missiles into russia, the bbc understands footage emerges from russia suggesting the use of storm shadow missiles. the defence secretary would say only this. ukraine's action on the battlefield speaks for itself. we'll be asking what this means for ukraine and the west — and looking at one uk company which appears to be busting sanctions and exporting to russia. also tonight... it's more important to find out what the customer can afford to pay. worries about household bills as inflation went up in october — with rising energy prices largely to blame. linda mcmahon! entering the ring — donald trump's nominee

for education secretary. she was formerly head of world wrestling entertainment. the funeral of the singer, liam payne, has taken place in buckinghamshire. and it's country music awards night in nashville — with a growing band of fans over here. on newsnight at 10.30pm, we'll bring you fresh insight on the stories of the day, with big interviews and our regular panel of newsnighters, and of course panel of newsnighters, and of course look at what the papers are saying look at what the papers are saying about tomorrow's news. about tomorrow's news. good evening. in a week of spiralling developments in the war in ukraine, the bbc understands that kyiv has the bbc understands that kyiv has fired uk—made storm shadow missiles fired uk—made storm shadow missiles on targets inside russia. on targets inside russia. they've used them before they've used them before against russian forces, against russian forces,

but only on territory that russia but only on territory that russia has annexed, and not has annexed, and not within its recognised borders. the government here hasn't commented directly, but the defence secretary john healey spoke to his ukrainian counterpart last night — and today told mps "ukraine's action on the battlefield speaks for itself." it comes after kyiv also used us—made longer—range missiles known as atacms to strike targets within russia. and in a further move aimed at strengthening ukraine's hand, president biden has agreed to give it anti—personnel landmines to slow russia's advances — a decision which has drawn condemnation from campaigners. here's gordon corera. the sound, it's thought, of a british storm shadow missile. fired by ukraine, striking inside russia.

there is no official confirmation, but the evidence points in that direction. so, what do we know? the signs are that it hit in the kursk region, year, close to the border. that is within the range of the storm shadow missile. the bbc has also verified videos showing damage from the same area, where there was the sound of the explosions and debris is also said to have been recovered from the area. if you look closely, you can actually see the words storm shadow. but despite all of this, the british government has been tight—lipped. of this, the british government has been tight-upped.— been tight-lipped. ukraine's action on the battlefield _ been tight-lipped. ukraine's action on the battlefield speaks _

been tight-lipped. ukraine's action on the battlefield spe has - been tight-lipped. ukraine's action on the battlefield spe has been - been tight-lipped. ukraine's action | on the battlefield spe has been that been tight-lipped. ukraine's action i on the battlefield spe has been that it months. the problem has been that it requires american assistance for targeting, and up until now that was not forthcoming. but in the last week, the us lifted restrictions on its own missile system, the atacms being used within russia. ukraine immediately began to deploy them. now, storm shadow looks to have been next. all of this is because ukraine has been on the back foot militarily, trying to defend territory a token kursk, and facing a steady russian advance on other territory a token kursk, and facing a steady russian advance on other fronts. , ., ., ., u, fronts. , ., ., ., u, fronts. there is a limit to what can be achieved _ fronts. there is a limit to what can be achieved militarily _ fronts. there is a limit to what can fronts. there is a limit to what can be achieved _ fronts. there is a limit to what can be achieved militarily _ fronts. there is a limit to what can be achieved militarily with - fronts. there is a limit to what can be achieved militarily with these. l be achieved militarily with - fronts. there is a limit to what can be achieved militarily with these. l be achieved militarily with these. under the big picture is that be achieved militarily with these. under the big picture is that ukraine still needs to think about ukraine still needs to think about its mobilisation, recruitment and its mobilisation, recruitment and training, because the current sign up president biden is making a | training, because the current struggle is actually as much, if not struggle is actually as much, if not more so come on the eastern front, more so come on the eastern front, and the russian forces are certainly and the russian forces are certainly grinding their way forwards. another grinding their way forwards. another

