this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: clarification and warnings against escalation afterjoe biden described vladimir putin as a butcher and said he shouldn't be allowed to remain in power. as you know, and as you've heard us say repeatedly, we do not have a strategy of regime change in russia, or anywhere else for that matter. ukraine's military intelligence chief says moscow may be attempting to split the country into two parts in what he called a "korean scenario". as the destruction of ukraine continues, president zelensky urges western countries to supply more planes, tanks, and missile defence systems. officials in colombia

say taylor hawkins, the drummer with the rock band the foo fighters, who's died at the age of 50, used drugs before he died. are we going to have to leave belfast? and the wait is nearly over for this year's oscar nominees. way in hollywood later. the academy awards ceremony will be getting under way in hollywood later. acceptance speeches are likely to strike a more sombre tone, but the show will go on in celebration of an art form that offers an avenue of escape when arguably the world has never needed one more. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, has denied the white house has a policy of regime change in russia.

it follows president biden�*s comments on saturday made during a speech in poland, in which he said of president putin, "for god's sake, this man cannot remain in power." we'll have more on that a little later. but first, ukraine's military intelligence chief has warned that russia may be trying to divide ukraine, in the same way that north and south korea have been divided for more than half a century. let's get a full reaction to all of these comments. our correspondent anna foster is in lviv, in western ukraine. bring us up—to—date, because we had that attack and saw the images of the destruction in lviv, just talk us through what is happening there on the ground now. it us through what is happening there on the ground now.— on the ground now. it was 24 hours auo when on the ground now. it was 24 hours ago when this _ on the ground now. it was 24 hours ago when this skyline _ on the ground now. it was 24 hours ago when this skyline right - on the ground now. it was 24 hours ago when this skyline right behind l ago when this skyline right behind me was blocked out by thick black clouds of smoke. it was extraordinary in many ways because

at lviv here in the very west of ukraine, the largest major city to the polish border, was the place that had been relatively calm so far. if you had seen lviv on the news, if you had been following the story of the city, it would be as a refuge, a century, a place where people could come to from other parts of this country to get some safety and take a moment to decide whether to leave the country, perhaps go to poland, or whether to stay in what they were considered to be a safer part of ukraine. yesterday afternoon, exactly 24 hours or so ago, we had these assignments that went off and then this missile strike. we found out, it was confirmed that several hours later by the mayor, that that had hit an oil storage facility. dramatic pictures of flames leaping into the sky, those rolling clouds of thick black smoke and then in fact a couple of hours later, we had a second missile attack on what the mayor described as a repair facility of some kind. it is worth saying that the ukrainian authorities are

very reluctant to talk too much about targets, what may be attacked, what may be damaged. but we saw, as i say, these two attacks yesterday afternoon. surprising really in a city like this one which has been so quiet so far. {iii city like this one which has been so quiet so far-— quiet so far. of course, there will be an awful _ quiet so far. of course, there will be an awful lot _ quiet so far. of course, there will be an awful lot of— quiet so far. of course, there will be an awful lot of concern - quiet so far. of course, there will be an awful lot of concern there, | be an awful lot of concern there, not least following the attack on the military base. this war, the fighting, the actual physical destruction that we are seeing, getting closer to the border with nato. lviv of course where you are, just 70 kilometres away from one of the main border crossings into poland. ., , �* , the main border crossings into poland. . , ~ , the main border crossings into poland. . , a ~ ., poland. that is right. as you know ourself poland. that is right. as you know yourself very _ poland. that is right. as you know yourself very well, _ poland. that is right. as you know yourself very well, and _ poland. that is right. as you know yourself very well, and that - poland. that is right. as you know| yourself very well, and that speech thatjoe biden made yesterday, it was the thing that really dominated the headlines, certainly for this attack here in lviv. it was meant to be a speech to rally world leaders

