hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has warned the united nations delegates that russia is preparing a serious escalation of its war against his country.

the victory plan that president volodymyr zelenskyy will present to the white house tomorrow, has been kept largely under wraps untiljoe biden has seen it. but some elements of the plan have been briefed, including the need for more timely decisions from western allies. the us president is still lingering on his decision as to whether the longer range atacm missiles can be used on targets inside russia. today at the general assembly in new york, zelenskyy was exhorting the international community not to forget ukraine or the dangers of a nuclear disaster that russia poses inside his country. now, putin does seem to be planning attacks on our nuclear power plants and their infrastructure, on our nuclear power plants and infrastructure, aiming to disconnect the plants from the power grid. any missile or drone

strike, any critical incident in the energy system could lead to a nuclear disaster. a day like that must never come. and moscow needs to understand this and this depends in part on your determination to put pressure on the aggressor. these are nuclear power plants. they must be safe. the military element of the plan deals with what ukraine thinks it needs in the short term to keep pressure on russia — more on air defence and a demand for future nato membership. zelensky has support from the europeans — british officials have argued that ukraine cannot be expected to fight effectively unless it can attack military sites beyond the border, that russia is using. we have had some more sabre rattling from the russian president tonight. in a meeting of the security council today he said russia reserved the right to use nuclear weapons if attacked by any state supported

by a nuclear power. translation: any aggression against| russia with the participation or support of the nuclear weapon state, will be regarded as a joint attack on the russian federation. we have been very clear we would be on a nuclear footing as soon as we receive reliable information of any massive aerial attack and the crossing of our state border by strategic or tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones or hypersonic missiles. we will talk in a second whether he is sabre rattling or not, whether he needs it, but keir starmer said in the last hour that britain will continue to stand by ukraine. i think they are more disposed to the ukrainians using these longer—range missiles, but why do we need the american permission for them to use the storm shadows that were supplied? storm shadows that were summed?—

supplied? america is the bi . . est supplied? america is the biggest donator - supplied? america is the biggest donator and - supplied? america is the i biggest donator and biggest influence or of nato. historically, nato has never done anything outside or unilaterally outside of permission from the us. i do not think that is a surprise. i do not think what putin is talking about now in terms of his motivation to use nuclear weapons is a surprise either because putin knows there is a conversation going on right now about whether longer—range missiles that have been supplied by the west to ukraine can be used inside of russia. the bit that is complicating that in terms of what the composition ofjoe biden will be is thatjoe biden says no, then you already have ukrainian forces inside of russia, occupying a region there at the moment, so should that be a tactical requirement to use those missiles to defend ukrainian positions inside of russia and joe biden has said no, that will leave the ukrainians exposed. so there's pressure onjoe biden at the

moment to make that decision, but is that decision inside a certain geographic area... a do ou certain geographic area... a do you think there will be a list of acceptable targets the americans will allow the ukrainians to use? it americans will allow the ukrainians to use? it will come down to rules _ ukrainians to use? it will come down to rules of _ ukrainians to use? it will come down to rules of engagement. | down to rules of engagement. rules of engagement basically are in the use of proportion and graduate would force up to and graduate would force up to and including the use of depending on the threat. so if the ukrainian forces are reporting an imminent threat within the next hour or 48 hours because of russian forces�*s posturing, then that should be the conversation on whether a long—range strike within ukraine can go on site russian territory. i within ukraine can go on site russian territory.— russian territory. i want to seak russian territory. i want to speak on — russian territory. i want to speak on sanctions - russian territory. i want to speak on sanctions but - russian territory. i want to speak on sanctions but i i russian territory. i want to i speak on sanctions but i want to explain this to our audience. the ukrainians presented evidence in brussels yesterday that nearly two—thirds of foreign—made components in russian weapons are being produced in or re—exported from china. 60% of the foreign—made microchips, circuit boards

critical components for drones and missiles, are manufactured or re—sold by chinese firms. here's what the danish prime minister mette frederiksen said in new york yesterday, "i don't think it would be possible for russia to have a full—scale war for more than two—and—a—half years without help from china. we need to be less dependent on china," she added "europe always tries to play by the rules but when you find out that someone else is not doing it, then you have to be able to react." the secretary of state has already talked about this, boy does our reporting tonight that actually, they have had information, intelligence from a european intelligence agency that they are now making an entire weapon system, a drone in china via a russian company based in china which will be used in ukraine. does that cross another redline for the state department?—

