but it was a successful night for wales. their 4—1 friendly win over northern ireland started with a well—worked goal, finished off by a thumping volley from jess fishlock, with rachel rowe ensuring a thoroughly dominant performance. jo currie, bbc news. time for the weather. looking ahead to easter? nothing more fitting than some chicks. free mornings, but will turn warmer into the afternoon. by easter monday, this low pressure arrives to bring unsettled, wet and windy weather. this high pressure has been building, pushing the weather front away, clearing off the thunderstorms across the south—east of england. there could still be a legacy of

cloud, but most places will see temperatures tumble, as it is going to be quite cold. these are town and city values. in rural places, it could be down to minus three celsius. a little less cold further east where we have the cloud. tomorrow morning, a cold, frosty start, but it will be bright. plenty of sunshine around. we could see some fair weather cloud building into the afternoon and that could squeeze a few showers out in the south—east of england. many places will stay dry. we will hold onto cloud across north sea coasts. elsewhere, after the cold start, we are looking at 12, 14, or 15 degrees. friday night, temperatures take a tumble out west where we have clear skies. take a tumble out west where we have clearskies. light take a tumble out west where we have clear skies. light wind. take a tumble out west where we have clearskies. light wind. more take a tumble out west where we have clear skies. light wind. more cloud for eastern england and scotland. a little less cold here than what it will be further west. i think wales, south—west ignored, the west midlands, will see the averages. high pressure brings in a day through saturday. southerly wind. picking up strength across the west as we head through sunday and into the bank what a monday. this front

spreads across the country. windy and wet, followed by sunshine and showers. it will be turning more unsettled by the end of the holiday. i certainly sunday we could be up to 17 degrees across southern areas. feeling cooler further west, where the wind and rain moves in. thanks, stav. and that's bbc news at ten on thursday the 6th of april. there's more analysis of the day's main stories on newsnight with victoria derbyshire, which is just getting under way on bbc two. the news continues here on bbc one, as now it's time to join our colleagues across the nations and regions for the news where you are. but from the ten team, it's goodnight. public confidence in the metropolitan police has been shattered. devastating footage from the bloody and brutal battle for bakhmut in eastern ukraine.

a senior aide to president zelensky tells the financial times today that ukraine could be willing to discuss the status of crimea with moscow — while in beijing, president macron today urged president xi of china to help end the conflict. we'll ask tonight what the prospects are for some kind of peace. and if the prospects aren't good, how long are western capitals going to support ukraine? plus, our diplomatic editor mark urban brings you the latest in his investigation into the losses sustained by one top russian paratroopers�* regiment — an illustration of how challenging even this elite group of soliders are finding it on the battlefields of ukraine. we'll speak to the former foreign minister of ukraine, and one of president obama's top russia officials.

tonight we're going to devote the programme to the conflict in ukraine — and gauge exactly what stage this war is at, and what the prospects are for any kind of negotiaions to bring it to a close. we'll bring you the latest footage from the city of bakhmut in eastern ukraine, where the fighting is devastating and attritional — and where people's lives are being wrecked every day. and we'll ask what the focus by both sides on this one city tells us about the progress of this war. and then we are going to bring you the latest investigation from our diplomatic and defence editor mark urban into one elite russian para regiment and the losses it has sustained since last year. his investigation has been one of the most viewed pieces on the bbc website all day. first, here's mike thomson on bakhmut. bakhmut used to be a bustling city, home to 70,000 people. but not any more. the site of the bloodiest

battle in the war so far, little is left standing. halina escaped the carnage. she now spends her time making bullet—proof vests for ukraine soldiers in the nearby town of dnipro. she stayed in contact via social media with some of those who in bakhmut. they have no electricity, little food and a desperate shortage of drinking water. translation: the desperate shortage of drinking water. tuna/mom- desperate shortage of drinking water. translation: the city had -roblems water. translation: the city had problems with _ water. translation: the city had problems with water _ water. translation: the city had problems with water even - water. translation: the city had problems with water even before. | water. translation: the city had - problems with water even before. now the infrastructure is destroyed, people have to get drinking water from natural streams and after almost nine months of fighting there are many unburied corpses on the streets. with the warm weather of the stench is spreading and corpses are poisoning the water, soon we will not be able to find drinkable water. ,, _ , will not be able to find drinkable water. ,, , , .,, ., ., water. she says people there do not onl hide water. she says people there do not only hide from _ water. she says people there do not only hide from the _ water. she says people there do not only hide from the bombs, - water. she says people there do not