and as you are reflecting a few moments ago, the message that everyone took from that was very much not the message that was intended where joe much not the message that was intended wherejoe biden had said that vladimir putin, the russian president, could not remain in power. a very strong statement, one that did not reflect us foreign policy, we were told very quickly afterwards by the white house, they were very keen to correct the record and invite the us entry of state, antony blinken, who is in israel today, has been making a speech in jerusalem and reinforced that point that removing vladimir putin from power, regime change in russia, is not that the us was trying to do. but it is a good point you make about how close we are out to the border here and for many people, this is still notjust a route out of ukraine, but a route in as well and my colleague has been meeting three british men who along with hundreds from the uk, have joined the internationalforeign legion and travelled here to ukraine to fight against russian forces. cj is a dog handlerfrom norwich. elliott works on building

sites in colchester. kieran is a brighton plumber. i can't sit at home and watch what's going on and just carry on as usual. between them, the men have 19 years of experience with the british army and have all served in afghanistan. we catch up with them just after they've crossed the border from poland into ukraine. we met at the airport, and it's all been like we've known each other for a lot longer than 24 hours. having taken a £20 flight to poland, they'd slept overnight outside a railway station. cj and elliott had told their families where they were going. kieran, a father of four, had not. i didn't tell the mums, no. i didn't even tell my mum. what brought them together was a desire to do something, anything, to help ukraine. if you're not fighting on someone else's street, does it end up in yours? does it end up, you know,

do my kids become a target? do my mates�* kids? i will do anything. i'm a trained infantry soldier. i'll help out wherever i can in the field, anywhere from back to front. from the border, it's 50 miles and a bus ride to lviv, the biggest city in the west. these guys are now going to meet up with the ukrainian authorities to see if they want to sign up with the foreign legion here. if they don't, there may be a more direct route to the front line. they've been speaking with other british ex—soldiers who are already there. they may be able to link up directly with them to get where the fighting is. joining this war if you are a serving british soldier is illegal, but for others it's more of a grey area. cj, kieran and elliott say they were pulled aside by the police for a chat as they left the uk but then allowed to travel on. my name isjulia, and what are your names?

julia is returning from the border, having helped her daughter to cross. we've come to join the legion to help fight, if need be, to fight the russians. you are soldiers? you are fighters? yeah, we are ex—army. 0k. thank you very much that . you have come here to help our ukrainian soldiers. also, they are very brave, very brave. | lviv and the railway station is the volunteers' next stop. there are now serious decisions to be made about where and what comes next. what would you say to people in the uk who say you guys are just looking for the excitement of war? there is no excitement to war. it's not nice, it's not pleasant. you know, we've seen it. there's nothing nice about dead kids at the side of the road. and are you prepared to die here? absolutely. and with that, cj, kieran and elliott marched off — british boys in putin's war.

jonah fisher with those men who are going to fight against russian soldiers. we heard anna foster as well in at lviv talking about the fallout from president biden�*s apparently off the cuff remarks in warsaw about vladimir putin. as the white house scrambled to issue a clarification, the us secretary of state, antony blinken, who's in israel, has said that the united states has no plans to bring about regime change in russia. let's have a listen. with regards to the president's incredibly powerful speech yesterday, i think the president, the white house, made the point last night that, quite simply, president putin cannot be empowered — to wage war or engage in aggression against ukraine or anyone else.

as you know, and as you've heard us say repeatedly, we do not have a strategy of regime change in russia, or anywhere else for that matter. in this case, as in any case, it's up to the people of the country in question. it's up to the russian people. us secretary of state antony blinken that there just clarifying that those comments made by president biden in poland. joining me now is dr gabrielle bardall, from the parliamentary centre in canada. it's a non—governmental organisation supporting democratic institutions. i wonder, of course, we are talking a lot about what president biden said. how much, in your opinion, was it an cuff remark and how much do you think he genuinely thinks that? i think it was absolutely an off the cuff comment and i think he may have meant it, but it is not policy and thatis meant it, but it is not policy and that is what is important to remember here. biden is famous

