britt clennett with us live tonight from kyiv. britt, that young woman recording when the missiles hit, just extraordinary. and the screams of the ukrainian people in all of those videos that you showed us tonight. you saw first-hand the destruction caused by russia's retal retaliation. tonight, vladimir putin threatening more attacks? >> reporter: yeah, david. these are the biggest attacks here in the capital since the war began. these happened, we must remember, during the morning rush hour, killing innocent people and with putin under pressure at home, kyiv remains on alert tonight. and there are real fears, david, of more attacks to come, as ukraine advances on the battlefield. david? >> britt clennett leading us off tonight. thank you, and the team, please be safe. what's been an unsettling 24 hours there. and as you heard britt report, president biden spoke with president zelenskyy today. let's get right to cecilia vega, live at the white house tonight. cecilia, what have you learned about the call, and of course, what u.s. a

russian authorities blaming engine failure for the crash. >> so, let's bring in britt clennett live tonight in kyiv for us. and britt, the pentagon tonight saying russia is trying to instill terror, were their words, with the drone attacks. does the u.s. believe the drone attacks are going to continue? and then this plea from president zelenskyy for better air defense systems, what's been the response? >> reporter: well, david, u.s. officials believe russia's military is actually running low on precision-guided weapons, which is why they are turning to iran for help. a senior defense official saying the u.s. is trying to get more air defense systems to ukraine within the next several weeks. and today's terror marks another escalation in putin's war campaign. david? >> britt clennett tonight, thank you. >>> back here in the u.s. tonight, and to news of that suspected serial killer under arrest in stock con, kra krap. police say he was taken into custody while, quote, out hunting his next victim. and the chief now saying, we are sure we stopped another killing. here's abc's mona kosar abodi t

>> britt clennett leading us off here on a monday night. britt, thank you. >>> back here in the u.s. tonight, and to news of that suspected serial killer under wanted for at least six murders. police ay he was taken into custody while, quote, out hunting his next victim. and the chief now saying, we are sure we stopped another killing. here's abc's mona kosar abdi tonight. >> reporter: tonight, police in stockton, california, say they have taken a suspected serial killer off the streets that terrorized the community. >> at this time, we have the right person in custody. >> reporter: police say they zeroed in on 43-year-old wesley brownlee through community tips, making the arrest early saturday morning as they say he was lurking around dark areas, looking to kill again. brownlee allegedly armed with a gun. >> he was on a mission to kill. he was out hunting. >> reporter: according to authorities, brownlee is linked to the murders of five men in stockton, one in oakland, and they also believe he shot a woman in april of 2021, who survived. >>

britt clennett in ukraine. >>> showdown in arizona. election deniers in key races up and down the ballot. jonathan karl one-on-one with republican candidate for governor kari lake. the former tv news anchor pressed -- will she accept the election results if she loses? and the question about the results for her democratic opponent, katie hobbs, that she says she's not ready to answer. >> tracking a new coast-to-coast storm sweeping across the country. watches and warnings from california to colorado. heavy rain, strong winds, and more than a foot of mountain snow expected. rob marciano timing it out. >>> the urgent search underway tonight for a missing family of four. the new surveillance image released by police. the family disappearing after the father made a disturbing call to 911. >>> the mystery uncovered in the backyard. landscapers discovering a car buried for decades behind a $15 million mansion. >>> and "america strong" tonight. the mother and father and the life-saving gifts to their young children. >>> good evening. it's grea

britt clennett joins us tonight from kyiv, and, britt, now that putin has accused ukraine of terrorism, what are those in his inner circle demanding? >> reporter: yeah, linsey, putin was already facing criticism from nationalists for his recent battlefield losses here in ukraine, but this bridge attack, it's triggered a chorus of anger from russian hard-liners whose calls are only growing louder. they want a strong retaliation for that bridge attack. one putin allies saying, terrorists must be treated unequivocally. linsey. >> britt, thank you. >>> here at home a san antonio police officer has been fired after body camera video showed him shooting a teen in a mcdonald's parking lot. authorities are investigating and have not decided whether to file charges. the police union tells abc news it will not be representing him. the teen remains in critical condition. here's abc's zohreen shah. >> reporter: tonight, a san antonio police officer fired after shooting an unarmed 17-year-old erik cantu as he and a female friend ate in their car in a fast food parking lot. according to authorities,

