welcome to bbc news — i'm nuala mcgovern. our top stories... in the aftermath of intense fighting in ukraine, the bbc uncovers evidence of civilian killings, that could amount to war crimes. this is more thanjust a collection of terrible deaths, this is a crime scene because under the laws of war, civilians are supposed to be protected. a convoy of buses carrying residents of the besieged southern ukrainian city of mariupol reaches the relative safety of the nearby city of zaporyzhzhia. cheering. celebrations by union workers in new york as amazon is dealt a major defeat — being forced to recognise a trade union for the first time. will smith says he s resigning

from the body that awards the oscars following his attack on chris rock at this year s ceremony. and we meet some of the people and horses from the household cavalry who will take centre stage at the queen s platinum jubilee. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe a bbc team has gained access to a highway outside kyiv where russian troops have been pushed out. a stretch of the e40 highway was where shocking images from the early days of the war emerged — showing russian troops firing on civilians trying to escape. jeremy bowen and his team have now reached the scene of the attack, and found evidence that raises the possibility that war crimes may have occurred. a warning, his report contains some graphic and distressing images.

on a stretch of road that runs between two villages with names that translate as "dream" and "sweetheart" is all the savagery and waste of war. ukrainian forces had just recaptured it, their troops moving in after a heavy bombardment from their artillery. this was only a few hours after the russian retreat. in the early hours of this morning, this was recaptured? absolutely correct. so, basically, around 2am today, our reconnaissance team report that they start to see movement. oleksandr, a ukrainian volunteer who's back home from england to fight, showed a position where a russian tank had been dug in. so that's where the russian tank was and that's exactly where he... this is the line of fire, that's how they shoot. on 7th march, oleksandr�*s drone unit filmed the tank in action.

the drone showed civilians trying to get to kyiv to escape the russians. and then they saw the tank. one of the cars was forced to stop. the driver tried to show he was harmless. and the russians shot him dead. they also killed his wife. the dead couple were maksim and his wife, ksenya. they were travelling with their six—year—old son and a friend, who both survived. she said maksim had been shouting that they were with a child when he was killed. almost four weeks later, maksim's badly burned body lies next to the hulk of their car. his wedding ring is still on his finger. ksenya's remains are inside. her mouth is open, as if in a scream. the car and the back seat are riddled with bullets. the vehicle and their

bodies were not burnt when they were killed. the hypothesis is that russian soldiers tried to destroy the evidence of what they'd done. the drone operator who filmed their death says the russians must have known maksim's car was not a threat. so they were trying to say that they were civilians? yes, yes, they know it. you can see it, the whole car is civilians, not an army car, and they shoot it. in the woods near the road, there's evidence the russians left in a hurry. you can see the place where, in the trees, the russians were living. there's a dug—out. there's beer bottles. it's like the marie celeste, half—finished meals. they were here for a month. the camp is full of the soldiers�* rubbish. on a front line, that is usually the sign of an ill—disciplined unit. they tried, unsuccessfully, to

hide another tank in the trees. that was punished by the ukrainians, who destroyed it. a much bigger question is whether there will be a reckoning for what happened on the highway. maksim and ksenya were not the only ones who were killed near the tank dug into the roadside. more bodies here? yes. one, two, three bodies, i think. yes. you're absolutely right. in a couple of hundred yards, with oleksandr from the ukrainian army, we counted 11 other dead bodies. it's ukrainian. three were wearing recognisable ukrainian military uniform. the others wore civilian clothes. some of the dead were piled up and surrounded by tyres. they deliberately burned them. they set on fire to hide their... to hide what they did.

in the desolation are a mass of questions about who they were and how they were killed. it's hard to imagine the fear these people must have gone through in the last few moments of their lives or, indeed, the anguish survivors, families, must be feeling now. but this is more than just a collection of terrible deaths. it's a crime scene. because under the laws of war, civilians are supposed to be protected. we drove to the next village to confirm a ukrainian claim that they'd destroyed more russian tanks. the russian armour was broken and, except forsoldiers, the village was deserted and still. the russians could be redeploying to the eastern battlefields, but just a few hours after they had left this strategic area close to the capital, it was clear they were being forced out. many civilians are mourning relatives and friends they say

were killed by russian troops. as and when they retreat, they might leave behind more evidence that could add up to war crimes. jeremy bowen, bbc news, outside kyiv. such shocking images there in that report. a convoy of buses carrying residents of the besieged southern ukrainian city of mariupol has reached the relative safety of the nearby city of zaporyzhzhia. the convoy travelled from the occupied port of berdiansk with about 2,000 people, who had managed to make their own way out of mariupol. however, a red cross effort to bring in aid and evacuate residents from the shelling in mariupol were frustrated for a second day in a row. with me is our news reporter azadeh moshiri. good to have you with this. i have seen president zelensky has also been speaking over the last few minutes, talking about