throughout his career for saying what everyone might think, but really should not be said. honestly, i do not think those remarks have the importance that they may have been given in the media, but i think there are other things that really should be looked at, both in that speech and what has happened this week. first, he reassured neighbouring countries in the baltics and poland that we will stand behind, ensuring there is no compromise of nato territory, so i think he was much more direct about that. we also need to remember what happened in brussels this weekend. the g7 issued a communique about holding peat and accountable for war crimes, bringing him to the icc. —— holding putin accountable. this is what matters because then putin is in a corner, there is no going back, evenif in a corner, there is no going back, even if a peaceful settlement is achieved he will not find himself in achieved he will not find himself in a position as he was in the past to enjoy the status and trader status and diplomatic status that he had. that is really where our focus in

the media should be. this is the question, as long as putin has no out, his fortune will be in the hands of the elite class. how long will they go on being a pariah? how long will their children be out of the elite schools they attend in the west? �* , , . ., ., the elite schools they attend in the west? �* ,, .., ., the elite schools they attend in the west? ~ ,, ., ., the elite schools they attend in the west? ., ., west? appreciate what you are saying about where the _ west? appreciate what you are saying about where the media _ west? appreciate what you are saying about where the media focus - west? appreciate what you are saying about where the media focus should l about where the media focus should be, but i guess when you have the president of the states saying something along those lines, saying something along those lines, saying something that putin should not be in power, it is such a powerful comment. i wonder how much damage it do you think something like that has done? at the kremlin obviously jumping on his comments immediately and we have seen antony blinken they're having to explain, retract, clarify. that is a lot of damage in terms of what the international community is trying to do. certainly. has caused an enormous buzz, but there is no policy behind it and antony blinken said this and it and antony blinken said this and it is a simple truth, the lines of

negotiation are still around the future of crimea and donbas, around security in the region and eventual joining of nato and that is where the diplomatic conversations will remain. what is again an issue are putin's outs, where will he go after this? what will he do? will he still have the support of the elite class that he requires on this? i think underlining this there is a real importance in recognising that the lines of the battle have changed, we are no longer in the real politics of the past, but this is the first modern conflict of democracy versus autocracy and it is notjust about military power in that sense, we're not talking about latin america in the 1970s or 80s and covert operations, we are talking about popular support, we are talking about democracy. will the elite class allow putin to stay? will be people allow him to stay? how is population mobilising around these themes? i population mobilising around these themes? ., , , , themes? i would be interested 'ust to develop that fl themes? i would be interested 'ust to develop that further, * themes? i would be interested just

to develop that further, because i to develop that further, because when it comes to whether the people of russia will allow him to stay, genuinely what choice do they have? the elections, when we see them there, they do not exactly suggest a transparent and open electoral process, so honestly, what power do they have? {iii process, so honestly, what power do the have? _, , ., ., they have? of course not. i have worked in _ they have? of course not. i have worked in electoral— they have? of course not. i have l worked in electoral administration of figure 20 years around the world and this is not an uncommon situation. there is years of work that go before free and fair elections can be held. this is in terms of adapting to public perceptions. currently, putin has, according to the least fairly credible polls, about 71% of support across the population. this is something that changes over time, and working on getting accurate information into the country, and if and when the date comes... i think we're more likely to see what we

call a palace coup where his allies are no longer willing to take the sacrifices that are being placed on them by the international community sanctions. ., ., ,, .,~ them by the international community sanctions. ., ., ,, w ., sanctions. fascinating to speak to ou, we sanctions. fascinating to speak to you. we are _ sanctions. fascinating to speak to you. we are out — sanctions. fascinating to speak to you, we are out of _ sanctions. fascinating to speak to you, we are out of time, - sanctions. fascinating to speak to you, we are out of time, but - sanctions. fascinating to speak to | you, we are out of time, but thank you, we are out of time, but thank you so much for your time. of course, lots more on our website as well regarding the comments made by president biden and just an explanation as to what antony blinken was also saying. while the focus of russia's invasion of ukraine has been on the front line fighting and russian bombardments, ukrainians are also worrying about another threat — russian spies and saboteurs trying to weaken the country from the inside. a month into the war, fear and suspicion loom large, as andrew harding reports from the southern city of 0desa. siren wails night fall in 0desa.

