live from london. this is bbc news. ukraine denies it is behind any attack on moscow or president putin, afterfootage emerges of drone strike on the kremlin. sudan is headed towards a humanitarian catastrophe, according to the un, which is leading efforts to provide aid to the country. one of the biggest—ever police operations against one of italy's biggest mafia syndicates sees dozens of arrests hello, i'm yalda hakim. welcome to the programme. ukraine says it had nothing to do with an alleged drone attack

on the kremlin, which russia has called an attempt to assassinate president putin. this video, which has been circulated on social media, and the bbc has now verified — shows the moment the drones hit the building. ukraine claims russia is using this accusation as a cover to launch an attack. president volodymyr zelenskiy has been speaking at a news conference in finland. we don't attack putin or moscow, we fight on our territory, we are defending our villages and cities. we don't have enough weapons for this. . . , ~ ., ., , this. that was ukrainian president volod m r this. that was ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky _ this. that was ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky responding . this. that was ukrainian president| volodymyr zelensky responding to accusations by moscow that that drone strike was launched by ukraine. our russia editor, steven rosenberg, is in moscow and has sent this report. flying in from the left, what appears to be a drone. then an explosion over the kremlin. this footage is unverified,

but the kremlin says that overnight, two drones targeted the residence of the president. moscow blames ukraine, but says that no—one was injured. on russian state tv, a dramatic start to this talk show. the presenter announces breaking news. "there's been an attempt," he says, "to assassinate putin." in daylight, down at the kremlin, we couldn't see any obvious signs of the explosions. lots of questions remain unanswered about what happened here last night. who launched the drones, and with what aim? ukraine has denied involvement. if this was, as the kremlin claims, a ukrainian drone attack, an attempt to kill the president in the very heart of moscow, that is hugely embarrassing for the authorities here. after all, where was the security? this is supposed to be one of the most heavily guarded seats of power in the world. last weekend, russia accused ukraine of launching a drone strike on a fuel depot

in russian—occupied crimea. days later, bombs detonated and derailed two freight trains in a part of russia near the ukrainian border. citing security concerns, several russian regions have already cancelled military parades planned for may the 9th, victory day, when russians mark the defeat of nazi germany. for now, the kremlin continues to insist that the big red square parade in moscow will go ahead, despite last night's explosions. in the run—up to the parade, red square has been closed to the public since the end of april. that is unusual, and it reflects the sense of uneasiness right now in russia. last year, the kremlin launched a full—scale invasion of ukraine. it feels increasingly as if the war now is much closer to home. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow.

i spoke earlier to former ukrainian minister of defence — mr andriy zagorodnyuk. he says the kremlin version raises questions from a military perspective. there are strange things about this. first of all they immediately blamed ukraine. secondly the sa that immediately blamed ukraine. secondly they say that ukraine _ immediately blamed ukraine. secondly they say that ukraine aim _ immediately blamed ukraine. secondly they say that ukraine aim to _ immediately blamed ukraine. secondly they say that ukraine aim to the - they say that ukraine aim to the residents of putin and if you could see that video you could see that the drone was quite slow. if it was launched from ukraine which obviously the ukrainian government denies, it would take hours for it to get to moscow so, you cannot plan any operation like that within hours of delivery of the drone so it doesn't make any sense what russia is saying. they immediately mention about retaliation and response, and they started this usual russian speech about anything which they

blamed ukraine at, the next attack on ukraine becomes like a responsibility.— on ukraine becomes like a responsibility. on ukraine becomes like a resonsibili . �* , . ., on ukraine becomes like a resonsibili . �* . ., ., responsibility. any concern now that this could escalate _ responsibility. any concern now that this could escalate and _ responsibility. any concern now that this could escalate and there - responsibility. any concern now that this could escalate and there could i this could escalate and there could be greater attempts at launching large—scale attacks on kyiv? i be greater attempts at launching large-scale attacks on kyiv? i have to remind you _ large-scale attacks on kyiv? i have to remind you of _ large-scale attacks on kyiv? i have to remind you of a _ large-scale attacks on kyiv? i have to remind you of a few— large-scale attacks on kyiv? i have to remind you of a few days - large-scale attacks on kyiv? i have to remind you of a few days when i to remind you of a few days when ukraine was already a victim of unprecedented attacks with a last couple of months so they are already involved in ukraine and a lot of civilians died and so on, so, i don't think it is fair to say that whatever ukraine does in response, that would be escalate three, because ukraine has been the subject of the attacks with a multitude of people who are suffering. whatever ha ens, people who are suffering. whatever happens. this _ people who are suffering. whatever

