hello, i'm maryam moshiri, this is outside source. it's been six months since russia began its invasion of ukraine — and with it, the biggest war in europe since world war 2. president zelensky remains defiant. translation: we have been holding strong for six months, _ it's tough but we have clenched our fists and we are fighting for our destiny. every new day is a reason not to give up. global leaders pledge more military support to ukraine — among them uk prime minister boris johnson — who is on a surprise visit to kyiv. but the war is at a stale—mate — with both sides suffering heavy military losses — we'll be live in kyiv

with the latest. also in the programme: in the uk, police in liverpool arrest a man who was targeted by a gunman in a shooting that left a 9 year—old girl dead. and we'll be live from florida where democrats have picked charlie crist to take on republican heavyweight ron desantis in the upcoming race for governor. we start in ukraine, which is marking two important dates. six months since the start of the russian invasion — and 31 years since its independence, after the fall of the soviet union. this is in the ukrainian capital. while traditionally we'd see a military parade — today there are ukrainian tanks and seized russian military hardware on display. and we saw the ukrainian president and the first lady laying flowers at the wall of remembrance in kyiv —

honouring those killed defending the country. here's mr zelensky. translation: we only care about our land, we will fight for it until the end. we have been holding strong for six months. it's tough but we have clenched our fists and we are fighting for our destiny. every new day is a reason not to give up. after such a long journey we do not have the right not to go on till the end. what is the end of the war for us? we used to say peas, now we say victory. we will not seek an understanding with the terrorists. russia's invasion has devastated the country. cities destroyed, a third of ukrainians forced from their homes and millions in need of humanitarian assistance. we also know that nearly 6,000 civilians have been killed. and nearly 8,000 wounded. and we know that those figures are probably lower than the actual number. this has been the reality for many, particularly at the start of the war.

civilians taking shelter from bombs and missiles in underground stations, subways and basements, along with their families and pets. we've been hearing from olena gnes — until may, she was sheltering in a kyiv basement with her three children. this is my home and there was only one option for me to stay at home and protect my home. i was thinking about living, i was thinking of doing something, i put myself and my children into danger but in the and that was the only possible decision for me. our correspondent hugo bachega is in kyiv. it's a very different independence day for the wear on the main street of kyiv not far from independence square where political protest, political revolutions have taken place in this country. this is where usually there is a massive military

parade to celebrate independence day, not today. what we see here is a display of a destroyed and seized russian military vehicles and tanks. there is a ban on public events here in kyiv today. that's because authorities fear that russia may use these occasion to launch attacks against cities across the country. but obviously, these warnings have raised concern. there is apprehension but people are defiant. take a listen. the day is very, very beautiful. a lot of people came here to see the crushed tanks are crushed by our ukrainian army. of course we are so proud. we have no reason to be sad because we are ukrainians and we will win. �* ,, �* be sad because we are ukrainians and we will win-— we will win. translation: i didn't even think it _ we will win. translation: i didn't

even think it would _ we will win. translation: i didn't even think it would begin, - we will win. translation: i didn't even think it would begin, i - even think it would begin, i couldnt— even think it would begin, i couldn't believe a full—scale war would _ couldn't believe a full—scale war would occur. i thought it was mostly threats _ would occur. i thought it was mostly threats and — would occur. i thought it was mostly threats and sabre rattling which wouldn't — threats and sabre rattling which wouldn't lead to a larger conflict. let's take a look at some of the reaction from international leaders today — british prime minister borisjohnson made a suprise visit to kyiv, where he met president zelensky. mrjohnson announced a 5k million pound aid package for ukraine — including 200 drones that are aimed at improving the country's long range surveillance and defensive targeting ability. he claims unity is "growing" among western countries for continued military support — despite pressures on the cost of living. here he is speaking alongside his ukrainian counterpart in the capital. it's really been a cause that has captured the imagination of all of our country and i see the ukrainian flag flying here. you will see it also in the streets of london, in villages, in towns across the whole of the uk

on churches, shop windows. you will see the support that the british people have for the people of ukraine. my central message for you today is that that support for your struggle, your struggle to keep your independence is indivisible and will remain, whatever happens in uk politics. and of that i am absolutely certain. us presidentjoe biden says the people of ukraine have inspired the world with their "extraordinary courage and dedication to freedom." in a statement, mr biden says...

he also pledged $3 billion in military aid for ukraine. so let's remind ourselves of how we got here. it all starts with a televised address by president vladimir putin. after months of speculation, he announces a "special military operation" in ukraine. and he appeals to ukrainian soldiers to topple their government. translation: take power into your own hands. i think it will be easier to deal with you than with the drug addicts and neo—nazis that have installed themselves in kyiv. since then — there've been several important milestones. on the 2nd of march, russian forces began their siege of mariupol — a strategic port city in the south. it fell to the russians in may. this is what it looks like now. hundreds were killed in an attack on a theatre there. this is a satellite image showing it beforehand. you can see there were giant letters on either side of the building —

warning in russian that children were inside. this is the un's high commissioner for human rights on that. between february and the end of april mario poll was likely the deadliest place in ukraine. —— mario poll. the extent of his death and injury strongly suggests that serious violations of international humanitarian law and human law have occurred. russia has denied any allegations of war crimes — in mariupol and elsewhere. this is the russian ambassador to the uk speaking to the bbc�*s clive myrie in may. a lot of registered cases within ukraine — a lot of registered cases within ukraine where killing and showing residential areas. ukraine where killing and showing residentialareas. i do ukraine where killing and showing residential areas. i do x step that mariupol— residential areas. i do x step that mariupol is— residential areas. i do x step that mariupol is destroyed by fighting. but you _ mariupol is destroyed by fighting. but you won't except that it is the result of russian forces. it but you won't except that it is the result of russian forces.— result of russian forces. it can be both. result of russian forces. it can be both- this — result of russian forces. it can be both- this is _ result of russian forces. it can be both. this is a _ result of russian forces. it can be both. this is a fight. _ result of russian forces. it can be both. this is a fight. it _ result of russian forces. it can be both. this is a fight. it is - result of russian forces. it can be both. this is a fight. it is i - result of russian forces. it can be both. this is a fight. it is i said, l both. this is a fight. it is i said, russians— both. this is a fight. it is i said, russians are _ both. this is a fight. it is i said, russians are targeting for the

