this is bbc news. welcome if you re watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories... a military intelligence chief in kyiv says moscow may be attempting to split ukraine in two afterfailing to conquer the whole country. it comes as refugees fleeing from the southern city of mariupol say they are being forced to go to russia. as russia's offensive stalls, and civilian deaths continue to rise, the two sides agree to face—to—face talks in turkey on monday. and walking it back — america's top diplomat says the country has no plans for regime change in russia after president biden said vladimir putin shouldn't be allowed to remain in power. and we have a special report

from our europe editor looking at how sex traffickers are seeking to exploit ukraine's refugees fleeing the war. fake ngo workers approached me and my children after we fled ukraine. they looked at us sleazily. they told us to get in a van with other women and said they'd take us to switzerland. and the wait is nearly over for this year's oscar nominees. the academy awards ceremony will be getting underway in hollywood in just a few hours time. just over a month since russia launched its attack on ukraine, more detail has been emerging of possible peace negotiations. in an interview with russian

journalists president zelinsky says ukraine could be ready to compromise with russia about adopting a neutral status but such a pact would have to be guaranteed by thirdparties and put to a referendum. in other developments today... ukraine's military intelligence chief has claimed that russia may be trying to split ukraine in two, in the same way that north and south korea have been divided for more than half a century, after vladimir putin's forces failed to take over the whole country. refugees fleeing from the beseiged city of mariupol have told the bbc they are being forced to evacuate to russia. it's been announced that officials from ukraine and russia will resume peace talks on monday. three days of discussions have been scheduled. they're to take place in turkey, previous talks had taken place in belarus. america's most senior diplomat, along with other top officials, have been forced to clarify comments by president biden, that vladimir putin could not

stay in power in russia. let's cross live now to lviv to anna foster for the latest. those sirens you can hear in the city of lviv as a newjoint may are signifying the all clear. it is a regular sound in cities like this across ukraine, people have been taking cover but the sound we hear now means people can now come out and resume their evenings, resume their everyday lives. the ukrainian government has asked the international committee of the red cross not to open a planned office on the russian side of the border, saying it would legitimise moscow's forced deportation of civilians from the city of mariupol. although the red cross says it wasn't aware of any such evacuations, the bbc has spoken to a mariupol resident, now in russia, who says she was given no option but to leave. wyre davies reports.

thousands of refugees have been able to leave mariupol, travelling in packed, bomb—damaged vehicles to the relative safety of ukrainian—held towns. but ukraine has now accused the russian military of forcibly removing thousands of residents to russia. irina, now staying with relatives in moscow, told the bbc about herjourney out. translation: one day, the russian military came by and said that we needed to vacate our shelter immediately because the building got on fire. after leaving the shelter, we walked for about six kilometres and the shelling and made it to the city limits. those people who had families in russia could go there at their own expense. those who did not have anyone there, they were allocated to a place in russia. they were put on evacuation trains

to those destinations. this is important, would you say that you and others were forcibly made to leave mariupol and go to russia? translation: i will put it this way, from there, everyone was taken to the dpr, that is russian occupied ukraine. once there, you have to decide whether you were going to stay in the dpr or go to russia. the choice was between the dpr and russia. the city irina left behind is in ruins, barely a building left unscathed by the russian bombardment. tens of thousands of people are trapped in mariupol, without the basics to survive, and nowhere near enough aid being allowed in. there is absolutely a humanitarian crisis there. there has been a humanitarian crisis for over two weeks. you have people who haven't had access to water or food for weeks now, people who are dead bodies on the street and people burying

the bodies of their neighbours. just the trauma and psychological burden this is going to have on the population. under such conditions, staying in mariupol or having to go to russia was irina's almost impossible choice. do you worry that if this war doesn't end in agreement or that parts of ukraine remain occupied that you won't be allowed to go back to ukraine itself? translation: we hope that there will be such an opportunity. we are already imagining ways that we can get back to our homeland. wyre davies, bbc news, dnipro, ukraine. america's most senior diplomat has been forced to clarify comments by president biden that vladimir putin cannot remain in power in russia. today, the us secretary of state denied it means the white house has a policy of seeking regime

change in moscow. the kremlin had already dismissed mr biden�*s remarks, saying it's for russians to choose their leader. our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley reports. i think he is a war criminal. he's a butcher. it's not the first time joe biden�*s off—the—cuff remarks about president putin have left his officials scrambling to clarify and explain. just before he left poland, he went off message again. we will have a different future, a brighterfuture, rooted in democracy and principle, hope and light, decency and dignity, freedom and possibilities. for god's sake, this man cannot remain in power. today, from his secretary of state visiting the middle east, some damage control. 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 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. the same message came from the government here. it is only the russian people that can make that decision. - i suspect most of them are pretty lfed up with putin and his croniesl and the illegal war. as the war in ukraine causes ever more destruction, there are fears that president biden is burning bridges with the kremlin, bridges that could be needed to stop the war. so how now to put out the diplomatic flames? the veteran diplomat, richard haass, said his comments had made a dangerous situation more dangerous, and he suggested the president's aides make it clear to their russian counterparts that the us is prepared to deal with this russian government. there was a rebuke, too, from president macron of france, who's due to speak to mr putin again this week. translation: i wouldn't use that kind of language, - because i'm still talking to president putin. because what do we want to do collectively? we want to stop the war that russia has started in ukraine without going to war

and without escalating. so president biden arrived home from his tour of europe to questions about whether his blunt language could play into the hands of the kremlin. caroline hawley, bbc news. nearly two million ukrainian children have now fled russian bombardment to neighbouring countries, according to the united nations. unicef and other humanitarian organizations have warned these children along with their mothers and otherfemale ukrainian refugees are at a heightened risk of trafficking and exploitation. our europe editor katya adler sent this report from the polish ukrainian border. they grabbed what mattered most and fled for their lives. ukrainian children and women now farfrom home are forced to put their trust in strangers. the chaos of war now behind them, the truth is they're not always safe here either.