happens. this is _ people who are suffering. whatever happens, this is an _ people who are suffering. whatever happens, this is an incredibly - people who are suffering. whatever happens, this is an incredibly fluid i happens, this is an incredibly fluid situation, isn't it? there is clearly nervousness in moscow on the russian side. this is a war that is taking place, and both sides are nervous at the moment.- taking place, and both sides are nervous at the moment. yes, and for ukraine it doesn't _ nervous at the moment. yes, and for ukraine it doesn't make _ nervous at the moment. yes, and for ukraine it doesn't make any - nervous at the moment. yes, and for ukraine it doesn't make any sense. i ukraine it doesn't make any sense. there is no military reason for that attack. the ukrainian government is very firm on its statement, because when you plan a military operation, that drone, one or two or whatever, cannot change anything, so essentially, russia immediately announced it as a ukraine attack, as if they had any intelligence information about that, if they had intelligence information about that, why didn't they prevent it? the intelligence information about that, why didn't they prevent it?- why didn't they prevent it? the us has expressed _ why didn't they prevent it? the us has expressed scepticism - why didn't they prevent it? the us

has expressed scepticism because | why didn't they prevent it? the us i has expressed scepticism because of the russian air defence systems and the russian air defence systems and the fact that there are so many protecting the kremlin. the kremlin is one of the — protecting the kremlin. the kremlin is one of the most _ protecting the kremlin. the kremlin is one of the most protected - protecting the kremlin. the kremlin is one of the most protected places| is one of the most protected places in the world. as you could see the the drone is very slow so, the drone would have had to fit that —— 250 kilometres speed so that is something you can easily shoot, and it wasn't very high, if it entered moscow and was going throughout the whole city, obviously they would damage it before it reached the kremlin. now they say that they damaged it but it doesn't look like it was damaged so, the central kremlin, right?— it was damaged so, the central kremlin, right? although it was several decades _ kremlin, right? although it was several decades ago, _ kremlin, right? although it was several decades ago, you - kremlin, right? although it was several decades ago, you have| kremlin, right? although it was - several decades ago, you have gone to the kremlin and seen the security apparatus. help us understand how tightly guarded this area is. i was

in kremlin as _ tightly guarded this area is. i was in kremlin as a _ tightly guarded this area is. i was in kremlin as a child _ tightly guarded this area is. i was in kremlin as a child and - tightly guarded this area is. i was in kremlin as a child and an - tightly guarded this area is. i —" in kremlin as a child and an early teenagerjust on a trip so, but the kremlin, of course, always since soviet times was the most protected place in russia, in the soviet union. and the security regime there isjust union. and the security regime there is just absolutely strict and abnormally tough. so, to imagine that somebody can look at the kremlin as a potential target is completely impossible. there are all imaginable surveillance methods and protection methods there. so, this is a very strange story. and the immediate russian explanation, it just doesn't work, to be honest. the ukrainian former defence minister speaking to me a short time earlier. vitaliy shevchenko is our russia editor at bbc monitoring. hejoins me live. there are he joins me live. there are so hejoins me live. there are so many questions that have come out of this. we spoke to the former ukrainian defence minister. whatever

this is, and whoever has done it, it certainly makes moscow feel quite nervous and vulnerable. it certainly makes moscow feel quite nervous and vulnerable.— certainly makes moscow feel quite nervous and vulnerable. it does. we have to remember _ nervous and vulnerable. it does. we have to remember that _ nervous and vulnerable. it does. we have to remember that this - nervous and vulnerable. it does. we have to remember that this latest i have to remember that this latest incident comes after a string of other events within russia that are sure to alarm the authorities in moscow. for example yesterday, and the day before yesterday two separate incidents, cargo trains were derailed after explosions in the region next to the border with ukraine, bryansk, and an electricity pylon is blown up in st petersburg and drone is alleged to be ukrainian were discovered crashed outside moscow. and all this comes ahead of what is probably the most important