collateral damage is possible. in april, ukrainian forces said that they'd taken back control of the areas around the capital, kyiv. and as they re—entered the areas deserted by russian forces, we saw graphic images of atrocities commited against civilians start to emerge. this is a satellite image from the town of bucha, near kyiv — indicating bodies lying on the streets. meanwhile, russia said that it was shifting its focus to what it called "the liberation of donbas" in the east of the country. this map shows the current situation. russian forces now control all of the luhansk region and continue to make advances in donetsk. but the message from ukraine is that there will be no compromise on territory. we area we are a sovereign state. why should there be a compromise with somebody who went in and talk some about territories? is this the world will live again when one country that has a nuclear weapon can go and take their territories of either countries, kill people and then say,

ok maybe we should have a compromise? is it how the international law working, is it how we as a democratic community of willing to let this happen? gianna bezpiatchuk from bbc ukrainian in kyiv. give us an idea of the atmosphere for ukrainains today? this is one of the most important holidays for ukrainians. but this sist holidays for ukrainians. but this 31st independence day of ukraine doesn't look like a whole day at all. we don't have any parades, concerts, any festivals, any organised events for this day that is very, very typical for ukraine. most of ukrainians were recommended to stay at home during this day and to stay at home during this day and to take very seriously in air raid alarm. for example in kyiv i counted today seven air raid alarms. this is

a lot even for the capital of ukraine. there is a heightened risk of massive missile strikes from the black sea area which is occupied by russia and also from belarus. there is intelligence confirming these risk. this is how the state looks like for ukrainians but this is only one hand of the story. on the other hand, ukrainians today really understand it fully, completely the value of the independence that they have. because underneath this war, this russian invasion, apart from attacks on the military and civilian infrastructure on the city, for ukrainians it's obvious that one of the main targets of this war is also their national identity and their right to have own state to decide how to live in their country, which way to choose. that's why it's really very special independence

day. a little bit sad but at the same time for now it is obvious that this country, these people, even if they have to spend their independence day like this they don't want to finish this war as soon as possible at any possible cost. it's important to secure this independence for ukrainians. there have been renewed _ independence for ukrainians. there have been renewed pledges - independence for ukrainians. there have been renewed pledges from foreign leaders of money and military aid for ukraine. how important are those pledges and how are they seem by the ukrainian people? are they seem by the ukrainian --eole? , . , are they seem by the ukrainian --eole? , ., , ., are they seem by the ukrainian --eole? , . , ., ., people? they are very important. you can often hear— people? they are very important. you can often hear the _ people? they are very important. you can often hear the words _ people? they are very important. you can often hear the words of— can often hear the words of gratitude from ukrainians. it's absolutely understandable, it's clear that after six months of this russian invasion and really cruel and brutal war on the country, all ukrainian resources are going low. and ukraine relies more on the

western supply and support now then ever before. ukrainians obviously want to finish this war as soon as possible. but in a constructive way, to secure the sacred part of it means the country really needs western support and western weapons. first of all, president zelensky yesterday at the press conference told for example ukraine urgently needs more highly mobile military systems, especially systems of long—range. the other is the country needs warplanes, more warplanes. there is a great gratitude and at the same time a great understanding that ukraine needs more supply of western weapons to finish this war as soon as possible. fik. western weapons to finish this war as soon as possible.—

as soon as possible. ok. good to talk to you _ as soon as possible. ok. good to talk to you. thank _ as soon as possible. ok. good to talk to you. thank you _ as soon as possible. ok. good to| talk to you. thank you very much. the southern front, around the occupied city of kherson, is where ukraine says it is planning a counter—offensive. but russian troops are dug in there and ukrainian forces still lack the manpower and the equipment to dislodge the invaders, as quentin sommerville reports. once more into the line of fire and it is just another day for the 59th brigade of defying the odds. this is a sprawling front line, 100 miles long and it has mostly been fought and held by these men. the positions here have not moved in months. they are outgunned and outnumbered but it has been like this from day one and they have grown used to it. they are a range of russian firepower now so they move fast, barely a word spoken, almost without thinking. this brigade helped halt the enemy's sweep across the south. the howitzer is older than most of,

dating from soviet times. but it has almost become a part of life. there's is is a practice. a drumbeat of shelling on the enemy eight miles south. six months on, the question is what is next for ukraine? it needs a win here and says it is planning a counteroffensive here in the south. but with all that foreign military aid and training, has it been enough to give ukraine the breakthrough it needs? the russians are dug in and will be hard to shift and the terrain is not helping, says this nature. translation: the units got it in the neck, the russians - had so much ammunition,

they were shelling a lot. as you can see, this terrain is flat, hard to move around freely. there is nowhere to hide, really, very little cover. he knows what it is like to lose everything and stops to help a teacher stranded by the roadside. translation: | teach kids - so they can learn about the world and learn about all life's wonderful things, but with such a war, when they forced our people to flee, these kids... i have calls with parents. sorry, my tears are just boring. ——pouring they are dispersed across our entire country. tatiana and herfamilyjoin millions of ukrainians trying to escape russian aggression. even so, despite its people being scattered to the four winds, this country has never been more united. for the gun crew it is the end of another day.

six months on, the defenders�* burden gets no lighter. only last week a number of the comrades were killed by russian fire and tonight's blackout carries extra manners. cities across ukraine are on alert. of course this independence day will go noticed by russia. and fear, fear in the south in the east is that ukrainian cities will face a special onslaught. it's 31 years since he left the soviet army, 31 years of ukrainian independence. tonight he is without his wife, daughter and grandchildren and now in london. his shift isn't over but there is time to open a window to a world from here. translation: hello to you.

