[000:00:00;00] ah ah, this is the w news live from berlin. ukraine says russian forces have seized it's the largest nuclear power plant. that's after an early morning attack on the side that caused the fire to break out an adjacent training facility that fires now out of the officials have confirmed, there is no sign of any radiation leak. nevertheless, nato condemns russia to attack on the nuclear side. ahead of a special summit of the alliance is foreign ministers, u. s. secretary of state to antony, blinking,

blinking message to moscow. heading into talks. if conflict comes, we are ready class, the women and children fleeing the war alone as the men stayed back to fight the report on the, from the slo vacant border with ukraine and russia restrict access to independent news outlets including d, w, as it's parliament approves measures to suppress information about the war. ah, i'm go ahead off as well. come to the program. ukrainian officials say russian forces have seized the shop was g, a nuclear power plant, in the southeast of the country. that is responsible for about a quarter of ukraine's energy production. russian troops launched an attack on the facility over night that led to a fire at a training facility on the grounds,

but not if the react to building the complex is your of larger nuclear power plant . you can't state emergency service, says it managed to put out the blaze and secure nuclear safety authorities say that radiation levels remain unchanged. president obama zalinski has called on russians to protest about the nuclear power plant attack. or a seas keaton. east. the russian tanks knew what they were shelling, they were aiming directly at the station. this is tara, on an unprecedented level. and the bikes, nobody. with those miss cassettes leave life, you have to tell your government regulated. you have to go into the streets and say that you want to live, that you want to live on an earth, not contaminated by radiation in night. radiation doesn't know where russia is, where the borders of your country are. you going? it's of actually stanley. a rough o grossey from international atomic energy agency addressed the situation at the plant

a little earlier. it's important to say that all the safety systems of the 6 reactors at the plant were not affect it at all. and that there has been no release of radioactive material. i have indicated to both the russian federation and ukraine. my availability and disposition to travel to ch are novel as soon as possible so that these 7 crucial pillars are never again, that's got some background to that incident. are joining us not from vienna is go home mortgage on the over. she's a nuclear non proliferation and dis almond specialist. so given what we know so far, how dangerous was that incident? hi, well, this is an unprecedented situation. so the truth is,

is we don't really know how dangerous this this could get. a general glossy pointed out, and you mentioned earlier, the fire was at a training facility, not at the react to building itself. so that's sort of the good news to the extent that they could use in the situation. so my husband puts out and the reactor presumably is, is safe, all the reactor units. and one must know that these are reacting with built in safety systems, tested against high impact. so this is not close to panic yet, but certainly for very serious concern. this is for a moment to think about how dicey it is to have a war for now. ok, a problem. if a grenade from a tank or artillery show would hit the react to building what the, what would that lead to radiation leaks right away?

not straight away from the reactor core, he is protected and then the newer generation power plants and of course are tested for safety to withstand very high impact crashes up to sort of an airplane crashing into the reactor building. that said, there are other other dangerous if there's fire or side safety system fails and fail and especially the tricity supply in the back supply is cut, cut off, then we have the situation where there is no way to, to cool the reactor or even if it's shut down, ration stopped, and then we're looking at the risks of react meltdown, but it won't because i just wondered 8 i 3 activity. so strategically can put in now switch off the lights in large parts of ukraine, and could that have been the strategic aim of this attack? i can't tell if that was really the strategic game or that sort of happens in the

fall war in general. fighting and the reactor side is, is his. but yes, the grains of tricity supply depends on our plans about 50 percent of the a city ukraine is generated by nuclear power plants. and so we have that issue right now. one reactor unit is operational at only about 60 percent to 70 percent capacity according to what you bring in regulator recorded. and then i hear that other parkland to be shut down preemptively so that could have serious implications for the power supply. 4000000 in ukraine. is there a safety protocol in place for nuclear plants in conflict zones? i mean, what happens if a war breaks out around to pop up in general? again, is this is unprecedented. there's nothing we can, we can refer to in terms of formal practice. there's no t,

t obliging states not to attack the infrastructure, but they have been general conference resolutions at the international atomic energy agency highlighting the need not to attack on the installation so. so certainly it's part of the sort of international norm, not to target nutritional facilities, but we don't have any specific treat you regulate that. that's a g. c operator, and incident and emergency center. and right now we went into sort of round the clock or duration to provide assistance to crane non proliferation expert. go ha, genova in vienna. thank you very much for joining us. 0 d w. thank you. nato secretary general yan slogan back has joined the other. well, leaders in condemning the russians attack on the nuclear power plant. he was speaking at the alliance's foreign ministers, gar, gathering for