only hide from the bombs, they - water. she says people there do not| only hide from the bombs, they also live in fear of being abducted by russian soldiers. translation: unfortunately some people, even children, are staying, they are hiding because they don't want to be abducted and like the ukrainian army, the don't ask if they want to leave, theyjust stay army, the don't ask if they want to leave, they just stay whenever they want. leave, they 'ust stay whenever they want. . . . ., leave, they 'ust stay whenever they want. ., ., , want. the evacuation has been ste ed want. the evacuation has been stepped pp _ want. the evacuation has been stepped pp in _ want. the evacuation has been stepped up in the _ want. the evacuation has been stepped up in the nearby - want. the evacuation has been| stepped up in the nearby town. want. the evacuation has been - stepped up in the nearby town. which is also being pounded by russian forces. this woman says it is the third time she has had to flee her home. but with battered bakhmut almost surrounded, evacuating people there is now very difficult, and dangerous. pictured here before the worst of the fighting, they say despite the utter destruction, some civilians refused to leave.— civilians refused to leave. some of them want — civilians refused to leave. some of them want to _ civilians refused to leave. some of them want to go — civilians refused to leave. some of them want to go out _ civilians refused to leave. some of them want to go out from - civilians refused to leave. some of them want to go out from the - civilians refused to leave. some ofj them want to go out from the city.

but some of them still live there, and it is amazing. it is the decision of every people. but as a military, i want a law which may help or gets powerfor military, i want a law which may help or gets power for policemen and literary soldiers to recruit the people but also with the government power. people but also with the government ower. , , ., ., u, power. given the situation, we could not initially verify _ power. given the situation, we could not initially verify all _ power. given the situation, we could not initially verify all of _ power. given the situation, we could not initially verify all of the - not initially verify all of the videos in this report. several of which were sent exclusively to newsnight. so we liaised with the specialist bbc team that carried out extensive research on them. all were found to be very credible. earlier

this week the leader of russia's mercenary group raised the flag over bakhmut city hall, before claiming his country is now in total control. a claim firmly disputed by ukraine. so who is right?— so who is right? there is no doubt the wagner _ so who is right? there is no doubt the wagner group are _ so who is right? there is no doubt the wagner group are making - so who is right? there is no doubt| the wagner group are making very slow progress into the city and also trying to encircle the city as well. despite that progress, they are taking massive casualties along the way. the truth is, ukrainians still seem to control at least a third of the city and crucially, they have not been isolated. they can still resupply in and out.— not been isolated. they can still resupply in and out. there is much talk of an imminent _ resupply in and out. there is much talk of an imminent ukrainian - talk of an imminent ukrainian counteroffensive, but might russia respond with another attack of its own? ., . , respond with another attack of its own? ., ., , ., respond with another attack of its own? ., ., ., .,, respond with another attack of its own? ., ., ., ., , ., own? you always have to be worried that that will — own? you always have to be worried that that will happen _ own? you always have to be worried that that will happen but _ own? you always have to be worried that that will happen but from - that that will happen but from any military analyst, they will tell you that at the moment russia has fired

it's gone, it has had its go at an offensive and it is now licking its wounds, it is not easy for russia to generate more soldiers. it can have another round of mobilisation that would play badly domestically. mast would play badly domestically. most military analysts _ would play badly domestically. most military analysts agree that bakhmut in itself has little strategic value. yet many thousands have died fighting for it. so has all the ongoing death and destruction really been with that? alexander believes the fight must go on, in memory of a fallen friend. the fight must go on, in memory of a fallen friend-— fallen friend. when he was dying, the last words _ fallen friend. when he was dying, the last words of _ fallen friend. when he was dying, the last words of him _ fallen friend. when he was dying, the last words of him were, - fallen friend. when he was dying, the last words of him were, don't| the last words of him were, don't forget me. yes? a lot of young soldiers, he was maybe 2a years old. the more young soldiers want to be in the memory of friends and their

country. and i think they are from the sky, they hope we will build a new country. the sky, they hope we will build a new country-— the sky, they hope we will build a new country. yet the shooting goes on, in new country. yet the shooting goes on. in what — new country. yet the shooting goes on. in what many — new country. yet the shooting goes on, in what many consider - new country. yet the shooting goes on, in what many consider an - on, in what many consider an unwinnable warfor on, in what many consider an unwinnable war for either side. a stalemate russia is perhaps best placed to endure, given its much larger resources of manpower and weaponry. the larger resources of manpower and wea on . ~ , larger resources of manpower and wea on . . , , larger resources of manpower and weaon . . , , , larger resources of manpower and weaon . ~ , , , ., , weaponry. the west is very nervous that actually — weaponry. the west is very nervous that actually it _ weaponry. the west is very nervous that actually it is _ weaponry. the west is very nervous that actually it is simply _ that actually it is simply perpetuating a war that ukraine will never actually win, and therefore, how do you bring this war to a conclusion? when both sides will be unhappy about hostilities or at least ending them, but there will be growing pressure from the international community that says this is not a blank cheque, we cannot keep supporting this, the spring offensive, we will back you to the hilt, once winter descends, there will have to be a hard look at what prospects either side has and

