tonight at ten... six months since russia invaded ukraine, at least 15 people ukraine, at least 22 people are killed and 50 others injured in a russian strike on a railway station in the east of the country. after months of fighting, ukraine continues to maintain a strong resistance to russian forces. we have a special report from the southern front. six months on, the question is, what's next for ukraine? well, it needs a win here and it says... munitions explode. ..that it's planning a counter—offensive in the south. borisjohnson in ukraine with president zelensky, he says the ukrainian people are paying in blood to resist russia. also on the programme... police in liverpool arrest a man who was targeted by a gunman in a shooting that left

a nine—year—old girl dead. olivia pratt—korbel died on monday night after two men, one armed with a gun, ran into her house. joseph nee, a former drug dealer and believed to be the target of the attack, has been arrested. the police are appealing for more information. and a fine of £1,000 faces anyone who breaches a hosepipe ban imposed by thames water in the south of england from today. coming up on the bbc news channel rangers seek to make the group stages of the champions league for the first time in over ten years. good evening. at least 22 people have been killed and around 50 others injured in a russian strike on a railway station in the east of ukraine.

it comes exactly six months after russia launched its full—scale invasion of the country. the head of the un antonio guterres said it was a "sad and tragic milestone". the conflict has had a huge human cost — the un says there have been more than 5,500 thousand civilian deaths, but the true number is likely to be far more. earlier this week, the head of ukraine's military said nearly 9,000 of its personnel have been killed. estimates of russian military deaths vary wildly but the uk government said injune that at least 25,000 troops had died. russia controls ukrainian territory in the south and east and ukraine says it is planning a counter—offensive around the occupied city of kherson. but russian troops are dug in there and ukrainian forces lack the manpower and equipment to dislodge them, as quentin sommerville reports. once more into the line of fire and it's just another day, for the 59th brigade,

of defying the odds. this is a sprawling front line, it's over 100 miles long, and it's mostly being fought and held by these men, gun crews. but the positions here haven't moved in months. they're outgunned and outnumbered, but it's been like this from day one. they've grown used to it. they're now in range of russian firepower, so they move fast, barely a word spoken, almost without thinking. it was this brigade who helped halt the enemy's sweep across the south. their howitzer is older than most of them — it dates from soviet times. but it's almost become a part of them. theirs is a practised rhythm. a drumbeat of shelling on the enemy eight miles south. six months on, the question is, what's next for ukraine?

well, it needs a win here and it says it's planning a counter—offensive here in the south. but with all that foreign military aid and with all that foreign military training, has it been enough to give ukraine the breakthrough it needs here? the russians are dug in and will be hard to shift. and the terrain isn't helping, says major tsehotskyi. translation: the unit got it in the neck. - the russians have so much ammunition. they were shelling a lot. as you can see, this terrain is flat. it's hard to move around freely. there is nowhere to hide, really. there's very little cover. he knows what it's like to lose everything and stops to help a teacher stranded by the roadside. translation: | teach kids - so they can learn about the world, so they can 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 pouring. they are dispersed across our entire country. tatiana and herfamilyjoin the millions of ukrainians trying to escape russian aggression. even so, though, despite its people being scattered to the four winds, this country has never been more united. for the gun crew, it's the end of another day. six months on, the defenders' burden gets no lighter. 0nly last week, a number of their comrades were killed by russian fire, and tonight's blackout carries with it extra menace. cities across ukraine are on alert. of course, this independence day won't go unnoticed by russia tonight, and the fear

here in the south and across 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, major tsehotskyi is without his family. his wife, daughter and grandchildren are now all in london. but there's time to open a window into a world away from here. translation: hello to you. glory to ukraine. glory to heroes. i wish you a happy independence day. and to you. translation: is it quiet today there? | it's war here every day. please, be strong. i'm so glad you're somewhere safe. i hope we'll see each other again soon. i wish us a quick victory.

for everyone. bye— bye. for ukrainians, wherever they are, there is no escape from the war. you're notjust fighting for ukraine, you're fighting for your family, too? translation: we are fighting not only for our grandchildren - but for 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 as an officer, i have to be here. this is my sacred duty. this year, like millions of others, the major�*s family will mark independence day as exiles. ukraine's parks are empty. its celebrations have been silenced.