cross another redline for the state department? crosses line for sure. first _ state department? crosses line for sure. first of _ state department? crosses line for sure. first of all, _ state department? crosses line for sure. first of all, there - for sure. first of all, there is no — for sure. first of all, there is no doubt that china has allowed _ is no doubt that china has allowed the export of dual use technologies to russia to enable _ technologies to russia to enable the russian defence industry to survive. i think prime _ industry to survive. i think prime minister is completely right— prime minister is completely right there, the russians could not have — right there, the russians could not have done what they have done — not have done what they have done without that support. the appointment in reuters that there — appointment in reuters that there are actual weapon systems being _ there are actual weapon systems being built, a sophisticated long—range drone system in china — long—range drone system in china for— long—range drone system in china for use and export and use — china for use and export and use in— china for use and export and use in the _ china for use and export and use in the war in ukraine is a qualitatively different set of steps — qualitatively different set of steps. it really does point to the need _ steps. it really does point to the need of the west to think seriously— the need of the west to think seriously about notjust the need of the west to think seriously about not just the threat _ seriously about not just the threat russia represents, which we see — threat russia represents, which we see every single day in ukraine, _ we see every single day in ukraine, but the reality that russia — ukraine, but the reality that russia cannot present that threat _ russia cannot present that threat without china. that

means _ threat without china. that means that we we have to deal willi— means that we we have to deal with china _ means that we we have to deal with china has to be very different than the way we have in the — different than the way we have in the past it is a big market and — in the past it is a big market and we _ in the past it is a big market and we should sell everything we can — and we should sell everything we can. the us is already announced it will impose secondary financial sanctions, basically— secondary financial sanctions, basically telling companies that— basically telling companies that are found to be violating the sanctions, with regards to russia, — the sanctions, with regards to russia, would be excluded from the us— russia, would be excluded from the us financial system. this needs— the us financial system. this needs to _ the us financial system. this needs to be far more concerted and far— needs to be far more concerted and far heavier. again, the danish— and far heavier. again, the danish prime minister is absolutely right, this war not io absolutely right, this war not go as— absolutely right, this war not go as go— absolutely right, this war not go as go as far as it has done without— go as go as far as it has done without the act —— support of china — without the act -- support of china. �* . ., without the act -- support of china. �* _, , without the act -- support of china.�* ., china. i've come across as a colleague — china. i've come across as a colleague with _ china. i've come across as a colleague with sky - china. i've come across as a colleague with sky who - china. i've come across as a colleague with sky who had | china. i've come across as a - colleague with sky who had been across to the border of georgia and i read a thread he put out on x, the sanctions are not take him with british cars going over the border to georgia, components and trucks going all overfrom manufacturing, it is europe in the united states not to the

net to impose the sanctions already in place.— net to impose the sanctions already in place. that is true. this is the — already in place. that is true. this is the problem _ already in place. that is true. this is the problem with - already in place. that is true. i this is the problem with having a large — this is the problem with having a large international economy in which — a large international economy in which country a may be selling _ in which country a may be selling material to country b which — selling material to country b which then is sent to country c and then— which then is sent to country c and then ends up in a sanctioned country de. that is what — sanctioned country de. that is what is — sanctioned country de. that is what is happening in georgia and kazakhstan and all of these facilities — and kazakhstan and all of these facilities need to be tracked in a — facilities need to be tracked in a much more vigorous way than — in a much more vigorous way than they— in a much more vigorous way than they have so far. nevertheless, what you see going — nevertheless, what you see going across the border in georgia _ going across the border in georgia or classic stand for that— georgia or classic stand for that matter pales in comparison to the _ that matter pales in comparison to the kind of support that the chinese — to the kind of support that the chinese have been providing to the russians and that is where the russians and that is where the real— the russians and that is where the real problem resides and that— the real problem resides and that is— the real problem resides and that is where the focus of our efforts — that is where the focus of our efforts need to be. in that is where the focus of our efforts need to be.— that is where the focus of our efforts need to be. in terms of what to in terms of what is at stake in this us election, there is nothing quite as stark than the issue of ukraine. if trump wins i think we can safely say