undoubtedly that will be the time when diplomacy will probably start to rear its head.— when diplomacy will probably start to rear its head. president zelensky has lona to rear its head. president zelensky has long insisted _ to rear its head. president zelensky has long insisted there _ to rear its head. president zelensky has long insisted there will- to rear its head. president zelensky has long insisted there will be - to rear its head. president zelensky has long insisted there will be no i has long insisted there will be no peace until russian forces leave every corner of ukraine. but if his coming spring offensive fails and the stalemate continues, might rethink be unavoidable? mike thomson. in a potentially significant step today, a top official in ukrainian president zelensky�*s office suggested that kyiv could be willing to discuss the future of crimea with moscow if ukraine succeeds in its spring counter—offensive. those comments were later rowed back on by other ukrainian officials — but have been seen by some as the most explicit indication of an interest to enter into negotiations since peace talks with moscow ended a year ago. our correspondent hugo bachega is in kyiv and has this. ukraine was one of the main topics on the agenda, as president macron visited president xi in china, and tried to persuade him to put

pressure on president putin to end the war here. now, questions remain over whether china is serious about engaging in meaningful efforts to reach a resolution to the conflict, or indeed over whether china has the power to put pressure on president putin. now here in kyiv, a senior adviser to president zelensky told me that any discussion about any possible role for china can only happen after dialogue between president zelensky and president xi starts. we know that both leaders haven't had any kind of dialogue, any conversations, since the beginning of the war. now, there was a second piece of news that made headlines here, and there was an interview by a senior government official to the financial times, suggesting that the ukrainians could negotiate the status of crimea with the russians, if the ukrainian army reach the border with crimea. now that was rejected by a number of officials here,

who say that the ukrainian position remains the same, and that any kind of negotiation with the russians can only begin after the complete withdrawal of russian forces from ukrainian territory, including crimea. now, the timing of this interview is interesting, because the ukrainians are planning what is expected to be a major offensive, to try to take back territory that is now under occupation, so perhaps the information campaign by the ukrainians has already started. let's talk to about that and the prospects for any kind of peace negotiation with evelyn farkas, who was us deputy assistant secretary of defense for russia and ukraine, under president obama, and here in the studio former ambassador of ukraine to the uk, who was also ukraine's foreign minister, volodymyr khandohiy. thank you for talking to us. evelyn farkas, if ukrainians are about to launch some kind of offensive, they

surely do not want to be bogged down in bakhmut? that surely do not want to be bogged down in bakhmut? . , surely do not want to be bogged down in bakhmut? ., , ., ., , surely do not want to be bogged down in bakhmut?— in bakhmut? that is a really good cuestion, in bakhmut? that is a really good question. and _ in bakhmut? that is a really good question, and i— in bakhmut? that is a really good question, and i think _ in bakhmut? that is a really good question, and i think what - in bakhmut? that is a really good question, and i think what your i question, and i think what your correspondent said, that the information war may have begun, we have to be mindful of the fact that the ukrainian government, the military, has every reason not to telegraph what they are going to do. certainly they do not want to be bogged down, they may have sufficient troops to hold it, or they may determine that they are going to let bakhmut go, and turn their effort elsewhere. we have little way of knowing exactly, although most of the military experts think that ukraine will focus somewhere along the southern area,... ~' . . focus somewhere along the southern area,... ~ ., ., ,, focus somewhere along the southern area,... ~ ., ., .,. area,... ukrainian troops forced russian troops _ area,... ukrainian troops forced russian troops back— area,... ukrainian troops forced russian troops back from - area,... ukrainian troops forced i russian troops back from kharkiv, from kherson, we know the russians failed to get to kyiv, so why is the battle for bakhmut more challenging? the battle for bakhmut is more