the refugees come in. they have no idea what's going on. they can believe everybody. volunteer margarita hopes to stop fellow refugees falling into the wrong hands. we caught three persons who search for beautiful women to sell them for sex work. it's horrible. so horrible, many polish people are driven to take action. we have 605 amazing women who drive as much as they can to the border. this woman has started the women behind the wheel initiative. we decided to keep this bubble of safety for these women to rest. this family is one of the lucky ones. ella has their best interest at heart, but five weeks into europe's biggest refugee crisis since world war ii, there is still

no efficient process to screen all those claiming to help ukrainians. over the next days and weeks, people need somewhere to sleep, to eat. many tell us they are looking for a job, and these make refugees vulnerable. here in poland, people have opened their homes to ukrainians, but sadly, not everyone with the best of intentions. we hear many stories of abuse, but most victims are too scared to speak on camera. but this woman, now safely in denmark, said she wants to sound the alarm. translation: fake ngo workers approached me. | they looked at us sleazily. they told us to get in a van _ with other women and said they would take us to switzerland. they got angry when i asked for their ids, so i grabbed .

my children and ran. human rights groups warn sex and organ traffickers are already active here. this is a region where there are well—established trafficking networks in place. at a time of growing numbers of women and children arriving, the risks are on the rise. organised crime isn't the only menace. some refugees are forced to work for free. others to have sex in exchange for lodgings. the displaced and the vulnerable need our protection. katya adler, bbc news, on the polish—ukrainian border. well, peace talks are planned in turkey this week, but no one here is holding their breath for any sort of meaningful agreement and — after 32 days — this war rages on. that's it from lviv — back to you.

the ukrainian leader, volodymyr zelensky, has again dr aglaya snetkov is the author of russia's security policy under putin and a lecturer at the school of slavonic and east european studies in london. shejoins me now. i'd like to start first of all with president biden�*s comments that were described by many as a bit of a pr disaster. i want to know how much do you think this whole affair plays into putting's hands? 50. you think this whole affair plays into putting's hands?— you think this whole affair plays into putting's hands? so, i think we have to keep _ into putting's hands? so, i think we have to keep in _ into putting's hands? so, i think we have to keep in mind _ into putting's hands? so, i think we have to keep in mind that _ into putting's hands? so, i think we have to keep in mind that this - into putting's hands? so, i think we have to keep in mind that this does | have to keep in mind that this does come off the back of the diplomatic trip that president biden made, all the summits that were initiated in order to bolster the western support for ukraine. so this to permit a gaffe is a big deal. but in reality, although it plays into the hands of

putin's argument that the west is against russia, that the us would like to eliminate russia, we have to keepin like to eliminate russia, we have to keep in mind that from the point of view of president putin, this is nothing new. not only has president biden used quite negative language against putin already, calling him a war criminal, a butcher, but this isn't going to change putin's position in any way because they are sort of used to that language, they are used to fairly poor relations between the us and russia at this stage. had this been at the beginning of the conflict, i think it would have carried a lot more weight than at this point in time. no surprise to president putin but have they had an effect on the russian people? 50. have they had an effect on the russian people?— have they had an effect on the russian people? so, if you look at the official— russian people? so, if you look at the official russian _ russian people? so, if you look at the official russian media - russian people? so, if you look at the official russian media and - russian people? so, if you look at the official russian media and the | the official russian media and the way they have been reporting it, they are very much dismissing president biden�*s remarks, they are

focusing on president putin and the way she has been trying to distance himself. they are also focused on the fact that the americans have had to walk it back. so, i think there absolutely lands at the place of the russian saying, look, we told you, the west is against us, and this is one of the reasons why we have to rage the war in ukraine because from the russian official propaganda, this is a defensive, pre—emptive war, in order to make sure that russia itself is not then attacked, are they about the ukrainians by the west. ,, ., are they about the ukrainians by the west. ,., , are they about the ukrainians by the west. , ~ , west. so, it sounds like this may, if anything. _ west. so, it sounds like this may, if anything, serve _ west. so, it sounds like this may, if anything, serve to _ west. so, it sounds like this may, if anything, serve to bolster, - if anything, serve to bolster, potentially, support for putin's regime. there has been discussion about the way russia is faring in this war, they may actually be turning against putin. is there any evidence of that? 50. turning against putin. is there any evidence of that?— evidence of that? so, we have to kee in evidence of that? so, we have to keep in mind _ evidence of that? so, we have to keep in mind that _ evidence of that? so, we have to keep in mind that in _ evidence of that? so, we have to keep in mind that in terms - evidence of that? so, we have to keep in mind that in terms of-

keep in mind that in terms of domestically, we really don't have much information on what is going on inside the kremlin, it is still a watertight ship. if you are looking public opinion, on the whole, the focus of the russian opinion, anger, is on the west, in terms of the sanctions. they are blaming the west for the sanctions but they aren't somehow relating back to the war in ukraine, for the majority of people. we have seen protesters marching against the wall, we have individual defections, people emigrating, leaving, we have had quite high profile figures leaving. however, at the moment, we're not seeing any majorfrom kremlin. we are not seeing a clue developing inside the kremlin. and at this moment, the sanctions are being blamed on the west and not on the war in ukraine.