si . n grinding their way forwards. another si . n grinding their way forwards. another sin u- grinding their way forwards. another sign up president _ grinding their way forwards. another sign up president biden _ grinding their way forwards. another sign up president biden is _ sin u- grinding their way forwards. another sign up president _ grinding their way forwards. another sign up president biden _ grinding their way forwards. another sign up president biden is _ grinding their way forwards. another sign up president biden is making i grinding their way forwards. another grinding their way forwards. another sign up president biden is making i grinding their way forwards. another sign up president biden is making a | sign up president biden is making a last—minute push to help ukraine has also emerged with confirmation the us is supplying landmines. these are supposed to help slow down advancing russian soldiers. but even though they can be designed to become nonoperational after a set amount of time, critics worry that they remain a risk to civilians.— a risk to civilians. ukraine already has a huge _ a risk to civilians. ukraine already has a huge antipersonnel- a risk to civilians. ukraine already. has a huge antipersonnel landmine problem, some 2 million landmines are estimated to be in the country after 1001 days of war. the operations it'll take to clear the mines will take decades.- mines will take decades. storm shadow deployment _ mines will take decades. storm shadow deployment looks - mines will take decades. storm shadow deployment looks to i mines will take decades. storm| shadow deployment looks to be mines will take decades. storm - shadow deployment looks to be the latest sign of the uk and us are seeking to support ukraine at a difficult time. but a new incoming us administration may have different ideas. and russia is likely to respond. gordon corera, bbc news. in a moment we'll speak to our political editor chris mason, but first

to our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams, who's in dnipro in eastern ukraine. paul, what difference is the use of storm shadow in russia likely to make to ukraine? well, in and of itself, not a huge difference. it is a very powerful weapon, it is designed to hit reinforced targets. 0ne weapon, it is designed to hit reinforced targets. one only has to imagine that the choice of target today was very, very particular. we don't know exactly what it was. but given the fact that ukraine does not possess that many storm shadow missiles, you can be pretty sure that this was a high—value target. it is, as gordon was saying, all of a piece with ukraine's use of the atacms missiles, it is all about keeping ukraine in the

presided over by donald trump. as for how russia might respond, it is worth remembering that storm shadow is being used for the first time in what we regard as russian territory, but not for the first time by what russia regards as its territory, because more than a year ago storm shadow missiles created absolute havocin shadow missiles created absolute havoc in the black sea fleet, in the court in crimea, occupied by russia in 2014 and regarded since then as sovereign russian territory. in a way, storm shadow already has a record of hitting russian targets, as far as moscow is concerned. chris, is there nervousness within the uk government at giving the green light to their use? the approach of the uk, for some time, before the general election and since, has been, seniorfigures put it to me, forward facing. in other words, the government is making an argument to allies that this was an important next step, trying to persuade those who were

concerned about the fear of escalation. there has also been irritation from senior figures at how public this whole debate has been. but it was perhaps inevitable it would be because president zelensky of ukraine has been calling for this publicly for months and months. when i spoke to him in london injuly, that was one of the main points that he was seeking to land. the prime minister took the argument to washington for a conversation with president biden in september. now the aim is to look at what impact it might have, where those requests might come from president zelensky in the future, with the imminent changeover of power in washington. as for the response here at westminster, yes, there are some who are nervous about there are some who are nervous about the applications. how might russia respond, could there be cyberattacks or attacks on the undersea communication cables? but broadly speaking, both within government and

beyond, on the opposition benches, there is a reluctant support for this, a sense that an ally, a democratic ally in peril, needs all the support of the uk feels it can offer. but don't be surprised that we haven't heard official confirmation from the british government here. they are keen to not be seen to be provocative, and, at the same time, emphasise that this is ukrainian military action, rather than british.— this is ukrainian military action, rather than british. chris mason in westminster— rather than british. chris mason in westminster and _ rather than british. chris mason in westminster and paul _ rather than british. chris mason in westminster and paul adams, - rather than british. chris mason in i westminster and paul adams, thank you very much. well, after russia invaded ukraine the uk imposed heavy sanctions on it to try to thwart its war efforts. but documents seen by bbc news suggest that more than £1.5 million worth of high—tech lenses made by a firm in hertfordshire have been shipped to companies in moscow, connected with the russian military. the uk manufacturer — which has itself worked on storm shadow missiles — says it hasn't breached sanctions and knows nothing about the shipments. here's angus crawford.