challenging because bakhmut has become _ challenging because bakhmut has become a symbol, but only from a military— become a symbol, but only from a military point of view, but from the paint _ military point of view, but from the point of— military point of view, but from the point of view of the other people. it as point of view of the other people. it as a _ point of view of the other people. it as a symbol of resilience, a symbol— it as a symbol of resilience, a symbol of— it as a symbol of resilience, a symbol of determination of ukrainians, but only the armed forces — ukrainians, but only the armed forces but _ ukrainians, but only the armed forces but overall ukrainians, to withstand — forces but overall ukrainians, to withstand the russian aggression. and i_ withstand the russian aggression. and i am — withstand the russian aggression. and i am not a military person, i cannot— and i am not a military person, i cannotjudge on a military perspective, whether or not it is good _ perspective, whether or not it is good or— perspective, whether or not it is good or bad to take it, why take so to he _ good or bad to take it, why take so to be there — good or bad to take it, why take so to be there. but i am sure that military— to be there. but i am sure that military strategists are experienced enough _ military strategists are experienced enough to— military strategists are experienced enough to keep doing what they are doing _ enough to keep doing what they are doing let— enough to keep doing what they are doinu. ., , ~ enough to keep doing what they are doinu. ., enough to keep doing what they are doinu. enough to keep doing what they are doing. let me ask you about these comments — doing. let me ask you about these comments today, _ doing. let me ask you about these comments today, made _ doing. let me ask you about these comments today, made by - doing. let me ask you about these comments today, made by seniorl comments today, made by senior advisers to president zelensky, you know. he told the financial times at kyiv might be willing to discuss the status of crimea if offensive goes well. how much credibility to attach

to those comments?— to those comments? i 'ust read latel to those comments? i 'ust read tatety that he i to those comments? i 'ust read lately that he has _ to those comments? ijust read lately that he has clarified his i lately that he has clarified his statement, which was reported in the financial times. statement, which was reported in the financialtimes. i personally statement, which was reported in the financial times. i personally do not see any— financial times. i personally do not see any deep contradiction between what he _ see any deep contradiction between what he said in the official position— what he said in the official position of ukraine, that no negotiations will take place until after— negotiations will take place until after the — negotiations will take place until after the complete withdrawal of russian — after the complete withdrawal of russian troops from ukraine, including _ russian troops from ukraine, including crimea. so he clarified that to — including crimea. so he clarified that to the effect that he meant a kind of— that to the effect that he meant a kind of option, an eventuality, under— kind of option, an eventuality, under certain circumstances, but not negotiations but rather discussions could _ negotiations but rather discussions could take — negotiations but rather discussions could take place if we approach close _ could take place if we approach close enough to crimea, to go forward — close enough to crimea, to go forward if— close enough to crimea, to go forward if there is no result in that. .,. ., forward if there is no result in that. ., ., , that. the actual quote is, we will be on the —

that. the actual quote is, we will be on the administrative - that. the actual quote is, we will be on the administrative ward i that. the actual quote is, we will. be on the administrative ward with crimea, we are ready then to open a diplomatic page to discuss the issue. what you make those comments? i think what he is indicating is a willingness, if the russians are willingness, if the russians are willing at that point, to essentially capitulate, if they are willing to surrender crimea, then ukrainian military would consider, i suppose, halting their operation in order to allow the russians to withdraw. i think we should all want them to avoid further bloodshed. i don't think it is realistic that the russians will do that. but i think what he is indicating is that if there is an opportunity to retake crimea without bloodshed, then we will of course take it. it has to be a credible opportunity.

who won't necessarily want an open and think good, because we can't support a forever war?— a forever war? well, you know what, to hear from — a forever war? well, you know what, to hear from the _ a forever war? well, you know what, to hear from the western _ a forever war? well, you know what, to hear from the western officials - to hear from the western officials and lately it has been pronouncements from certain quarters, that, they will help ukraine, as long as it tanks. so... is that what they are saying privilyly. is that what they are saying trivil l . ., is that what they are saying trivill. , ~, is that what they are saying trivill. .,, , ~, is that what they are saying trivill. ., privilyly. no publicly as well, from the us... privilyly. no publicly as well, from the us- -- i— privilyly. no publicly as well, from the us... i know— privilyly. no publicly as well, from the us... i know they _ privilyly. no publicly as well, from the us... i know they are - privilyly. no publicly as well, from the us... i know they are saying l privilyly. no publicly as well, from the us... i know they are saying it the us... i know they are saying it the publicly. _ the us... i know they are saying it the publicly. i _ the us... i know they are saying it the publicly, i wonder— the us... i know they are saying it the publicly, i wonder what - the us... i know they are saying it the publicly, i wonder what is - the publicly, i wonder what is going on behind closed doors? many things could be going on _ on behind closed doors? many things could be going on but _ on behind closed doors? many things could be going on but we _ on behind closed doors? many things could be going on but we rely - on behind closed doors? many things could be going on but we rely on - on behind closed doors? many things could be going on but we rely on the | could be going on but we rely on the official information and i think it is up to not only to ukraine of course, it is up to ukraine how long it will take but the support of western countries is critical in, in the determination how long will it