they are on their own. and judging by trump's comments in georgia last night, he seem quite happy for russia to win. i watched him. "we will win. we will. he's been saying that for three years. every time zelensky comes to the united states, he walks away with $100 billion. i think he's the greatest salesman on earth. but we're stuck in that war. unless i'm president. i'll get it done. i'll get it negotiated. i'll get out. we got to get out. biden says, "we will not leave until we win." what happens if they win? that's what they do is they fight wars. as somebody told me the other day, they beat hitler. they beat napoleon. that's what they do. they fight and it's not pleasant. head of former national security adviser on the programme last week and he said to me you can never quite worked out the hole that president putin had on donald

trump. we will talk about that in the second, but there is a whole debate on defence procurement in europe and whether the americans can step behind ukraine if donald trump wins. you are grimacing, you don't think that they could? him... the us is the biggest contributor to finances of nato. european forces from the uk, france, germany especially president macron is leading the way in terms of figuring out how europe stands alone in terms of defence because we are talking about zelensky being in the us and the plan thatjoe biden is going to sign, but all that could be thrown into the beenin that could be thrown into the been in six weeks' time. so these questions are big and important. when it comes to putin and to georgia, he invaded georgia in 2008,15 years ago and nx 20% of georgia and at the same in 2014 in crimea. there is a playbook

going on here. i will refer anyone watching tonight to the brilliant book ofjohn swinney, killer in the criminally which articulates the rise to power of putin after 30 years, there is absolutely nothing that the us or any aspect of the us should be supporting them what us or any aspect of the us should be supporting them what putin is doing because there is putin is doing because there is significant evidence over significant evidence over decades of what putin is trying decades of what putin is trying to achieve. as for the to achieve. as for the compliment putin has on trunk compliment putin has on trunk because he goes into it on because he goes into it on death —— on donald trump and i death —— on donald trump and i could probably not comment on could probably not comment on it. it it. it could probably not comment on it. , , . ., could probably not comment on it. , , . ., could probably not comment on it. ,, . ., ., , it. it is such a defeatist message- _ it. it is such a defeatist could probably not comment on it. ,, . ., ., , it. it is such a defeatist message- _ it. it is such a defeatist message. it _ it. it is such a defeatist message. it says - it. it is such a defeatist i message. it says america is message. it _ it. it is such a defeatist message. it says i it. it is such a defeatist i message. it says america is ready to roll over for ready to roll over for autocrats, it is beat, there autocrats, it is beat, there are questions already about are questions already about american leadership in the american leadership in the middle east and ukraine will middle east and ukraine will stop if we are at an inflection stop if we are at an inflection point, i wonder what you make point, i wonder what you make of a possible future trump of a possible future trump presidency?— presidency?— of a possible future trump residen ?, , _, presidency? just in the comment with regard _ presidency? just in the comment with regard to — presidency? just in the comment of a possible future trump residen ?, , _, presidency? just in the comment with regard _ presidency? just in the comment with regard to — presidency? just in the comment with regard to ukraine _ presidency? just in the comment with regard to ukraine and i with regard to ukraine and russia _ with regard to ukraine and russia that you displayed from with regard to ukraine _ presidency? just in the comment with regard to ukraine and i with regard to ukraine and russia _ with regard to ukraine and russia that you displayed from

donald — russia that you displayed from donald trump. just to realities. 0ne, he will not be and — realities. 0ne, he will not be and -- — realities. 0ne, he will not be and -- able _ realities. 0ne, he will not be and —— able to end the war because _ and —— able to end the war because neither side wants to end the — because neither side wants to end the warand because neither side wants to end the war and i think the ukrainians will fight with forks— ukrainians will fight with forks and knives if that is what _ forks and knives if that is what it _ forks and knives if that is what it takes because it is their— what it takes because it is their country they are trying to defend. the idea somehow

