ translation: it is really terrifying, my native - translation: it is really terrifying, my native city| translation: it is really. terrifying, my native city is translation: it is really - terrifying, my native city is being bombed, i can feel it and see it but i cannot believe it. like macdonald, and arrival at kyiv. dawn, and arrival at kyiv. this family are heading to lviv. translation: mi; this family are heading to lviv. translation:— this family are heading to lviv. translation: g ., , , translation: my heart is bleeding, i do not want to — translation: my heart is bleeding, i do not want to leave _ translation: my heart is bleeding, i do not want to leave my _ translation: my heart is bleeding, i do not want to leave my home - translation: my heart is bleeding, i do not want to leave my home but - translation: my heart is bleeding, i do not want to leave my home but it l do not want to leave my home but it is my duty to keep my children safe. when we will win the war, i will take them back on. —— back home. this granddad hugged his wife, but must stay behind to care for an elderly relative. the women carry

the burdens of exile. the family reached lviv eight hours later, but they have already caught another rescue train west to peace and exile. ukraine is now in its fifth week of this russian invasion, and so far moscow has failed to grind down its defences or capture any major population centre, and with the relentless bombardment is happening in the north—east and south of the country, it suggests russia is trying to force ukrainians into either accepting the terms of a surrender or witness the slow

destruction of their country. debate is continuing in the international community on how to react to vladimir putin's aggression, and so much hangs in the balance. in this war, nothing remains certain for long. hello. a glorious day for many, you can hardly believe it is only the end of march when we see sites like this, not a cloud in the sky. there are some showers to be found, mostly across the northern and western isles. this is the western isles earlier on this morning. that is because we have that cloud stubbornly sitting there unfortunately spoiling the sunshine. a little fair weather cow developing

across southern scotland down to north west england as well, but the emphasis is dry, settled and sunny with light winds continuing through the afternoon and once again the temperatures peaking quite widely mid to high teens. don't forget, when you're off to bed tonight, a few put the clocks forward an hour, we lose and emerge tomorrow in british summer time, so what a surprise to see there will be a little more cloud for many of us, spelling and off the north sea, particularly anywhere south of hull down towards the south—east. that cloud will act as a friend to the night, preventing temperatures from falling quite as far as they have been, but does mean it could be a rather grey and gloomy start for some on mothering sunday, the cloud tending to nudge further westwards, thinning and breaking for some concerts of sunshine, but the best of the sunshine for sunday looks likely to be further north and west. that is where the highest values will be, 18 degrees perhaps in one or two spots, cooler where that cloud lingers along north sea

coasts. as we move out of sand into the start of a new working week, a weather front starts to slip across the top of the weakening high, running down to the north sea. that will bring more in the way of cloud, a few scattered showers, some could be hefty across north—east england in particular, we can start the day on monday with a lot of low cloud, mist and fog which will be slow to lift. the highest values perhaps down towards the south, 16 degrees, starting to get colder, only 6 degrees across lerwick. the colder air will be the story as we move through the week, pushing its way gradually south, accompanied by a northerly wind, it will feel certainly much different. in fact, we are going to close out the month of march with temperatures just below the average for the time of year and we could see some of those showers turning increasingly wintry. that's it, enjoy the sun.

this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories... the us president has his first face—to—face meeting with ukrainian government ministers since the russian invasion of their country. joe biden is in poland, holding talks on the crisis with his polish counterpart, andrzej duda. iam i am live in warsaw where president biden is now in talks with his polish counterpart, likely to include military support to ukraine and poland. ukraine's president says his troops have dealt russian forces a series of "powerful blows" and calls for urgent, meaningful peace talks. in other news: a ferry operated by p&0 has been detained in northern ireland because of fears about staff training.