glory to ukraine! i wish happy independence day. and glory to ukraine! i wish happy independence day.— glory to ukraine! i wish happy independence day. is it independence day. and to you. is it quiet today — independence day. and to you. is it quiet today they — independence day. and to you. is it quiet today they are? _ independence day. and to you. is it quiet today they are? it's _ independence day. and to you. is it quiet today they are? it's war - independence day. and to you. is it quiet today they are? it's war here | quiet today they are? it's war here every day- — quiet today they are? it's war here every day. please, _ quiet today they are? it's war here every day. please, be _ quiet today they are? it's war here every day. please, be strong. - quiet today they are? it's war here every day. please, be strong. i'ml quiet today they are? it's war here l every day. please, be strong. i'm so lad every day. please, be strong. i'm so glad you are — every day. please, be strong. i'm so glad you are somewhere _ every day. please, be strong. i'm so glad you are somewhere safe. - every day. please, be strong. i'm so glad you are somewhere safe. i - every day. please, be strong. i'm so| glad you are somewhere safe. i hope we will see each other again soon. i we will see each other again soon. i wish us a quick victory. thank - wish us a quick victory. thank everyone- _ wish us a quick victory. thank everyone. bye-bye. - wish us a quick victory. thank everyone. bye-bye. for- wish us a quick victory. thank - everyone. bye-bye. for ukrainians wherever they _ everyone. bye-bye. for ukrainians wherever they aren't _ everyone. bye-bye. for ukrainians wherever they aren't there - everyone. bye-bye. for ukrainians wherever they aren't there is - everyone. bye-bye. for ukrainians wherever they aren't there is no i wherever they aren't there is no escape from the war. you notjust fighting for ukraine you're fighting for yourfamily too. we fighting for ukraine you're fighting for your family too. we are fighting not only for our grandchildren but the kids all over the world. i'm

saying this from the heart, my family is in a safe place, i didn't need to fight but children are dying. of course i know that it's dangerous but is it officer i have to be here. this is my sacred duty. this year like millions of others they will mark national day as exiles. ukraine sparks our entry, it celebrations have been silenced. —— parks are empty. it's a muted national day but six months into this war the cause of ukrainian independence is never wrong so far orso independence is never wrong so far or so loudly. the chief constable of the police force investigating the murder of olivia pratt—korbel says his investigation is "progessing at pace". the 9—year—old was shot on monday

by a masked attacker who'd burst into her home. a 35—year—old man, who's thought to have been the intended target of the shooting, has been arrested. the gunman is still at large. danny savage reports. they had for so long to find the killer of olivia pratt—korbel. a stranger enter the home and fired at her mother. somebody knows who did it. police say they been given one name from two different sources. it appears this community is not hesitating to help. information has come forward _ hesitating to help. information has come forward from _ hesitating to help. information has come forward from a _ hesitating to help. information has come forward from a number - hesitating to help. information has come forward from a number of. come forward from a number of sources as well. we've had people come to us, we share that information with police, that has been taken seriously.— been taken seriously. there's re orts been taken seriously. there's reports today _ been taken seriously. there's reports today that _ been taken seriously. there's reports today that a - been taken seriously. there's reports today that a name - been taken seriously. there's| reports today that a name has been taken seriously. there's - reports today that a name has come up reports today that a name has come up from more than one source for that would you say that's your take on it as well? yes. police raids did take place this morning after three

fatal shootings in six days there was a growing tempo of action. the 35—year—old man who police believe was being chased by the gunmen at the time of olivia's death has now been arrested. he isjoseph ni and was detained in the hospitalfor breaching the terms of his release from prison after being jailed for burglary and driving offences. he will now be questions in connection with the nine—year—olds murder. that with the nine-year-olds murder. that man is now — with the nine-year-olds murder. that man is now under _ with the nine—year—olds murder. that man is now under arrest, albeit still receiving medical treatment at this time — still receiving medical treatment at this time i— still receiving medical treatment at this time. i hope that this shows again— this time. i hope that this shows again at— this time. i hope that this shows again at merseyside police as broached around this terrible and tragic— broached around this terrible and tragic crime. it�*s broached around this terrible and tragic crime-— tragic crime. it's still the school holida s tragic crime. it's still the school holidays here _ tragic crime. it's still the school holidays here so _ tragic crime. it's still the school holidays here so behind - tragic crime. it's still the school holidays here so behind closedl tragic crime. it's still the school- holidays here so behind closed doors families are having to explain to young children why they are school friend won't be there at the start of term. ! friend won't be there at the start of term. ., , ., ., of term. i found my daughter-in-iaw, she broke down _ of term. i found my daughter-in-iaw, she broke down and _ of term. i found my daughter-in-iaw, she broke down and she _ of term. i found my daughter-in-iaw, she broke down and she said - of term. i found my daughter-in-iaw, she broke down and she said oh - of term. i found my daughter-in-iaw, she broke down and she said oh how. she broke down and she said oh how am i going to tell? the way she said was, ijust wish am i going to tell? the way she said was, i just wish they were in school