the wail of an air raid siren. and in thousands of homes here, the dread. notjust of russian bombs, but of russian saboteurs. maybe even next door. a few nights ago, the police came to bogdan milko's small apartment. his neighbours had reported seeing a flashing red light. maybe a signal to russian aircraft. "it was my neighbours," he says. "they are scared about security. i had to go to the police station and explain that i'mjusta normal guy, i'm not trying to help the russians." as we leave his apartment, a crowd suddenly gathers around us in the dark, demanding to see our documents. "we have children," she says. "we don't want a bomb dropping here." well, that gives you a flavour of the fears here in 0desa. people really very suspicious of us,

of anybody out of the ordinary. a woman there saying, "who knows who you were, you could have been russians." and those fears are being fuelled by footage like this. of ukrainian police arresting alleged saboteurs. groups sent to plant weapons, or identify targets. "this is not paranoia," says captain vladimir karina, "there are russian agents and citizens of ukraine working against us. that's a fact. they are trying to distract us, to make us pay attention to the wrong places." the result is a constant wariness, a nation looking over its shoulder. hunting for signs. like this recent footage of shells fired from russian ships landing just off 0desa. locals patrolling the shore believe the enemy has been getting directions. it was on the roof of this building.

a big light, shining out to sea? shining, yes. a suspicious light. and you think that was a signal for the russians? yes, i think it was a signal for the russians. some kind of signal. and now it's almost curfew time again. the streets empty. and as in every war, fear stoking suspicion, prompting vigilance. andrew harding, bbc news, 0desa. a new generation of high—tech drones are playing a significant part in the war in ukraine. 0ur correpondent has been following a ukranian reconnaissance team as they track russian movements on the ground. we are now very close to the front line. maybe two or three kilometres away from here. i can hear the sound of artillery. it's not clear whether it's outgoing or incoming, but we're very close.

and also, this reconnaissance group is now trying to find a place where they can put a drone up and then observe the neighbourhood to find russian positions. we fly over their position with civilian drones and spot, identify and mark targets for the artillery or air strikes. then we pass this information to the chain of commands. they confirm the targets and there they conduct the fire strike. after this, we identify casualties and losses of the enemy and report it. it's dangerous to go to the reconnaissance

missions because we approach to the fire contact. 0ur drones operate on distance about two or three up to four kilometres. and this is the distance of the artillery tank strike or firearms. drone whines dog barks

position was revealed by a dog. so this group had to retreat... ..before the russian forces were able to spot them. abdujalil abdurasulov who's been following a ukrainian reconnaissance team. we will be having many more updates on the war in ukraine throughout the day, particularly from lviv. the uk government plans to take a 20% stake in a £20 billion large—scale nuclear plant at sizewell, the bbc has learned. french developer edf will also take a 20% stake in the suffolk power station.

ministers hope the confirmation of two investors will encourage other infrastructure investors and pension funds to take up the remaining 60%. next hour we will have a little bit more on that story. officials in colombia have released more details about the death of the foo fighters drummer, taylor hawkins. they say ten substances were found in his body. will batchelor reports. raucous, riotous and seemingly unstoppable. taylor hawkins should have been performing with the foo fighters this weekend. in place of that gig in bogota, colombia, a candlelit tribute. devastated fans could only gather outside the hotel where the drummer, who was 50, was found dead. his bandmates of 25 years broke the news yesterday in a statement, his bandmates of 25 years broke calling it a tragic and untimely loss. now colombia's attorney general has

released a statement, revealing the results of initial toxicology tests. it says hawkins had ten different substances in his body, including marijuana, antidepressants and opioids. the statement goes on to say that a forensic investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of death. the foo fighters were supposed to play in brazil today, part of a world tour which is due to come to the uk at the end ofjune. how or when they'll continue without their talismanic drummer is a question which is yet to be answered. will batchelor, bbc news. remembering the foo fighters drummer, taylor hawkins, who has died. in a few short hours, hollywood's finest will be walking down the red carpet to attend the 94th academy awards. our culture editor katie razzall is in los angeles. it's the top prize the movie