thank you so much for your analysis. let's bring you some other news now... police in israel say that two suspected arab gunmen have opened fire and wounded two police officers in the city of hadera. police say the two suspects were then shot dead. last week, four israelis were killed and two wounded in an attack in the city of beersheba by an arab israeli man, who had once beenjailed for links to the islamic state group. china has announced its biggest city—wide lockdown since the covid outbreak began more than two years ago. the entire population of shanghai will be restricted to their homes over the next nine days. our china correspondent, robin brant, says the order has triggered panic—buying by residents. the city has been on its knees for two weeks but tonight, all of a sudden, areas that were reduced to being like a ghost town are full of panicked shoppers.

i have been out and seen queues stretching out of shops as people are trying to stock up on supplies before the lockdown kicks in in the early hours of monday morning. now, 25 million people are going to be affected. public transport is going to be shut. everyone will be subject to a mass citywide covid testing. they are breaking it down into two halves, the next four days will be the eastern side of the city that is in lockdown, that is where i am at the moment. then, after that, the western side will follow. shanghai is china's commercial capital but at the moment it is one of the worst—hit areas as china is seeing a resurgence in covid cases. the numbers are relatively small, compared to international numbers, numbering in just a few thousand in terms of confirmed cases but by china's standards, that is significant. what we are seeing here is yet again the use of this most harshest of measures to try to contain

the virus and try to maintain covid and china's zero covid strategy. the next big question is how long will this lockdown last? other cities have had similar measures but it has been longer than the nine days planned here. in afghanistan, the bbc�*s persian, pashto and uzbek language service tv programmes have been taken off air, after the taliban ordered local channels not to broadcast content produced by international partners. more than six million afghans used to watch the bbc�*s tv news programmes in local languages according to the organisation. the bbc described the development as worrying and called on the taliban to reverse their decision. amid the war in ukraine, the uk government is expected to set out a new energy strategy this week, including making the uk less reliant on imports of gas. at the same time, millions of gas and electricity bills will increase as a new energy price cap covering households in england,

wales and scotland comes into effect on friday. areas where fuel poverty is already high are set to struggle further — as michael buchanan's been hearing on the isle of lewis they produce three times as much energy as they use by the outer hebrides has the highest levels of view poverty in written. this woman was too embarrassed to let us into her house. it was too embarrassed to let us into her house. , was too embarrassed to let us into her house-— her house. it is damp and mouldy. that little one _ her house. it is damp and mouldy. that little one in _ her house. it is damp and mouldy. that little one in school _ her house. it is damp and mouldy. that little one in school uniform i her house. it is damp and mouldy. that little one in school uniform is| that little one in school uniform is cold. it feels damp when i put it on her. . . , , ., , cold. it feels damp when i put it on her. . m, ., her. the electricity bill has gone u . her. the electricity bill has gone u- b her. the electricity bill has gone up by nearly _ her. the electricity bill has gone up by nearly 2096. _ her. the electricity bill has gone up by nearly 2096. we _ her. the electricity bill has gone up by nearly 2096. we don't - her. the electricity bill has gone | up by nearly 2096. we don't have her. the electricity bill has gone - up by nearly 2096. we don't have any hot water because _ up by nearly 2096. we don't have any hot water because it _ up by nearly 2096. we don't have any hot water because it uses _ up by nearly 2096. we don't have any hot water because it uses a - up by nearly 2096. we don't have any hot water because it uses a lot - up by nearly 2096. we don't have any hot water because it uses a lot of - hot water because it uses a lot of electricity. hot water because it uses a lot of electricity-— hot water because it uses a lot of electrici . ., . ., ., electricity. the divorced mother of two sa s electricity. the divorced mother of two says the _ electricity. the divorced mother of two says the family _ electricity. the divorced mother of two says the family have - electricity. the divorced mother of two says the family have cut - electricity. the divorced mother of two says the family have cut back| electricity. the divorced mother of l two says the family have cut back as much as they can. i two says the family have cut back as much as they can.— two says the family have cut back as much as they can. i never saw myself stru: aalin much as they can. i never saw myself struggling like _ much as they can. i never saw myself

struggling like this. _ much as they can. i never saw myself struggling like this. thinking - struggling like this. thinking you've got an extra 20 or £30 and then all of a sudden something comes up then all of a sudden something comes up or a direct debit comes off that i have forgotten about. and that's all the money i've got. halli i have forgotten about. and that's all the money i've got.— all the money i've got. half of households _ all the money i've got. half of households here _ all the money i've got. half of households here are - all the money i've got. half of households here are set - all the money i've got. half of households here are set to i all the money i've got. half of| households here are set to fall all the money i've got. half of- households here are set to fall into fuel poverty, spending more than 10% of the income on energy. a need to use oil in heating contributes to the problem. the use oil in heating contributes to the problem-— the problem. the costs are increasing- _ the problem. the costs are increasing. all _ the problem. the costs are increasing. all that - the problem. the costs are increasing. all that adds i the problem. the costs are| increasing. all that adds up the problem. the costs are i increasing. all that adds up to the problem. the costs are - increasing. all that adds up to the product here being dearer. shop owner gordon _ product here being dearer. shop owner gordon mclennan says the rising price of getting viewed and fuel to lewis adds to the cost. we had vat to _ fuel to lewis adds to the cost. - had vat to the products. eve effectively got the area with the highest fuel poverty in the country paying the highest rate of vat on