state holiday next week, next tuesday, victory day, when russia holds parades celebrating victory in the second world war. this is the time i victory day when president putin gives his fiery speeches urging russians to destroy russia's enemies and if he is unable to do it this time, that is going to be hugely embarrassing.- this time, that is going to be hu:el embarrassinu. ,, , hugely embarrassing. steve rosenberg was sa in: hugely embarrassing. steve rosenberg was saying that — hugely embarrassing. steve rosenberg was saying that some _ hugely embarrassing. steve rosenberg was saying that some smaller- hugely embarrassing. steve rosenberg was saying that some smaller towns i was saying that some smaller towns have cancelled their victory day parades, citing security concerns. indeed. and one other key event that used to be held on victory day, the so—called veterans�* march, when people hold pictures of their ancestors who fought in the second world war, that has been cancelled as well. this year victory day is

definitely going to be different, and the reason why this is a worry for president putin is because when he started his so—called special military operation against ukraine last year, he said he was doing it to make russia more secure, more safe. what we are seeing now is actually russia that is more insecure. actually russia that is more insecure-— actually russia that is more insecure. �* ., ,., ~ insecure. and for something like this to happen. _ insecure. and for something like this to happen, regardless - insecure. and for something like this to happen, regardless of. insecure. and for something like i this to happen, regardless of where it has come from and who has done it, in the heart of moscow, on the kremlin, it does beg the question, an area that is so heavily protected and guarded, one of the most protected and guarded in their world, for this to even happenjust feels completely unprecedented. it does. and there has to be a reason why the authorities in moscow are so vocal about it. and that is why many

people, particularly officials in kyiv, say that moscow is doing this to prepare the ground for some kind of escalation in ukraine, and the statements that i have been hearing from officials in the russian capital, that they are really alarming, the speaker of the russian parliament for example, he said that he will demand weapons to be used that will destroy what he called the zelensky regime, and now dmitry medvedev, the deputy of vladimir putin says that russia has no choice but to physically eliminate president zelensky so this is indeed a very wobbly —— worrying development, especially the way russia is treating it —— worrying

development. in russia is treating it -- worrying development-— russia is treating it -- worrying develoment. ., , g; :: , development. in the last 30 minutes the white house _ development. in the last 30 minutes the white house press _ development. in the last 30 minutes the white house press secretary - development. in the last 30 minutes the white house press secretary has| the white house press secretary has spoken and said it is too early to tell if the russian claims that it was ukraine behind that drone strike are accurate. thank you so much for bringing us up—to—date, vitaly. "the sudanese are facing a humanitarian catastrophe" — those are the words of the un secretary general — antonio guterres — who was speaking from the kenyan capital, nairobi earlier on wednesday. he called on the warring sides to stop fighting immediately before the conflict �*explodes�* and turns into �*an all—out war�*. since fighting broke out three weeks ago, hundreds of people have been killed and thousands displaced. while the warring sides now say they�*ve agreed to a new seven—day truce, there is no gurantee they�*ll last — previous ceasefires have been repeatedly violated. here is mr guterres speaking a little earlier. the fighting needs to stop. and to

stop now. before more people die, and this conflict explodes into an all—out war that could affect the region for years to come. all parties must put the interest of the sudanese people first, with peace, allowing for the development of the country. i spoke to our correspondent andew harding, who has been monitoring events for us from jeddah in saudi arabia. the situation inside sudan, particularly in khartoum is that fighting has intensified particularly around the presidential palace in the centre of town and on the west bank of the river nile, and in another large city. no hint of the current ceasefire sticking, and no word about the seven day ceasefire that is supposed to come into force. but still, no word yet