the remaining fact that the eastis the remaining fact that the east is an extremely difficult precarious situations. the icrc for a second — precarious situations. the icrc for a second day _ precarious situations. the icrc for a second day has _ precarious situations. the icrc for a second day has been - for a second day has been trying to evacuate people from mariupol, they were doing that in coordination with the ukrainian government. the plan is they would escort a convoy of at least a0 ukrainian buses and take with the medical supplies from zaporyzhzhia to mariupol but they failed as they tried to get there, they could not make it to the city and so instead, separately, mariupol residents who were trapped in the city that has been besieged by russian forces, and thousands of them, took the risk themselves and ended up fleeing from mariupol to a town nearby is still in russian held territory called birdie and sc. and it is there a convoy of at least a0 ukrainian buses, 300 private cars, managed to get to these residents and relative safety of zaporyzhzhia. the fact is this

is positive, you have president zelensky saying they have managed to save 3000 people from a city that is without food and water but you still have more than 100,000 residents trapped there, some estimates put it up to 170,000. it is a success, there are still challenges and as far as the icrc are concerned they will try tomorrow.— the icrc are concerned they will try tomorrow. what is it with the operation - will try tomorrow. what is it with the operation that - will try tomorrow. what is it l with the operation that makes it so difficult?— it so difficult? there are a number — it so difficult? there are a number of _ it so difficult? there are a number of challenges - it so difficult? there are a number of challenges and it so difficult? there are a - number of challenges and the first time, the fact russia gave them a one day ceasefire and to get to zaporyzhzhia there are so many russian checkpoints and so many agreements that need to be made between the ukrainian government and russia that strategically, it was going to be quite difficult anyway. there's also the question about russian willpower because while they did allow the residents to leave the audience, they did not keep it safe enough in

mariupol, that ceasefire was not completely respected and we have a spokesperson from the red cross who spoke to the bbc earlier about the logistical challenges faced. the earlier about the logistical challen . es faced. , , challenges faced. the stumbling block is the _ challenges faced. the stumbling block is the lack _ challenges faced. the stumbling block is the lack of _ challenges faced. the stumbling block is the lack of precise - block is the lack of precise and — block is the lack of precise and concrete agreements in respect _ and concrete agreements in respect of this agreement on all levels. they have to be respected and communicated through— respected and communicated through the chain of command and this— through the chain of command and this is_ through the chain of command and this is notjust a choice, this— and this is notjust a choice, this is— and this is notjust a choice, this is the _ and this is notjust a choice, this is the responsibility on both— this is the responsibility on both sides of this conflict, under— both sides of this conflict, under international humanitarian law. .,. , humanitarian law. the fact is this is still— humanitarian law. the fact is this is still a _ humanitarian law. the fact is this is still a war _ humanitarian law. the fact is this is still a war zone - humanitarian law. the fact is this is still a war zone and i this is still a war zone and thatis this is still a war zone and that is what she is pointing to, the fact that just getting to, the fact that just getting to a city which is so strategically important to russia, where so much of the military operation is being focused, because a key port city that allows russia to accomplish that goal of creating a land corridor

between russia and crimea. the whole operation is so difficult and so the result is you have more than 100,000 people trapped who are in desperate need of help and the ukrainian government and the icrc are going to have to try again. we will see how _ going to have to try again. we will see how that goes in the coming days. thank you. ukraine's top security official has denied accusations by russia that ukraine was behind an attack on an oil depot in the russian city of belgorod. the governor of the belgorod region, which is close to the border with ukraine said ukrainian helicopters attacked the oil depot in the early hours of friday. but ukraine's security council secretary oleksiy danilov said that, according to his information, this claim �*does not correspond to reality�*. the kremlin says the incident won't help the ongoing negotiations between the two sides. earlier, i spoke to bill roggio, who's a military analyst at the foundation for the defense of democracies. i asked what he thought took place.