an infrared zoom lens, clear images from miles away. and it's made by a british company — beck 0ptronic solutions, in hertfordshire. challenger 2 tanks, storm shadow missiles and the f—35 — all projects it's worked on. most of the high tech products made here can't be sold to russia. that would be a breach of sanctions. but customs documents indicate that more than £1.5 million of beck products may have reached moscow since 2023. so what's going on? the answer lies 4,000 miles away in bishkek, the capital of kyrgyzstan, a former soviet state, one of the many routes to russia taken by sanctioned goods. these documents indicate two companies based here bought equipment claimed to be made by beck and sent it to moscow. but not only that, they've been

regularly shipping all kinds of western kit to sanctioned russian companies linked to the military. the challenge now — find the people behind the trade. this looks like it. we tracked them to this city centre office block. we're trying to find rama group. she says there's no one we can talk to. the directors are "overseas on a business trip". but what we do have is a woman's name. founder of one of those companies, 25—year—old valeria baigazina. she's now in belarus, an ally of russia. unreachable for us. so all we can do is call. translation: i'm not - an owner of this company, and this conversation is pointless. i have nothing to do with this company now, goodbye. ukrainian cities under constant attack from missiles, drones, aircraft — weapons often built with western electronics.

they fully should understand that this is to kill people. this is the reason why russia needs this. we contacted beck. it says it's had no dealings with russia or kyrgyzstan, hasn't broken sanctions and knows nothing about the shipments. it believes some of the equipment listed wasn't even made by the company, and that customs documents may have been falsified. 4,000 miles away, the people who know the truth won't tell us. in this city, one of many back doors to russia, sanctions breaking in the shadows. angus crawford, bbc news, bishkek. well, on the day that news of the use of storm shadow emerged the defence secretaryjohn healey announced that a number of ships, tankers, drones and helicopters will be decommissioned to save up to £500 million over five years. which ones, and what will it mean for the armed forces? 0ur diplomatic correspondent,

caroline hawley, can tell us more. well, it was announced in parliament today that they are cutting costs by retiring aged military equipment early, with the aim of reinvesting the money. what is going? five ships, among them the two amphibious assault ships, designed to land royal marines by air and sea. 0ne assault ships, designed to land royal marines by air and sea. one is hms albion, which we are seeing now. another is called hms bulwark, and the mod says that they were due to be decommissioned in 2033 and 2034 respectively. that has been brought forward now to next year. the mod says that they were not going to go to sea again anyway, but they were costing money in maintenance and manpower. they will be replaced eventually, but there will be a gap. also being retired are 14 old chinook helicopters and 17 puma boro. they were first introduced 70 years ago. and dozens of

reconnaissance drones, technology has moved on quickly. not surprisingly, this has been opposed by the conservatives. the shadow defence secretary said that britain's national security was being weakened. he said they are scrapping capabilitiesjust being weakened. he said they are scrapping capabilities just as threats to our nation are growing. the defence secretary acknowledged the threat that the uk is facing, and he blamed what he called a dire fiscal inheritance from the previous government. the government is insisting that savings will be used, those savings, to modernise the uk defence that there will be no redundancies.— and victoria derbyshire will have more on that on newsnight on bbc two shortly. 0n those uk storm shadow missiles — a former head of the cia, tells us what difference they could make, plus his take on the us's controversial decision to supply landmines to ukraine. and head to head — labour's harriet harman and conservative nadine dorries. join us on bbc two,

bbc news and iplayer. the rate of inflation has seen its steepest rise month—on—month for two years. in october it was 2.3% — that's up from 1.7% in september. the office for national statistics says that's partly due to the increase in the energy price cap, which has meant higher costs for gas and electricity. 0ur economics editor, faisal islam, has been to visit an energy company whose customers are struggling with their bills. it's more important to find out what the customer can afford to pay. welcome to the front line of the cost of living crisis. the gas meter is in credit by 33p. for millions of households, it's never ended. i can see that we've got vulnerabilities at the property and i'm just going to run through a few of them. so, you've got children under the age of two. at 10am at the hampshire energy supplier utilita,