from either of the warring parties inside sudan that they are going to respect that. we have had a visit from two senior un officials to port sudan, the hub of the humanitarian response. frustration expressed by those officials who said they need a high level detail guarantees about access, and there is concern about the losing of six food trucks that were delivering aid to darfur. that is a real concern. and a broader sense that much more needs to be done to facilitate support for hospitals in particular which we know have been targeted widely in khartoum, and other cities. so, the situation is really still very unstable and the exodus, tens of thousands of civilians heading

north, south, east and west in fact, to all of the borders of sudan. andrew harding, there. the un has described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe was that hundreds of thousands of people in desperate need of aid. we spoke to the un world food programme�*s, regional director for east africa michael dunford. he gave me his assessment of events. catastrophe is the perfect description. 15.8 million people already hungry in sudan, one third of the population, before the crisis. that number is skyrocketing. there were over 4 million people internally displaced. that number continues to increase. the security and lack of humanitarian actors, all contributing to what, as you heard, is a catastrophe. the world food programme has recommenced operations today. we initially suspended it

because we lost at the very beginning temperatures staff members that are fighting. but —— three staff members. but because of the fighting we are forced to recommence operations. haifa fighting we are forced to recommence o erations. ., , fighting we are forced to recommence oerations. ., , ., ., . operations. how is that going? we heard from — operations. how is that going? we heard from the _ operations. how is that going? we heard from the un _ operations. how is that going? we heard from the un that _ operations. how is that going? we heard from the un that trucks - operations. how is that going? we heard from the un that trucks had| heard from the un that trucks had been attacked and looted. that in itself is a major security issue. absolutely stopped 80,000 metric tonnes of food inside sudan before the crisis. 17,000 metric tonnes have already been looted or stolen. we have challenges everywhere we look, and yet we must continue, we must go on. that is why we started operations today. 0ver must go on. that is why we started operations today. over the coming days and weeks we will continue to scale these up. days and weeks we will continue to scale these un— scale these up. michael, you say that ou scale these up. michael, you say that you will _ scale these up. michael, you say that you will continue _ scale these up. michael, you say that you will continue then - scale these up. michael, you say i that you will continue then backed, are you able to, in places like khartoum, where we are speaking to

people daily who say that they are running out of food and water, they are contained in their homes because of street to street battles, they are too frightened to go out and when they go out there is nothing for them to find anyway.- for them to find anyway. exactly, the situation _ for them to find anyway. exactly, the situation in _ for them to find anyway. exactly, the situation in khartoum - for them to find anyway. exactly, the situation in khartoum is - for them to find anyway. exactly, the situation in khartoum is a - the situation in khartoum is a disaster. to be honest we are not yet at that point. we will start in the east of the country working with populations we were already supporting, populations who had been displaced into those areas. we will, in a phased approach, gradually moving to the likes of khartoum and ultimately darfur, but this is going to be an extraordinarily complex and dangerous operation. that to be an extraordinarily complex and dangerous operation.— dangerous operation. at present are ou all dangerous operation. at present are you all based _ dangerous operation. at present are you all based out _ dangerous operation. at present are you all based out of— dangerous operation. at present are you all based out of port _ dangerous operation. at present are you all based out of port sudan? - dangerous operation. at present arej you all based out of port sudan? we have a you all based out of port sudan? - have a poor critical team in port sudan. we also have national —— we have a core critical team. we are

about to scale up because of the situation inside the country. hour situation inside the country. how are ou situation inside the country. how are you doing — situation inside the country. how are you doing for— situation inside the country. how are you doing for funding? we often are you doing forfunding? we often talk about are you doing for funding? we often talk about catastrophe and are you doing forfunding? we often talk about catastrophe and famine in places like afghanistan, yemen, somalia, sudan was already a catastrophe with millions in desperate need of food and aid assistance. and the world and the un continued to ask for more funding, aid and money. how is this now been exacerbated with this crisis? flit exacerbated with this crisis? of course. before this crisis, the wfp needed $450 million for sudan alone and needs across the region exceed $2 billion. ., ., , ~ . ., and needs across the region exceed $2 billion. ., ~ . ., , ., $2 billion. that was michael dunford from the world _ $2 billion. that was michael dunford from the world food _ $2 billion. that was michael dunford from the world food programme. i from the world food programme. police in atlanta in the us have cordoned off road. there are a