their products. it is not fair. the government _ their products. it is not fair. the government in _ their products. it is not fair. the government in westminster say they are spending billions on helping households cope with the rising cost of living but in the hebrides, it doesn't feel like that. the use of food banks is rising rapidly. these are economically fragile communities but they are also resilient, they will get through this, but it might mean their return to lives they thought they had left behind. 200 years lamine... some crofters have complicated returning to burning peat for heat, as well as growing their own food. it is peat for heat, as well as growing their own food.— peat for heat, as well as growing their own food. it is almost going back to my _ their own food. it is almost going back to my grandfather's - their own food. it is almost going back to my grandfather's way - their own food. it is almost going back to my grandfather's way of l back to my grandfather's way of life, where you will have some livestock and some oats, barley, potatoes, carrots, turnips, this kind of really basic things, but it kept them alive.— kept them alive. these current challenges _ kept them alive. these current challenges are _ kept them alive. these current challenges are another- kept them alive. these current i challenges are another reminder kept them alive. these current - challenges are another reminder to hebrides that living at the edge of

europe is often no protection from the problems of year. bbc news has learned that ministers plan to invest up to £2 billion in the new sizewell c nuclear power station in suffolk in the east of england. the french firm, edf, will match that 20% stake. it's hoped private investors will provide the remaining £14 billion. stars have started to arrive on the red carpet for the 2022 oscars ceremony which gets underway in los angeles, in a few hours time. the top contenders for best picture include coda, the power of the dog and belfast. katie razzell reports from 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.

she will have updates from the oscars for you in the coming hours. in the meantime, plenty more to come, stay with us. hello there. after the warm and often sunny days we've become used to lately, the forecast for this week may well come as a shock to the system. it is going to turn quite a lot colder. there's snow in the forecast for some and the nights will become increasingly cold and frosty. as we go through tonight, temperatures will drop where we keep clear skies, but we're going to see quite a lot of low cloud, mist and fog developing once again, especially across eastern areas. but also, one or two showers developing across parts of northern england, maybe northern ireland later in the night. 7 or 8 degrees if you see cloudy skies overhead, but temperatures in the clearer spots will get down to freezing or a touch below. but into tomorrow, this area of high pressure that's been with us for so many days now — well, it begins to loosen its grip and, slowly but surely,

things will start to turn a bit more unsettled. so, some of those showers through the day across parts of northern england, maybe northern ireland, some areas of low cloud down this east coast could keep it quite chilly for some north sea coastal areas. and cloud rolling up from the south as well, introducing some rain for the channel islands and possibly the odd shower for southwest england and wales during the afternoon. amidst all of that, there will still be some sunshine and some warmth, temperatures at best up to 17 or 18 degrees. as we get into tuesday, quite a lot of cloud around. some showers down towards the south — some could be heavy and thundery. we start to see a weather front setting up across scotland. that will start to bring some showers, these beginning to turn wintry, as colder air tucks in from the north, and that is a sign of things to come. as we move out of tuesday into wednesday, this weather front with a wriggle along it starts to push southwards. because of this wriggle, this wave, there's uncertainty aboutjust how much progress southwards this front will make, how quickly it will be moving.

but what we do know is behind it, we'll see much colder air tucking in, so there is likely to be some snow, especially over higher ground. but if this weather front sits around for long enough, the snow could come down to quite low levels across northern england. lots of wintry showers packing into scotland with afternoon highs ofjust 4 or 5 degrees, and even further south, much, much chillier than it has been lately. as we look towards the end of the week, it will be chilly by day, cold and frosty by night. there will be some sunshine, but some showers of rain, sleet and snow.

this is bbc news — welcome if you re watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: a military intelligence chief in kyiv says moscow may be attempting to split ukraine in two afterfailing to conquer the whole country. it comes as refugees fleeing from the southern city of mariupol say they are being forced to go to russia. as russia's offensive stalls, and civilian deaths continue to rise, the two sides agree to face—to—face talks in turkey on monday. and walking it back: america's top diplomat says the country has no plans for regime change in russia after president biden said vladimir putin shouldn't be allowed to remain in power.

welcome to the programme. president zelensky�*s top aide says the ukrainian army has been engaged in small tactical counter—offensives around kharkiv and sumy in the east. oleksiy arestovych said they were also pressing on with counter—offensives outside kyiv, and around kherson in the south. he predicted ukrainian losses in the east and south, because of a change in moscow's strategy, but gains in other parts. our correspondentjonah fisher, who's also in lviv been to meet three brits who along with hundreds from the uk, havejoined the international foreign legion and travelled to ukraine to fight against the 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 2a 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, andl 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.

