from berlin. tonight, a sign of hope for civilians inside the ukrainian city of mariupol, where for the first time hundreds have been able to flee to safety along an escape route as russian and ukrainian negotiators are set to continue on tuesday. also, the black seaport of odessa fortifying defenses as volunteer soldiers promised fierce resistance against advancing russian troops.

and making the ukrainian fight their own fight. 20,000 foreigners have signed up as volunteer soldiers in ukraine, willing to die to stop the russian invasion. ♪ brent: to our viewers watching on pbs in the u.s. and all of you around the world, good to have you with us, as we start another week with russian forces attacking ukraine. tonight, hundreds of people have escaped the besieged city of mariupol in southeastern ukraine, despite the city being completely cut off from the rest of the world for days. ukrainian authorities say residents were able to flee the city along an escape route in a convoy of 160 vehicles, headed toward an area under ukrainian control. hundreds of thousands of people remain trapped inside mariupol

without heat or basic necessities. before today, all attempts to move civilians out of the city have failed. peace talks between russian and ukrainian negotiators are set to continue tomorrow, as the russian military steps up its assault on the capital. reporter: this woman has been sitting outside her apartment since the early morning hours. she is waiting for someone to pick her up after the apartment she has been living in for decades was shelled overnight. >> this is it. one room, another small one, and the kitchen. that's what it was. reporter: it was 5:00 a.m. when a shell hit the house. >> there was allowed bang, and immediately some kind of white smoke that burns in the eyes and throat.

and then i heard the firefighters in the corridor saying don't go out, the staircase is gone. they had me climb down on a firefighter's ladder. reporter: we are at the northern edge of kyiv and this apartment building was fired upon from outside the city from the russian positions north of kyiv. cleaning up some of the debris, but it is hard to imagine people will ever be able to live here again. authorities are saying at least one person died in the attack. many more have lost everything they had. those who can still access their property are trying to secure their belongings. she is 83 years old and this is the second war she has experienced. her early childhood memories are of world war ii. >> i feel very bad.

i am tired. my head hurts badly. why do i have to live through this? i just want some rest. reporter: a relative's on his way to pick her up. then she will have to start all over again. brent: our correspondent joins us from the ukrainian capital. good evening, nick. how would you describe the situation in kyiv tonight? nick: it is very tense and people have been living with the expectation of russian forces circling and cutting off the city. there are still two main routes in and out, medicine and supplies and soldiers in and out, but it is very tense. where we work filming the older

lady in the report, we were hearing artillery close almost all the time. an endless string of bangs and gunshots closer. that is in the city limits, at the edge of the built up areas, but it is close. where i am, things are further away, but you still often enough heard a -- here a bang that is antiaircraft systems trying to stop things hitting central kyiv . we heard that some people lost their lives when the rockets were hitting and debris hit them. kyiv, the civilians are having to pay the price. brent: i want to ask you about mariupol.

ukrainian officials say more than 2400 residents of the city have been killed so far. what do we know about the situation inside that city tonight? nick: it is dire. i was speaking to a young man earlier today, it was impossible to ring him by a normal conduction -- connection, but he had a generator and he sent me voice messages. he was telling me that people are having to breaknto shops to find food to eat, and people without generators have not had power or food for days. he was closer to the russian soldiers on the far end, so even him, getting to the evacuation buses was going to be unrealistic. he was saying for him, the scariest thing wasn't the fighting, which he has gotten used to, the shooting during the day has become the norm, interest weapons at night. -- dangerous weapons at night.

he was worried about losing the generator, because as long as he was able to keep some connection with his family, he could deal with the situation. but now he's facing the prospect very soon of russian troops closing in, and the last message of infra structure being lost, and as a young man, he is at the bottom of the list of those to be taken out. brent: talks between russian and ukrainian negotiators took place today. they are scheduled to take place again tomorrow. dare we even try to see a sliver of hope in the fact that they are talking a second day? nick: i'm not sure that is a positive sign, i think the delay was more a question of tensions and difficulties finding starting points about more technical discussions.