for major tsehotskyi, it's a muted national day, but six months into this war, the cause of ukrainian independence has never rung so far or so loudly. quentin somerville, bbc news, in southern ukraine. on a visit to ukraine's capital, kyiv, borisjohnson said the west's role in countering russian aggression included uk households having to endure soaring energy prices. in a meeting with president zelensky, mrjohnson said the west must "stay the course" and that people in ukraine are paying with blood. here's our ukraine correspondent james waterhouse. a day for ceremony and ukraine's leader to pay his respects. but his kyiv is quiet. where there would usually be a military parade sit static russian tanks. this is ukraine's fragile

independence day. still room for a surprise guest and a thank you for being one of the country's biggest military backers. just how independent do you think your country is, given russia's continued grip on large parts of your territory, given your heavy dependence on weapons from the west? just how independent is ukraine? translation: we are independent today as much as possible. - i think our resilience over these 30 years, our independence over these 30 years, is now the most serious, at the peak, in the very heart of independence. we have never been so strong as a nation and as a state. the united states has announced yet another military package, with £2.5 billion, which includes anti—drone systems. the uk prime minister announced a £54 million one of his own and rejected reports which suggested european support

for ukraine was drying up because of the living crisis. if we are paying in our energy bills for the evils of vladimir putin, the people of ukraine are paying in their blood. and that's why we know we must stay the course. president zelensky is using this independence day to thank some of his biggest military supporters, but he knows borisjohnson�*s successor will come under growing pressure to address the more immediate cost of living crisis, despite this war being one of the biggest causes. for ukraine, the war only brings devastation, tonight claiming russia struck a train station in the southeastern dnipropetrovsk region, killing at least 22 people. this marks a junction in this war for ukraine, reeta, given that so

many western countries are facing a difficult winter. but many western countries are facing a difficult winter.— difficult winter. but ukraine is also concerned _ difficult winter. but ukraine is also concerned about - difficult winter. but ukraine is also concerned about the - also concerned about the normalisation of this war. back in february, it felt like in this city that we would soon see russian tanks and soldiers wandering the streets. now, we find ourselves in this constant conflict of artillery. and that you have to look at the russian side, look at the eight years of aggression they have waged on this country. they are no strangers to digging into conflicts for the long haul, and that is kyiv�*s biggest concern. james waterhouse reporting. there are more updates, news and analysis on the war in ukraine on bbc news online. head to bbc.co.uk/news or use the bbc news app. here, the chief constable of merseyside police says the investigation into the murder of olivia pratt—korbel is progressing at pace. the nine—year—old was shot on monday evening by a masked attacker who'd burst into her home. joseph nee, a former drug dealer

who's thought to have been the intended target of the shooting, has been arrested. the gunman is still at large. our correspondent danny savage is at the scene. reeta, it is exactly 48 hours it seems the awful events in the street behind me, but as you can see, the blue and white police tape is still there, still several streets sealed off, it is a large crime scene. as for people living here, shock and disbelief i think is quickly turning to anger that such an awful event could happen to a nine—year—old child living in their community, and it is clear that information is flowing from the people here to the police. the hunt is still on to find the killer of olivia pratt—korbel. tonight her family have released these pictures of the nine—year—old. a cousin described her as crazy, beautiful and full of sass. somebody knows who shot her. police say they have been given one name from two different sources.

it appears this community is not hesitating to help. information has come forward from a number of sources, as well. we had people coming to us, we have shared that information with police, that has been taken seriously. there are reports today that a name has come up from more than one source. would you say that is your take on it, as well? yes. police raids did take place this morning. after three fatal shootings in six days, there is a growing tempo of action. a 35—year—old man who police believe was being chased by the gunman at the time of olivia's death has now been arrested in hospital. joseph nee, who was also shot, was out of prison on licence. he had beenjailed for burglary and driving offences. he was also sent to prison in 2009 for being part of a drugs gang. he will be questioned about the events surrounding olivia's murder and recalled to prison for allegedly

breaching his licence conditions. that man is now under arrest, albeit he is still receiving medical treatment at this time. i hope that this shows again merseyside police's approach around this terrible and tragic crime. it is still the school holidays here, so behind closed doors, families are having to explain to young children why their school friend will not be there at the start of term. i phoned my daughter—in—law and she broke down and she said, "how am i going to tell...?" the words she said was, "i just wish they were in school, and school would have. . . " they have counsellors, don't they? jean's grandson is in olivia's class at 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 have asked him how he is and he'sjust said, "i'm angry." they now live in a crime scene, one visited today by the chief constable, who had this message for anyone helping the gunman. this is the murder of a nine—year—old child. those boundaries have been crossed. you know who is responsible for this murder. you know who supplied the gun. you know who called this job on. do the right thing. whose side are you on? give us that name. detectives are 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. danny savage, bbc news, liverpool. a week of shootings and stabbings has left many people in liverpool reeling with shock and feeling unsafe in their community. but how serious a problem is gang culture there?