ukraine's ability to hold off the russian military has taken many by surprise, not least the russians, who've been denied a swift success in the war. now, the russians have said the first stage of the war is complete, and claim to be entering a phase that will focus more on the eastern region. but the ukrainian military may yet wear the russian forces down. i spoke to phillips o'brien, professor of strategic studies at the university of st andrews. he told me why the ukrainian forces have worked so well at fending off their attackers. the russians overestimated, but the ukrainians were underestimated. no one was talking about the ukrainians as a military force before this war. they were always talking about how the russian military had been modernised on the russian military was so advanced. it was almost as if the ukrainians were not in the equation. but what the ukrainians have shown from the moment this war started, they were very well

prepared. they have been preparing for this four for prepared. they have been preparing for this fourfor eight prepared. they have been preparing for this four for eight years. they had a better strategic plan than anybody had an idea they could put into place and they had a very good force structure to do the exact things to do to slow the russians down and wear them out. it has been a ukrainian strategic success and a russian failure.— russian failure. how has ukraine been able to _ russian failure. how has ukraine been able to prevent _ russian failure. how has ukraine been able to prevent russians i russian failure. how has ukraine i been able to prevent russians from gaining air control and land control? that has been a key thing, hasn't it? , .. ., control? that has been a key thing, hasn't it? , ., ., hasn't it? the first indication that eo - le hasn't it? the first indication that peeple had _ hasn't it? the first indication that people had gotten _ hasn't it? the first indication that people had gotten a _ hasn't it? the first indication that people had gotten a lot _ hasn't it? the first indication that people had gotten a lot of - hasn't it? the first indication that people had gotten a lot of this i people had gotten a lot of this wrong or people had gotten it wrong, was the fact russians were unable to gain control of the air, which people assumed with a far larger air force and supposedly better aircraft, the russian should be able to get control of the air from the beginning. but what the ukrainian showdance, even fighting with what was a technological disadvantage, they were able to compensate, take advantage of russian weaknesses to

use things, they are not blowing the russians out of the sky, they are not depriving the russians the ability to fly, but they cannot sustain operations over battle areas. they have contested air supremacy, they are wearing the russian air force down through losses and it has been an extraordinary success from what people thought going into it. moscow has said the war _ people thought going into it. moscow has said the war is _ people thought going into it. moscow has said the war is in _ people thought going into it. moscow has said the war is in its _ people thought going into it. moscow has said the war is in its second - has said the war is in its second stage and are concentrating on the east, so why did they hit lviv? because they are focusing on the east, and by the way what it means is their first strategy fail. by saying they are going for the east, they are saying we have lost the first part of the war and we are going to redefine the war into something we believe we can do, which is to take over the parts very close to russia. they will still want to hit strategic targets in the west, even though they are fighting in these. because what the ukrainians are doing is they are

shipping a lot of goods, supplies, military equipment and soldiers from western ukraine to eastern ukraine. lviv is a staging post, and the british soldiers that showed up, they went to lviv. the russians, even though they will be fighting the war in the east if they follow this new strategy, they will still want to hit certain strategic targets in the west.- want to hit certain strategic targets in the west. what do you make of this _ targets in the west. what do you make of this fear _ targets in the west. what do you make of this fear that _ targets in the west. what do you make of this fear that has - targets in the west. what do you make of this fear that has been l make of this fear that has been expressed that putin may be planning to split the country in two, rather like north and south korea? yes. to split the country in two, rather like north and south korea? yes, he miaht be, like north and south korea? yes, he might be. but— like north and south korea? yes, he might be, but what _ like north and south korea? yes, he might be, but what this _ like north and south korea? yes, he might be, but what this has - like north and south korea? yes, he might be, but what this has showed | might be, but what this has showed as vladimir putin is not all—powerful and the russian army is not all—powerful. he might want to do that, it doesn't mean he can. the eastern strategy might be militarily more achievable than the short term in a few months, and the russians might not be able to do this. but they still have to fight and hold

it. it's not clear the russian economy has the kind of strength to withstand the sanctions for years and years. let's get over the notion that putin decides. it in, when he invaded ukraine on february the 24th, lost control. now the controller is contested and ukraine has shown they are at least, if not more effective than putin in determining their own fate. a new generation of high—tech drones are playing a significant part in the war in ukraine. our correpondent, abdu—jalil abdu—rasulov has been following a ukranian reconnaissance team as they track russian movements on the ground.

we are very close to the front line. this four continents group is now trying to find a place where they can put the drone up. observe the neighbourhood to find russian positions. we fly with civilian drones and spot, identify and mark targets for the artillery or air strikes. we pass this information to the chain of command. they confirm the targets and the they conduct the fire strike. after this, we identify casualties and losses of the enemy and report it. it

casualties and losses of the enemy and report it— and report it. it is dangerous to go to the reconnaissance _ and report it. it is dangerous to go to the reconnaissance missions i to the reconnaissance missions because we approached the far context. while drones operate up to four kilometres and this is the distance of the artillery, tank strike or firearms. dog barks

this group, have to retreat before the russian forces are able to spot them. last night night in warsaw us president biden made an impassioned speech which ended with him saying that russian president putin could not remain in power. but almost immediately the white house press secretary walked the comment back. was it an off the cuff gaffe or a call for regime change that could risk an escalation? i spoke to dr leslie vinjamuri — director, us and the americas programme at the international affairs think tank chatham house. and anatol lieven. he is a senior research fellow on russia and europe at the quincy institute for responsible statecraft.

