ah, ah ah, this is dw news coming to live from berlin. the flyer at europe's largest nuclear plant in ukraine is melt out. these upper re shot nuclear power plant was attacked by russian forces. the u. n's nuclear agency has warned up severe danger if the plants reactors were hit. but local officials say the nuclear power plant has been safely secured. at russia, seas, as a major city residence in the black sea port of cas on our last seen lining up for

bread as they prepare for life under occupation. and the women and children fleeing the war alone. as the men stay back to fight, we report from the still bach in border with ukraine. ah. hello and terry martin, thanks for joining us. ukraine state emergency service says a fire at europe's largest nuclear plant has now been put out. the fire at the supple reship facility began after it came under attack by russian forces. local officials say the plant has been safely secured. now, the, if the actual atomic energy agency says radiation levels remain unchanged, it has activated its full emergency response mode. because of the situation at the plant, the plant produces a quarter of ukraine's energy needs. president laudermill zalinski has accused

russia of trying to repeat the chan noble disaster saying the incident underscored the need to stop the fighting. if you wouldn't, we will. if there's an explosion you, that's the end for every one of of the end for europe. europe would have to be evacuated more only urge in action by europe can stop. the russian troops do not allow the death of europe from a catastrophe at a nuclear power plant. i'm more, let's bring in dr. charles casto. he's a u. s. nuclear safety expert who is involved in containing the fukushima nuclear disaster in japan. dr. customer, thanks for being with us. tell us what went through your mind when you heard that this ukrainian nuclear power plant was on fire. well, obviously very, that's a very troubling situation. there is no rational reason for an attack on a nuclear power plant. tell us how dangerous it is to have a war being fought near a nuclear power plant. well,

obviously that situation is troubling. however, as you seen with the state media talking about that it's stable, the operators are able to deal with these types of situations we plan for the situation. and the design of the plan is very robust. nevertheless, that is not a challenge that you want to present to anyone to any operator, any new facility anywhere. what exactly do you have to watch out for me if tanks are firing, even if, if they're not targeting the plant itself, but somewhere near it. if a shell hit the nuclear power plant, what could happen? the most troubling situation would likely be with the spent fuel that, that stored in the facility. and that spent fuel is contained and has the containment structure around it. but nevertheless, is the part of the client and part of the fuel system that you would have to worry about. and we saw in the super sima case where they actually the earth attack human

nuclear plant. the operators were able to maintain safety of the spent fuel facility. is there any international rep? sorry, go ahead. so the reactors pretty, very well, very robust and contain deep in the plants and it would be difficult to have us to have a serious release. however, that's something we always are concerned with. the spent fuel pools are somewhat more concerning. and as i said, that we have been a shown demonstrated that we can protect spent fuel pools. is there any international safety protocol for something like this for nuclear power plants in conflict? the i. e a has a response center, the department of energy, the nuclear regulatory commission, the united states, and many other agencies. and they have been activated to monitor the situation and

there is remote monitoring of the radiation levels to be able to determine the severity of the accident or the concern that we have in ukraine. but it's not such that when, when fighting is happening around a nuclear power plant, it's not that they shut it down. yes, typically what would happen is as if it was a hurricane or so soon, army, prior to that the plants would be shut down and safely secured it that way. then only then what you have left is the fuel itself with would be protected, but the plan itself would likely be shut down or would be shut down by the loss of extra power outside the facility. the plants are all likely shut down and secured. now, many people, not just in ukraine, of many people are scared about this situation with ukraine's nuclear power plants

being in the middle of a war zone. should they be concerned? or you should be concerned the, the likelihood of a, it depends on the magnitude of any attack that might occur. the, as i said, it's very extremely robust of plants extremely robust and, and mostly it would be a area as we saw, a turnover and fukushima would be an area around the plant that would be most susceptible to damage. however, after fukushima and after turnover, we learned a lot of lessons from those accidents and word many countermeasures and we can take to minimize the amount of radiation release from a reactor regardless of the accident that might occur. dr. cost, so thank you very much. that was dr. charles casto. he's a us nuclear safety expert. thank derek rushes,

media watchdog said product. it had restricted access to several independent media websites, including deutsch avella, the tightening of control over the internet comes just over a week after russia invaded ukraine, access to websites of deutsch avella, b, b, c, and various independent russian news websites are being limited. well, let's take a closer look at events in russia with d. w, russian affairs analysts, konstantin eggers. he joins us now from talk to in estonia. constantine, russia has been restricting access to independent media. can people in russia still get uncensored information about the war yesterday, but it's increasingly difficult just actually 15 minutes before i went on there. several reliable russian with the best analysis in who's the recipe was reports or con doubt started saying that twitter is not probably in the brussel being blocked and you can't open your twitter feed unless you use the p. m, or tour,