take. nobody wants to prolong the conflict, certainly, but, the more weapon we will get, the shorter the period we will be.— period we will be. yes, but even when the _ period we will be. yes, but even when the tanks _ period we will be. yes, but even when the tanks arrive, _ period we will be. yes, but even when the tanks arrive, it - period we will be. yes, but even when the tanks arrive, it won't l period we will be. yes, but even l when the tanks arrive, it won't be defintive for a ukraine victory is it? {if defintive for a ukraine victory is it? . ., , ~ defintive for a ukraine victory is it? _, , ~ ., it? of course, like said, i am not... it? of course, like said, i am not--- no. — it? of course, like said, i am not... no, no, _ it? of course, like said, i am not... no, no, neither- it? of course, like said, i am not... no, no, neither am i l it? of course, like said, i am i not... no, no, neither am i but it? of course, like said, i am - not... no, no, neither am i but we can see that— not... no, no, neither am i but we can see that 30 — not... no, no, neither am i but we can see that 30 tanks _ not... no, no, neither am i but we can see that 30 tanks here - not... no, no, neither am i but we can see that 30 tanks here and - not... no, no, neither am i but we i can see that 30 tanks here and there is not going to... can see that 30 tanks here and there is not going to- - -_ is not going to... then we are waitint is not going to. .. then we are waiting for— is not going to... then we are waiting for some _ is not going to... then we are waiting for some aircraft - is not going to... then we are waiting for some aircraft to i is not going to... then we are - waiting for some aircraft to come. sure. ~ ., ., waiting for some aircraft to come. sure. . ., ., ., waiting for some aircraft to come. sure. t ., ., ., ., sure. we are waiting for long distance artillery _ sure. we are waiting for long distance artillery to - sure. we are waiting for long distance artillery to be - sure. we are waiting for long distance artillery to be in - distance artillery to be in place, so there are many things that should be in place before we will say the victory is imnabothi.— victory is imnabothi. right. evelyn, ou -- victory is imnabothi. right. evelyn, you -- imminent. _ victory is imnabothi. right. evelyn, you -- imminent. you _ victory is imnabothi. right. evelyn, you -- imminent. you say- victory is imnabothi. right. evelyn, i you -- imminent. you say potentially you —— imminent. you say potentially the ukrainian counter offensive may head down to the south, is that where you think this conflict is going next? and why would that be an option for the ukrainian military? i

of course don't know any better than anyone _ of course don't know any better than anyone watching from the outside but i do anyone watching from the outside but i do speak— anyone watching from the outside but i do speak a _ anyone watching from the outside but i do speak a lot of military retired military— i do speak a lot of military retired military and active duty military and their— military and active duty military and their sense is that that would make _ and their sense is that that would make sense, that ukraine needs to cut russia — make sense, that ukraine needs to cut russia off in the south, to remove — cut russia off in the south, to remove from, remove any possibility of a land _ remove from, remove any possibility of a land bridge to crimea, that they— of a land bridge to crimea, that they will— of a land bridge to crimea, that they will be relied on the bridge over the — they will be relied on the bridge over the strait, over the water, the one that _ over the strait, over the water, the one that was — over the strait, over the water, the one that was bombed by probably ukraine — one that was bombed by probably ukraine, earlier, i believe was end of last— ukraine, earlier, i believe was end of last year. — ukraine, earlier, i believe was end of last year, so, that, that it makes — of last year, so, that, that it makes strategic sense, but the ukrainians obviously can also decide that no, _ ukrainians obviously can also decide that no, they want to push in the east, _ that no, they want to push in the east. or— that no, they want to push in the east, orthey that no, they want to push in the east, or they can push both in the east _ east, or they can push both in the east and — east, or they can push both in the east and the south, i think this is an interesting moment, you might recall— an interesting moment, you might recall when the ukrainians took their— recall when the ukrainians took their last — recall when the ukrainians took their last small offence receive, nobody — their last small offence receive, nobody knew what they were going to do, nobody knew what they were going to do. and _ nobody knew what they were going to do. and so _ nobody knew what they were going to

