[000:00:00;00] ah ah, business dw is coming to live from berlin. ukraine says russian forces have seized its largest nuclear power plant. that's after an early morning attack at the sight caused the fire to break out at in that jason training facility that fires now out . and officials say there is no sign of a radiation. the russian forces are battling for control of more ukrainian cities. after taking the strategic port, city of cas on on the black sea,

ukraine's leaders are urging people to to defend their homeland any way they can. plus the women and children fleeing the war alone as the men stay back to fight. we report from the ssl, bucky, in order with ukraine and russia restricts access to independent news websites including d, w. it's parliament passes a law that could see anyone found guilty of publishing. simple fake news about it's armed forces faced jail terms of up to 15 years. ah. hello, i'm terry martin. welcome to the program. ukrainian officials say russian forces have seized the zappa riccio nuclear power plant in the southeast of the country. responsible for about a quarter of ukraine's energy production. you russian troops launched an attack on the facility overnight leading to a fire at the plant,

which is also your ups largest ukraine's state emergency service says it managed to put out the blaze and secure nuclear safety. authority say that radiation levels remain unchanged. president philadelphia zalinski has accused russia of trying to repeat the chan noble nuclear disaster is saying, the incident underscore 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 and for europe, your 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, had a nuclear power plant 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 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 stored in the

facility and that spent fuel is contained and has the containment structure around the nevertheless is the part of the client and part of the fuel system that you will have to worry about and we saw in the so cassim a case where they actually the earth attack, human nuclear plant operators were able to maintain safety of the spent fuel facility. is there any international, so sorry, go ahead. so the reactors, very well, very robust. think a dain deep in the plants and it will 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 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? it's v 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 i as if it was a hurricane or so soon, army, prior to that the plants would be shut down and safely secured at that point mentally. 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 plant being in the middle of a war zone. should they be concerned? well, you should be concerned the, the, the likelihood of a, it depends on the magnitude of any attack that might occur. the n, as i said, it's very extremely robust of plants extremely robust and and mostly it would be a area as we saw, a, sharon ogle and fukushima would be an area around the plant there would be most susceptible to damage that however, after food you see men after turnover, we learned a lot of lessons from those accidents and weren't many countermeasures and we can take to minimize the amount of radiation release from a reactor regardless of the accident that might occur. dr. casso,

thank you very much. that was dr. charles casto. he's a us nuclear safety expert during numerous cities in ukraine are under heavy bombardment by russia, but still remain other key creating control. the black sea port of kasan is the only major urban center to fall since russia began its invasion more than a week ago. ukraine and the u. s. accused russia deliberately hitting civilian targets during its attacks. meanwhile, civilians all over the country strengthen their resolve to fight back bali all over ukraine, people are getting ready to fight latitude in live eve. those with combat experience to 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 war of the knocker. and while it's still

com and live eve devastation elsewhere could give an indication of what could come . this is what the outskirts of key of 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 gift. although the russian soldiers and offices are acting bravely, like true heroes issue, our troops fight with persistence and full understanding that their cause is right spool. and when you, when you pull out this, we would do 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 and the depths of winter to the east, ukraine's 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 last nothing. if we full go to forbid valuable, next will be luck via home. in lithuania, estonia, georgia, moldova, poland, value, and then they will go to the berlin wall voice. if that will do, it will now be the better liens clear to me. a 2nd round of talks between russian 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. i'm joined out by our correspondent mathias billing a. he's in the me in western ukraine of 1st of all, it is there was a fire at the ukrainian that ukraine's biggest nuclear power plant was struck by russian shelling. it's now under russian control. how much of

a concern is that for people in ukraine? well, to be sure to be clear, the country of the plant is not under russian control, but the territory is that the plant is of course, run by engineers. and these are the engineers that have been working there for some day, and we have not heard any information of so just taking over the plan and hopefully they will never do. but this is of course, a big concern to fighting around a nuclear power plant. is of course, a very dangerous thing and i, the ukrainian government has warned of consequences that might be worse than chin or bill. the plant is bigger than that should not be in one arm. we have just heard an expert on, on the security of these plans. they are of course more secure. ah, that they do. they wouldn't be set to light by a tank. but we've, he seen a fire. they are not in the react to block or not in the control center, but in some other facility. but still like this is a very dangerous situation. people in the area have been aware of this for some