and school would have counsellors. jean's grandson isn't olivia's class school. jean's grandson isn't olivia's class school. , . , jean's grandson isn't olivia's class school. , , ., school. yesterday was terrible for all the children _ school. yesterday was terrible for all the children but _ school. yesterday was terrible for all the children but he _ school. yesterday was terrible for all the children but he was - school. yesterday was terrible for all the children but he was close i school. yesterday was terrible for | all the children but he was close to olivia. being in the same class. the things he was coming out with a nine—year—old, he was very, very sad today. we've asked him how he is, he'sjust today. we've asked him how he is, he's just said, today. we've asked him how he is, he'sjust said, i'm angry. thea;r today. we've asked him how he is, he'sjust said, i'm angry.— he'sjust said, i'm angry. they now live in a crime _ he'sjust said, i'm angry. they now live in a crime scene. _ he'sjust said, i'm angry. they now live in a crime scene. one - he'sjust said, i'm angry. they now live in a crime scene. one visited l live in a crime scene. one visited today by the chief constable who had this message for anyone helping the gunmen. this this message for anyone helping the cunmen. , , ., gunmen. this is the murder of 89-year-old — gunmen. this is the murder of 89-year-old child. _ gunmen. this is the murder of 89-year-old child. those - gunmen. this is the murder of - 89-year-old child. those boundaries 89—year—old child. those boundaries have been_ 89—year—old child. those boundaries have been crossed. you know who's responsible — have been crossed. you know who's responsible for this murder, you know— responsible for this murder, you know who — responsible for this murder, you know who supplied the gun, you know who's_ know who supplied the gun, you know who's called _ know who supplied the gun, you know who's called thisjob know who supplied the gun, you know who's called this job on. know who supplied the gun, you know who's called thisjob on. do know who supplied the gun, you know who's called this job on. do the right— who's called this job on. do the right thing. whose side are you on? give us _ right thing. whose side are you on? give us that name.— give us that name. detectives are repeating their — give us that name. detectives are repeating their message - give us that name. detectives are repeating their message that - give us that name. detectives are repeating their message that this | give us that name. detectives are i repeating their message that this is not a time to stay silent when it

comes to catching the killer of a nine—year—old girl. in the united states, florida democrats have picked us congressman, charlie crist, to take on the state's republican governor, ron desantis in november's midterm elections. the democrats are hoping to eclipse mr desantis — seen as a rising republican star expected run for us president in 202a. anthony, tell us a bit more about mr crist and what the democrats are hoping to do in terms of taking on the republicans.— the republicans. charlie crist has been in florida _ the republicans. charlie crist has been in florida politics _ the republicans. charlie crist has been in florida politics since - the republicans. charlie crist has been in florida politics since the l been in florida politics since the mid—19 905. he actually started as a republican and won the florida governorship in 2006 i5 republican and won the florida governorship in 2006 is a republican. but he switched parties at the republican party had moved away from him, ran for senator, governor, as a

away from him, ran for senator, governor, a5 a democrat, lost both eyes. i think the democrat voters here cho5e crist because i think he still has the ability to reach acro55 still has the ability to reach across the aisle, to attract republican voters and independent voters. he's making his pitch about painting ron desantis is too extreme, they need to be more moderation in florida. whether hill is successful to do that it ought not, that is a big question. in the past elections the results of been decided by about one percentage point. it does balance on and i've said here in florida whenever it comes to state elections. mr ron desantis by _ comes to state elections. mr ron desantis by many _ comes to state elections. mr ron desantis by many seams - comes to state elections. mr ron desantis by many seams is - comes to state elections. mr ron desantis by many seams is a - comes to state elections. mr ron i desantis by many seams is a natural successor to president trump. what sets the two apart and what makes them similar to each other? thea;r them similar to each other? they definitely have _ them similar to each other? they definitely have stylistic _ definitely have stylistic similarities with the ron desantis who is in the government manchin up in tallahassee and donald trump spent a lot of time here at mara loto. they like to lean into cultural issues, they like to throw

red meat to the base. i think where ron desantis may differ is he it has eight more policy detailed mind. he pays attention more to the mechanics of governing and implementing policy where donald trump is much more of a big picture kind of a show man. we will see if rhonda santos enters into a presidential race in 20 —— ron desantis, whether that type of difference will be able to resonate with republican voters. what difference will be able to resonate with republican voters.— difference will be able to resonate with republican voters. what are the votes have we _ with republican voters. what are the votes have we seen _ with republican voters. what are the votes have we seen of— with republican voters. what are the votes have we seen of the _ with republican voters. what are the votes have we seen of the last i votes have we seen of the last couple days? tell us which direction the political wind is blowing in the us. ~ ., the political wind is blowing in the us. . ., ., , the political wind is blowing in the us. ., ., , us. we had an interesting special congressional— us. we had an interesting special congressional election _ us. we had an interesting special congressional election in - us. we had an interesting special congressional election in new. us. we had an interesting special. congressional election in new york for a congressional seat thatjoe biden won byjust over a percentage point in 2020. as a democrat running against a republican. a lot of people thought the republican could win because this could be a republican wave election but the democrat won. it shows is going to be of hartford midterm election in november. it be of hartford midterm election in november. it will in deed. --

hard-fought _ november. it will in deed. -- hard-fought midterm - november. it will in deed. -- l hard-fought midterm election. we will be back in a few minutes with more outside source. stay with us on the bbc. hello. wednesday certainly brought as a mixed day weather wise. some of us have seen a lot of clout and outbreaks of rain, other areas the cloud has been well broken and plenty of sunshine coming through. this was norfork a little bit earlier on. we've had similar conditions apart of ireland and scotland. but we have that rain around an overnight tonight that rain will be edging its way towards the southeast of england were could be quite heavy and thundery. things are turning gradually fresher as this one france weaves its way slowly towards the southeast, humid air gets cleared away to the near continent and fresher air heads and from the atlantic. a bit of a change in the field to the weather but still quite muggy overnight across east anglia on the southeast with up lots of copper salt to the second

half of tonight heavy thundery downpours move in and across the isle of wight towards canted into norfork. localised flooding in fact is a lot of rain falls over quite a small space of time. most of us see a bit of a fresher night out there but still 16, 17 degrees with the likes of norge and london to start thursday morning. thursday morning, heavy showers and a thunderstorm across much of southeast england. the london regent, suffolk, norfolk as well. gradually that rain will start to ease her way towards the north and east as we head on into the afternoon but it may leave a lot of standing water around for the rest of the uk largely drive from the word go. by the afternoon we are all in mostly dry weather with some sunny spells. light winds, a touch fresher where it's been muggy in the south and the ease for the 15 to 2a degrees are a top temperature on thursday afternoon. heading on through thursday night and into friday we've got a number of weather front, you'll see it moving its way in. it's quite a weak affair, moving into an area of higher pressures so

it's tending to fizzle out as it does so but it will bring a bit more cloud and a flu splashes of shelly raiford northern ireland, western scotland, western fridge and of england are well on friday. central and eastern england likely to have a dry day with long spells of sunshine put up such i'm returning to northern scotland and northern ireland. top temperatures between around 15 to 25 degrees, north to south on friday. typicalfor this time of year, it will feel pleasant in the spells of sunshine. it looks like most of us, the dry settled whether holes are notjust through the weekend before much of the weekend to as high pressure is going to be dominating the weather. bye for now.