number of police cars, paramedics, officials gathered there. we are getting reports that a man has been hunted by police after a shooting took place in a medical office. several people are reported to have been injured. we are hearing from our correspondings in the united states that the details remain sketchy but the atlanta police department has reported on social media channels that the situation was being investigated and they are aware of an active shooter inside a building in midtown atlanta. we are hearing that some people have been left injured. multiple people injured according to police. but nobody has yet been taken into custody. we are also being told that police have advised people in the area to shelter, and to stay out of the area. there is one unconfirmed report suggesting a man opened fire and medicalfacility

report suggesting a man opened fire and medical facility where report suggesting a man opened fire and medicalfacility where he report suggesting a man opened fire and medical facility where he was attending an appointment with his mother. we are being told police have released a picture of the alleged gunman. we have teams who are verifying that material, and following the situation closely, to bring us up to date and bring us as much information as possible. but, from what you can see, a lot of police, paramedics and officials gathered there at that cordoned off road in atlanta and they continued their manhunt. there is more news coming out of the united states. the us federal reserve has raised its benchmark lending rate for a tenth consecutive time, hiking it by 25 basis points to between 5% and 5.25%. it was a widely expected move. they said that tighter credit conditions would impact the economy, job hiring and inflation. in the uk, strikes by security guards at heathrow airport will go ahead on

thursday after last—minute talks over a pay dispute broke down. that is coming to us following an an announcement by the unite union. that strike is going ahead at heathrow airport. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. taking out an outfit for the prom. a mother and daughter well aware of just how much the outfit can set people back. just how much the outfit can set people back-— just how much the outfit can set people back. just how much the outfit can set --eole back. , ,, , people back. hundreds, you see them second hand — people back. hundreds, you see them second hand online _ people back. hundreds, you see them second hand online for— people back. hundreds, you see them second hand online for hundreds - people back. hundreds, you see them second hand online for hundreds and i second hand online for hundreds and when you�*re struggling to pay the bills it is a literally gasp as you think, you want it to be mine so this is a lovely thing to do. anchor mac who can come and take away a donated dress, forfree. it is run ljy donated dress, forfree. it is run by a charity which identified a desperate need.— by a charity which identified a

deserate need. ., , ., , , desperate need. people are missing out on the prom. — desperate need. people are missing out on the prom, or— desperate need. people are missing out on the prom, or parents - desperate need. people are missing out on the prom, or parents are - out on the prom, or parents are getting _ out on the prom, or parents are getting into debt and we have had people _ getting into debt and we have had people being harassed by doorstep money— people being harassed by doorstep money lenders in all the oval ways to gel— money lenders in all the oval ways to get money back so it is done to stop to get money back so it is done to stop that, — to get money back so it is done to stop that, to make sure that the prom _ stop that, to make sure that the pro[11 is — stop that, to make sure that the prom is inclusive and anybody can come _ prom is inclusive and anybody can come. anchor mac last year they helped _ come. anchor mac last year they helped almost 500 people with dresses — helped almost 500 people with dresses. this year, they hope to help— dresses. this year, they hope to help even— dresses. this year, they hope to help even more. it�*s being described as one of the most important operations ever conducted in europe. german and italian police have arrested more than 100 people in a crackdown on the italian ndrangheta crime group as part of a europe—wide anti—mafia operation. the group, known for worldwide cocaine smuggling and trafficking weapons is thought to be one of the richest organised crime families in the world. isa is a very important police

operation. they have targeted the ndrangheta which is a powerful criminal network, a family born in the rough hills of calabria, at the extreme saddle of italy, and as you mention it as one of the world�*s most powerful and lesser—known criminal organisations, people who move tonnes of cocaine across the world. ~ ., ,, move tonnes of cocaine across the world. ~ ., i. _ move tonnes of cocaine across the world. ~ ., , , move tonnes of cocaine across the world. ~ ., , ,., ., world. would you say this is one of the biggest — world. would you say this is one of the biggest raids _ world. would you say this is one of the biggest raids and _ world. would you say this is one of the biggest raids and operations i world. would you say this is one of the biggest raids and operations in j the biggest raids and operations in europe and one of the most significant?— europe and one of the most siunificant? ., ., , ., , , , significant? that would probably be es. i significant? that would probably be yes. i remember _ significant? that would probably be yes. i remember another _ significant? that would probably be yes. i remember another one - significant? that would probably be yes. i remember another one that i yes. i remember another one that uncovered the ability of the ndrangheta to use bitcoin as a form of payment. it is a great and