our special correspondent ed thomas has this report. a warning it contains distressing and violent images. the relentless search for evidence, armed police for all to see. this is liverpool right now. a message to the killer and anyone protecting him as the full picture, the moments before olivia's killing, become clear. we have obtained this cctv, recordings moments before the shooting. gunshots. two shots ring out. gunshot. then a third. by now, the gunman has entered olivia's home and is struggling with her mother. before a fourth shot. gunshot. then, two and a half minutes later, look at the top of the screen. feet.

slowed down, you can see reflections of trainers run past the car. police have seen this footage as pressure intensifies on those responsible. sicarius was part of an organised crime gang in liverpool, jailed for violence and gun offences. now rehabilitated, he has started to work with gang members to turn their lives around. given an innocent person has been killed, and it is a child, there will be a lot of fear. gangs will be doing what they can to protect the perpetrator, that is what gangs do, but saying that, there will be others in the criminal fraternity trying to put this individual in and give details covertly. from a gang perspective, cases like this, the perpetrators are always caught. it is only a matter of time before he will be caught. there are now three murder investigations in liverpool, three killings in a week. first, 22—year—old sam rimmer

was shot in a street. 28—year—old ashley dale, the unintended target, was shot in her own garden. as reported violent crime rises in liverpool to above pre—covid levels. this was filmed last month. a daytime shooting in liverpool. watch again. behind the "of the victims shot in his back and leg while to the right, a passer—by picked up their dog to run. this extreme violence echoes through communities, the indiscriminate use of guns on top of the grief of families. there is a real sense of fear left behind. take amy and her daughter ava, on the school run, past the police cordon, the crime scene. their journey theirjourney home is now a crime scene. she is petrified, does not want to come out. how are you calming her down?

i'm telling her that she is safe and i have hold of her and she'll be fine, everything will be ok. it's not fair on them whatsoever. not whatsoever at all. our kids have to grow up into this place. we want them to be safe and not fear for their lives when walking to the shops or even in their own home. it's so wrong. merseyside police's recent efforts to tackle organised crime have beenjudged outstanding, as detectives continue their intensive serach for olivia's killer. ed thomas, bbc news, liverpool. now a look at some other stories making the news today. british gas says it will give 10% of profits to help poorer customers struggling with the cost—of—living. parent company centrica says it will initially donate £12 million this autumn, then another 10% every six months for the duration of the

energy crisis, translating into grants of between £250 — £750 for customers identified most in need. the olympic cyclist katie archibald has spoken of how she tried desperately to save her partner, rab wardell, as he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest in bed beside her yesterday. wardell, who was 37 and a mountain biker, had won a scottish championship eventjust two days earlier. bin collectors in many parts of scotland are taking part in industrial action over pay. they're joining their colleagues in edinburgh who've been on strike since last thursday. unions say the money on offer, a 5% rise, is not enough, especially for their lowest paid members. a british—belgian teenage pilot has become the youngest person to fly around the world solo. mack rutherford, who's 17, took off from sofia in bulgaria before flying to italy and greece, then asia, africa, the us and over two oceans. he landed back in the bulgarian capital today, five months after setting out.

it's been five years since hundreds of thousands of rohingya muslims fled their native myanmar after a deadly crackdown by the government there. more than 700,000 people escaped the country in 2017. the majority left for neighbouring bangladesh, ending up in the world's largest refugee camp in cox's bazar. others are now in other asian nations, including india. nearly half a million rohingya refugees currently registered in bangladesh are children. families rely entirely on charities forfood and medicine. five years on, many feel the world has forgotten them. both india and bangladesh want to send them back to myanmar, but with the military in charge there, it's not an option. our south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan has this report from delhi. singing the national anthem of the country their parents fled

in fear, the country most of these children have no memory of. raised in this refugee camp in bangladesh, they don't get the same lessons as locals, taught the myanmar curriculum because authorities want them to return there. struggling to find stability, theirs is a lost generation. rohingya muslims living in limbo. their parents fled persecution, only to be handed a life of destitution. it's been five years since this woman witnessed unimaginable atrocities in her village. it took her days to walk here. a life now consigned to these camps. she is forced to rely on basic

rations to feed her young boys. translation: five years ago the myanmar military - entered our houses and tortured us. we came here to stay alive. now i can't feed my children properly or give them nice clothes or medicine. we are in a bad situation. it was in august 2017 that hundreds of thousands of rohingyas crossed the borderfrom myanmar, escaping a deadly crackdown by the country's military. carrying whatever they could, they fled to neighbouring bangladesh. five years on and many of the refugees have made their way here to india, home to tens of thousands of rohingya muslims living in squalid conditions. many say they don't feel welcome here either. india's government describes them as illegalforeigners it says should be deported. for years, rohingya muslims have led