hello, i'm maryam moshiri, this is outside source. it's been six months since russia began its invasion of ukraine — and with it, the biggest war in europe since world war ii. president zelensky remains defiant. translation: we have been holding stron: for translation: we have been holding strong for six — translation: we have been holding strong for six months, _ translation: we have been holding strong for six months, it's _ translation: we have been holding strong for six months, it's tough i strong for six months, it's tough but we have clenched our fists and we are fighting for our destiny. every new day is a reason not to give up. every new day is a reason not to give up. but russia's international isolation continues — foreign companies have pulled out, airlines have slashed flights and independent media has all but disappeared. it destroyed everything i was doing, all of my business will stop even though we live are far from the military operations we have a

profound grief that people are dying. h0 profound grief that people are d inc. ., ., ., profound grief that people are dying. no matter what nationality the are. no matter what nationality they are. also in the programme: fighting erupts again along the border of ethiopia's northern tigray region, shattering a five—month truce. we'll be live in addis ababa. and thailand's prime minister is suspended by the country's constitutional court while it considers whether he's ruled for too long. with some breaking news. ukraine's president _ with some breaking news. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky has said that _ president volodymyr zelensky has said that at least 15 people have been _ said that at least 15 people have been killed and 50 wounded in a russian — been killed and 50 wounded in a russian rail strike on a rail station _ russian rail strike on a rail station. ~ ., �* ., ., , ., station. we don't have any more details of exactly _ station. we don't have any more details of exactly where - station. we don't have any more details of exactly where station l station. we don't have any more | details of exactly where station is orany details of exactly where station is or any more details on how the strike was carried out, what we do know is according to mr zelensky has

said that 15 people have been killed and at least 50 people have been injured in these strikes. we will bring you more on that story as and when we get it here. president putin invaded ukraine six months ago today — unleashing the biggest war in europe since world war ii. he said his goal was to "demilitarise and denazify" ukraine. it's a message he's repeated throughout conflict — we heard him say it in his first address after attacking ukraine on february the 24th. the people's republic of donbas asked russia for help. in this regard, under article 51, part 7th of the charter of the united nations, with the approval of the russian state federal council, and in accordance with the friendship and mutual assistance treaties with the donetsk people's republic and the luhansk people's republic, ratified by the russian parliament on february 22, i decided to conduct a special military operation.

it aims to protect people who have been bullied and subjected to genocide by the kyiv regime for eight years. for that, we will strive to de—militarise and de—nazify ukraine. the kremlin anticipated a lightning takeover — and speedy ousting of president zelensky. that didn't happen. there were multiple strategic problems. within days this huge convoy of russian tanks stalled outside the capital — kyiv — which was braced for an onslaught. and within a month putin withdrew the convoy and diverted it to the east and south. here's our defence co—respondent jonathan beale on what happened next. by by april russia was retreating from the north to refocus its offensive in the east. but even there, it's been a slow progress. it wasn't until earlyjuly that the russians managed to cap capture the entire luhansk region. ukraine is still holding on to parts of neighbouring donetsk. in the south, russia has

captured the cities of marie pole which ukraine has been preparing for a counteroffensive. six months on this is the limit of russia's advances. six months on — the war has ground to a halt — while the human and financial costs grow. although it's impossible to knowjust how many casualties there have been — we can estimate that around 9,000 ukrainian soldiers have died. and as many as 25,000 russians. meanwhile pictures of atrocities — and potential russian war crime — mount. the bbc�*s sarah rainsford saw evidence of this at a children's camp at bucha in may. this is a place where dark acts were committed. civilians tortured and killed. by russian soldiers fighting a war in which they break all the rules. like they don't know them or even care. we were shown under ground to where five men were held

captive than a shot in the head. in the gloom we sure the chilling evidence. the men's bodies were found kneeling here, beaten, their hands tied behind their backs. it is cold, it's damp and it is dark down here. where the five men must�*ve spent most terrifying moment of their lives. we still don't have a full picture of exactly what happened but the evidence we found here, it's clearly that they were executed. the kremlin insists that it's invasion in ukraine isn't a war and that it's a �*military operation' going to plan. evgeny popov is an mp for the governing united russia party. in an interview with the bbc he echoed that message. you're asking me about the victory. i think it's going to be soon. it's going to be the victory of russia,

of course, and we we will get our security guarantees from western world. that is it. that is all we need. that is all we need. the message coming from inside russia isn't surprising. since the start of the invasion — president putin has launched a crackdown on dissent and information. this was a rare anti—war rally against the invasion back in march. that same month the kremlin criminalised independent war reporting and dissenting social media posts — with a 15—year—old jail term. and that crackdown continues. today russian opposition politician yevgeny roizman was arrested in yekaterinburg — accused of discrediting the russian armed forces — by calling the invasion a "war". he's already been fined several times for protesting against the kremlin. according to one leading rights group, 16,000 people have been detained in protests since february. maria butina was convicted in the us of serving as an unregistered foreign agent before and after the 2016 election.

she was released in 2019 and returned to russia where she's now an mp for the governing party. her position is clear. independent media does exist in russia. when we talk about ukraine, we have a law that says you cannot just make you can't talk about things about the special military operation that would cause that... like russia surrenders and stuff but this is our national security question. so this is the law that has passed today. what the west is doing isjust banning people for their opinion. this is not normal. you know. iam their opinion. this is not normal. you know. i am one of these authors of the law that actually says that all of the information in place about the special military operation should be proved so you don't put online so you don't put fake news.