biden does have quite a track record of shooting his mouth off, going back many, many years. at the same time i think he was revealing what a lot of people in washington and the administration would like to see in russia. obviously, many other people as well, which is the fall of the putin regime. it was certainly a very unwise thing to say, after all the ukrainians and russians are now engaged in peace talks. the russian campaign is not going well and so there does appear to be perhaps the basis for a peace settlement, may be. and who suggested the russians that america's real goal is to overthrow the russian government and possibly state, does not contribute to that effort. possibly state, does not contribute to that effort-— to that effort. lesley, the white house backtracked _ to that effort. lesley, the white house backtracked quickly - to that effort. lesley, the white house backtracked quickly after| house backtracked quickly after president biden's speech, do you think enough has been done to prevent any damage? i think enough has been done to prevent any damage?- think enough has been done to prevent any damage? i think first of all,

prevent any damage? i think first of all. remember— prevent any damage? i think first of all, remember president _ prevent any damage? i think first of all, remember president biden - prevent any damage? i think first of all, remember president biden was| prevent any damage? i think first of i all, remember president biden was in poland _ all, remember president biden was in poland and _ all, remember president biden was in poland and poland has more than 2 million _ poland and poland has more than 2 million refugees and biden was observing this, it was a tremendously emotional moments after several— tremendously emotional moments after several weeks of an absolutely brutal — several weeks of an absolutely brutal war. several weeks of an absolutely brutalwar. us several weeks of an absolutely brutal war. us policy couldn't have been _ brutal war. us policy couldn't have been clear— brutal war. us policy couldn't have been clear during those weeks, it is not one _ been clear during those weeks, it is not one of— been clear during those weeks, it is not one of regime change, it is not one of— not one of regime change, it is not one of direct — not one of regime change, it is not one of direct military intervention. the biden— one of direct military intervention. the biden administration has clearly communicated and it worked phenomenally well across europe to deliver— phenomenally well across europe to deliver a _ phenomenally well across europe to deliver a very united front. i think biden— deliver a very united front. i think biden was— deliver a very united front. i think biden was feeling very emotional. of course _ biden was feeling very emotional. of course it_ biden was feeling very emotional. of course it does make it difficult and the problem of course is people are seeing _ the problem of course is people are seeing us— the problem of course is people are seeing us policy and they are seeing this war— seeing us policy and they are seeing this war through their pre—existing beliefs _ this war through their pre—existing beliefs and many people across the world, _ beliefs and many people across the world, certainly in the 35 countries that abstain from the un general assembly vote and the five that rejected — assembly vote and the five that rejected it, many people do see the us as _ rejected it, many people do see the us as a _ rejected it, many people do see the us as a force, a power that believes in regime _ us as a force, a power that believes in regime change, that would take that step — in regime change, that would take that step. so while biden's

statements were certainly not words of us _ statements were certainly not words of us policy, they will be read in a way that— of us policy, they will be read in a way that complicates diplomacy and we have _ way that complicates diplomacy and we have seen those people around him shoring _ we have seen those people around him shoring that _ we have seen those people around him shoring that up and there will now be very— shoring that up and there will now be very active diplomacy to work across _ be very active diplomacy to work across europe to ensure that the message — across europe to ensure that the message that has been so clearly communicated for the past four weeks continues— communicated for the past four weeks continues to _ communicated for the past four weeks continues to be communicated very clearlv _ continues to be communicated very clearl . , , continues to be communicated very clearl. , , , clearly. lesley, sticking with you, the comments _ clearly. lesley, sticking with you, the comments wouldn't _ clearly. lesley, sticking with you, i the comments wouldn't necessarily have come as a huge surprise to the kremlin, do you think perhaps in some way play inti tooting's hans? i think that if you are talking about the people in russia, it is very complicated. there is a lot of disinformation. we are getting mixed views— disinformation. we are getting mixed views of— disinformation. we are getting mixed views of how people in the country feet _ views of how people in the country feet i_ views of how people in the country feet ithink— views of how people in the country feel. i think a lot of them are supportive of tooting's general beliefs — supportive of tooting's general beliefs about nato, about western

expansion. and may well support to ten more because of when they see those _ ten more because of when they see those words, they are very damaging, but i those words, they are very damaging, but i do _ those words, they are very damaging, but i do think what you will see in the next. — but i do think what you will see in the next, we have already seen it throughout the day and we will see it in the _ throughout the day and we will see it in the days and weeks ahead again. — it in the days and weeks ahead again, that same message we have seen for— again, that same message we have seen for several weeks that the us does not _ seen for several weeks that the us does not intend to use military force _ does not intend to use military force to — does not intend to use military force to enter directly into this war, _ force to enter directly into this war. that _ force to enter directly into this war, that nato, an attack on nato is the red _ war, that nato, an attack on nato is the red line — war, that nato, an attack on nato is the red line and it is very clearly drawn — the red line and it is very clearly drawn and _ the red line and it is very clearly drawn. and regardless of the president's very legitimate, very emotional response to a devastating situation, _ emotional response to a devastating situation, he was not stating us policv — situation, he was not stating us policv |— situation, he was not stating us oli . ., situation, he was not stating us oli . . ., situation, he was not stating us oli . ., ., ., situation, he was not stating us policy. i want to ask, some commentators _ policy. i want to ask, some commentators have - policy. i want to ask, some commentators have said i policy. i want to ask, some i commentators have said that policy. i want to ask, some - commentators have said that some policy. i want to ask, some _ commentators have said that some of the concerns around president biden's comments were concerns around not making president putin field boxed into a corner, not threatening him. how far do you balance that with also the need to show strength and get the message across that putin cannot get away