it's really difficult to tell. it's really difficult to tell. i do believe that ukrainian is carried out this attack, there is no indication that there was any type of failure, explosion, at this site, there were reports of helicopters evading the radar of russian defence systems. what they have done is fluent in low and conducted an attack, it's not unsurprising air defences are defendable particularly from things like slow and low—flying helicopters so i do believe this happened, i think so i do believe this happened, ithink ukraine so i do believe this happened, i think ukraine is denying it because it does not want to come up with this mission, mess up come up with this mission, mess up the potential negotiations, i am hesitant to call them peace talks.— i am hesitant to call them peace talks. do you think it would have _ peace talks. do you think it would have been _ peace talks. do you think it would have been carried i peace talks. do you think it | would have been carried out with the go—ahead of president zelensky, for example? is it something strategic? i don't know, a rogue operation? i know it is impossible to know, i am looking for a hypothetical

here. it looking for a hypothetical here. ., . ., , ., here. it would certainly have to come from _ here. it would certainly have to come from the _ here. it would certainly have to come from the highest i here. it would certainly have i to come from the highest levels of the ukrainian military and i believe that the ukrainians were going to launch a strike on russian soil, it has implications for that, president zelensky would certainly be aware of this. the other part _ certainly be aware of this. the other part is — certainly be aware of this. the other part is we _ certainly be aware of this. the other part is we heard a little bit from russia saying ukrainians, really it was the regional governor to be honest saying that it was ukrainians that struck the oil depot. but there hasn't been a huge outcry from the kremlin or any of those aspects, why do you think that is? it those aspects, why do you think that is? , ., , ., , that is? it is a sword, they could use _ that is? it is a sword, they could use this _ that is? it is a sword, they could use this to _ that is? it is a sword, they could use this to rally i that is? it is a sword, they could use this to rally the l could use this to rally the people and say the ukrainians are attacking us on our soil but them to admit it is an admission of weakness. the fact is the russians perception inside of the country as they are taking the fight to the ukrainians and the fact ukrainians and the fact ukrainians did execute an attack on russian soil which showed that the russian

military has a weakness, that it could be perceived as the ukrainians going on the offensive.— ukrainians going on the offensive. ., , .., ukrainians going on the offensive. ., , ., offensive. how significant do ou offensive. how significant do you think _ offensive. how significant do you think this _ offensive. how significant do you think this attack, - offensive. how significant do | you think this attack, however it was actually carried out, is, in the grand scheme of the invasion in ukraine? if it is, in the grand scheme of the invasion in ukraine?— invasion in ukraine? if it is a one off attack _ invasion in ukraine? if it is a one off attack it _ invasion in ukraine? if it is a one off attack it is _ invasion in ukraine? if it is a one off attack it is not i invasion in ukraine? if it is a one off attack it is not very l one off attack it is not very significant. if we continue to see these type of attacks it may be more significant. the ukrainian air force, the attack helicopters, they are very much needed inside the country so i don't expect... this is for and anything is possible. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: we speak to the queens official bodyguards ahead of the platinum jubilee celebrations. the accident that happened here was of the sort that can, at worst, produce a meltdown. in this case, the precautions worked, but they didn't work

quite well enough to prevent some old fears about the safety features of these stations from resurfacing. the republic of ireland has become the first country in the world to ban smoking in the workplace. from today, anyone lighting up in offices, businesses, pubs and restaurants will face a heavy fine. the president was on his way out of the washington hilton hotel, where he had been addressing a trade union conference. the small crowd outside included his assailant. it has become i a symbol of paris. 100 years ago, many parisians| wished it had never been built. the eiffel tower's birthday is- being marked by a re—enactment of the first ascent by gustav eiffet — this is bbc news, the latest headlines... in the aftermath of intense

fighting in ukraine, the bbc uncovers evidence of civilian killings, that could amount to war crimes. a convoy of buses carrying residents of the besieged southern ukrainian city of mariupol reaches the relative safety of the nearby city of zaporyzhzhia. workers at an amazon warehouse in the us have taken the unprecedented step of voting to set up a trade union. staff at the site in new york predicted that amazon workers elsewhere would follow suit. the online retailer has always fiercely opposed unionisation of its million—strong workforce. we can now speak tojohn logan, who's director of labor and employment studies at san francisco state university good to have you with us. were you surprised at what we are seeing, some of the scenes from new york? i seeing, some of the scenes from new york?— new york? i think everyone was very surprised — new york? i think everyone was very surprised and _ new york? i think everyone was very surprised and particularly l very surprised and particularly at the margin of victory. this is huge. there is no bigger prize for unions in the united