their country they are trying to de1larger1e idea somehow their country they are trying to de1 larger thanaa somehow their country they are trying to de1 larger than ukraine 1ow their country they are trying to de1 larger than ukraine and times larger than ukraine and it has— times larger than ukraine and it has strategic disaster at the — it has strategic disaster at the cost _ it has strategic disaster at the cost of 600—1000 people wounded and killed and a very, very— wounded and killed and a very, very little — wounded and killed and a very, very little gain. so this idea that— very little gain. so this idea that somehow russia is so incredibly strong that we, the united — incredibly strong that we, the united states, we the west, 'ust united states, we the west, just need to bide our time and let him — just need to bide our time and let him go, to shows a kind of geopolitical immaturity, frankly, that i do not think the — frankly, that i do not think the united states or the world can frankly afford. we the united states or the world can frankly afford.— can frankly afford. we believe that there- — can frankly afford. we believe that there. we _ can frankly afford. we believe that there. we will _ can frankly afford. we believe that there. we will take i can frankly afford. we believe that there. we will take a i that there. we will take a short break. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news.

now — it's time for the panel... you have read a book recently

on civil disorder in the united states, tell us about it. it is states, tell us about it. it is a fantastic _ states, tell us about it. it is a fantastic book _ states, tell us about it. it is a fantastic book by - states, tell us about it. it is a fantastic book by erik- a fantastic book by erik larson, _ a fantastic book by erik larson, a narrative historian called — larson, a narrative historian called the _ larson, a narrative historian called the demon of unrest, the saga _ called the demon of unrest, the saga of— called the demon of unrest, the saga of hubris heartbreak and heroism — saga of hubris heartbreak and heroism at the dawn of the civil— heroism at the dawn of the civil war _ heroism at the dawn of the civil war. a description of what _ civil war. a description of what happened to the united states— what happened to the united states and in the united states when _ states and in the united states when president lincoln was surprisingly elected in 1860 and the day that the civil war started _ and the day that the civil war started. so it is those three or four— started. so it is those three or four months in between it and — or four months in between it and which _ or four months in between it and which the country fell apart _ and which the country fell apart. and it has eerie echoes as larson— apart. and it has eerie echoes as larson said, he really started _ as larson said, he really started focusing on writing this— started focusing on writing this book in the immediate aftermath ofjanuary the 6th. this— aftermath ofjanuary the 6th. this election and the depolarisation and the dangers and the — depolarisation and the dangers and the liberalism of president trump — and the liberalism of president trump in — and the liberalism of president trump in others, that they represent is a warning sign, read — represent is a warning sign, read this— represent is a warning sign, read this book to see what can happen— read this book to see what can happen to _ read this book to see what can happen to a country that is deeply— happen to a country that is deeply divided. do happen to a country that is deeply divided.— happen to a country that is deeply divided. do you have

concerns — deeply divided. do you have concerns about _ deeply divided. do you have concerns about what - deeply divided. do you have concerns about what may i deeply divided. do you have i concerns about what may happen after november the 5th? i do. concerns about what may happen after november the 5th?- after november the 5th? i do. i had serious _ after november the 5th? i do. i had serious concerns _ after november the 5th? i do. i had serious concerns the i had serious concerns the president trump has made very clear— president trump has made very clear that — president trump has made very clear that no matter what the outcome _ clear that no matter what the outcome of the election, if he does — outcome of the election, if he does not _ outcome of the election, if he does not when it is because it is stolen _ does not when it is because it is stolen and they have spent the last— is stolen and they have spent the last four years developing the last four years developing the playbook to challenge these elections. this is a playbook that— elections. this is a playbook that emphasises making sure that emphasises making sure that victories are secured, no matter— that victories are secured, no matter how the vote actually comes — matter how the vote actually comes out. that is what we saw in an— comes out. that is what we saw in an amateurish way in 2021, i think— in an amateurish way in 2021, i think we — in an amateurish way in 2021, i think we will see it far worse and — think we will see it far worse and more _ think we will see it far worse and more sophisticated this time — and more sophisticated this time around. a and more sophisticated this time around.— time around. a sobering thought. _ time around. a sobering thought. is _ time around. a sobering thought, is it _ time around. a sobering thought, is it not? i time around. a sobering i thought, is it not? mikey, you want to talk about this. the security brief. a new series we will do together. i series we will do together. i have been waiting for this