a special summit on the war in ukraine. we condemn the attacks on civilians, sir. an overnight, we're also seeing reports about your tact against the nuclear power plant. this just demonstrates the rec, recklessness of this war, and the importance over ending a thunder. the importance of russia withdrawing all its troops and engage in good faith in diplomatic efforts. and i'm now joined by egan rams. he's a retired german army general, former nato commander in europe and afghan. his don mr. arms, ukrainian president vladimir zalinski is one of many calling for in no fly zone over his country to be enforced by natal. do you think natal would be willing to do that and risk of military confrontation with russia? i do not believe that nato is willing to do that and the foremost researching with regard to legal situ legal situation. it is not allowed to do that. nato would

press through the no fly song over ukrainian, our ukrainian territory, that would be a participation in the war, and that would lead to possibly direct concentration to with the russians. so do you think there's consensus between nato political leaders, a native military leaders on this issue? i do hope so, and i believe it strongly because i believe that all political leaders or military leaders know what the legal framework is at such a case. and that would be that data would be involved in the conflict and then the war. and that is something which is not foreseen and what plan for that. i mean, what we are doing right now, what nato is doing right now is to protect our allies along the borders between the allies and the, and russia, russia. you know that you have reinforced the forces in this when you are in estonia, that you have sent some additional fighters to war menia and to poland. so from that point,

as you need to has done what is possible for the time being to show russia that nature was fitting to defend native territory. so what is the greatest concern right now for nato leaders? i'm not a neutral leader anymore. however, the major concern may be very cautiously for my side is that there are one or the other unexpected reactions from the president to teen, towards nato, as he has done it during the last weeks or months. i would like to see, always claiming that nature was violating the interest of russia, which is not the case. we all know that data has been founded in 1949, and they do has never started. the war need was only place in those countries in the all new countries to conduct defense if necessary, and required that even the,

the changes we have here during the last i will call it 8 years since the occupational of the grim pen coming up and into this all directed for 360 degree defense of naval territory and nothing else. now president zelinski is saying that ukraine is only the beginning of letting a portable move on to other eastern european countries that are in natal, on lots of old files and folders with native contingency plan and being dusted off right now in brussels. i believe that is something which has been done by secure, secure, or activated. i would like to say the 1st plans with regard to contingency plans with our which our weight has been established during the last 67 years. so from that point, if you need to, from my perspective, just bear prepared for that and to the forces nato hess, for such cases lies in interest horns force. i would like to see a higher alerts tickle,

so that they will be able to react if required. so it should then scenario that zalinski there, hint, hinted at, should that come into place? how well is germany's army the bond is there or is it able to play it's part with regard to the need to obligations germany as taking the answer as a clear yes. if you're talking about the v g t f, if you're talking about the and i have germany's birth to prepare to participate in those things with the, with the loss or just the number of for the number of ships as it has been promised by germany for the year 1920, 22, and to 2023. you know that one of our brigades is preparing to be the main part of the lent forces for the future. if 2023 general and have you thought that you in your life time, whatever,

whatever experiences situation like this? no, that is something i couldn't really mention. simply said, if this is something which is going to happen where things are completely turned, i just would like to mention that mister 14th claims for article $51.00 of the united nations carter as a kind of defense worse, no defensive actions required or necessary for russia they have started the war, the war against crania, and now they are talking about a kind of defense which is for my point of view. so on serious, that is unbelievable births. in addition, remark on the subject. i can very good understand the reactions or the feelings i would like to say, which may be in the baltic states like estonia, radio and let the are. because i have spend a lot of time in these areas and participated some years ago in the study which has

been made concerning. so i can get so that they have fierce against the russians. there's something which is very, very understandable. that makes it even difficult. i still believe that mr. 14 has something in his head, which is still a little bit working to avoid such a situation to escalate to a direct quotation with. nigel retired general egan at arms for one night, nato commander in europe. thank you very much for the blue. thank you. numerous citizen, ukraine remain under heavy bombardment, but so far the black sea port of care san is the only major urban center to fall since russia began its invasion more than a week ago. ukraine and the u. s. have accused rush of deliberately hitting civilian targets during its attacks. meanwhile, civilians all over the country remained strong in their resolve to fight back all over ukraine, people are getting ready to fight latitude in live. if those with combat experience teach those who have never held