time. they have secured or they have tried to secure this. our power plant are just sitting there, blocking the roads are they have moved vehicles as barricades there and they have tried to protected with their bodies. they have not been able to freshen forces, have attacked this area, and this is her now what we're seeing um and so concerns a high and the but the plant is still under control of the engineers as we understand. okay, well that sir, that a comforting thought are the there in multiple flash points around ukraine. multiple cities that are under fire right now are, what can you tell us this morning, mathias, about where things stand in this war. there's great concern that her dear, of the russian army might move further on. keep trying to lay siege on the city. that's one of the 1st spots that are the ukrainian forces are very worried about

a lot at the moment and are, are where we are. might see something, however, the attack on key has stored for the past few days. ukrainian forces have been are slowing down or fighting back. russian attackers are, are in the outskirts of the city arm and are as far as i understand, we have not seen a significant movement there, but fighting is intense. there the other spot that causes a lot of worries is more your paul connections have been lost to the city under siege. and we've seen a message from the mail of the city saying that's most that he addressing his fellow citizens saying that most of them would probably not get this message. because internet electricity and a radio signals are down in the city and it's been on the seas for a few days. so imagine what the situation is like with food and with a humanitarian goods. yesterday mathias, we had russian and ukrainian. ah,

we're hearing a siren there behind you as well. if you need to, to run to shelter, please do that. no, that's the end. that's that. yeah, it is. it seems to be the, the end of the, the has been the warning before. i can see people here some i've run to the shelters, but people here have gotten used to this to these alarms and whoever is on the street, i often did to stays on the street because it's never care what a mixture days. very well, then i'll put another question to you, martinez. very briefly, we heard that the russian and ukrainian negotiators did sit down again yesterday and agreed on humanitarian corridors for the country. how important are they? well i've just mentioned marie upa, which is completely shut off as a desperate need for medication and, and food should be brought into the city. so this would probably the 1st important candidate,

but there are 4 other places. hawkgrove also the situation seems to be quite bad for the civilian population who have been on the shelling for some time now and a lot of infrastructure and apartments destroyed. so yes, this is important, but he has thank you very much. that was our correspond mathias bellinger in live all over ukraine. it's civilians bearing the brunt of this military bombardment. and as we just heard from it is for those in frontline cities like mario, all the situation is horrible. 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 their next call. but with phone services knocked out and parts of the city, they don't always know where to go. often they go door to door searching for

anyone injured and in need of treatment. here they find an elderly woman in her house was hit by a shell. she still in shock as she's taken by ambulance to a makeshift hospital. but sometimes help comes to late. doctors were unable to save a 16 year old boy, struck by a bomb that 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 medical escalates be going to see many, many more really vulnerable people who are already late, who would need a lot of what, ah, but 1st the cargo will have to be transported by road to places where the eighty's

urgently needed. so i think i'll go back to go with this applies will be move in to talk to the boy that will you great. and then further this before 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 of people fleeing the war continues mainly women and children, as most ukrainian men are required to stay behind the fight, poland is receiving the biggest number of refugees, but other neighboring countries are also taking in people desperate to escape dw tess about to reports from the ukrainian slovakian border, 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. rationalism will. yes, i was so afraid for my children got we had to flee. all of us had to flee horribly at that. i dont know what to do now of seem made to guide us to not set asana is relieved that she saved here for the time being that she still cant comprehend the whole catastrophe of the wall. ali on the quote to savannah, savannah the abuse, and i don't want to call myself a refugee. i want to go back home where my children were happy did their boost as libby follow. dorman, 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 knox, sana thousands of women, and she'll an asleep ukraine. the neighboring countries assemblies 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 lead. so is one of the volunteers who takes care of them. there. say this sir. 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 a spokesperson for the united nations children's fund unicef in live. james, tell us, what is this war mean for ukraine's children are very much what your view as you 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, this 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, eat frozen and steely rob, 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 unit, 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 and has a scar in these children. of course, beyond our own, if it's 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 street cooking foods give some blankets to medicines, teenagers, offering shelters for people who are coming in and had spent nights in bunkers and now are trying to flee unicef. we have mobile child protection teams that will go both sides of the conflict line as you and i speak. we 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 these conflict continues, that demand will continue to outstrip the supply. as your report said, in half

a 1000000 children fling 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. all work now on a 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 to those neighboring countries. i'm clear on these guidelines. so we insure as best we can, that with a family member, an 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. riley, given the enormity of number of numbers of people moving,