this is a law against fake news. many inside russia and the west disagree. but there's no doubt president putin's war has turned the lives of many russians upside down. this is moscow. hundreds of foreign companies have shut down. food prices have jumped. airlines have slashed flights to near zero and are laying off pilots. in all, we're told more than 300,000 russians have fled russia. this is the view of two russians still in the country. translation: it's destroyed everything — translation: it's destroyed everything i _ translation: it's destroyed everything i was _ translation: it's destroyed everything i was doing. i translation: it's destroyed everything i was doing. all. translation: it's destroyed everything i was doing. all ofj translation: it's destroyed - everything i was doing. all of my business. i am an it specialist, i was in start—ups and all eight of my projects were destroyed. now i am looking for ways to relocate. it's irrational, not emotional. —— it's rational. irrational, not emotional. -- it's rational. �* , irrational, not emotional. -- it's rational. v . . , irrational, not emotional. -- it's rational. �*, . ., , rational. it's clear everything has chanced rational. it's clear everything has changed everything _ rational. it's clear everything has changed everything has - rational. it's clear everything has changed everything has become| rational. it's clear everything has i changed everything has become more expensive _ changed everything has become more expensive. but we are taking it calmly — expensive. but we are taking it calmly. that's not the main thing. the fact— calmly. that's not the main thing. the fact is— calmly. that's not the main thing. the fact is that we belong to a generation whose childhood was spent at war—

generation whose childhood was spent at war and _ generation whose childhood was spent at war and we are very sad that in old age _ at war and we are very sad that in old age we — at war and we are very sad that in old age we are also at war. even though— old age we are also at war. even though we — old age we are also at war. even though we live far from military operations we have profound grief that people are dying. no matter what _ that people are dying. no matter what nationality they are. no matter what nationality they are. but while experts argue western sanctions are working — they also argue that they haven't crushed the economy — yet. according to the imf russia's economy will contract by 6 percent this year that's less than the 10% economists were initially forecasting. so the impact hasn't been as bad. which may explain an independent poll out last month which found 43% of russians are paying little to no attention to events in ukraine. with me is sarah rainsford was the bbc�*s moscow correspondent and was forced to leave russia in august last year. it's unbelievable that nearly half of russians in this poll don't pay any attention to what is going on? i think there are a few possible reasons to that. some might have just decided that so far beyond their control and survive away from

their control and survive away from the day—to—day lives that theyjust decided to park it and not think about it. they don't support the war may be or may be slightly supported but they just have may be or may be slightly supported but theyjust have moved it out of consciousness. but the other thing is, you spoke about the sanctions, sanctions take a long time to have an impact. we have heard about so many foreign companies leaving the market, business, trades, stopping. people i speak to in russia, lots of them have said life hasn't really changed that much. in particular in places like moscow and saint petersburg, the big cities. it's not like people are discussing the war on every corner. it's not like there are masses of billboards about the war everywhere all the faces of soldiers that are coming down from tv screens. it's kind of not really on the day—to—day agenda and we sanctions aren't really affecting so many people. it doesn't really change their lives. yet at the same time, as you mentioned, a lot of people, particularly the critics of this war, the dissenting voices in russia, those people have been

forced to leave the country because it is a criminal now to call the war on a wall. to call the invasion and invasion. it's dangerous to protest against what is happening in ukraine if you don't agree with it. do against what is happening in ukraine if you don't agree with it.— if you don't agree with it. do you think we will— if you don't agree with it. do you think we will see _ if you don't agree with it. do you think we will see a _ if you don't agree with it. do you think we will see a more - if you don't agree with it. do you think we will see a more of i if you don't agree with it. do you think we will see a more of an i think we will see a more of an impact of the sanctions as time goes by? i impact of the sanctions as time goes b ? ~' impact of the sanctions as time goes b ? ~ �* , impact of the sanctions as time goes b 7 ~ �* , ., , by? i think it's inevitable it. it does take _ by? i think it's inevitable it. it does take time. _ by? i think it's inevitable it. it does take time. these - by? i think it's inevitable it. it does take time. these things| by? ithink it's inevitable it. it- does take time. these things don't kick in and the economic effect is into media. it does take time for that to affect people. i think that vladimir putin will be keen to shelter people as far as possible from the impact of those sanctions to try to keep this... to keep up the pretence that things are normal and things are going to plan. that everything is ok. because he does note that support for this war is clear from state television, from the messaging of officials but amongst the population, i would say, it's not that deep. it doesn't go that deep. this is a supposition. this is what i am extrapolating from what i am hearing from people. but as soon as the numbers of people

dying is spoken about on a big scale, as soon as the economic sanctions hit harder, then i think that support will begin to crack. at the moment vladimir putin is appealing to the idea russia has a great power, russia back and showing that it won't be humiliated by the west and it won't be told what to do. throwing its weight around. once people start to feel the pain, blood putin knows that support is relatively superficial. it's still, kind of, early days even though we are six months into the conflict. brush has never been an easy place to be anti—government, even harder since february? to be anti-government, even harder since february?— to be anti-government, even harder since february? yes. definitely. you mentioned someone _ since february? yes. definitely. you mentioned someone who _ since february? yes. definitely. you mentioned someone who was i since february? yes. definitely. you mentioned someone who was a i since february? yes. definitely. you i mentioned someone who was a famous regional opposition politician and i thought today when i saw the news he was detained. he called the invasion and invasion. he has been prosecuted for this word. he faces several years injail if he is found guilty. my years injail if he is found guilty. my reaction to that was, every time you see a critic or a dissenter,

