ukraine's army claims it now controls a thousand square kilometres of russian territory after the launch of its surprise offensive last week. today president putin has vowed to kick ukraine out of russia. we'll have the very latest. also on the programme: the us orders a guided missile submarine and an aircraft carrier group into the middle east amid fears

of an escalating conflict in the region. we look at the challenges facing the uk prime minister sir keir starmer after two weeks of riots in his first few weeks as leader. and greece appeals for international help to tackle wildfires threatening neighbourhoods close to the capital athens. it is the biggest incursion into russian territory since the second world war. ukraine's commander in chief now says his troops control about a thousand square kilometres of russian land in the kursk region after their surpise attack there a week ago. russia has told about 180 thousand of its citizens in the area to leave their homes as ukraine presses on with its offensive. but the russian leader president putin has promised to kick all ukrainian troops out of his country. our russia editor steve rosenburg reports from moscow. a music video from the russian military, allegedly showing it targeting ukrainian troops who had crossed the border. it's presented like a blockbuster. in reality, this is a huge problem for russia.

translation: the governor of russia's kursk region - put it in figures. he told vladimir putin that ukrainian soldiers had seized 28 settlements in his region. the kremlin leader cut him off. "leave the numbers to the military", he said. translation: the main task| is with our ministry of defence and that is to force the enemy from our territory. our adversary will, of course, receive a fitting response and without doubt all our objectives will be met. translation: as ukrainian troops have moved in, - residents have moved out. officials say that more - than 120,000 people have been evacuated in kursk region, and thousands more in- the neighbouring region of belgorod. there are fears of a ukrainian incursion there, too. - what is happening is huge. for the first time in more than 80 years. foreign troops are

fighting on russian soil. and yet the country's leadership describes this as a provocation, a terrorist attack. the kremlin still avoids using the word war as if to tell the people there's no need to panic. on the streets of moscow, no shock, just resignation about ukraine's offensive. i'm not surprised, olga says. it's a border area and this war has been going on for some time. what we all want is peace and, uh, like the quickest resolution of this conflict. in the meantime, these volunteers are trying to do something. in moscow, they've organised a collection of food and clothes for the evacuees. there are people who have lost their homes there. they need shelter. they need food, they need supplies. it was their country that invaded ukraine.

russians are now having to deal with unforeseen consequences. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. let's speak to michael bociurkiw, a global affairs analyst and senior fellow at the atlantic council think—tank. this is clearly a bold move by the ukrainians. is it one that could backfire? is it a bit of a gamble? it could backfire. the numbers are mind—boggling. iooo it could backfire. the numbers are mind—boggling. 1000 square kilometres at least. that is the size of dallas, texas in the united states. a very big city. around 44 settlements. numbers are trending up to about a quarter of a million evacuees. but yes, my big fear, knowing what we do offer russian track record and playback, is that

they may retaliate not in conventional military ways, but by doing something disastrous or stupid, like deliberate accidents at the nuclear power plant which is in russian control. the other day, we saw smoke rising from there which are really concerned the iaea. so, you could probably expect something like that to happen if ukrainians press further on. you like that to happen if ukrainians press further on.— like that to happen if ukrainians press further on. you are saying that there _ press further on. you are saying that there could _ press further on. you are saying that there could be _ press further on. you are saying that there could be some - press further on. you are saying that there could be some pretty| press further on. you are saying - that there could be some pretty dire consequences. what you think that the ukrainian aim in all of this is? it is clearly a counteroffensive. maybe it will boost the morale of their people. there has been a lot of talk about ukrainians hoping to draw in some of the russian troops from other areas.— from other areas. yes. a couple of fiuhts: i from other areas. yes. a couple of fights: i reached _ from other areas. yes. a couple of fights: i reached out _ from other areas. yes. a couple of fights: i reached out to _ from other areas. yes. a couple of fights: i reached out to the - fights: i reached out to the ukrainian ambassadors that i know well, they came back and said: we