or any other sort of bypassing device. so it seemed that we are at least a stop to look as if russia is moving towards the complete blockade of the social media. apart from probably the, the, the, the russian social media like conducted, which is a russian version of facebook which is essentially controlled by the government that controlled by the s s b. the russel security service where the content on wanted content can be removed. so i think that we've entered very quickly, a stage in which russia is kind of rolling back in time, or rather trying to catch up with china, which as you know, had internet censorship from day one. so the people in russia are being increasingly isolated along with the government. do we see? we do see some people, however,

protesting around the country in russia. constantine how risky is that for them? well, it is very risky. the tomorrow the, the, the, the lower house of parliament adopted amendment the cradle, which no punish something that's very vaguely called fakes above the rational, special operation and actions of, um, forces with up to potential up to 15 years in britain. so that's not a joke. this is something quite significant, although application of this this law will probably be quite lacks because what you characterize the space or anything that go home to the gum line. and i think that's this will be quite problematic to put in jail every one. but usually we're putting people do. ready they, they imprison someone so that everyone else will fear the

outcome and will keep silence. we're hearing rumors, constantine, that the duma may decide to impose martial law any truth to the to do my the it has to be both how the bottom of the do my the veneration council. but i think that for now, it doesn't look lightly because there is a procedure and put in a stickler for legal protocol. but for me it has to be, i think, warming of about 48 hour before such such measure istation. and it has to be really approved by parliament. i think that probably will approve because just as pocket the diffusion for the pocket follow the question, i think maybe they're trying to bypass it by just logging independent information because martial law is actually imposed only in

a situation where there is imminent danger to rational solar integrity, integrity, doing that would be admitting that something badly wrong and all the official reports that actually live down to terry's. and the last time russia was under martial law, was during the 2nd world war. so he's going to be momentous. it is going to be very, very problematic from the point you go his image and actually from quantity of keeping the country together off of that because every scene, it's not a very competent military planning. so i think that maintaining at the same time marshall or a whole and a combat operation, the essentially prosecuting war abroad. i don't think that the put in the system as is as a resilient as to withstand such pressure. that resilience will be tested with international sanctions. beginning to bite the ruble in free fall of russians themselves,

or hearing even from their own government, that hundreds of rusted russian soldiers have been killed. the ukrainian se, it's in the thousands with these reports of the horror of war coming up. and the sanctions beginning to by is opposition to putin and the war likely to grow in russia. i think, yes, you don't expect revolution tomorrow, although in russia nothing is impossible. absolutely nothing, but we may be speaking now and then in an hour it would be analyzing completely but, but i think that there were 2 things which were sort of marcus for me personally. one is the fact that the board of directors of look was, which is one of russia, the largest oil companies. and you should a collective statement saying that this was today. it's a bit timid, but it's got a clear, well there. and this is amazing because all such companies complete the blinds and

completely kind of following the criminal law. the fact that a board of directors thing that not just someone with individual caution, i think that's, that's probably a pretty or so quite a few things like that. to come and secondly, ikea sees this operations in russia from today. and yesterday the theme you may want you to get seen of actually people in moscow ma b i t that was a site which i never thought i'm going to see my life. so the 1st, if you wish, the 1st people will feel the sanctions will be business as well as the city big city, middle clock. this was like will never be the same as long as the sanctions are there. i think eventually sections will start busing. all the classes, brussel slides, because russian sort of food stops and, and drinks and even c or for the agriculture. a lot of it is important

and a lot of it is now being sanction. so it's going to, but it's not probably going to be the collapse of the states, but i think that many, many, many millions of people will feel the deadlock has changed. iraq constrain, thank you very much. that was our russian affairs analyst. constantine. i got numerous cities are under heavy bombardment by russia, but still remain under ukrainian control. the black sea port of kasan is the only major urban centre to fall since russia began its invasion. more than a week ago. ukraine in the us accused, russia have deliberately hitting civilian targets during its attacks. meanwhile, civilians all over the country strengthened their resolve to pipe back. falling all over ukraine, people are getting ready to fight latitude in live eve. those with combat experience. teach those who have never held a gun before, i guess for brooklyn,

liberty thoughtful. i came here to get some understanding of what to do, how to defend myself, and how to survive if the enemy comes for water, the knocker. and while it still com and live eve devastation elsewhere could give an indication of what could come. this is what the outskirts of keith look like. with russian forces advancing in the east and south president vladimir putin claimed that his so called special military operation is going to plan what is his get hold of the russian soldiers and offices are acting bravely like true heroes. our troops fight with persistence, and full understanding that their cause is right all and when you minute produce, we would do all in the south. russian troops and that tanks have taken control of the key black sea port of how sun. they are also pressuring the port city of merrier poll. there's no water or electricity in the depths of winter