a gun before i go for one of the rubric 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 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 so lucky and russian soldiers and officers are acting bravely like true heroes issue. our troops fight with persistence, and full understanding that their cause is right all and when you minute produce, we will 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 pole. there is 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 deaths. shall noth nothing if we full go to forbid hollywood hill next will be luck via home in lithuania, estonia, georgia, moldova, poland, value, and then they will go to the berlin wall. poyser, if that would when the the door barrels close 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 resident, yes not. i could not get the escape. any such corridors could provide some desperately

needed respite. and i joined by our correspondent mathias bellinger, his invasion of western ukraine mathias, intense fighting continues. where did things stand across the country? right? yeah, we've just heard the latest news or there are many hotspots at the moment or harker and key of remain some of the most of the worst attacked or, or a cities where we have the worst damage also to the civilian population. shelling is going on them, or your poll is and circle. we don't have a lot of news from there because the city is mostly cut off and communication, as well as electricity and or gas supply. so this is, looks very dire there. here i am now at the near the train station in leaf, and this is one of the places where many refugees arrive and we are hearing a lot of

a lot of very sad stories are we have so we are seeing people coming in still from harkey of their trains evacuating people, but we also see that people fleeing from places that have so far not been attacked like me, brought in the east or, or desa in the south where the russian army is advancing. and where people are afraid of, of fighting in odessa, people have said they could already hear some fighting, although he seems to be still quite far away from the city. so i'm fighting is intensifying across the country. it's a very dangerous situation for many people here. what is, what are you hearing from the capitol, keith, people that have been bracing for a full russian assault for days. yeah, we've, we've seen fighting around in the suburbs of give for quite some time now for, for, for many days almost. almost since the beginning of this invasion and this, it seems to be continuing. there is

a warning by the authorities that the russians might try to and circle care of and lay siege to the city. so far, they have not managed to enter the city all at least not deeply. they have entered and were fought back. fighting continues in the northern and north eastern north western suburbs of the city shelling of course of the city has also happened and is happening. so the situation is pretty much a, it's all a tile, but it has not shifted yet. in general, things are going on. it's still unclear what is happening. of course, this is a city that the ukrainian forces will try to defend, very hard a lot of our forces as we understand and have been brought into position may a before the war. it's of course, the most likely a target or for russian attack. it's been since the beginning, so of course, this is a very crucial moment for the capitol. now ukraine and russia held another under

talks on thursday. they agreed on humanitarian corridors for people and leave. tell us about those. there is a general agreement on humanitarian corridors that might be corridors for people to leave, or that might be a corridors to bring in supplies for food, for example, or medication. um, they are of course needed, especially in those cities that are on the siege, like marie or paul. and hark, if we know now here from the refugees that are they are still ways out of the city . but of course, this city has been mostly cut off from, from many roofs in and out of the city. and there is a need of course of to supply the city with humanitarian goods army. but he has willinger their reporting from the beef in western ukraine. thank you much. meanwhile, the exodus of people sleep, the war continues,

mainly women and children. as most ukrainian men are required to stay behind and fight, poland is receiving the biggest number of refugees, but other neighboring countries. also taking in people desperate to escape the w. a voter reports from the so vacuum border with ukraine, a roof over their heads, even if it's just a tent and a hot meal here envision in em yet skus phil 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 were you. i was so afraid for my children, who we had to flee. all of us had to flee a little bit that i don't know what to do now seem made kick. i do not say

asana is relieved that she saved here for the time being. but she still can't comprehend the whole catastrophe of the wall alley on the court with the bananas divide. they beeson. i don't want to call myself a refugee. i want to go back home. when my children were happy, did the boost us live? oh, dorm. yeah. what i one 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 of, i mean, 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. that like lydia knox, sana thousands of women and children asleep, ukraine, the neighboring countries. the families here are trying their best to hold up, especially the mothers to all they can to shield their 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 are 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 different for them. they have different lies though the now they can only wait until their feet will be on solid ground again. meanwhile, the russian government has introduced drastic new measures to clamped down on descent as opposition to the war is growing among russians. on friday morning, the parliament passed legislation banning the spread of information critical of russia's war, or russia's military violations could carry up to 15 years in prison. free speech advocates are warning this will dramatically increase censorship. earlier the countries media watchdog this restricted access to d, w and some other international media websites. and earlier this week, the popular echo moscow radio and the independent dust to b channel were also shut down at your door. i am though it says that sir, brandy w, russia correspondent, emily sherwin on this normally best in moscow, but says the kremlin shocked on our bureau, that revokes