yes, it is positive that talks are happening at all, but i think this is about the optics, both sides needing to be seen three open to dialogue rather than having anything to really talk about in terms of concessions to the other. the russian side seemingly has dialed down the rhetoric a bit, but if you look at the deal you -- the detail, they want ukraine to not only say it won't join nato, but give up most of his army, and except russian ssession of an act crimea, to recognize the sulfur claimed separatist republics in the east, things that would make it for an elected ukrainian president to go to the people and say this is what you've been living -- losing your lives for. brent: nick connolly with the latest from kyiv. as always, thank you. ukraine's black sea port of odessa is preparing for a russian attack. the city's mayor says russian

troops could soon surround the city on three sides, effectively cutting it off from the rest of the country. locals are volunteering to defend their hometown and say they are ready to fight. we have a report tonight. reporter: we are in the center of odessa, and you can see the port city has been turned into a fortress. checkpoints and era cades, -- barricades and sandbags throughout the city. >> we are ready. every day we go to sleep fully dressed in anticipation of a missile strike. reporter: shoveling sand into sandbags on the beach to strengthen the city's defenses. volunteers such as alexander, an engineer, say they want to make themselves useful. >> we are trying to support each other. we are trying to organize ourselves. i know there are so many people

here, but now we work as a team, and this is a perfect example and what we should do. reporter: odessa is of tremendous strategic importance for the ukrainians, which makes the city a likely russian target. in capturing odessa's ports, russia could cut ukraine off from the black sea and all supplies coming in by ship. time and again, air raid sirens go off and residents have to seek shelter. it is almost too much to bear, this woman tells me. her family has lived here for four generations, but now she says it is time for her and her daughter to flee. >> i have been thinking a lot, should i leave my home, my family, my husband? it is so hard.

you take only the necessities and go, but everything is necessary. >> i wake up in my mom says we need to take cover. we take the cat, the phone, and hide and sit there until the alarm is over. reporter: many people have already left, leaving it is just a question of time before moscow tries to capture odessa. odessa's ties with russia stretches back many centuries, the city founded by catherine the great is still largely russian-speaking, despite the deep-seated connections, the people of odessa are prepared to meet putin's soldiers with fierce resistance. we visited a school that is now a volunteer center. natalia is in charge. her message to russian troops is simple. >> we don't want to be liberated, we are living

wonderfully. we don't need to be liberated. they should not make up any myths about that or believe them and use them as a pretext to violate our peaceful life. reporter: italia says people -- natalia says the people of odessa want to keep their city and are ready to fight. brent: a look at other developments. the u.n. secretary general has warned that the potential for nuclear war for ukraine, saying that once unthinkable, is within the realm of possibility. he is urging pressure to stop its invasion of ukraine and pursue diplomacy instead. the u.s. national security advisor is meeting with the chinese delegation in rome to discuss the war in ukraine, the u.s. morning beijing not to support russia in its invasion after reports that moscow requested chinese military equipment. both russia and china have denied that any request was made.

activists supporting ukraine have seized a london mansion belonging to an oligarch, just days after the billionaire oil tycoon was targeted by u.k. sanctions. protesters want to convert the mansion into housing for ukrainian refugees. germany has confirmed plans to purchase u.s.-made f-35 fighter jets as part of a major push to modernize the country's armed forces. the new jets will replace germany's aging jets. this is on top of a pledge to increase defense spending to at least 2% of gdp, in line with nato budget goals. a special fund of 100 billion euros has also been earmarked for the military. let's go now to our correspondent simon young, following the story. simon, the news of the purchase of these fighter jets, is this

your money putting its money where his mouth is when it comes to buffing up its military muscle? simon: absolutely. we've had this announcement, as you mentioned, the spending, 100 billion euros and raising military spending to 2% of gdp, as has been the long-standing nato target, and also a much clearer commitment from germany to stand ready to defend nato militarily and take an active role, by contrast with the slightly more reluctant role it has had in the past. we heard the announcements, but what were they going to spend the money on? we are beginning to see some of that this announcement, they will be ordering f-35 stealth combat planes from lockheed martin in the u.s. they are also going to order 15 more euro fighter jets. this is part of a project for