to the east ukraine, 2nd largest city. how he, if is still standing, despite russia's advances. but heavy bombardment has left buildings and ruins and dozens of civilian steps. it shall noth, nothing if we full go to forbid hollywood will next will be luck via home. in lithuania, estonia, georgia, moldova, poland, daily, and then they will go to the berlin wall, toys, if that would equally t w's please give me. a 2nd round of talks between vashon and ukrainian negotiators has met with some progress as the 2 sides agree to establish humanitarian corridors in some areas. for those residents who have not a could not yet escape any such corridors, could provide some desperately needed respite. d w correspondent mathias bellinger is in ukraine,

his and live in western ukraine. but he has how are people reacting to the news? first of all of that fire, the nuclear power plant, are they worried? of course, people are worried about the news of the, of the, of the try of that, but in power plant. a ukraine is the 1st country that has experienced a nuclear meltdown. a did the chernobyl plant is just 100 kilometers north of ki, if that exploded in 1986. and people do remember this. so definitely they are a big worries about that. the news they are we're, we're shocking for the past few days. people have gathered around that power plant to protect it. people unarmed people a blocking the roads to the power plant in the case that somebody would come there yesterday. shelling was reported from these places from these road blocks that people have um,

they haven't set up the road blocks. they have us been standing there with their bodies to protect the, the, the power plant. so and then they moved her barricades in a on the roads mostly like vehicles and um and yeah, yeah, this is of course shocking people ive been aware of this risk for some time. but here sir, is the situation. if it's the latest on the situation in ukraine, where things stand this morning lots of things going on as every day. maria poll is still and circled and under siege and keith attacks on key of our being our, our, our ongoing in the suburbs of key of. and there is the fear that russia might try to lay siege on that capital as well. that's the news this morning. what about people fleeing their homes? i understand that there may, i'm over a 1000000 people have left the country,

but there are, there must be a tremendous amount of displaced people within ukraine. of course there are a lot many people who have fled their home towns and are now travelling either towards the western border or to the woods the southern border. so that's the borders with poland, slovakia, hungary, and romania. i'm many people have left the country as you said, mostly women and children because men are prevented from leaving the country under most martial law so that many men or families who do not want to split up our remaining inside the country in the safe areas for example here and leave where i am now, which is one of the main escape routes out of the country to its poland. now ukraine, russia held another round of talks yesterday they agreed on humanitarian corridors for people to leave, tell us about us. it's e. monetary encourages them there for people to leave,

but they're also to bring in supplies into the cities, to feed the civilian population, to her, the medication, and all these humanitarian needs. there is, for example, i, i haven't seen any very specific a ideas or, or plans to, to establish these corridors. i think go, the most amazing is that they have agreed on establishing them at all. but for a city like marie opal, for example, that has been undecided for us quite some time. now. this one is, of course something that's very important. and a we, the electricity is shut off. that heating is shut off. there are no supplies coming into the city. so this is of course, a very dire situation for this city. and a corridor is extremely bad, is badly needed, but he has thank you so much. mathias billing. there are correspondent in libby all over ukraine. its civilians bearing the brunt of this military bombardment. and

as we just heard from it is for those in front line cities like mario paul, the situation is intensifying for many, the humanitarian corridor may come too late. a warning. this report contains disturbing images. another shell hits murray. you pull as medics wait for the next call. but with phone services knocked out in parts of the city. they don't always know where to go. often they go door to door, searching for any one injured and in need of treatment. here they find an elderly woman. her house was hit by a shell. she's still in shock as she's taken by ambulance to a makeshift hospital. but sometimes help comes to late doctors. we're unable to save a 16 year old boy, struck by a bomb exploded on a football field. far away from the fighting,

a plane carrying medical supplies has arrived in the polish capital. warsaw. the world health organization has sent 36 tons of aid, including surgical materials to treat a 1000 people. if the mythical thick escalates be going to see many, many more really vulnerable people who already late, who would need a lot of what. but 1st, the cargo will have to be transported by road to places where the 8 is urgently needed. so i think also for you to go, this applies will be move in to talk to the boy that will be great. and then further the support, they affected our system. that means it will likely be days before the medical shipments reach frontline cities in murray, you, paul, which is under siege by russian forces and cut off. it's already too late. meanwhile, the exit is people fleeing the war continues, mainly women and children,

as most ukrainian men are required to stay behind to fight. poland is receiving the biggest number of refugees, but other neighboring countries are also taking in people desperate to escape. russia's assault t w's tessa walter reports from the slovakian border with ukraine. a roof over their heads, even if it's just a tent and a hot meal here envision in emmett's crystal vakio. they found shelter from the attacks of the russian army in their homeland. oksana arrived here from west and ukraine just a few hours ago with her 2 children. ms. barrage them will you? i was so afraid for my children because we had to flee. all of us had to flee horribly at that. i don't know what to do now, steam made kick. i do not say asana is relieved that she saved

