live from london, this is bbc news. kyiv says it's �*moving forward' in what appears to be the start of a much—anticipated counter—offensive, as russia's defence ministry claims to have thwarted a major ukrainian push. ajudge in london's high court expresses surprise at prince harry's absence on day one of his trial against a newspaper publisher. the royal now to appear in the witness box on tuesday. we'll have all the latest details live from the court as it begins to hear opening arguments. and movement resumes on a section of india's rail network after last week's deadly train collision, as grief stricken family members continue to search for their loved ones. translation: i had never thought this would happen — just the day before, we had so much fun.

hello, i'm ben thompson, welcome to bbc news now. with you for three hours of live news, interviews and reaction. we begin in ukraine, where kyiv says it's �*moving forward' in what appears to be the start of a counter—offensive. the ukrainian army has released these images — showing what it says are ukrainian forces destroying russian positions in the direction of bakhmut, in the occupied eastern region of donetsk. in contrast, russia claims it's thwarted a major ukrainian attack in the same region. it's defence ministry has released this video, that it says shows ukrainian armoured vehicles coming under heavy fire. moscow says 250 ukrainian troops were killed and a number of armoured vehicles were destroyed. the claims have not been verified by the bbc.

here is a map showing the area where ukrainian forces have made probing attack. around bakhmut and also the western part of zaporizhzhia region, but also the eastern part of donetsk. in particular around the town of vuhledar, some 150 kilometres southwest of bakhmut. our ukraine correspondent, james waterhouse has the latest in kyiv for us. this appears to be the start of ukraine's long—awaited counter—offensive. there have been weeks, months of building rhetoric, of ukrainian forces trying to probe different parts of the front line. there have also been russian forces launching wave after wave of attack, at huge human cost, to take small towns and villages. there really has been no let up in the fighting. it reminds me a lot of the invasion last year, where we saw this

building up of the language and tone and then we saw it translate into military action. meanwhile, ukraine's military has released this cryptic video which appears to refer to the counter offensive. take a look. the words written in ukrainian read, "plans love silence. there will be no announcement about the start". it then shows two fighter jets, f—16 aircraft which ukraine has been pushing western countries to send, manoeuvring in the air. live now to yuriy sak in kyiv, who's an adviser to the ukrainian defence ministry. it is good to have you on the programme. the suggestion is that this appears to be start of the ukrainian counteroffensive. is it? good afternoon. we have been saying for quite a while now that

counteroffensive, or offensive, or the next stages of military operation will not be announced, for good reason, but more importantly, they have never stopped. it would be a mistake to think that the front was never idle. the military operations along the front line have been very active and some days more intense, some less. you have mentioned in your report the city of bakhmut. around there, ukrainian forces have been in the last couple of weeks counter attacking and achieving some relative progress and we see that the terrorists, wagner group, has left and we understand we have degraded the russian army, our estimate and our understanding is that russians, russian losses around bakhmut have been seven and a half

times larger than our losses. that was the strategy, to inflict losses on the enemy and allow the ukrainian army to prepare for the next stage. our goal is unchanged, we need to liberate all our lands and we are moving to that goal gradually. russia says ukrainians have been trying to break through russian defences, it said you had no success. these are what are described in military circles as probing attack, trying to size up what opposition this and what defences russia has in place and that will determine the next steps of the war. is that a fair assessment?— of the war. is that a fair assessment? , ., , ., , ., , assessment? the shaping or probing o erations assessment? the shaping or probing operations like _ assessment? the shaping or probing operations like i _ assessment? the shaping or probing operations like i said, _ assessment? the shaping or probing operations like i said, have - assessment? the shaping or probing operations like i said, have been - operations like i said, have been taking place for some time. one thing we know all by now, in ukraine as well as beyond ukraine, that if

anyone is interested in understanding what is actually happening in ukraine on the battlefield, the ministry of defence of the terrorist state russia is not a source to go to. because they're lying about everything; about their imaginary successes on the battlefield. if we trusted them, bakhmut would have been under their control already about 50 times. we are seeing that russians have intensified the so—called disinformation campaign and are using different social media, they're using old footage, old images and video footage of destroyed military equipment and prisoners of war, just to discredit the military operations carried out by the ukrainian armed forces. we are confident that we will see more of this again. we warned everybody, follow what the ukrainian ministry of defence and general staff is