a quotation for all our colleagues and journalists, they're working from brandon. it's good to have you in the studio for a change. ok, so let's talk about this new legislation by the russian parliament. how significant this, this was very drastic. it essentially means that all criticism can be silenced and the fear that already existed, you know, even before this war in russian society is being solidified. so even this just last week, the media watchdog in russia was warning that media outlets in russia can only use official sources to report about what they're calling a special operation. they also were telling critical media outlets that they can't call a war a war, but that they should be referring to it as a special operation. now it seems with this new law, which means up to 15 years in prison, essentially for any thing that that veers off the official line. that essentially makes critical media impossible. i know

a lot of foreign colleagues as well. foreign journalists are thinking whether it's even safe for them to stay in the country. learners as well. well, it applies to anyone spreading information, foreigners included and, and also, social media posts could be included. so essentially, anyone posting about the war criticizing the war, spreading any information about the war on line at all on facebook, on instagram and so on, could face, you know, quite a drastic punishment. and we've seen that before as well, that these laws can be applied to social media as well. well, it basically, this ban is there to, to stop descent inside the country. we're getting different the different picture here in, in the west. how big is the potential for descent in the country right now? well it's, it's hard to know because of course, it's hard to trust poles. at the moment there has been an official poll from a government pollster,

which says that around 66 percent are in favor of this war independent experts that i've been talking to put that number at more like 50 percent, which is still pretty high and it shows you that a lot of people do turn to official sources of information, especially in times when they're afraid when they're on shore. people start watching state tv. and of course, the line there is that russia is liberating ukraine from the neo nazis. and that this is a non violent operation, almost, you know, where they're not hitting civilian targets at all. so that's the, the current line there. and i've heard from, you know, people that i'm talking to on the ground friends as well. we're saying that they can't actually talk to their parents about this anymore because there's a huge generational divide, of course, in how people consume media. people who are younger, consumed media, more online, others, older people often watch tv. so people are saying, i can't talk to my parents anymore because they're, they're saying that everyone in the west is nazis. they're saying, you know, don't, don't be

a traitor and so on. so really quite upsetting things that you're hearing from, from, from russians on the ground as well about that. so it, russia, made it more difficult to get uncensored information right now. but how can get people in russia, it's still possible to get uncensored information, but it's more difficult one, exactly. at the moment it's still possible. russia does, of course, have the possibility to cut its own internet off from the world wide web. experts are saying that that's still quite unlikely and could be technically difficult, but that's a danger. people are using a vpn services, which means that they can essentially hide their ip addresses and pretend they're at a different country in order to access information that would be blocks within russia . so they can access critical media outlets. you were mentioning that, you know, medusa was being blocked a critical media that the b, b, c, d, w, many others as well. but it's an effort and you know,

the question is whether people will continue to, to try to find information, especially in a situation where they're confused and upset anyway. that's a danger. people are using telegram messaging services as well to get, you know, their channels on there with, with news as well. but it's getting, it's getting harder and harder and i expect that to continue as well. in the coming days. let's talk about the room is that muscle law could be introduced in russia? is that realistic and how would the brushing public react to that? i would say that at this point, almost anything is realistic when it comes to repressive measures within the country. we've seen repressive measures. oh, i think anything is possible. ah, we don't know what the introduction of martial law would mean in practice. apparently there's quite a broad range of measures that could be introduced, but it could mean border closures mobilization and you know, even more censorship essentially. and

a lot of people are currently trying to leave the country because of these rumors of their reports that there are, there's a huge demand for flights to leave the country, especially in countries where there is no visa measures for russian. so that, that they could actually stay there any one wants actually many one way flights as well. and i'm hearing this from friends who are trying to find a way out. of course, not everyone as i was saying. and as people wait to figure out what's happening, of course, the sanctions are biting as well. so one person was telling me they had around $10000.00 in savings to try to leave the country. now that money is worth $5000.00, and that's, you know, getting worse and worse. of course, as the ruble is in freefall, as well. anything's ah, russia correspondent, emily sherman. thank you. and you're watching the w a special coverage of brushes,