here for the time being that she still can't comprehend the whole catastrophe of the wall. aliana, what does the bananas divide? they beeson. i don't want to call myself a refugee. i want to go back home where my children were happy did their boost us live. oh, dorm. yeah, what i want to. i'm just so scared. lydia also just made it across the border with her children. she's afraid for our husband, who can't be with his kids right now. that has to fight the russian soldiers. that is alive. we are all worried. but what should we do? my husband told us to go and then we went. we may never see each other again. this

is not right. if we all have to die, we want to die together. it's not right that my husband is in ukraine and we are here. you don't want to leave your home with us though, that like lydia knock sana, thousands of women and run asleep ukraine, the neighboring countries. the families here are trying their best to hold up, especially the mothers to all they can to seal that children from the horrible situation they are in that when you speak to them a little bit longer, you realize just how traumatized they are by the war in their home country maddie and let. so is one of the volunteers who takes care of them. thus saith is so not very surprising because yesterday they had normal eyes and today they are hearing slovakia. and i believe they didn't plan to come here. so is

the front for them. they have different allies, though. to now, they can only wait until their feet will be on solid ground again. joining me now is james elder, he's the spokesperson for the united nations children's fund unicef in live. james, tell us, what is this war mean for ukraine's children or very much what your viewers just saw. deep trauma, ah, separation from families via and for increasing number means the end of their life . we are seeing children being children injured in this conflict. as things continue to escalate, so across the board is, is nightmarish for children for very large numbers of children. so how can children begin to process the hell of war as you say, it's traumatizing traumatizing enough for adults how to children deal with

you know, i speak to so many mothers here and it's a mix. some, some babies sleep a lot more as a coping mechanism. summer in t is summer, just froze, it frozen and stealing. ah, others console their own mothers when their mothers can no longer keep up that tie that facade and that, that, that strength. so it's a whole gamut of things and it's an area that units, if notice from yemen to afghanistan, now are you crying? i cannot believe we sing another nation. children learn what conflict looks like or they are, i'd sorry it is, but we know that the quicker this, this trauma can be address the less chance it has a scar in these children. of course, beyond our own efforts, the best way to end is trauma is to end this fighting. what's being done to help these children, james a lot a lot by every day ukrainians. i'd like to stop by saying grandmothers on the streets, cooking foods give some blankets to medicines, teenagers,

offering shelters for people who are coming in and had spent knots in bunkers and now trying to flee unicef. we have mobile child protection teams that will go both sides of the conflict line as you and i speak with trucking, emergency supplies from our global hob in denmark that are coming in to where i am to ukraine. now, our safe space is along those long journeys a lot, but it's important to remember as long as he's coldly continues, that demand will continue to outstrip the supply. as your report said, in half a 1000000 children flitting the country in 7 days, that's unprecedented in the scale in swiftness and, and to be honest, unprecedented in sorrow and stress. now we're seeing most of these children arriving at the border ah, at ukraine's border to the surrounding countries with their mothers. but some of them are unaccompanied. where will all these children end up? yeah, it's a very good question and it's, it's

a very worrisome area. i'll all work now on the policy level, you know, if it's very clear on what into country adoption, should look like the best interest of the child and you trying those neighboring countries. i'm clear on these guidelines. so we insure as best we can, that with a family member, extended family member, someone from the village, these things a key and then as a next resort to find a safe place somewhere, this is not difficult. this is not easy. rather, given the enormity of number of numbers of people moving, but this is what unit is seeking to do on all those boarder regence memory. of course, they're up tens of thousands of children in orphanages here. that's a great concern because we had reported there in the line of fire or even children in hospitals. i was at the children's hospital he yesterday children, you know, i see you intensive care on drips. how do we get them out? how do we get them to say, what about the long term psychological effects, james? is the trauma that these children experienced likely to haunt them as adults?

yes, it certainly can. if you look at that, they spent knots in bonkers. as a little girl told me, there were raxon functions. but her mom said that explained, but there's no bomb, sophia. yes, yes, it is again that the sooner we can get out of the situation, the better, but that they will need to be counseling, been a temporary learning spaces. they need any type of education that can give them a distraction on whether we unicef deals with this situation from yemen to afghan assigns with yoga, the longer these things continue, the more chance it has of scouring. this is a young nation, a very from what i see very entrepreneurial nation. these children will add so much value to any society, but of course they want to add it to their own home. they want to add it to you trying. james, thank you very much. for talking with us this morning, that was james elder from unicef. and if you're just joining us, you are watching d w. special coverage of russia's war on ukraine. i'm terry mart.