do. and so i _ nobody knew what they were going to do, and so i think the ukrainians do have _ do, and so i think the ukrainians do have trust— do, and so i think the ukrainians do have trust in — do, and so i think the ukrainians do have trust in the us, i can't speak for other— have trust in the us, i can't speak for other allied country's intelligence and advise but they will make the decision themselves at the anted _ will make the decision themselves at the anted of the day. do will make the decision themselves at the anted of the day.— the anted of the day. do you think is likel at the anted of the day. do you think is likely at all— the anted of the day. do you think is likely at all that _ the anted of the day. do you think is likely at all that president - is likely at all that president macron will have any influence over president xi of china when he says to him today we need us, i can't speakfor other allied to him today we need us, i can't speak for other allied country's intelligence and advise but they will make the decision themselves at the anted of the day. do you think is likely at all that president macron will have any influence over president xi of china when he says to him today we need your help to bring "russia to its senses"? i think it is great that president macron— think it is great that president macron is— think it is great that president macron is going to speak with president xi and trying to make this attempt _ president xi and trying to make this attempt to— president xi and trying to make this attempt to get the chinese to tell vladimir— attempt to get the chinese to tell vladimir putin to stop it. i don't think— vladimir putin to stop it. i don't think it — vladimir putin to stop it. i don't think it is — vladimir putin to stop it. i don't think it is likely to work, because of putin— think it is likely to work, because of putin and his objectives but the chinese _ of putin and his objectives but the chinese also need to understand what is at stake. _ chinese also need to understand what is at stake, they need to understand that if— is at stake, they need to understand that if they— is at stake, they need to understand that if they come in, more significantly, on behalf of russia, that is— significantly, on behalf of russia, that is to — significantly, on behalf of russia, that is to say if they provide military— that is to say if they provide military assistance they will be slapped — military assistance they will be slapped with deep sanctions which will cause — slapped with deep sanctions which will cause economic turmoil for china _ will cause economic turmoil for china and — will cause economic turmoil for china and the world economy, sol

think— china and the world economy, sol think it's _ china and the world economy, sol think it's a — china and the world economy, sol think it's a good conversation to have _ think it's a good conversation to have and — think it's a good conversation to have and it _ think it's a good conversation to have and it is good the try to get the chinese to help. they have admonished putin orientally, you know, _ admonished putin orientally, you know, essentially indirectly told the russians they should not make any more _ the russians they should not make any more comments ab nuclear force which _ any more comments ab nuclear force which vladimir putin didn't listen to, so— which vladimir putin didn't listen to, so it — which vladimir putin didn't listen to, so it is — which vladimir putin didn't listen to, so it is good to have the chinese _ to, so it is good to have the chinese providing these message, it is not _ chinese providing these message, it is not always likely, not very likely— is not always likely, not very likely that putin will listen. thank ou both likely that putin will listen. thank you both very _ likely that putin will listen. thank you both very much. _ likely that putin will listen. thank you both very much. evelyn. - evelyn. next to russia. kostroma, some 200 miles north east of moscow, is not a bad place to go looking for the effects of the ukraine war on russia — and, indeed, the authorities' efforts to prepare people for vladimir putin's long war. this small city, with a population of around a quarter of a million, is home to a celebrated regiment that bears its name and has been in the forefront of all the main battles in the kremlin's campaign against its neighbours.

the 33ist guards parachute regiment, often called the kostroma airborne regiment, has been the subject of investigations by newsnight since shortly after the full—scale invasion began in february 2022. here is mark with the third instalment in this long—running investigation. in the grip of a donbas winter, russian troops have been trying to hold the line. it's an artillery battle, especially so in the luhansk area, where this was shot. so speed is of the essence. translation: it's really close - from here to the enemy's position. that's why it's very important to quickly leave this place before the return fire. translation: a couple of bmds are getting ready to move -

to fighting positions — they will be 800 metres from the trenches of ukrainian nationalists. they will finish the task and come back! of those on the receiving end, and the bombardment of ukrainian civilians, there is little coverage. but russian reporting does give people at home some glimpses of what's happening at the front. but even a visit from the governor of this unit's home town allows for some frank talk about what the soldiers are going through. translation: the ministryj of defence does everything. the guys have enough food. no problems with food. they have clothing, gear, and they are armed. although there is enough of everyday problems and difficulties, difficulties with technological issues. we were discussing this today