saying, because we stick by the truth. we may not always be very open and vocal about our plans, which is justified open and vocal about our plans, which isjustified be by the military reality. we which isjustified be by the military reality.— which isjustified be by the military reality. which isjustified be by the milita reali .~ ~ ., , , which isjustified be by the milita reali .~ ~ ., , military reality. we know this is an information _ military reality. we know this is an information war _ military reality. we know this is an information war as _ military reality. we know this is an information war as much _ military reality. we know this is an information war as much as - military reality. we know this is an information war as much as it - military reality. we know this is an information war as much as it is i military reality. we know this is an information war as much as it is a l information war as much as it is a military war. i wonder if you could describe to us what the video that we showed a part of, issued by ukrainian forces, saying we will not announce this. what is the purpose of this video?— of this video? well the purpose of this video is _ of this video? well the purpose of this video is to _ of this video? well the purpose of this video is to relay _ of this video? well the purpose of this video is to relay a _ of this video? well the purpose of this video is to relay a simple - this video is to relay a simple message that plans like silence. in ukraine, here in ukraine, where every second day we are a target of massive missile and drone attacks the, we are saying this same message

to our own people and requesting them not to make photographs of sites of the attacks, not the spread the images on social media and this of course is relevant to everybody else. because by now there is some erroneous image or perception of the next stages of ukrainian military operation, as if it is an offensive and all soldiers will gather in one place and a general will come up with a starting gun and things will begin to happen. we say what whatever happens is not announced. we will report after it happens and we have to be focussed and we have to be quiet about our plans, because the element of surprise is a very important factor of the success on the battlefield. i important factor of the success on the battlefield.— the battlefield. i understand that. let me ask _ the battlefield. i understand that. let me ask you — the battlefield. i understand that. let me ask you this _ the battlefield. i understand that. let me ask you this final- the battlefield. i understand that. l let me ask you this final question, we know a lot of spring offensive was dependent on weather conditions and training and the provision of

weapons from the west. is there a suggestion that if this has begun you have the equipment you need to launch this counter offensive? ida you have the equipment you need to launch this counter offensive? ila i, launch this counter offensive? no 1, we have to — launch this counter offensive? no 1, we have to understand _ launch this counter offensive? no 1, we have to understand this - launch this counter offensive? no 1, we have to understand this is - launch this counter offensive? in? i, we have to understand this is the most intense warfare since the end of second world war, the rate at which the ammunition is used on the battlefield is very high. this is why you know notjust our western allies, but our american friends, everybody is now ramping up the production of ammunition, because everyone understands how high is the rate of burn through on the battlefield. there are factors like weather conditions and our preparedness in term of how much help we have received. but most importantly, when our military command is making decisions about the next steps, the priority noi is trying to ensure that the lives of our personnel are safe and we can

achieve maximum results, will enduring minimum losses. because we value our losses. unlike the terrorist state russia that is using their soldiers as cannon fodder and throwing them to slaughter houses without any regard for their lives. it is good to have you with us, thank you forjoining us live from kyiv, an advisor to the ukraine ian defence ministry. now a line of breaking news about the young people who died off the coast of bournemouth. there has been a lot of speculation about the cause of death. police had not been very forthcoming with details. now there is confirmation that the young people were caught in a rip tide and drowned. there has been speculation

about the cause of death. police were forced to dismiss speculation that they had been jumping were forced to dismiss speculation that they had beenjumping off were forced to dismiss speculation that they had been jumping off a peer into the water. ten swimmers were involved in the incident on the beach that busy during the uk half term holiday. now dorset police has been playing down speculation about the cause of death, now confirm ation that the two died of drowning. that is the latest line from dorset police. prince harry will become the first senior member of the british royal family for more than 100 years to give evidence in court this week — as he enters the witness box in his legal battle against mirror group newspapers. prince harry claims his privacy was breached byjournalists and investigators working on more than 200 stories about him, dating back to the early 1990s. mgn has apologised for the use of unlawful methods to gather information — including phone hacking — but says executives were unaware