with what he's doing and what he has already done?— already done? western economic sanctions have _ already done? western economic sanctions have made _ already done? western economic sanctions have made that - already done? western economic sanctions have made that very i already done? western economic. sanctions have made that very clear. but there is of course an ambiguity about economic sanctions, because the conditions for lifting them have not been made entirely clear and that has raised the suspicion that at least some forces in washington, who, by the way have said this and in some cases explicitly, would like to use sanctions, maintain sanctions evenif to use sanctions, maintain sanctions even if there is a peace agreement and an end russia's invasion and would continue sanctions in order to bring about regime change in russia. this obviously, it increases the ambiguity around this issue. i saga ambiguity around this issue. i saw ou ambiguity around this issue. i saw you shaking _ ambiguity around this issue. i saw you shaking your— ambiguity around this issue. i saw you shaking your head _ ambiguity around this issue. i saw you shaking your head at - ambiguity around this issue. i saw you shaking your head at some of what he said, do you want to come back on some of that? i what he said, do you want to come back on some of that?— what he said, do you want to come back on some of that? i do, there is a lack of clarity _ back on some of that? i do, there is a lack of clarity on _ back on some of that? i do, there is a lack of clarity on what _ back on some of that? i do, there is a lack of clarity on what conditions i a lack of clarity on what conditions it will _ a lack of clarity on what conditions it will take — a lack of clarity on what conditions it will take to get their sanctions lifted _ it will take to get their sanctions

lifted. one reason for keeping the sanctions — lifted. one reason for keeping the sanctions in place is because the us and europeans have very little reason — and europeans have very little reason to _ and europeans have very little reason to believe that putin wouldn't _ reason to believe that putin wouldn't use the money that he would earn through the development of the russian _ earn through the development of the russian economy to rebuild his army and to— russian economy to rebuild his army and to launch a further act of aggression against ukraine. i think one of— aggression against ukraine. i think one of the — aggression against ukraine. i think one of the reasons for keeping the sanctions — one of the reasons for keeping the sanctions is — one of the reasons for keeping the sanctions is to continue to deter future _ sanctions is to continue to deter future military aggression. it is not a _ future military aggression. it is not a policy of regime change, i think— not a policy of regime change, i think that — not a policy of regime change, i think that has been made very clear. if think that has been made very clear. if you _ think that has been made very clear. if you look— think that has been made very clear. if you look at biden's track record, and the _ if you look at biden's track record, and the one — if you look at biden's track record, and the one thing this president has done which — and the one thing this president has done which marks him out, he has demonstrated he is a president who wishes _ demonstrated he is a president who wishes to— demonstrated he is a president who wishes to restrain the use of military— wishes to restrain the use of military force and very clearly articulate a line for us foreign policy— articulate a line for us foreign policy that is limited to preventing the kind _ policy that is limited to preventing the kind of aggression against

america — the kind of aggression against america plus macro military allies but not _ america plus macro military allies but not going beyond that. it is one many— but not going beyond that. it is one many presidents have wanted to enact but have _ many presidents have wanted to enact but have not been able to. we many presidents have wanted to enact but have not been able to.— but have not been able to. we have 'ust not a but have not been able to. we have just got a little _ but have not been able to. we have just got a little bit _ but have not been able to. we have just got a little bit of— but have not been able to. we have just got a little bit of time - but have not been able to. we have just got a little bit of time so - but have not been able to. we have just got a little bit of time so i - just got a little bit of time so i will give the last word to you, because you wanted to jump on? yes. because you wanted to “ump on? yes, sor are because you wanted to “ump on? yes, sorry are we — because you wanted to “ump on? yes, sorry are we hearing _ because you wanted to “ump on? yes, sorry are we hearing at— because you wanted tojump on? us: sorry are we hearing at biden administration spoke here? ida. sorry are we hearing at biden administration spoke here? no, we are not. it certainly _ administration spoke here? no, we are not. it certainly sounds - administration spoke here? no, we are not. it certainly sounds like - are not. it certainly sounds like it. there are not. it certainly sounds like it- there is _ are not. it certainly sounds like it. there is a _ are not. it certainly sounds like it. there is a difference - are not. it certainly sounds like it. there is a difference on - are not. it certainly sounds like | it. there is a difference on using military force on regime change and using sanctions, which america is used on some occasions which has lasted sometimes for decades. also, it has never worked. if your desire is to bring about peace in ukraine and say america will not lift sanctions in return to peace is obviously a clear obstacle to a peace settlement. let's cross to the bbc sports

centre. hello and thanks forjoining us. there's been a thrilling finish to the second race of the formula i season, with the saudi arabian grand prix serving up an intense treat. world champion max verstappen and ferrari's charles leclerc picked up from where they left off last weekend as they went neck and neck throughout the race injedah. the dutchman finally taking the lead with just three laps to go and holding on to take the victory for red bull, with leclerc second and the other ferrari of carlos sainz completing the podium. lewis hamilton started from 15th, but managed to finish tenth to pick up a valuable point. yes, tough battle. i really enjoyed it with charles. it wasn't easy to get past him, but in the end we did it. we can be very proud, we had the first safety car, but we have plenty of races to make up for that. joe root says he wants to carry on as england captain despite a humbling io wicket defeat in the final test that also saw the west indies clinch the series. the match in grenada was all over by lunch on day four. england began the day on 103—8