business has to offer, and for days they've been preparing, rolling out a show—stopping experience for the biggest night of the year. when it comes to the actual top prize, best picture, it's almost certain for the first time to be a film made by one of the streaming services. apple's coda, the story of a deaf family with one hearing child, appears to have the momentum behind it. whistling netflix has pinned its hopes on its 1920s western the power of the dog. it may miss out for best picture, butjane campion looks likely to be only the third woman in history to win best director. there may be a buzz in this town about these awards, but last year's tv show attracted the lowest audience ever. can they turn it around? it's fun to watch celebrities gather. we're in, you know, we still have this pandemic, there's a war happening in europe and i think that having, i don't know, some distraction is not a terrible thing. and finding something that all of us can come together and have some emotions about is a really powerful and important thing.

the ceremony will mark what's happening in ukraine. one of the hosts said she hoped president zelensky might even address the guests. as for the ceremony, the acting categories are the ones that punch out. west side story�*s arianna debose is tipped to win best supporting actress, the first openly queer woman of colour to take that prize. as momentous, will smith could clinch best actor, only the fifth black man to do so, for his portrayal of the father of tennis stars venus and serena williams in king richard. and troy kotsur should win best supporting actor and become the first deaf man with an acting oscar. sci—fi epic dune could win a sweep of craft categories, though for the first time, controversially, those awards aren't being handed out live. as for uk and irish hopes, they're pinned on sir kenneth branagh's belfast — up for seven oscars, including best picture.

katie razzall, bbc news, los angeles. who is going to win? stay with us to find out, bye—bye. good afternoon. after the warm, sunny days we've had lately, i think the weather this week will come as something as a shock to the system because it's going to turn much colder and with that, for some of us, there will be some snow. the nights turning increasingly cold and frosty as well. where we have had low cloud, mist and fog today, it's been feeling quite chilly. that was the scene from a weather watcher in essex earlier on. some of these eastern areas will stay grey and murky through the day. west, more sunshine, lifting temperatures to around 17. this evening and tonight the area of low cloud, mist and fog tends to expand and we see some showers breaking out across northern england and north wales, later tonight as well. where we do keep clear skies overnight it will be relatively chilly with temperatures getting down to around freezing. milder where we have more cloud.

tomorrow, the area of high pressure that's been with us for so long shows signs of loosening its grip and that will allow things to slowly turn a bit more unsettled. so we'll have these showers across parts of northern england, the isle of man, potentially into south—eastern parts of northern ireland. cloud pushing up from the south bringing rain for the channel islands, the odd shower for the south—west of england and wales. some spells of sunshine elsewhere. temperatures up to 16 or 17 although quite chilly for the eastern coast. tuesday, a lot of cloud at this stage. the chance of showers to the south, some of them heavy. some showers breaking out further north as well and signs of those beginning to turn wintry across scotland as some colder air starts to tuck in. that's a sign of things to come. as we move into wednesday, this weather front is going to push furthersouth, bringing rain, yes, but also potentially some snow. this much colder air

pushing its way southwards. a band of rain, sleet and snow. i think the snow mostly over the hills but some could come down to the lower levels. lots of wintry showers packing into scotland through the day. they will certainly bring snow to some quite low levels. temperatures just 4, 5 degrees across northern areas. ii or 12 further south and it's going to be a pretty chilly end to the week with some rain, sleet or snow showers in places. some chilly days and cold, frosty nights.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the us government clarifies president biden�*s comments about vladimir putin remaining in power — saying they have no plans to try and force him out. as the destruction of ukraine continues, president zelensky urges western countries to supply more planes, tanks, and missile defence systems. ukrainian military intelligence says moscow may be attempting to split the country into two parts. the uk government plans to take a 20% stake in a large—scale nuclear plant at sizewell in suffolk. at the top of the next hour, we'll bring you all the day's national and international news.

first, the media show, with katie razzall.