with the 348th regiment. of course we need to help guys so they have decent conditions. so viewers can get some sense of the reality of this fight. where the unblinking eye of drones so often precedes death by bombardment or tank attack. the soldiers you've been watching belong to a particular unit — the 33ist guards parachute regiment. and we've been watching them very closely for more than a year, scraping local and social media to tell the story of their war, their losses and how the authorities in their home town, kostroma, are preparing people for the long war. translation: paratroopers i from the 331st guards airborne

kostroma regiment are on red square. before the war, the 331st regiment fancied itself as an elite. it took part in red square parades... ..held open days at its base in kostroma... ..and heard lavish praise from the generals. translation: currently they are our best of the best in service. _ of all the units, of all the academies, of all the airborne forces. being air mobile, the unitjoined the invasion force very late, flying in february 2022 from its base in kostroma — 300 kilometres north—east of moscow — to a training area in belarus, where itjoined vladimir putin's ill—fated drive on kyiv. but late in march, the regiment joined the withdrawal back to belarus after

taking heavy casualties. during these early weeks, we could find only social media posts by local people mourning the fallen. translation: most reliable, loving and caring husband, i now you are in heaven, you will protect us from there. you will always live in our hearts, and you will forever be a real hero to me. nobody knows anything. the 331st regiment is disappearing. almost every day, photos of our kostroma boys get published. it sends shivers down my spine. what's happening? when will this end? when will people stop dying? i'm lost for words. i can only cry. kostroma has lost so many young men. what a tragedy. god, how many more death notifications shall be received? please have mercy on our boys. help them survive. return them back home to their wives and mothers. i'm begging you. together with the 33lst

guards airborne regiment, eduard took part in a peacekeeping mission in kazakhstan, and then he was sent to donbas. he died like a hero in september. but as time has gone on, an early news blackout gave way to media coverage of ceremonies designed to evoke the spirit of the second world war. for example, at this school, they have unveiled a plaque to eduard reunov, a local paratrooper killed in september. evidently quite a character. translation: he was groovy, he was always joking around. l we had a school theatre production on new year's eve. it was based on evenings on a farm near dikanka by nikolai gogol. a modern take with songs. and he played a devil. he was hilarious. but while that attempt to channel school memories may have seemed a little stilted, there have been more emotional responses, too.

this social media post shows a shell, marked as if it was from reunov�*s classmates, about to be fired back at the ukrainians. another is signed on behalf of his family — mother, father and sister. the death of the 331st regiment�*s commander, sergey sukharev, inspired this illustrated novel treatment. forward, attack! ambushed by ukrainian troops, with russian vehicles being knocked out, . .. everybody leave the vehicle! ..sukharev dismounted, urging his men forward, but falling in the process. if we stay here, they'll burn all our vehicles and kill all our guys. we can't go back. we are here to help our guys in the airport. we must go forwards, we must carry out the order. so, fighters, why are we taking cover? who are we waiting for? shall we show the enemy how

russian paratroopers fight? hooray! guys, follow me. nobody but us. to ukrainians, who blame sukharev for massacring hundreds of their troops in 2014, the russian regiment�*s commander got no more than his just deserts. translation: we got his uniform recently i and she says, "is it for me?" "no", he says, "i want the same one." "i'll support his decision." "i'll be proud of him, just as i'm proud of his dad now." this is another unconventional approach. wives and mothers of the kostroma paratroopers photographed holding their uniforms. some speaking openly about their grief. translation: | hope - that the memory of my son

and other guys will remain. just like there are stories of the great patriotic war, i hope there will be stories written about our guys. and the losses have meant rebuilding the unit after each of its immersions in battle. initially, in the early summer of 2022, they were near belgorod, taking time out of the line. as the summer went on, the 331st regiment did the whole tour. from the period near izyum in the early summer, then to the south, and finally, as one of the airborne units that reinforced kherson as the ukrainians geared up to retake the city. during the summer, embedded russian reporters occasionally gave a vivid flavour of its war. translation: we were at the front line. - the tank was firing. at first it was firing near us, then straight at us. we tracked this vehicle

from the railway sidings in belarus to the donbas, as the crew added markings to it, noting the regiments' distinctive inverted triangle with the three in it, signs used by different formations, and finally, the word "kostroma" on the back to put the matters beyond doubt. and just as experienced soldiers began running though, and just as experienced soldiers began running low, so these distinctive airborne armoured vehicles, called bmds, were also being lost, or these ones left behind near kherson when the ukrainians took it. work by open source analysts has identified at least two dozen bmds belonging to the 331st regiment, destroyed in ukraine in the past year. many more will have been lost out of view from an original total that would have been over 100.