of what was going on. this morning, prince harry's lawyer david sherborne — seen here arriving in court earlier — says he won't be appearing today. there is the scene outside court. a lot of anticipation about prince harry's arrival. now confirmed for tomorrow and what is shaping up to be a show down in the courts between the royal and a large media organisation. prince harry saying it is his life's work to change the culture in some parts of the media. let's speak to our correspondent sean coughlan, who's outside the royal courts ofjustice. prince harry, when he does turn up will face some probe being questions, intrusive questions. but he said he feels it is worth it,

that it he said he feels it is worth it, thatitis he said he feels it is worth it, that it is his life's work to change the culture in the media.- the culture in the media. that's riaht, we the culture in the media. that's right. we are — the culture in the media. that's right, we are here, _ the culture in the media. that's right, we are here, but- the culture in the media. that's right, we are here, but prince l the culture in the media. that's - right, we are here, but prince harry isn't. there is no doubt he is the major attraction here. he is willing to take on the tabloid press in his claims over hacking. and the speculation, the interest, will be about where that takes us. we don't know how he will respond to questioning and how he will respond to being pushed back. it is unlike any other royal interview, that tend to be controlled and in some ways soft interviews. this won't be like that, it is a tough barrister going at him. that will be the huge, the eyes of the world will be on this, what will he say and what will his body language be like and how will he take on this unusual case and it is the first time for over a century we have had such a spectacle. i’m

we have had such a spectacle. i'm 'ust we have had such a spectacle. i'm just saying — we have had such a spectacle. i'm just saying goodbye to viewers watching on bbc two. sean, let me pick up with that thought. not only that questioning of course, but his appearance in court is highly unusual itself. i mentioned the first senior royal in more than a century to give evidence in the witness box?— century to give evidence in the witness box? ., �* , ., witness box? that's right, edward the vii witness box? that's right, edward the vii made _ witness box? that's right, edward the vii made a _ witness box? that's right, edward the vii made a couple _ witness box? that's right, edward the vii made a couple of- witness box? that's right, edward - the vii made a couple of appearances at the end of the the 19th century. even then they were brief and unchallenged appearances. this will be very different. when we found prince harry wouldn't be appearing, we heard from the mirror group lawyers, they want him to be in the witness box for as long as possible and take him through his claims. we don't know where that will lead. we

know there are specific articles that he says are the result of hacking or unlawful gathering. but where the questions will take us we don't know. we suspect the rest of the royal family must be looking at this with some anxiety. in a court case involving another newspaper, we learned prince william reached a private settlement with the newspaper. everyone will be focussed on both the spectacle and what might not be known. on both the spectacle and what might not be known-— not be known. you're right. the spectacle _ not be known. you're right. the spectacle itself, _ not be known. you're right. the spectacle itself, because - not be known. you're right. the spectacle itself, because i- not be known. you're right. the spectacle itself, because i have| spectacle itself, because i have seen it as a courtroom drama and a royal soap opera in one, one that will attract global interest. how will attract global interest. how will the royal family view this? they have had that don't explain thing and tried to ignore things, but prince harry saying he wants to tackle this head on? it but prince harry saying he wants to tackle this head on?— but prince harry saying he wants to tackle this head on? it goes against

the train tackle this head on? it goes against the grain of— tackle this head on? it goes against the grain of everything _ tackle this head on? it goes against the grain of everything of— tackle this head on? it goes against the grain of everything of which - tackle this head on? it goes against the grain of everything of which we | the grain of everything of which we expect from the royals, which is to never complain and never explain. they also i think wanted to avoid the sort of direct questioning that prince harry will face. we know from the interview that prince andrew did with newsnight, delivered news lines after news lines for years. prince harry will be in the witness box for a longer time and there will be anxiety about where the questioning will take them. it is an unprecedented occasion. that will be the great fascination to see where and how the questions take prince harry and us in terms of what we find out about the royal family and their dealings with the press. sean. their dealings with the press. sean, it is aood their dealings with the press. sean, it is good to — their dealings with the press. sean, it is good to talk _ their dealings with the press. sean, it is good to talk to _ their dealings with the press. sean, it is good to talk to you. _ their dealings with the press. sean, it is good to talk to you. thank- it is good to talk to you. thank you. we will be back if there are any further developments. but the development that prince harry will not appear to give evidence until tomorrow in what could be a long