states than winning at amazon. it's a victory that i really think two or three years ago would have seemed unimaginable. back then people just thought you cannot win with amazon in an election, amazon is too wealthy, too sophisticated and too determined to fight the unions no matter what it takes. so the fact that the amazon union one and they won by a significant majority, it's probably the biggest organising victory in the united states for close to probably since the 19305 for close to probably since the 1930s or a0s. i for close to probably since the 1930s or 40s.— 1930s or 40s. i 'ust want to interrupt h 1930s or 40s. i 'ust want to interrupt you _ 1930s or 40s. i just want to interrupt you for _ 1930s or 40s. i just want to interrupt you for a - 1930s or 40s. i just want to interrupt you for a second, | 1930s or 40s. i just want to i interrupt you for a second, the national labour relations board, which will be helping i suppose amazon unionise and in that respect. but the first thing i saw from amazon is that i think they are going to try

and push back against it, this is my question really is is this a done deal? it is my question really is is this a done deal?- is my question really is is this a done deal? it is a done deal in the sense _ this a done deal? it is a done deal in the sense that - this a done deal? it is a done deal in the sense that it i this a done deal? it is a done deal in the sense that it is i this a done deal? it is a done deal in the sense that it is a l deal in the sense that it is a victory which has huge symbolic importance and it will create so much energy and enthusiasm that will inspire amazon workers all across the country to think that if they did at staten island, we can do it too. as you said, has filed an appeal with the national labour relations board. i think it has almost zero chance of success, i think probably it is primarily about delaying tactics but amazon is not going to give up fighting unions. we know that for sure. the amazon union has another election in about a month's time and that will be an incredibly difficult battle. but it really creates hope that the two big things

about the amazon anti—union campaign orfear in about the amazon anti—union campaign or fear in futility. can ijust interrupt you, forgive me and i understand the fear and futility, i want to get that across to the viewer spotin get that across to the viewer spot in 30 seconds, is the union, the people working in warehouses only with this particular aspect?- warehouses only with this particular aspect? this is a hute particular aspect? this is a huge warehouse, - particular aspect? this is a huge warehouse, it - particular aspect? this is a huge warehouse, it had i particular aspect? this is a i huge warehouse, it had over 8000 workers in this one warehouse. i think slightly over half of that number participated in the vote. this is the other remarkable thing. in terms of union election victories, this isjust a huge unit and it's very difficult for unions to win in large units. it'sjust for unions to win in large units. it's just warehouse workers but it's a huge union victory. workers but it's a huge union victo . ., ., , victory. there are so many employed _ victory. there are so many employed in _ victory. there are so many employed in warehouses, | victory. there are so many| employed in warehouses, i wanted to make that clear for our viewers. this affects. john logan, thank you for us. really

interesting to think since the 19305, interesting to think since the 1930s, something significant like that. will smith says he s resigning from the body that awards the oscars following his attack on chris rock at this year s ceremony. the actor said he was heartbroken by his actions which were "shocking, painful, and inexcusable. so what does this mean for will smith? that's a question i put to peter bowes, our la correspondent. well, you know, i think this takes the sting out of the tale to some extent of this saga. we knew that the academy had launched disciplinary proceedings, which apparently will be continuing. they have accepted his resignation, so they still have some decisions in the future to make. but he has decided to resign of his own accord right now, and i think that at least stops the speculation for the next few weeks as to what might happen to him. of course, it means he'll no longer be an oscar voter, which is the main role of academy members, really.

the open questions will he be invited back to next year's oscars, as is tradition to announce and present the award for best actress? i think that seems quite unlikely. will he get to keep his oscar for best actor for his lead role in king richard as the father of the williams sisters? the mood in hollywood is that that is less likely to occur, that it will be taken away from him, because it was for a body of work that had nothing to do with the events of the other day. and i'm wondering as well, peter, you know, as this film as this filters on a number of days later, the feeling in la, about the harm, if it has done will smith, i mean, in terms of future career prospects jobs? i mean, i believe he would still be able to win an oscar, even not being a member. well, you know, hollywood is a very forgiving place, so i wouldn't rule out will smith in terms of his future career. yes, i think it's done him harm because of that split second

decision, clearly a wrong decision that he made to march on the stage and use violence to hit someone, to hit a comedian, because he didn't like the tone of his joke. and it's interesting in the statement, which is a very contrite statement that he's just released, talking about his actions being shocking and painful and inexcusable. he doesn't address the issue of violence and of what he did slapping another man in the face. and that's what a lot of people have been talking about over the last few days. the oscars are supposed to be a family show. there were children watching and how perhaps parents have been trying to explain what their children were watching on tv. those are the kinds of issues that are still swirling around and i think are quite negative for will smith. ahead of the queen s platinumjubilee injune, the bbc has been given rare access to the household cavalry and their barracks in central london. asad ahmad met some of the people and horses that will take centre stage.