a basic existence in india. last week a minister said they'd be moved from these makeshift camps and given housing. hours later, the hindu nationalist bjp government denied the offer, threatening to move people to detention centres. it has left families like rehman�*s feeling helpless. for his four—year—old daughter yasmin, unending uncertainty. rehman wishes he could give her a better life. translation: the indian - government doesn't want us. i would rather they killed us than send us back. it feels like no one cares about rohingyas these days. we are like old furniture in a house, kept in a corner and forgotten. and for these refugees, the hope of returning to myanmar never fades. but with the military who attacked their families now in charge of the country,

it's still not safe. what no one can tell these rohingya children is when they'll be able to go home. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news, delhi. despite some recent rain, a hosepipe ban has come into force for millions of customers of thames water in the south of england. the unprecedented heatwave has left reservoirs and rivers depleted. people who break the rules risk a fine of up to one thousand pounds. thames water is the latest company to introduce a ban in england and wales, amid criticism over the level of water leakages. angus crawford reports. bone—dry, just miles from the source of the thames, a dramatic sign of the crippling nature of drought. parched allotments, playing fields baked brown in the heat, the result of record temperatures in this part of the country.

so now thames water has brought in a hosepipe ban affecting ten million customers across the thames valley and london. no more hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars or fill paddling pools until further notice. a breach could get you a £1,000 fine. but leaks, say critics of the industry, are as big a problem as heat. the company loses almost a quarter of the water it supplies and admits it must do better. leakage is a priority for us 24/7, 365 days a year. last year we fixed over 60,000 leaks, every week at the minute we are fixing over 1100. we've got to keep that going. we never want to have customers out of water or have a supply interruption. there were already bans in much of devon and cornwall, west wales, hampshire, kent and sussex. today came thames water's, and yorkshire water will do the same on friday. for now, the bans are here to stay

and without weeks of rain, the drought could last into the winter. angus crawford, bbc news. let's return to our main story this evening, as we mark six months since the start of the war in ukraine. tens of thousands of ukrainian refugees have fled to the uk since the russian invasion. more than 6.4 million have escaped to europe so far — and you can see here where they've gone. more than 100,000 are here in the uk under the government's homes for ukraine scheme. poland has taken in more than ten times that figure — 1.2 million. our midlands correspondent phil mackie has been to meet a ukrainian family living in leicestershire. six months ago, we didn't expect such a big turn in our life. their heart is still in ukraine, but for yana and her sons igor and ilya, for the foreseeable future, home will be in hinkley in leicestershire.

in march, her apartment in kharkiv was badly damaged in a missile attack, as was the car her family escaped in. she said farewell to her husband alexander at the polish border and then made the long journey through europe. everything she had with her fitted into these two cases. we were welcomed here by local people and we got support. luckily, a family friend, ray, was willing to be her sponsor. he is happy to continue hosting them for as long as it takes. even though they've settled in and made friends, it's extremely tough for igor and ilya. are you glad, therefore, that you're here with the boys? i'm glad that they are safe, i'm glad that they can get an education and they can go to school, and we are happy to be here. the news from kharkiv isn't good. there were more russian missile attacks this week. yana had hoped to be able

to visit her husband in ukraine, but it is just too dangerous, so they have to keep in touch over zoom. but todat�*s call was especially significant. but today's call was especially significant. on the one hand, it's a happy day, it's independence day. on the other hand, because of the war, it's a sad day. however we still try to be close, to be united and to support each other. tonight patriotism was tinged with sadness as the familyjoined other ukrainians on independence day. phil mackie, bbc news, leicestershire. time for a look at the weather. here's louise. the picture behind me could be almost anywhere across england and wales, the parched ground tells the story. this is actually suffolk and

it shares the hotspot today with london, 29.5 celsius, very humid too. that humidity was south and east of a weather front that has brought stubborn rain across south—west england and parts of wales. this weather french will start to weaken over the next few hours, burglar cat what is happening across the channel —— this weather front will start to weaken over the next few hours, but look at what is happening. there will be happy, fun tree rain mixing with the humidity from over the last couple of days, we could see some sharp thundery downpours —— there will be heavy, friendly rain. perhaps as far north as lincolnshire. it will take time to clear, there could be a couple of inches of rain before it eases through the afternoon, some isolated scattered showers into the far

north—west of scotland. noticeably fresher