somebody who using social media to criticise the authorities, you think, how come they are still in russia, how come they are not behind bars yet? he was the last one standing will stop the most prominent figure still standing and now he is pine boughs, hejoins other very famous opposition figures. other men who have been jailed for the similarjudges. so it is extremely difficult now to vocally and openly criticise what the kremlin and what vladimir putin is doing in ukraine. share the kremlin and what vladimir putin is doing in ukraine.— is doing in ukraine. are you getting a sense that _ is doing in ukraine. are you getting a sense that all _ is doing in ukraine. are you getting a sense that all more _ is doing in ukraine. are you getting a sense that all more russians... l a sense that all more russians... that is more russians are keen to leave? ., _, , ., leave? living in a country long time is difficult. leave? living in a country long time is difficult- i — leave? living in a country long time is difficult. i think _ leave? living in a country long time is difficult. i think the _ leave? living in a country long time is difficult. i think the people i leave? living in a country long time is difficult. i think the people who l is difficult. i think the people who left first were the obvious critics, the people who knew they would be facing prosecution, people who were already facing prosecution. many journalists left too. independent journalism is almost impossible inside russia today. it was always getting tough. this is something

that has been incremental but the war has allowed vladimir putin and given him an excuse to clamp down on those final little chance of a freedom that were left. a lot of people have left. run lot of russians are trying to get out to go on holiday abroad. there is a big discussion now that that you should be giving tourist visas to russians, whether people should be allowed to enjoy holidays in europe whilst at the country is prosecuting a war in europe. lots of discussion about that at the moment. but in terms of those leaving, i think the immediate flight has happened and it seems to have settled down now.— have settled down now. thank you very much- — to ethiopia, where fighting has broken out between the army and rebel forces in the country's north, shattering a months—long ceasefire. it's a blow to mediation efforts to end the conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of civilians and displaced millions since late 2020. the warring sides are blaming each other for shattering the five—month—old truce.

the ethiopian government says forces from the northern tigray region started the new outbreak of fighting. but the tigrayans accuse the government of launching a new offensive along the border with the neighbouring amhara region to the south of tigray. this analyst says many fear the fighting is the start of a new wave of violence. certainly people are nervous that this could happen and the parties are way too far from each other in terms of how they interpret a possible settlement. the tigray regional authorities are expecting a full scale offensive on their western front. and then the big question is whether eritrea will engage once again to attack tigray. the tigray regional authorities have said that if this offensive is not stopped immediately, we will take measures to defend ourselves. addis ababa say its forces have shot down an independent plane. there is no confirmation about this however.

lets go to ethiopia now. first of all, we would just like we really don't know the extent to which renewed fighting has erupted, there isn't much evidence to tell us how bad things are. we just know things have started up again haven't they? yes indeed. what we know so far is the fighting has reignited and after months of small progress that have been made in terms of resolving this disc conflict, we are now back into active fighting. both sides are blaming each other and we understand that they have been a movement of military and borders between tigray and amhara. we are once again back in the warfronts and amhara. we are once again back in the war fronts rather than on the table trying to end this really brutal civil war.—

table trying to end this really brutal civil war. , , ., ., ., brutal civil war. give us an idea of where this — brutal civil war. give us an idea of where this all— brutal civil war. give us an idea of where this all started _ brutal civil war. give us an idea of where this all started for - brutal civil war. give us an idea of where this all started for people | where this all started for people who may not know. to where this all started for people who may not know.— where this all started for people who may not know. to give a little bit of a background, _ who may not know. to give a little bit of a background, this _ who may not know. to give a little bit of a background, this is - who may not know. to give a little bit of a background, this is civil i bit of a background, this is civil war began back in late 2020. it started in the north and spread southwards and eastwards towards humid regions. it's been going on for close to two years now. it has unleashed a massive humanitarian crisis. tens of thousands are believed to have been killed and there have been allegations of atrocities and accusations of war crimes have been thrown at both warring parties as well. and now, it seems a long the southern areas bordering amhara, this renewed fighting and renewed clashes are being reported. stand

fighting and renewed clashes are being reported-— fighting and renewed clashes are being reported. and where, if it is auoin to being reported. and where, if it is going to happen — being reported. and where, if it is going to happen imminently, i being reported. and where, if it is going to happen imminently, do l being reported. and where, if it is i going to happen imminently, do you think the road to peace is going to come from?— think the road to peace is going to come from? , , ., ., , , come from? this is going to be very hue blow come from? this is going to be very huge blow and _ come from? this is going to be very huge blow and a _ come from? this is going to be very huge blow and a hurdle _ come from? this is going to be very huge blow and a hurdle towards i huge blow and a hurdle towards ending this war in peace. there have been progress made but both sides have not been on the same page. the government has been insistent on saying the african union should... while the other forces are saying that the african union cannot bring peace to the region. they are favouring neighbouring kenya to be a sort of intermediate in this. but they have been into rational pressures on both sides —— make international pressures. now we have to wait and see how this renewed clashes are going to impact this efforts to bring peace. still clashes are going to impact this efforts to bring peace.— efforts to bring peace. still to come on the _

efforts to bring peace. still to come on the programme. i efforts to bring peace. still to l come on the programme. china efforts to bring peace. still to - come on the programme. china gentle giant of the sea. more than 3 million households eligible for a one—off—payment to help with energy bills hadn't received their money by early july, the bbc has found. £150 is going to households in council tax bands a to d. our consumer affairs correspondent colletta smith reports. one, two... holiday club is in full swing. but at this community centre in kirkdale, the parents have different numbers on their mind. with the electricity, i've been putting a lot more in. and especially if you've got a drier. i've had my drier on i think once and you could see the numbers going down quick. have either if you managed to get hold of the £150 yet? no, it's still at home. i got a letter the other day, it's on my to—do list. sitting on top of my worktop

for when i get home. and michelle is not the only one. here in liverpool, 200,000 households who don't have a direct debit have had to apply online to get hold of the £150 they are entitled to. councils have contacted people in different ways. some ask you to apply online, others say call up. some are asking bank details, others have said to check in the post. but those that got money to people at the quickest are those that sent vouchers to cash in here. back in liverpool those extra steps before getting the cash i've been a barrier for many people here. well there at the coal face, they're the most needy. it's on a website and people don't necessarily have internet access. if it's payment through a bank account, they don't necessarily have a bank account. does it feel like you've had extra work to do to deliver this government policy? yes, absolutely. without any additional funding to do that. liverpool like many other councils say payments are

stilling being processed but the government says money should be given him as quickly as possible. as the autumn price rise creeps closer millions of those most in need are still waiting for the money that was supposed to help them through the summer. colletta smith, bbc news. this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is: 15 people have been killed and a rock as in ukraine as the country marks its traditional independence day and six months since russia launched its invasion. let's move to thailand now. to thailand, where the country's top court has suspended prime minister prayuth chanocha from official duty while it considers a legal challenge to his term limit. opposition parties have filed a case arguing that mr prayuth, who's been in charge since 2014, has overstayed his tenure.