have no talking point on this. that indicates to me the ukrainians are controlling the message carefully within the office of the president at the ministry of defence. i think that what ukrainians are trying to do is gain some pr points. i have been based in ukraine for most of the war. there was a really weary attitude to taking hold and a desire to end the war. also, scoring pr points in russia. putin is very humiliated, he is angry, in that press conference he was using a russian slang that only angry people use. i noticed he was reading from scribbled notes. the ukrainians are probably, if they are wise, going to hold onto what they have and use that as a bargaining chip, using the pows they have and seized territory to negotiate perhaps an end to the war. it is easier to negotiate with

territory than without it. what war. it is easier to negotiate with territory than without it.- territory than without it. what do ou think territory than without it. what do you think the _ territory than without it. what do you think the western _ territory than without it. what do you think the western allies - territory than without it. what do you think the western allies of i you think the western allies of ukraine make of this? will they be nervous perhaps? one wonders if they were told in advance about the plans for the incursion inside russia. well western hardware, tanks and so on, british tanks, american tanks, german tanks, be being used in this? this is clearly a sophisticated operation. my sources tell me western intelligence was involved. the ukrainians do want to send a message back to the capitals of berlin, paris, berlin, washington london, that they can use western support effectively. let us be honest: it hasn't gone well for them on the front line. they really leveraged the element of surprise, spotting vulnerability, and again, it is mind—boggling how little

internal security there is in these border regions. i was reading the ukrainian military telegram channels today, and they basically described the incursion as a walk through the park. they encountered russian soldiers drinking coffee and taking it easy. one final point is: there is no visible resistance here either from the russian troops of the general population. that might tell you something as well.— you something as well. wanted ukrainians _ you something as well. wanted ukrainians do _ you something as well. wanted ukrainians do now? _ you something as well. wanted ukrainians do now? stick - you something as well. wanted ukrainians do now? stick or- you something as well. wanted i ukrainians do now? stick or twist? they push further into russia or hold onto their territory they have got? hold onto their territory they have not? ~ . , hold onto their territory they have iot? ~ ., , , , ., hold onto their territory they have iot? ~ .,y , , ., ., got? military experts would say that the further you _ got? military experts would say that the further you push _ got? military experts would say that the further you push the _ got? military experts would say that the further you push the more - the further you push the more complicated it gets because the supply lines get stretched and it is difficult to do everything from surface vehicles to feed the troops. i think the wise thing for them to do is to try to hold on to what they have right now. it is a sizeable chunk of territory. and kosher russians to the negotiating table. i think the time and space is very

limited. there are legitimate fears russians could react in an unconventionalfashion russians could react in an unconventional fashion that could be pretty scary not only to the region but globally, potentially. shill but globally, potentially. all ri i ht, but globally, potentially. all right, well thank you your analysis. michael bociurkiw, thank you for your time. michael bociurkiw, thank you for our time. . ~ michael bociurkiw, thank you for your time-— the pentagon says the us defense secretary lloyd austin has ordered a guided missile submarine to the middle east. he's also told an aircraft carrier strike group to sail to the area more quickly. the deployment of additional fighter jets and warships was announced earlier this month. washington seeks to bolster its presence following an escalation in violence between israel, and iran and its allies hamas and hezbollah. meanwhile leaders of the uk, france and germany have renewed calls for an for the immediate resumption of ceasefire negotiations, saying the fighting must end and all hostages

must be released. israel says it will send a team of negotiators to any new talks — but hamas says mediators should simply implement the truce peace plan put forward by president biden last month. a sticking point appears to be an israeli insistence that displaced palestinians are screened as they return to the north of gaza. let's speak to jasmine el—gamal, a political analyst and former middle east adviser at the us department of defence. first of all, let us talk about the prospect of any talks, any ceasefire. these talks have going round in circles and going nowhere for months. do you have any optimism now that we could be any closer to a truce? . ~ now that we could be any closer to a truce? ., ~' , ., now that we could be any closer to a truce? ., ,, i. ., ., truce? thank you for having me. i don't have — truce? thank you for having me. i don't have a _ truce? thank you for having me. i don't have a lot. _ truce? thank you for having me. i don't have a lot. i _ truce? thank you for having me. i don't have a lot. i haven't - truce? thank you for having me. i don't have a lot. i haven't had - truce? thank you for having me. i j don't have a lot. i haven't had any optimism in a while. the us statements and public statements