but this is what unit is seeking to do on all those boarder regence remembering 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 in i c u. 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, and a little girl told me there were raxon functions. but her mom said that explained, but there's no bomb, sophia. yet. yes, it is again that the sooner we can get out of the situation, the better. but then they will need to be counseling, they need temporary learning spaces. they need any type of education that can give them a distraction on whether we unicef deals with the situation from yemen to afghan

assigned to ethiopia. 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 your crime. james, thank you very much for talking with us this morning. that was james elder from unicef. the european union has agreed to give emergency temporary protection to refugees fleeing the war in ukraine. it means that more than a 1000000 people who have fled can now apply for temporary route, protected status and residency permits throughout the e. you millions more expected to follow the measure is meant ease pressure on member states that border ukraine. here's the french interior minister talking about this, move it up so that he, before he became eligible persons will thus be able to benefit from a protective status similar to that of

a refugee you up in any country of the european union for renewable period of one year is this unanimous decision reflects the full commitment of the european union to the solidarity that we owe to the ukrainian people in the face of this unjustifiable war. if you're just joining us, you are watching d w. special coverage of russia's war on ukraine. i'm terry martin. here's a recap of what we're covering this. our ukranian officials se russian forces have seized the critical separate shya nuclear power plant in the southeast of the country. that plant produces about a quarter of ukraine's power russian troops launched an attack on the facility over night, leading to a fire at the plant, which is europe's largest ukraine's state emergency service. as it managed to put out the blaze and secure safety. authorities say that radiation levels remain unchanged. the international atomic energy agency says it has activated its full

emergency response mode because of the situation at the plant. well condemnations of the attack on the nuclear power plant have been pouring in with world leaders blasting russia's assault as reckless in a tweet. canadian prime minister justin trudeau said the attacks must cease immediately calling them unacceptable. british prime minister boris johnson, also called for an immediate end to the attacks on the nuclear plant, demanding that russia allow unfettered access for emergency services. more i'm joined by our chief, political correspondent will into crime melinta a nuclear power plant on fire in ukraine. this raises memories of the chernobyl nuclear disaster. this is a terrifying prospect for many people, not just in your crate. let's say, 1st of all, for all of those who are indeed very, very troubled by this attack. it is

a training facility at the plant that apparently was targeted and burning, and the fire has been brought under control. and we're also told that the international atomic energy agency is monitoring the situation very closely and has not detected excessive radiation in the area. neither has the u. s. energy department. nonetheless, you're right, unprecedented attack and indeed this power plant is the largest of its type in europe and therefore significantly larger than to noble and you remember how far afield excess radiation was detected at that time. so we're hearing statements of outrage from people across the world. and in fact, you mentioned boris johnson, he's calling for a un security council meeting to look at what's happening. but as we know, the un security council is paralyzed by the russian veto. it can and probably

should take action also in regard to this a latest escalation, but it will not do so. so where does that leave us concretely? undoubtedly, not only because of this attack on the jap was he a reactor or the energy complex, but also the effects of the russian invasion as a whole, a 1000000 refugees displaced, leaving the country. all of this certainly qualifies as the kind of attack that would trigger the article 51 of the un charter that is an article that gives country is the right to exercise individual or collective self defense. in other words, regional self defense. if the security council hasn't acted yet, but again, we're back to the situation. would european countries in the neighborhood either under a nato umbrella or otherwise take some form of action? no,

because it could provoke exactly the kind of nuclear conflict they are determined to avoid. and i think all the more so after the very chilling conversation, the french president, my car, had with pleasure president put putting where putting, told him he is prepared to prosecute this war to the end. so if anything were seeing d confliction measures now being put into place to ensure there isn't a miscalculation that could lead to an encounter. well, us hope there is no miscalculation for sure. and i want to talk to you about sanction. so the west has already imposed severe sanctions on russia, unprecedented in some respect, what's left in the sanction toolbox for the west. because it's clear that, as you say, through that conversation between the french president and the russian president, vladimir putin has no intention of backing down. yeah. well the, i'm the next big

a weapon to all that either the you and, or the u. s. would have, would be a ban on energy imports from russia, and that's being talked about quite seriously in the united states. interestingly enough, the u. s. itself is a major oil exporter, but it does import oil from russia. 245000000 barrels in 2021. and that was significantly up over the preceding year. that's about 7 percent of overall oil imports into the u. s. so it would have some effect if such a band were to be put in place with the e u. the picture, however, is a lot more problematic. the fact is, as you know, the, you dependent on imports of gas from russia for countries like germany, they make up 40 percent of gas imports, which is why germany's economics minister ruled out such