the arguments hinge on when the prime minister's term actually began: eight years ago, when he was formally appointed prime minister following his military coup, five years ago when the new charter on term limits was enacted, or even three years ago, after the first post—coup election saw him reinstated. if the court decides his term began in 2014, then it should end this week, but analysts don't think he's going anywhere soon. it's safe to say there is a high likelihood that he will be let off, he will be exonerated, the constitutional court most likely will find some technicality to let him continue. because the court has decided in favour or not. here is our self east asia correspondent.

this is the first time since ages ago that the opposition has been able to pry his fingers of power. it's only a temporary suspension whilst the constitution considers whether or not he has completed the maximum term. he did become per minister ages ago after the coup. or whether his term only started out in the new constitution came into play five years ago. given the way thailand does make a cup court has ruled in the past. almost always in favour of the government and against the composition. i think most people will expect it will not remove him from the promised office an hour. but ireland is my politics does feel very unsettled at the moment. a new election must be held within the next six months and he has a lot less popular than he used to be. people are tide of his authoritarian leadership style. he has been unable to address long—term economic challenges that face is this country full stop i think there is quite a strong desire for change. even his

own party has been split into factions, they have been attempts by his own party to challenge him in parliament. it is possible they may not see him as an election winner and may look for someone else. so while he may come through this particular challenge to his rule, it's not at all clear that he will be able to come through and keep a job after the next election. researchers say the dugong — a marine mammal also known as the gentle giant of the sea — is now extinct in china. a cousin of the manatee — they have been over—hunted, and the sea grass they feed on has been destroyed. the scientists behind the study say it's a devastating blow for the animals, which are classed as vulnerable on the international species red list. dr heidi ma is a postdoctoral researcher at zsl�*s institute of zoology and an author of the study. it's really a sad story and an

important one to tell, not only to the countries affected but at the societal level. yet, as we say in dubai, it's a very special animal, a marine animal. a very large bodied, up marine animal. a very large bodied, up to two metres in length and weighing up to 360 kilograms. they are only found in shallow waters and tropical seas. primarily in the indian to pacific ocean. they are strictly vegetarian, the only marine mammals that are only feeding on seagrass. it makes them dependent on areas that do have healthy seagrass beds. yes, they are known as sea cows, or gentle giants of the sea. they don't harm people at all. they are believed to be the inspiration for many mermaid legends that is in many cultures. for many mermaid legends that is in many cultures-— many cultures. that's it from us, ou have many cultures. that's it from us, you have been — many cultures. that's it from us, you have been watching - many cultures. that's it from us, you have been watching bbc, i many cultures. that's it from us, | you have been watching bbc, stay with us wherever you are, goodbye for now.

hello, wednesday certainly brought us a mixed day weather wise, some of us a mixed day weather wise, some of us have seen a lot of cloud and outbreaks of rain, in other areas the cloud has been well broken and many have had sunshine. we've also had similar conditions across parts of northern ireland and scotland. but we have got some rain around and overnight tonight that rain will be edging its way towards his south—east of england where it could be quite heavy and thundery too. and things are turning gradually fresher as this weather front is weaves its way slowly towards the south—east, a humid air gets cleared away to the near continent and fresher air heads in from the atlantic. so a bit of a change in the feel to the weather but still quite muggy overnight across east anglia and the south—east. so a lot of cloud for england

and wales, outbreaks of patchy rain. through the second half of the night heavy, thundery downpours move in across the aisle of wight, towards kent, into norfork as well. could be some localised flooding in fact is a lot of rain falls over a small space of time. most of us see a bit of a fresher night out there but still 16, 17 degrees for night out there, norwich and london to start thursday morning. let's take a look at thursday morning, heavy showers and thunderstorms across much of south—east england, the london region, suffolk, norfork. gradually that rain will start to ease away towards the north in the east as we head on into the afternoon but it may leave a lot of standing water around. but for the rest of the uk largely dry from the word go. and by the afternoon we are all in the mostly dry weather was with some sunny spells and light winds too. a touch fresher than recent days, especially where it's been quite muggy and the south and the east. 15 to 2a degrees our top temperature on thursday afternoon. heading on through thursday night into friday we got another weather front, you can see it here, which is going to be moving its way in. it's quite a weak affair, it's moving into an area of higher pressure so it's

tending to fizzle out as it does so. but it will bring a bit more cloud and a few splashes of showers rain for northern ireland, perhaps southwest scotland, western fringes of england and wales on friday too. central and eastern england, you're likely to have another dry day with long spells of sunshine. and sunshine returning to northern scotland and northern ireland as well. top temperature between around 15 to 25 degrees, north to south on friday. reasonably typical this time of year, it will feel really quite pleasant in those spells of sunshine. it looks like most of us the dry, settled whether holds on, notjust through the weekend but through much of next week too as high pressure is going to be dominating the weather. bye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 8pm. the intended victim of the gunman who killed nine—year—old of olivia pratt—korbel has been named. 35—year—old, joseph nee, who was on probation was injured in monday's gun fight. he's been detained in hospital by the police and will be questioned. we the police and will be questioned. need everybody and we need everybody to come forward and we need everybody to stand united side by side with us the police to identify those responsible, getting the evidence and bring them to justice. a milestone in the war in ukraine — as the uk and the united states provide another package of military support. six months on and the question is, what's next for ukraine. it says the

counteroffensive here in the south but