before the hosts claimed the final two wickets within the first hour to have them all out for 120. victory in grenada came just 30 minutes later as the west indies reached their target of 28 inside five overs. england have now lost four test series in a row which leaves them bottom of the world test championship table. iam i am still very passionate about taking this team forward. i feel like i have the support of the dressing room behind me and i am desperate to turn that round. and to see them smile and celebrating, because you know, we don't feel that far away. because you know, we don't feel that faraway. it because you know, we don't feel that far away. it easy thing to say and it is probably a frustration for a lot of people, but i am very passionate about taking it forward and hopefully that will be the case. you want to carry on? there is a lot of uncertainty, no director, no coach under chairman, there seems to

be set little in place as far as the administration is concerned, but you want to carry on as captain? i administration is concerned, but you want to carry on as captain?- want to carry on as captain? i have made that — want to carry on as captain? i have made that quite _ want to carry on as captain? i have made that quite clear, _ want to carry on as captain? i have made that quite clear, all - want to carry on as captain? i have made that quite clear, all i - want to carry on as captain? i have made that quite clear, all i can - made that quite clear, all i can control is what is in my power and in my hands and that at the minute is trying to take this team forward and i will do everything i can, in my capacity to helping them win games of cricket and that will never change. we have played together for a few years. _ we have played together for a few years. we — we have played together for a few years, we gel together nice. two senior— years, we gel together nice. two senior guys— years, we gel together nice. two senior guys leading from the front, on the _ senior guys leading from the front, on the field has been remarkable. why can't— on the field has been remarkable. why can't england come here and win, why do you keep beating us? we -la ed why do you keep beating us? we played some good cricket. we showed a lot of— played some good cricket. we showed a lot of fight, the first test having _ a lot of fight, the first test having to about 60, 70 overs and then _ having to about 60, 70 overs and then in_ having to about 60, 70 overs and then in barbados we bowled extremely

well. england played well and obviously this last game went in our favour. _ obviously this last game went in our favour. but — obviously this last game went in our favour, but it is a remarkable series— favour, but it is a remarkable series once again. that's all the sport for now. hospitals can be a stressful place — the noise, the lights and all that running around that medical staff have to do. one facility in the us has found a novel way of reducing that stress — regular visits from a rather cute set of animals. myra anubi reports. we heard there was going to be goats. i wanted to see if it was true and it is, and i got one and it's pretty cool.

it is astounding how people respond. there's moments ofjustjoy and laughter, sometimes even a moment of tears. 0h! it can be very stressful working here as a hospital,— is the perfect stress release. just a distraction from work. they're very cuddly. yeah, yeah. feel soothing, makes me feel happy and relaxed.

therapeutic gardens are designed to be a stress—coping resource for our patients and our employees 24—seven. abraham, take this one and smell it. the most important characteristic is that they are plant—rich places for all 12 months and in all four seasons. oh, running with the goats isjust like having my dog with me. he'sjust really calm. for me in the garden i do feel less stress as well. what's more fun than playing with the baby goats? iam i am feeling a lot less stressed already. we could definitely do with

some of those in the newsroom. that is it from me for now, but lewis will be here with your headlines at the top of the hour. thanks for watching. hello there. after the warm and often sunny days we've become used to lately, the forecast for this week may well come as a shock to the system. it is going to turn quite a lot colder. there's snow in the forecast for some and the nights will become increasingly cold and frosty. as we go through tonight, temperatures will drop where we keep clear skies, but we're going to see quite a lot of low cloud, mist and fog developing once again, especially across eastern areas. but also, one or two showers developing across parts of northern england, maybe northern ireland later in the night. 7 or 8 degrees if you see cloudy skies overhead, but temperatures in the clearer spots will get down to freezing or a touch below. but into tomorrow, this area of high

pressure that's been with us for so many days now — well, it begins to loosen its grip and, slowly but surely, things will start to turn a bit more unsettled. so, some of those showers through the day across parts of northern england, maybe northern ireland, some areas of low cloud down this east coast could keep it quite chilly for some north sea coastal areas. and cloud rolling up from the south as well, introducing some rain for the channel islands and possibly the odd shower for southwest england and wales during the afternoon. amidst all of that, there will still be some sunshine and some warmth, temperatures at best up to 17 or 18 degrees. as we get into tuesday, quite a lot of cloud around. some showers down towards the south — some could be heavy and thundery. we start to see a weather front setting up across scotland. that will start to bring some showers, these beginning to turn wintry, as colder air tucks in from the north, and that is a sign of things to come. as we move out of tuesday into wednesday, this weather front with a wriggle along it starts to push southwards. because of this wriggle, this wave, there's uncertainty aboutjust how much progress southwards this front will make,

how quickly it will be moving. but what we do know is behind it, we'll see much colder air tucking in, so there is likely to be some snow, especially over higher ground. but if this weather front sits around for long enough, the snow could come down to quite low levels across northern england. lots of wintry showers packing into scotland with afternoon highs ofjust 4 or 5 degrees, and even further south, much, much chillier than it has been lately. as we look towards the end of the week, it will be chilly by day, cold and frosty by night. there will be some sunshine, but some showers of rain, sleet and snow.

some may a military intelligence chief in kyiv says moscow may be attempting to split ukraine in two after failing to take the whole country. it comes as refugees fleeing from the southern city of mariupol say they're being forced to go to russia.