important step in direction because a global organisation such as the ndrangheta requires an international collaboration so that the effort of many law enforcement agencies. min many law enforcement agencies. will this seriously disrupt their operations?— this seriously disrupt their operations? this seriously disrupt their oerations? ., ., , . , operations? that would be nice but i don't think so. _ operations? that would be nice but i don't think so. as _ operations? that would be nice but i don't think so. as i _ operations? that would be nice but i don't think so. as i mentioned, - operations? that would be nice but i don't think so. as i mentioned, the i don�*t think so. as i mentioned, the ndrangheta is a criminal network of severalfamilies. this operation several families. this operation targeted severalfamilies. this operation targeted some families, based in one important town in calabria, san

lucca, considered the mother of the ndrangheta, an important stronghold, but there are so many other families. but there are so many other families-— families. we will be back in the next few minutes. _ hello there. and in west wales, temperatures reached 19 degrees in the sunshine. in scotland though, we�*ve seen much more cloud. so temperatures have been lower here and we�*ve seen some rain heading into the north—west of scotland. a weakening weather front will take that rain overnight up towards the northern isles. the rest of the uk likely to be dry, the breeze tending to pick up, an east or south—easterly breeze. there�*ll be a few breaks in the cloud, but it may not be quite so chilly as it was last night in eastern parts of england. these are the numbers as we head to dawn on thursday. for many parts of the country on thursday, it looks like it�*ll be a dry day with some sunshine at times.

there will be a few changes, though, that stronger wind off the north sea brings more cloud into eastern scotland, north—east england and a weather front approaching the south—west, bringing some patchy rain here and increases the cloud in northern ireland as well. so for these areas it may well be a bit cooler than it was today. it�*ll be cooler in the north—east as well, but with some sunshine elsewhere and lighter winds for the midlands and the south—east — here, it�*s going to be warmer. temperatures reaching 19 degrees here. but contrast that with temperatures barely getting into double figures in eastern scotland and the north—east of england. we�*re seeing some rain coming in from the south—west, not huge amounts of rain. that weather front will continue to push its way northwards overnight into friday morning. that weather front probably getting stuck across scotland through the day and then following on from that to the south, we�*ll see some sunshine, but showers will develop quite readily. they could be heavy and thundery. southernmost parts of england should see an improvement later on in the afternoon. the winds are lighter for many areas, more from the south or south—west. but we�*ve still got a stronger wind off the north sea in scotland. hence temperatures will be a bit lower here once again on friday, although temperatures should be

higher in the north—east of england. for many parts of the uk, temperatures will be around 15 to 17 degrees. the colder air that�*s in the north—east is going to get pushed away. the wind changes more to the south or south—west, but that means the weather is going to be turning much more unsettled just in time for the coronation weekend, with weather fronts moving up from the south or from the west. so things are looking more changeable. there is some rain in the forecast at the moment. it looks like we�*ll see rain pushing up from the south on saturday. sunday at the moment, looks like the driest day of the few before we see some heavy showers returning on monday.

this is bbc news, the headlines. a man is being hunted by police in atlanta, in the us, after a shooting took place in a medical office. at least one person has died. a teenager is arrested after eight children and a security guard are shot dead at an elementary school in belgrade. and we�*re going to bejoined by the german mep hannah neumann — she�*s just back from the afghan capital kabul, she met women and girls there. eight children and a security guard have been killed in a school shooting in the serbian capital belgrade. police have arrested a 14—year—old pupil from the school who�*s said to have walked into a history lesson and opened fire on his class mates. three days of national mourning have been declared.

0ur belgrade correspondent guy delauney reports.