over the last few months have been so optimistic when we know behind—the—scenes of the two parties, hamas and the israelis remain quite a bit far apart. the gap... there was bridge it a little bit when president biden says that the white house and described an israeli plan, calling on hamas to accept it. there was a subsequent un resolution calling on hamas to accept it. hamas accepted it, and now the israelis have added, benjamin netanyahu, via his negotiators, have added additional demands and have also assassinated ismail haniyeh who was involved in the negotiations. now they are saying, there is no point going to doha, there is no point going to do half and attempting... egypt or whatever place you want us

to go to continue these talks, because the deal we agree to the president biden laid out isn't the deal on the table. they are calling on the mediator is to provide a road map to implementing that steel which was laid out by president biden, not the deal on the table. what was laid out by president biden, not the deal on the table.— the deal on the table. what about the deal on the table. what about the fears of _ the deal on the table. what about the fears of a _ the deal on the table. what about the fears of a wider— the deal on the table. what about the fears of a wider war _ the deal on the table. what about the fears of a wider war in - the deal on the table. what about the fears of a wider war in the - the fears of a wider war in the middle east? the conflict will escalate to involve iran, lebanon, and particularly that iran could launch some sort of attack against israel after the attack on the political leader from hamas? israel after the attack on the political leaderfrom hamas? the political leader from hamas? the mediators political leader from hamas? tue: mediators who political leader from hamas? tte: mediators who have political leader from hamas? "tt2 mediators who have been political leader from hamas? tt2 mediators who have been trying so hard over the last few months to bring the tea parties closer together on ceasefire negotiations have been doing that because the us and leaders in the region have been hoping that if there were to be a ceasefire deal, release of the hostages, and a ceasefire, a pause

operations, that that would lower the temperature a little bit in the region, and take a step further back from the confrontation that everyone is so afraid of. unfortunately, because the ceasefire negotiations have stalled so many times, the tension between israel, and... between all the parties has only continued, contributing more and more until we now find ourselves really at what feels like a breaking point in the region. as you mentioned, at the top of this interview, the usa has military hardware and assets in the region. israel is on high alert. it is looking like there might be a somewhat imminent response from the iranians. ~ . ,

somewhat imminent response from the iranians. ~ ., , ~ iranians. what is the american --urose iranians. what is the american purpose in _ iranians. what is the american purpose in sending _ iranians. what is the american purpose in sending all- iranians. what is the american purpose in sending all of- iranians. what is the american purpose in sending all of that l purpose in sending all of that hardware you mentioned? what is the message of the usa are trying to send? , , ,., , ., send? the big message they are t in send? the big message they are t fin to send? the big message they are trying to send — send? the big message they are trying to send is: _ send? the big message they are trying to send is: don't - send? the big message they are trying to send is: don't do - trying to send is: don't do anything stupid. they are trying to tell the iranians: look, we are in defence of israel. if you do something significant that causes the israelis to retaliate in a way that escalates this, we are here, and we are supporting israel, so you don't really want to do this. so, that is the message, and that is coupled with behind the scenes situations where the phones are ringing off the hook between the usa and regional partners, saying: we know that you are going to have to do something, so audacious that it brings us to the point of no return so audacious that it brings us to the point of no returr_ so audacious that it brings us to the point of no return thank you for beini with the point of no return thank you for

being with this. _ the point of no return thank you for being with this. jasmine _ the point of no return thank you for being with this. jasmine el-gamal, | being with this. jasmine el—gamal, middle eastern adviser at the us defence department. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news.