renewal of germany's armed forces. brent: why hasn't germany gone for the f-35's -- has germany gone for the f-35's? simon: they've been looking for a replacement for the tornadoes for a while, and service for over 30 years, difficult and expensive to maintain. the f-35, i think it is recognized as the most modern combat plane in existence. importantly, it is capable of carrying nuclear weapons, that is significant within nato because there is a policy of nuclear participation with nato members committing to be able to deliver a nuclear deterrent. it's also used by several nato air forces, which makes things easier in terms of coordination and different countries operating with this. also, it is market ready. it should be possible to deliver

and put this aircraft into service relatively quickly. brent: does that increase the significance when we are talking about the current war in ukraine? simon: yeah, well it will take some time, as these things do, to have these planes flying. it is hoped the fighting in ukraine is ended before then, but in terms of the strategic implications, it is meant to be understood by president putin in moscow, germany increasingly stands ready and has the capability to take an active role within nato defending nato countries if they are attacked. i don't think it is intended as a threat toward russia, but it is intended to show a clear level of determination and resolve to resist any attack on nato. brent: simon young, thank you. earlier today, german chancellor

schulz met with the turkish president to discuss possible ways out of the war in ukraine. turkey has emerged as a possible mediator after hosting talks between ukrainian and russian foreign minister's last week. reporter: this might have been just an inaugural visit by german chancellor olaf scholz to a difficult partner, but turkey has become a promising negotiator between moscow and kyiv. not suppressing the, to look out it -- diplomatic efforts toward a cease-fire work the main part of the talks. last week, turkey hosted the meters -- the ministers from the countries. talks were inconclusive but gave rise to new hope. olaf scholz is looking to build on that. he and president erdogan have already talked to vladimir putin several times since the war began. erdogan is seen as someone who

understands the kremlin. whether it will help means to be seen, but the german and turkish leaders agree they want a cease-fire as soon as possible. >> each day with each bomb, russia is distancing itself more and more from the global community we formed together. therefore, our joint appeal to the russian president, pause to reflect. there can only be a diplomatic solution to this conflict. reporter: an appeal that seems unlikely to impress the russian leader. there will probably be many more meetings like this before there is an end to the violence in ukraine. brent: our correspondent was at that press conference in the turkish capital today, good evening to you. what stood out to you in what these two leaders had to say? we have the leader of germany and leader of turkey, both nato members -- are they on the same page? reporter: whastood out me

were the words by olaf scholz, how he emphasized that the turkish president and he agree on a need for iediate cease-fire in ukraine, and on behalf of bo of them, addressed vladimir putin and asked him to stop the violence. we normally would not hear such clear words from the turkish president, who is always careful not to anger moscow too much. this is basically telling us what olaf scholz and erdogan disagree on, how to al with russia. what we've seen from the little -- the turkish president is oppo-taco balaing ac he provided combat drones and turkey is an important member of nato, but on the other hand he's tryi not to risk ties with moscow because the turkish economy, an ailing economy, depends so much on rsian energy, agriculture, a millions of tourists from russia

who come to turkey ery year, spending much needed mon for the ecomy. that expandshy turkey so far has kep airspace open to russian airplanes and has not joined western sanctions against russia. brent: when we look at the situation on the ground in ukraine, what role can germany and turkey really play in terms of bringing a diplomatic end to this conflict? julia: t turkish president clearly sees himself as a mediator and he seems to enjoy that role. the german positn is all kds of diplomatic efforts right now need to be supported because everyone, and president erdogan seems to be one of these people, who gets through to vladimir putin, needs to be supported in these efforts. the meeting between the foreign