hearing. we are going to have much more on this later on in the programme and talk about the implication and the pretty big issues raised and we will speak to a media lawyer later in the hour. that is the scene outside the court with the world's media gathered for what could be, as we said there, a courtroom drama and a royal soap opera playing out before our very eyes. you're watching bbc news. picking up rubbish in a boat is no easy task. particularly when there is a bit of wind, but where there is a will there is a way. this litter picking exercise in nottingham is part of a wider litter sweep on our

water ways. we part of a wider litter sweep on our water ways-— water ways. we all sorts from bottles to _ water ways. we all sorts from bottles to more _ water ways. we all sorts from bottles to more unusual- water ways. we all sorts from bottles to more unusualfinds| water ways. we all sorts from - bottles to more unusual finds like an inflatable flamingo, a chair, rivers are carrying the water to our oceans, causing damage there as well. ., ., , ., , well. children and adults are being encouraged _ well. children and adults are being encouraged to _ well. children and adults are being encouraged to take _ well. children and adults are being encouraged to take part. _ well. children and adults are being encouraged to take part. the - well. children and adults are beingj encouraged to take part. the clean up encouraged to take part. the clean up has another ten days to go. you're live with bbc news. india's railway ministry has recommended a second, separate investigation into the deadly crash that killed 275 people on friday. the three—train collision has been described as india's worst rail accident this century. more than a hundred bodies are still waiting to be claimed.

a railways investigation has blamed a signal fault for the crash but the railway ministry's top decision making body, has recommended a separate investigation by the central bureau of investigation. archana shukla has been at the scene of the crash. a pay cheque he hesitates to collect. this man was meant to be on the same ill—fated train as his wife — but stayed back to run a last—minute errand. "my wife's image keeps flashing before my eyes. what am i to do that my wife is gone? money can be earned later, but nothing can bring her back," he tells me. family members have been gathering at the centre after the government announced compensation of £1,000 for the kin of the deceased. for others, the painful search is still on — sifting through photos, from hospital to hospital,

and now morgue to morgue. inconsolable and traumatised. 22—year—old himanshu can barely speak. his brother was on the train that crashed. "can i see my brotherjust once?" he keeps repeating. at this makeshift morgue, he's just one of many who don't have answers yet. ten members of mukul singh's family were on the train. eight found, one dead, and one still missing. his family spent £450 — much beyond their means — to come here from another state. "these photos are unrecognisable. how can we find him in this?

i had never thought this would happen. just a day before, we had so much fun," he tells me. with limited resources to manage the dead, government has now shifted all the casualties to the capital city, five hours away from here. but over 180 bodies still remain unidentified. officials have started posting the photos of dead bodies on government websites, and have said they'll start resorting to dna identification. these tracks that tell the story of loss are still being cleared. rail service has been restored on some tracks. attention has now turned to just why this disaster happened. archana shukla, bbc news, balasore, odisha. in the past hour, the uk prime minister rishi sunak has said his plan to tackle small boats crossing the english

channel is working, but there is "work to do". he was speaking from kent, where he said the returns deal with albania had led to 1,800 people being sent back, and that was having a deterrent effect. he also announced two more barges to house asylum seekers. let's cross live now to our political correspondent, nick eardley. what was the prime minister saying? look, this is something that rishi sunak has made a priority, he talks about illegal migration when ever he gets the chance and today was about i think trying to persuade the public that stopping boats crossing the channel was still going to be one of his priorities. so what the prime minister told us earlier this morning is he thinks the plan's work and the number of crossings is down by a fifth and he thinks the government is going to be able to