sir keir starmer has been in charge of the uk forjust over five weeks — and the riots that swept the country for two weeks posed the first direct challenge to the new prime minister. but, even after restoring order, keir starmer faces the bigger challenge of defusing the issues that underlie the unrest. concern over immigration, which declined in britain after brexit, is on the rise again and immigrants make an easy target for the far right whenjobs are scarce and services are overstretched. today, the home office recorded 703 people arriving in the uk on sunday — the highest number of daily crossings since sir keir starmer

became prime minister. but with his practical options for curbing english channel crossings limited, it seems that sir keir starmer faces many challenges ahead. joining me now is dominic grieve who is the former attorney general for england and wales and andrew fisher who is former executive director of policy for the labour party underjeremy corbyn. thank you very much both of you for being with us. dominic grieve, t festival. you could say it was a baptism of fire for keir starmer. he was director of public prosecutions in the 2011 riots it is i think when you were in government. how well do you were in government. how well do you think he survived that test? t you think he survived that test? i think he survived that test very well indeed. he applied exactly the same process that was applied in 2011 with some success, namely the

absolute necessity of bringing writers to justice quickly and dealing with them in a way that sends out a clear deterrent to message to other people not to repeat the behaviour. and it works. i think it is quite clear that has happened. from that point of view, the immediate problem has been dealt with. it is still of course leaving the wider issues behind the riots and what to do about them, but it seems to me that he acted entirely properly, and the government rallied in doing it, notwithstanding the fact the criminal justice in doing it, notwithstanding the fact the criminaljustice system in this country is in a pretty bad state. they were able to pull the stops out, and in my view, it was successful. stops out, and in my view, it was successful-— stops out, and in my view, it was successful. andrew fisher, do you share that — successful. andrew fisher, do you share that view? _ successful. andrew fisher, do you share that view? it _ successful. andrew fisher, do you share that view? it was _ successful. andrew fisher, do you share that view? it was pretty - successful. andrew fisher, do you | share that view? it was pretty rapid justice, designed to be a deterrent, and it seems to have work. tough sentences handed out very quickly. people being arrested and whisked

into court very quickly in basically a criminaljustice system that has been horribly delayed for many years with people facing months before they come to trial.— they come to trial. there are still hu i e they come to trial. there are still huge backlogs — they come to trial. there are still huge backlogs in _ they come to trial. there are still huge backlogs in the _ they come to trial. there are still huge backlogs in the court - they come to trial. there are still| huge backlogs in the court system they come to trial. there are still - huge backlogs in the court system as i think dominic alluded to, but i think_ i think dominic alluded to, but i think you — i think dominic alluded to, but i think you have to, as dominic said, deal with_ think you have to, as dominic said, deal with something as urgent as what _ deal with something as urgent as what we — deal with something as urgent as what we saw. incredibly intimidating writing _ what we saw. incredibly intimidating writing going on across the uk by a small— writing going on across the uk by a small minority. and i think it was right— small minority. and i think it was right that — small minority. and i think it was right that happened. now, hopefully, the deterrent has worked, we can tackle _ the deterrent has worked, we can tackle some of those issues that include — tackle some of those issues that include the whipping up anti—division, misinformation that went— anti—division, misinformation that went out— anti—division, misinformation that went out after the tragic killings in southport, and indeed, media and sociat— in southport, and indeed, media and social media — in southport, and indeed, media and social media and politicians have to

look at _ social media and politicians have to look at themselves and how they have whipped _ look at themselves and how they have whipped up— look at themselves and how they have whipped up this tension over migration, ethnic minorities, issues we describe as culture wars, and the renewed _ we describe as culture wars, and the renewed surge of racism. as i say, it is a _ renewed surge of racism. as i say, it is a small— renewed surge of racism. as i say, it is a small minority, but obviously very intimidating for the people _ obviously very intimidating for the peopie on— obviously very intimidating for the people on the receiving end of that hatred _ people on the receiving end of that hatred and — people on the receiving end of that hatred and violence.— people on the receiving end of that hatred and violence. dominic, i want to ask ou hatred and violence. dominic, i want to ask you about _ hatred and violence. dominic, i want to ask you about one _ hatred and violence. dominic, i want to ask you about one of— hatred and violence. dominic, i want to ask you about one of the - hatred and violence. dominic, i want to ask you about one of the issues i to ask you about one of the issues we mentioned. immigration, small boat crossings which rishi sunak had as a central policy in the electoral campaign. the shadow home secretary has been criticising the new government today saying: where is the new border force commander labour were promising? we have 700 people coming in on small boat crossings, as i mentioned, in one day. what will keir starmer do about that? ., , ., , that? there are some underlying issues, i that? there are some underlying issues. i agree — that? there are some underlying issues, i agree with _ that? there are some underlying i issues, i agree with what has been set. this has been whipped up by social media. it is a very small number of racists who have