moment for a couple of months. i am delighted to be invited by you on to your show once a week to talk about deep dive into a lot of the conversations we have been having tonight, covering the panel, it is been in our and we could have taken the whole two hours to talk about hezbollah or gaza or russia and ukraine. so i'm delighted to be able to come in and use my 30 years of counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, 20 of those in the military, many combat tours in iraq, kosovo, evacuation operations out of africa and give some insider information and knowledge and expertise in using close contacts who i'm still in contacts who i'm still in contact with it within military circles to break it down more using visuals and graphics and pictures of bombs, aircraft launched office, aircraft systems, collateral damage assessments to be able to give

your viewers a little bit more of an insight.— of an insight. it's not necessarily _ of an insight. it's not necessarily about i of an insight. it's not i necessarily about glorifying war or the missiles and the kit that armed forces used. as we were mentioning tonight and as was set out, when you consider the sort of capability that hezbollah has, we need to understand that in the context of the political decisions that are being taken. it is notjust wander into south lebanon and get rid of a few factors in the south of the country. there is a whole system there. that we need to properly understand and to the capabilities that they have. . to the capabilities that they have. , , ., to the capabilities that they have. , ,., . have. there is so much misinformation - have. there is so much misinformation and i misinformation and disinformation out there at the moment. i have the privilege of having been on the inside and been exposed to a lot of the mechanisms of the way that war is prosecuted. all the way from on the grounds, to the united nations military observers courses giving me a deep insight into the way the un works. we talked about

paralysis at the p5. it is about giving people information is that they can make their own decisions. 0n is that they can make their own decisions. on what is ethically and morally correct will stop also on what should be supported by governments, and what should be pushed back by governments as they come up with their own policies. looking forward to that. coming soon, we have to try it first. , didn't save it to trial it, you said we would go straight to air. i you said we would go straight to air. ., �* ,, ., to air. i wouldn't know, we would subject _ to air. iwouldn't know, we would subject our- to air. i wouldn't know, we would subject our viewers l to air. i wouldn't know, we i would subject our viewers to that. it has been lovely having your company this afternoon and it hey heidi cho tomorrow, you know how much i love that, see you then. let's start with

the europa league — where manchester united are heading for an underwhelming start to their competition against dutch side fc twente. it's been a mixed night for christian eriksen. it started well, he put united ahead in the first half, his third goal in a week. but, the danish midfielder gave the ball away after the break allowing sam lammers to run in and equalise. we're into the final minutes at old trafford and it's still 1—1. -- it —— it has gone full time and has ended 1—1. tottenham open their europa league account tomorrow night. their midfielder rodrigo bentancur is facing an fa charge for an alleged racist remark made in a media interview this summer concerning his team—mate son heung—min. well the spurs captain has expressed his �*love' for the uruguayan today, in spite of bentancur�*s misconduct charge, which if proven, could bring with it a hefty ban. i love him, i love him

with a lot of good memories and we started playing together when he joined and he apologised straight afterwards and had a holiday and i was at home and i didn't even realise what was going on and he just sent me a long text message that it was coming from his heart, you know and afterwards, when we come to, when we come back to the training ground into pre—season, he's really sorry and he almost cried when he apologised. there's been league cup action this evening — liverpool are through to the fourth round after beating west ham 5—1 at anfield. the game was poised at one all when diogojota got his second of the game to put liverpool ahead. goals from mohamed salah and a brace from cody gakpo saw them wrap up the win for arne slot�*s side. the hammers also had edson alvarez sent off late on. arsenal hammered league one side bolton wanderers 5—1 at the emirates with 17

year—old ethan waneri scoring twice for the gunners. and raheem sterling got his first goal for the club since signing on loan from chelsea. manchester city has confirmed that their midfielder rodri has suffered ligament damage in his right knee. the spaniard had to come off in the 21st minute of their draw with arsenal on sunday. he has been seeing a specialist in barcelona. the recovery time from an acl tear is usually around nine months which would rule him out for the rest of the season. eleswhere kylian mbappe could be out for a number of weeks after picking up a thigh problem in real madrid's win over alaves on tuesday. he scored for the fifth consecutive match in their 3—2 win, but was substituted in the last 10 minutes and appeared to be in some discomfort. he's is set to miss sunday's derby at atletico madrid and he could be ruled out of next month's international break. with growing concerns around the financial reliance of women's football