deliver on his pledges. just first here what is rishi sunak had to say. crossings are now down 20% compared to last year. that's right — crossings are down 20%. this is the first time since this problem began that arrivals between january and may have fallen compared to the year before. and this progress is not replicated across the channel. illegal migrants entering the rest of europe have risen by 30%. there is one slight caveat to that, ben, which is that some people have suggested that might be as much down to the weather as anything else. it is worth pointing out that the majority of people who do cross the channel in small boats do it later in the year, typically in the summer months when the water is a lot calmer in the channel. what struck me about that press conference from rishi sunak apart from the

announcement that two barges, two further barges, would be used to house asylum seekers to bring cost and the stat that crossings are down 20%. he he was asked, what does stop the boats mean. it is something the government talks about regularly, every e—mail has stop the boats as a government priority. rishi sunak has not defined that. he was asked can you stop all the boats? are you committing to no boats crossing. he said it was for other people to judge. so it does seem that rishi sunak is more trying to persuade us all that this is a plan that he has thatis all that this is a plan that he has that is going to continue to develop, ratherthan that is going to continue to develop, rather than saying, that is the point, at which it will be done. looking at the numbers, the number of people arriving in small boats has fallen by about a quarter since

this time last year, but that number was already way higher than it has beenin was already way higher than it has been in years before that? yes. was already way higher than it has been in years before that? yes, the bbc's done — been in years before that? yes, the bbc's done some _ been in years before that? yes, the bbc's done some analysis - been in years before that? yes, the bbc's done some analysis that - bbc�*s done some analysis that suggests it is about a quarter. the government saying it is about a fifth. it does seem to be in that region. but why is that happen something the government will claim thatis something the government will claim that is a success of the policy, there may be some people who a i agree the government's policy saying if you are rejected, that might be working. the government's pointed in particular to a fall in the number of albanians coming to the uk. but again it is worth pointing out that again it is worth pointing out that a lot of people come in the summer months. that is when the numbers spike, particularly foralbanians. spike, particularly for albanians. there spike, particularly foralbanians. there has been a 90% fall in albanians, but that is from a low base last year. a progress report is

probably the fairest way of describing it. but many will want a lot more progress to be made. thank ou. this is bbc news, the headlines... the tempo of the war in ukraine appears to quicken as kyiv launches what could be the start of a much—anticipated counter offensive. lawyers accuse prince harry of "wasting time" by not attending the first day of his high court trial against a newspaper publisher. the royal to now give evidence tuesday. an australian woman once branded the country's "worst female serial killer'" is pardoned after new evidence suggests she didn't kill her four children.

and spelling in the summer sun — thousands attend an attempt to break the record for the world's largest writing test in paris. despite the danger in certain areas, thousands of ukrainians are returning to their homes close to the front line — even though officials are urging them to stay away. james waterhouse has been to the eastern town of pokrovsk, to find out why some are deciding to go home. the end of the line. we're on a journey, which people are being told not to take. a train notjust to the battlefield, but home. viktoria has had enough of being a refugee and is heading back with her precious cargo. her baby. translation: it was impossible

to live like that. _ we travelled all around slovakia and ukraine but i have to settle our family. this is where we belong. after travelling across the country, she's welcomed by who she left behind. her husband, serhiy. translation: i feel overwhelmed and very glad to see my beautiful i daughter and my wife. here, men typically stay behind to eitherfight or in serhiy�*s case, work. he and thousands of others chose to stay for this coalmine. it's a major employer which binds pokrovsk together. workers have to balance their safety with simple economics. "i had to continue working", this man tells us.

"i also need to financially support my family who've come back." his employer is still hiring staff. despite the dangers, it's an enticing prospect for those thinking about returning. mining is, after all, part of the donetsk region's dna. before the full scale invasion, pokrovsk�*s population was 65,000. it dropped to a third but is now rising. it's become a destination for those escaping occupied cities. residents have also been enticed back by power and water being restored, but the sharp end of this conflict is just 26 miles from here. it's why locals are being told to stay away. is it safe enough for people to return to pokrovsk? translation: no, even though j pokrovsk is not right at the front of the donetsk region, we cannot say it is a safe city.

multiple rocket launchers can reach here.