misbehaved in this fashion. but, as i think with most social phenomena, there are anxieties within communities about immigration which are not being addressed. if government say that they are going to do something and then it appears that they are not. and while social media can undoubtedly... no forms of media can undoubtedly... no forms of media propaganda produce a story where none exists. i think it is not so much a number of people... irregular means and little boats, which statistically is a small percentage of total immigration, but the fact that immigration levels have been extremely high. now, that may be a good thing. but, if it is a good thing, politicians are not going out and explaining why it is.

politicians are on the whole saying it is a bad thing that they are going to be something about it and then nothing happens. this is in fact notjust then nothing happens. this is in fact not just about the last conservative government but also it appliesjust as much in recent years. action has got to be taken about the creation and that has got to be explained. there are issues about politicians, because they say one thing and then don't deliver. 0k... one thing and then don't deliver. 0k. .. ., one thing and then don't deliver. 0k... ., .,, one thing and then don't deliver. 0k. .. for the actors are echo of the iublic but 0k. .. for the actors are echo of the public but don't _ 0k. .. for the actors are echo of the public but don't intend _ 0k. .. for the actors are echo of the public but don't intend to _ 0k. .. for the actors are echo of the public but don't intend to do - public but don't intend to do anything about it.— public but don't intend to do anything about it. andrew fisher, our anything about it. andrew fisher, your labour— anything about it. andrew fisher, your labour party _ anything about it. andrew fisher, your labour party expertise, - anything about it. andrew fisher, your labour party expertise, let l anything about it. andrew fisher, l your labour party expertise, let me ask you about some of the stories we have been reading about splits within downing street... particularly between two of sir keir starmer�*s to advisers. what do make those reports? isn't that true

comedy think? is that damaging for the new government? —— isn't that true? the new government? -- isn't that true? ~ ,, , , ., true? when sue gray was brought in as the chief— true? when sue gray was brought in as the chief of _ true? when sue gray was brought in as the chief of staff _ true? when sue gray was brought in as the chief of staff when _ true? when sue gray was brought in as the chief of staff when he - true? when sue gray was brought in as the chief of staff when he was - as the chief of staff when he was leader of the opposition it was because his team in westminster were seen as a boy club, cliquey, and that is white sue gray was brought in. at that time, morgan mcsweeney went over to labour hq very successfully. labourjust won went over to labour hq very successfully. labour just won a landslide. you have division of clearly defined roles. sue gray was the chief of staff in westminster. now, obviously, since labour became the government, those two are back working together, and there seems to be some tension. i have heard that myself. so, what i think needs to happen... and look, it is normalfor cabinet members to disagree and have different opinions on strategy. that is politics. the dangerfor keir

starmer is that that becomes dysfunctional. there are not clear lines of accountability and roles. it is in charge? getting those things bedded in will make things easier. they have only been in power for five weeks. easier. they have only been in power forfive weeks. some easier. they have only been in power for five weeks. some of that is still... it has been a period of high tension. toes get trodden on. it will be sorted out. and high tension. toes get trodden on. it will be sorted out.— it will be sorted out. and we only have a few _ it will be sorted out. and we only have a few seconds, _ it will be sorted out. and we only have a few seconds, but - it will be sorted out. and we only have a few seconds, but i - it will be sorted out. and we only have a few seconds, but i just - it will be sorted out. and we only l have a few seconds, but i just want to ask you, dominic grieve, we are hearing keir starmer, hooper postponed his holiday because of riots, has now cancelled it altogether. i suppose there is never altogether. i suppose there is never a good time for a prime minister to take a holiday? t’m a good time for a prime minister to take a holiday?— take a holiday? i'm sorry to hear that because _ take a holiday? i'm sorry to hear that because prime _ take a holiday? i'm sorry to hear that because prime ministers - take a holiday? i'm sorry to hear. that because prime ministers need holidays. what happens if you don't take validate is you become completely worn down. —— what happens if you don't take holidays you become worn down and in that