the map of customers lights up red as prepayment meters run out of cash after leeway given overnight, and the gas and electric stop until the cash is topped up. thank you. bye bye. here, charlotte is dealing with many harrowing stories of vulnerable customers, some who won't turn their heating on. and right now, a mum concerned about refrigeration of cancer medicines. hand—to—mouth. so when there's those sorts of vulnerabilities as well, not knowing where to turn to for customers is really hard. and we hear that so much. inflation has been driven by energy prices in recent years. it fell back pretty sharply below the bank of england target of 2% earlier this year. but last month the energy price cap rose again, pushing inflation back up a bit to 2.3%. modest, but households remain squeezed by the effects of this big spike two years ago. this could be the first winter where the still very high level

of energy prices meet the fact that the government has scaled back support and a very cold winter. a very much enduring cost of living crisis for millions of households. the energy shock is still very much here, because customers are paying 40% more than they were pre—pandemic and pre the invasion. over the summer, we saw a 60% increase in customers approaching us for help. so, no. the summer? the summer. now it's really cold. and now it's really cold, that figure is going to go even higher, and i have never been so concerned as i am about this winter with no additional help from the government. there is some relief from the fact that food price inflation remains at more normal levels. but retailers, including the discounter lidl, wrote to the chancellor yesterday warning of the pressure on prices from last month's budget. i think all businesses

across our industry are now going to be experiencing added cost pressures next year, no doubt. and, you know, as an industry, we've been quite vocal in feeding that back to government. the treasury said today's inflation number was stable and close to target. but it has reinforced expectations there will be no festive season interest rate cuts this year by the bank of england, with gradual cuts in the new year. faisal islam, bbc news. the car—maker ford has announced its cutting 800 jobs in the uk over the next three years — that's15% of its workforce here. it's part of a major restructuring programme which will see 4,000 posts closed across europe. the company said the cuts were due to difficult trading conditions, strict new environmental controls, and weak demand for electric vehicles. it is the second round ofjob cuts at ford in less than two years. president—elect donald trump has selected two more unconventional nominees for his administration — the billionaire professional

wrestling mogul, linda mcmahon, as his education secretary — and a renowned heart surgeon with a long tv career but no government experience called mehmet oz for a key role in health. both are loyal trump supporters. 0ur north america correspondent, john sudworth, reports from washington. linda mcmahon! meet america's new education secretary — at least she will be, if congress approves. linda mcmahon was once a media mogul in the multi—billion dollar and often make—believe world of wrestling. no more holiday weight gain for everyone. oh, what a great gift. then there is mehmet oz, once the tv doctor, donald trump's choice for an important health care role. something of a theme is emerging. loyal supporters with little government experience in their assigned briefs, but with big media profiles, like elon musk, his new efficiency tsar.

in congress, republicans are gearing up for a fight. we have got a process, we are going to follow it, and we will have a full hearing in front of god and country, and we are going to vet all the nominees, notjust this one, and we are going to give them a chance to lay out their plans for the american people and for president trump. matt gaetz, mr trump's choice for attorney general has been the subject of an ethics inquiry over claims he had sex with an underage girl. donald trump is preparing to govern in the same way that he campaigns — controversial, norm breaking, unorthodox. this is a transition taking place amid intense press scrutiny and political intrigue, which for a master of medium manipulation is of course part of the point.

jd vance, the vice president—elect, has been on capitol hill hoping to persuade republicans to back mr gaetz. democrats hope some might yet refuse. do you get the sense that some of them might yet take a stance over mr gaetz? i hope they will. mr trump promised a different kind of government. his appointments so far suggest he intends to deliver. of all of his controversial choices, matthew gaetz is the most controversial, and he resigned his congressional seat as soon as he heard congressi