unmistakably british and a source of national pride for over 350 years. the household cavalry is made of the two most senior regiments in the british army. and arguably, their most importantjob? they're the queen's official bodyguard. that's quite a responsibility? it is a huge responsibility and one we do, yeah, one we do with pride and vigour and one we look forward to. making their way towards the base. blues and royals first and then the life guards. it's why, when it comes to the biggest state occasions — weddings, funerals, trooping the colour and state visits — the household cavalry are there. notjust looking immaculate on horseback but, first and foremost, as highly—trained fighting soldiers. but come the platinum jubilee injune, even the household cavalry are looking to raise their game. every time we do anything, we try and top what we've done before.

you're only as good as your last parade and we always try and make each parade better, sharper, smarter. but looking immaculate isn't easy or comfortable. the highly—polished boots hardly bend because there are two kilos of beeswax on each boot to get that military shine. the helmets and chest plates are polished to perfection, and any movement on the head has to be a careful balancing act. it's not overly comfortable. but the helmet does mould to the shape of your head in time. the cuirasses are big, but they can be beneficial when the weather is cold. not so beneficial when the weather's hot. but at the centre of any parade are the horses. specially selected, they are well looked after, have a special diet, and even get a holiday by the beach once a year. but when it comes to the serious stuff, they know how to perform. they're trained exactly

the same as the soldiers are. so they're, from the start of their career to the end of their career, and we retire them in places all over the country. these are the final preparations ahead of the platinum jubilee parade in june. the regiment will perform in front of the queen, on what will be a historic day. asad ahmad reporting there. if you want to keep up with events in ukraine, including the latest on the besieged city of mariupol — just go to our website — you'll find a live page which is continually updated with the latest developments. that's all at bbc.com/news — or you can download the bbc app. don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter — i'm @bbcnuala. thank you for watching.

hello there. yesterday was another cold day, we had further wintry showers around. we saw some snow even on the sea front of hastings, in east sussex. and at the moment, the radar picture's also picking up plenty of showers, many of them in scotland are actually falling as rain. greater chance of wintry showers across parts of eastern england. then we've got this zone of patchy rain working across northern ireland, just fringing into western—most areas of wales. now that'll also be rain, but over the hills in the far west of wales, you might see a little bit of snow for a time. and the risk is there for some of the moors in the southwest early saturday morning, perhaps over the tops of bodmin, for example. but otherwise, a widespread frost around, it's going to be a cold start to the day and, where we've seen those showers, an icy start to the day, as well. now, for many of us, there'll be lots of sunshine

through the morning, this zone of rain easing away from the southwest, any hill snow also working out of the way. showers then that start off near the east coast will migrate inland — many of them will be of rain by the time we get to the afternoon, but there could be a bit of hail, maybe an odd wintry one left over. temperatures generally a degree or so higher, about 7—10 celsius — but crucially, it won't be as windy, so it won't feel anywhere near as bitter now for sunday. this area of high pressure stays to our west. we get this weather front toppling around the top side of it — that will bring another change to our country. now for sunday, it'll be a cold, frosty, but lovely, sunny start to the day. however, the cloud will tend to build and fill across the skies across much of the uk. then we've got this weather front moving into scotland and northern ireland — that will to be bringing outbreaks of rain through the afternoon, the rain turning quite heavy into the highlands and the western isles. but again, the temperature's just coming up by an odd degree, 10—11 celsius pretty widely. now, looking at the night—time forecast through sunday night and into monday, our weather front pushes its way southwards and eastwards. behind that, the air turns a lot milder — it's coming in off the atlantic, for the most

part coming in on a west—northwesterly airflow. however, we are going to start seeing cooler conditions just coming back into northern scotland as we head through monday afternoon. so the temperatures in lerwickjust six celsius, but otherwise a much milder day, 13—1a, rain at times. now, deeper into next week, we get this battle zone between the mild atlantic air, the cold polar air, and that means we'll see rain — but also, the prospect of hill snow hasn't entirely gone away.

this is bbc news. the headlines: in the aftermath of intense fighting in ukraine, the bbc has uncovered evidence of civilian killings that could amount to war cimes. meanwhile, russian forces near kyiv have been forced to pull back from positions they held at the start of the invasion five weeks ago. a convoy of buses carrying residents of the besieged southern ukrainian city of mariupol has reached the relative safety of the nearby city of zaporyzhzhia. the convoy travelled from the occupied port of berd—yansk with about 2000 people, who had managed to make their own way out of mariupol. for the first time, workers at an amazon warehouse in the us have voted to set up

a trade union.