process makejudgment you become worn down and in that process make judgment mistakes. you become worn down and in that process makejudgment mistakes. the history of this makes me hope he gets a break along the line. ittrui’eiiii history of this makes me hope he gets a break along the line. well i ho ie ou gets a break along the line. well i hope you both _ gets a break along the line. well i hope you both have _ gets a break along the line. well i hope you both have had _ gets a break along the line. well i hope you both have had a - hope you both have had a good holiday or we'll be having one. thank you for being with us, dominic grieve and andrew fisher. we were discussing keir starmer�*s first five weeks in power. stay with us here on bbc news. good evening. we've reportedly had around 15,000 lightning reports across the uk in the past 2a hours, a culmination of the heat and the humidity. it has been the hottest day of the year so far, following a tropical night — that's when temperatures don't fall below 20 celsius and make it really uncomfortable for sleeping. but gradually, through the day, the heat and the humidity has been pushed to become confined to southern and eastern areas. and we have seen at least 3a celsius — we may see the odd 35 popping up as the figures come in later.

but at the moment, as those storms clear away — and they clear away from shetland, as well, through this evening, overnight — the humidity lowers a little, it looks more comfortable for sleeping. but there is more rain, accompanied by brisk winds coming into northern ireland and western fringes of scotland later in the night. but for many, temperatures of 4—5 degrees down on those of last night — so more comfortable for sleeping, and a bright, dry start under that ridge of high pressure. but this deep area of low pressure towards the northwest will bring some unusually windy weather to the irish sea coasts for the time of year. pushing that rain across northern ireland into scotland, northern and western parts of england and wales through the day. drying up behind it but remaining windy, it looks like east anglia and the southeast remain mostly dry, with some sunshine. still very warm, at 27—28, but not as hot as it's been today. and for most, a pleasant 19—21 celsius. and a ridge of high pressure builds on wednesday — so, yes, we've got the remnants of our rain band in the south and east, perhaps a few showers, but it's drier for scotland, northern ireland, northern england,

wales, and the southwest with some pleasant sunshine. 21—23 celsius, so about average for the time of year. but the window of drier weather doesn't last for long — we've got this next area of low pressure, its weather fronts moving in on thursday, meandering their way southwards into friday. potentially another pulse of heavier rain for a time on friday towards the southeast, but the detail is difficult at this stage. and then, the ridge of high pressure may build in across the south for the weekend. but thursday, at the moment, again looks like another wet day — a spell of rain, brisk winds which will slowly push that weather front southwards. so behind it, drying up and brightening up and the rain taking longer to reach southern and eastern areas. but it's still quite warm — 2a—25 — so i think it will find, or we think we'll find the humidity increasing a bit through thursday and friday once again. feeling quite muggy with the rain.

hello, i'm ben brown. you're watching the context on bbc news. several eu countries are sending urgent help to greece, as a wildfire rages on the outskirts of athens. climate change has made wildfires in the countrymore frequent and intense.

full sports round up from the bbc sportscenter. tom daley has dived for the last time for team gb, he's decided to retire and will do so as the most decorated british athlete in the sport. he returned from paris earlier today after winning his fifth olympic medal — silver in the syncro ten metre platform. now 30, he first competed as a 14—year—old in bejing in 2008. his only gold came in tokyo three years ago. it's a lot but i'm really happy without everything is gone and i just think it is hard to say goodbye to any sport and so, yeah, lots of things to process but i think it is the right time and it feels like such a bonus. fifty year old valentina petrillo is set to become the first openly transgender person to compete at the paralympic games that starts later this month.