so, a new, more modern generation of bmd has been given to them. but as far as we can see from recent russian coverage, in small numbers. finally, in the wake of setbacks late last summer, the kremlin ordered mobilisation. translation: a ceremonial dispatch of troops to the area of the special i military operation took place today on the 331st parachute regiment�*s parade ground. in kostroma, they tried to take only men with prior service in the airborne forces. and while many mobics, so—called, complained about cursory training, these were paraded to say they'd been well looked after. translation: they've given us lots of stuff. | kneepads, glasses, helmets, new bulletproof vests, new machine guns, winter boots. they're very warm. we are wearing them now. everyone's freezing and we are hot. from the podium where the regiment was once told it was the best of the best, the governor wished the draftees luck.

translation: i'm wishing you good health, success, | completion of all tasks, and that you return home alive. this batch added, perhaps, 150 men to the regiment. but what about losses? north—east of kostroma lies a cemetery. and it's to here that coffins from the 331st and other local units have been taken. now, we have managed to geolocate this cemetery, and you can see the entrance as well as the people selling flowers. this street view was taken before the start of the war. in april 2022, when we first compiled a list of the regiment�*s dead, it reached 39. by latejune, it had climbed to 62.

and now we believe we can definitively say that at least 94 members of the 331st regiment have been killed in ukraine. now, to that figure must be added those missing in action — their bodies have never been recovered. and then, of course, other casualties, like the seriously wounded, and those who have been taken prisoner. in a video set to a pop song which has become for some russians an anthem symbolic of military heroism during this conflict, airborne flags mark many of the fallen paratroopers. and looking at the names, we tick them off one—by—one against our own list of the regiment�*s fatalities.

the price paid by this community is already far higher than during the longer lasting afghan and chechen campaigns. the poster glimpsed during the kostroma governor's visit in december insists everything will be fine. translation: it was a chance also for sitnikov to hand out _ welfare packages from home, supplies including a drone bought by donations, and underlined the defence ministry's failures. translation: huge thanks to the people of kostroma l for all their support, for not forgetting about us. thanks to the governor, we need your support no less than ammunition. being here without it would be impossible.

but look at this — the number of paratroopers filmed listening to sitnikov during his visit is only around 30 in these shots. many were on duty elsewhere, perhaps, but in the long struggle to gain an advantage at the front, the better assault units, like the 331st, have survived as small detachments to spearhead assaults. in the footage we saw at the beginning — the armoured group from the 331st — looking at the call signs on those filmed — appears to consist ofjust three bmd vehicles. the question of overall numbers in the regiment is not easy. we believe that the 331st entered ukraine with two battalion groups — that would be something between 1,000 and 1,200 soldiers. they have had reinforcements

since then, and losses as well, but we think that the number who are continuing to serve is considerably smaller — probably around a third or even a quarter of that original total. but soldier on they do, and anyone who expected them either to mutiny or the people in kostroma to demonstrate in support of them or in support of withdrawal would be disappointed. in that sense they have shown their resilience. back in kostroma, families and those still serving in the garrison have emerged from the war as an embattled group. bonding together to celebrate things like airborne forces day. they run apart from the rest of the community, towards some vaguely defined finishing line. while russian civilians might prefer to think about other things, the regiment and its families have to deal with the ugly reality

of vladimir putin's long war. mark urban. and that report was produced by louis harris—white and maria jevstafjeva, with graphic design from cath speight and editing by mike casey. you can see earlier instalments of mark's newsnight investigation, called russia's long war, on the iplayer as part of the war in ukraine collection. let's talk to boris bondarev — the highest—profile russian diplomat to resign in protest over the russian invasion a year ago. until may 2022 he worked for the russian permanent mission to the united nations office at geneva. thank you for talking to us. that is an example of one elite regiment, they are reduced significantly in size, the local community is having to send supplies, raise money to buy them drones, it would not appear to

be going well for the russians? well, definitely not. definitely not. although i am not a military expert, i think it is quite visible but this very much advertised winter, spring offensive has been over, i believe. nowi winter, spring offensive has been over, i believe. now i got the news that some russian troops are retreating their current positions. so perhaps the russian troops in ukraine are getting ready for our ukrainian counteroffensive. we may only hope that this counteroffensive will be more successful.— will be more successful. sorry, did ou sa will be more successful. sorry, did you say you _ will be more successful. sorry, did you say you heard _ will be more successful. sorry, did you say you heard that _ will be more successful. sorry, did you say you heard that russian - you say you heard that russian troops were retreating from where? bakhmut? no, there was some news in social networks, i cannot say they are confirmed, but some units may change their positions. further from

the front lines.