on the men's game, a new global investment group believes it has the solution and has told the bbc it is "ripping up the rule book" on football ownership. the mercury 13 group bought theirfirst club, fc como women, in italy earlier this year, and has pledged to spend more than £80 million building up a multi—club portfolio exclusively in women's football. they say investment in england is an "absolute priority". we believe there is an incredible opportunity to give these clubs they feel they need to ride a big wave to give these clubs the fuel they need to ride a big wave we are seeing in women's sport and cement themselves as the world's super clubs. british pair sophie unwin and pilotjenny holl claimed a second silver medal of the world paracycling championships in zurich. coming home second in the tandem road race. with 15 kilometres to go, unwin

and holl fell behind the irish team of katie—george dunlevy and linda kelly who maintained their lead until the end to claim the gold, with the british tandem finishing almost 90 seconds later to add to their silver from the b individual time trial on sunday. the irish team that won where the ones we were looking out for. they were really good and it is great to see their mettle today, but the ones who won today, but the ones who won today were always going to be the big competition so we were always watching them. they played it as a team well and i'm really happy for them that they have all meddled. but i wanted that metal to be cold today and i got solar. —— gold and i got silver. and that's all the sport for now.

heavy rain has dominated headlines and more wet weather to come into some parts of southern england we've seen way above the average monthly rainfall totals. in these three towns we had three times more rain than we have should have in september. with the next couple of days we are likely to see another 50 mm at least in some spots, a couple of insurance, the darker blues noting with the heaviest of rain is likely to be. slightly quieter trier story, rain is likely to be. slightly quietertrierstory, but rain is likely to be. slightly quieter trier story, but low pressure dominates in these weather fronts will move their way steadily eastwards as we go through thursday. the front will grind to a halt across northern england and into northern ireland accompanied by a brisk easterly wind, feeling quite miserable on those exposed east coast. to the north, dry with a few scattered six showers, to the south, some of those showers could turn quite torrential. hail, thunder mixed in there and a yes it will be quite significant. there will be some sundays balls to cope with it as well

and it could potentially still feel quite humid here. 18 or 19 degrees not out of the question. cooler in the rain, 10-11, the question. cooler in the rain, 10—11, the cooler air continues to dominate in scotland. a northerly wind that will gradually push the rain away, but will introduce the special fuel for all of us on friday. there will be some brain linger laying across the singly and south east england for a time, easing away during the afternoon, sunny spells and scattered showers continue for most, but because of the direction of the wind, the temperatures subdued for the time of the year, on the whole, generally between 9—14. clear skies continue through the night, that will allow the potential for a frost to form. so it will be a chilly start, low single figures, perhaps below in more rural spots, worth bearing in mind. that means as we headed to the weekend, high pressure will build for a time and quiet

things down, not a bad weekend particularly for saturday, however another area of low pressure will gradually move into the south—west is to go through sunday. so saturday, a better day, more heavy rain to come as we move through sunday and into monday.

tonight at 10pm, as israel continues to bomb targets in lebanon, a top general tells troops to be ready to fight hezbollah on the ground. the escalating conflict has seen more than 2,000 israeli strikes in the last few days.

lebanon says more than 50 people have died today. hezbollah fired a ballistic missile towards tel aviv, which is shot down. now there's fear at the un of all—out war. we have heard again todayjust how dire the situation has become. the security council must deliver its responsibility for global peace and security. tens of thousands of lebanese continue to flee their homes to escape the bombing. we'll hear from our correspondents from across the region, in israel and lebanon. also tonight... ahead of next month's commemorations in israel marking the october 7th attacks, we hear the graphic testimony of those who survived hamas' assault on the nova music festival. almost 200 women have now come foward accusing the former owner

of harrods, mohamed al fayed, of abuse including sexual assault.