ministers in turkey last week it did not yield any result, but they were welcomed. olaf scholz mentions -- mentioned that today in a press conference. it remains to be seen at will happen next. a meeting between the two presidents would be next on the agen, but if th will take place in turkey, that is unclear. brent: julia with the latest tonight on the diplomatic end to the war. who is willing to fight for ukraine? 20,000 people who are not from ukraine. kyiv says that is the number of foreigners who have volunteered to join ukraine's international legion. some countries have urged citizens not to join this conflict, threatening them with legal action. we caught up with some of these would be fighters onheir way

to a new combat zone. reporter: this is anatoly from finland. that is not his real name. we met him at a polish train station. packed with equipment and protective gear, he is waiting to board the train to ukraine to join the fight. >> for me, it was the right thing to do as a human being. like part of the solidarity movement. i strongly feel i can contribute by going. reporter: he was studying art and design when he decided to answer ukraine's call for foreign fighters. with five years experience as an instructor in the finnish defense force, he is eager to share his knowledge with ukrainians who lack combat experience. >> they have the manpower but they need, in my opinion, instructors, team leaders to get people through the pipeline, the

training pipeline, and especially with the western weapons systems, how to use them effectively. reporter: over the past couple of days, we have witnessed a number of foreign fighters boarding transfer ukraine. ukraine claims that about 20,000 have already joined the fight, but that number is hard to verify. those who want to get into ukraine go through passport control. we meet nicholas, a financial consultant from fans who does not -- from france who doesn't want us to show his face. he said he could not stand seeing russia bombing civilians. >> as all children dying on tv and i said, we are doing nothing. so i have to go. reporter: do you have any expands in fighting? >> no, i don't have any combat experience at all, i have a pilots license that might be helpful. if not, we will have two weeks of training and then we will fight alongside the ukrainians be at reporter: his neighbor in

the queue is a businessman just back from spain, where he took his children to safety. he is returning to his hometown in his -- and is ready to fight. >> i am happy foreigners are coming to help us. it puts a smile on our faces. and it makes us stronger in our fight against the aggressors. reporter: together, they are watching recent pictures from kyiv. advancing russian tax being attacked by ukrainian forces. rockets, shelling, destruction. nicholas tells us he would be stupid not to be afraid as his journey to the war zone continues. first to lviv and then to the front lines, knowing he might not come back. brent: that was more on volunteer fighters for ukraine.

here is a look at some of the other stories making headlines this hour. australia and the netherlands say they have launched legal action against russia over the downing of a passenger flight over eastern ukraine over eight years ago. all 289 people on board were killed, including 196 dutch nationals and 38 australians. moscow has denied any involvement in the incident. the senegalesarmy has launched an operation against separatist rebels in the southern -- in a southern region, the military accusing the rebels of trafficking timber and cannabis. the conflict has been largely dormant for years and flared up last month when separatists clash with the army. china is seeing its highest number of covid-19 cases in two years. it has forced several regions back into lockdown. schools have been closed in shanghai and stretch in's and forced in northeasrn cities. a city is in lockdown as neighboring hong kong hopes --

copes to struggle -- copes with new cases. a charity in the netherlands has raised over 140,000 euros for civilians in ukraine. it was a coproduction by the dutch national opera and philharmonic orchestra. as well as cash, it generated some hope. ♪ reporter: the concert was the brainchild of the chief conductor. >> we will have to raise our voices more and more for this cause. yeah, and very proud that this house interned -- answered my question to say we need to stand together now, amy lee. reporter: it's highlights, a duet.

accompanied by a russian pianist. the long time colleagues refused to let this come between them. >> we are still friends, i am very grateful our friendship is as strong as it was before the war. reporter: this aria praising ukraine's strength, a timely message indeed. brent: after a short break, i will be back to take you through the day. we will be right back.

íñíñ

>> this is a live from paris. it is 9:00 p.m. and i am tom burges watson. these are your top stories. the convoy leaves the encircled city of mariupol in the first successful civilian evacuation via humanitarian corridor. the number of people fleeing ukraine goes up every day. since the russian invasion began, more than 2.8 million refugees have left the country. and the french government unveils a to billion euro package aimed at questng