britt clennett with us live from ukraine. and britt, i know as we were coming on tonight, you reported in late word involving another key ukrainian city, this one in the south. the russian-occupied kherson region in the south. and tonight i know kremlin-backed leaders are expanding what they call the evacuation of ukrainian civilians, potentially signaling much more could be coming here? >> reporter: that's right, david. ominous new warnings from russia tonight, as ukraine pushes on in the south. moscow-backed leaders now warning the battle for kherson will begin in the near future, ahead of fierce hostilities. - now serious questions about what putin's next move might be. david? >> signaling another difficult chapter could be around the corner. britt, thank you. >>> next tonight, concern growing for the fate of an iranian woman climber who competed in south korea without a head scarf, in violation of iran's dress code. what we've learned so far tonight, and here's abc's marcus moore. >> reporter: tonight, iranian climber elna

britt clennett joins us this morning where authorities are working to repair damage after strikes to key infrastructure. britt, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, eva. waves of strikes on power supply, as putin is attacking civilian areas and infrastructure. among the targets are power facilities. missiles shot down by air defense here in the capital. as credible reports, a russian withdrawal from the key city of kherson. there's concern that russia could blow up a hydroelectric dam it controls there, flooding 18 towns in southern ukraine. and president zelenskyy accusing russia of mining the dam to carry out a false flag attack to blame the likely consequences on ukraine. destroying that plan, would apply to energy woes. the attacks have damaged one-third of the power network. and rationing power is becoming the new normal here, especially as the bitter winter approaches. president zelenskyy approaching putin of weaponizing food by blocking ships of grain again. whit? >> britt clennett, thank you. >>> staying overseas, with international pressure on the iranian government inten

abc's britt clennett has more from kyiv. good morning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, eva. yeah, more signs of a russian retreat in the south. ukraine saying it continues to liberate villages in the south and in kherson. a resident in the regional capital telling abc news that the situation there is growing more desperate with shops, banks and cafes all closing en masse. this morning, as the war rages russia falling back, abandoning their positions in the south near the city of kherson around 20 miles from the russian-controlled dam that ukraine says putin's forces are threatening to blow up. russian authorities there now urging urgent evacuations. telling civilians to leave immediately. a russian-appointed official saying almost 25,000 have left already, fleeing on ferries, buses and trains with pets and personal belongings. they're giving up on the kherson region, they're moving away heavy equipment, you can hear it, this man says. kherson marks the only regional capital that russia has been able to control. since the invasion began. liberating it would deal putin a symbo

abc's britt clennett is on the ground in ukraine with the latest. good morning to you, britt. >> reporter: good morning, eva. yeah, ukraine hasn't directly claimed responsibility for the attack, but an adviser to president zelenskyy called it a beginning saying, everything illegal must be destroyed. this morning, a massive explosion crippling russia's only bridge to annexed crimea. videos circulating online showing parts of it engulfed in flames. the bridge, a critical supply line for russian troops. russian authorities saying a truck bomb caused seven railway cars to catch fire and caused part of the bridge to collapse, and overnight russian missile strikes in kharkiv sending plumes of smoke into the air. rescuers frantically searching through rubble for survivors. the blast coming as ukraine breaks through russian lines in the south and east. [ speaking in non-english ] ukrainian president zelenskyy claiming 300 square miles of russian-occupied territory have been retaken this week alone. grim discoveries in those liberated towns. mass burial sites

let's get right to abc's britt clennett in ukraine with the vry latest. britt, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, whit. yeah, another attack on innocent lives here in ukraine. at least 17 dead and dozens more injured after russian rockets hit zaporizhzhia. now, president zelenskyy calling it absolute evil. overnight, another indiscriminate attack on civilians, a dozen russian rockets hitting residential buildings partly destroying this high-rise and leveling others. the strikes coming a day after a huge explosion damaged russia's only bridge to crimea. this video circulating online showing the moment the blast hit engulfing the roadway in flames. russia saying a truck bomb exploded igniting seven railway cars carrying fuel causing part of the bridge to collapse and killing three people. this video tweeted by russia's foreign ministry claiming to show traffic now flowing again over the bridge. part of the span falling into the sea. the charred wreckage of the train cars on the railway above. just hours after the explosion a major shake-up. the defense

abc's britt clennett is in ukraine with the very latest. britt, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, whit. yeah, more help for this country in its fight against russia's invasion. the white house now announcing a package worth $725 million. now, it includes military vehicles and ammunition for those american-made himars, which have proven very effective on the battlefield in ukraine. now, the new aid announced just days after the heaviest attacks here we've seen in ukraine since the war began. according to russian president putin, though, there's no need for more massive strikes on this country saying, russia was not looking to destroy ukraine. but, you know, his word, hours before of the kyiv and zaporizhzhia regions were hit again overnight, and as russian forces fall back in the south, the moscow installed governor of kherson has told residents in the region to take their children and flee. meanwhile, elon musk said he couldn't indefinitely pay for ukraine's use of starlink, a satellite internet system that has become critical for ukr

britt clennett standing by in kyiv. >>> back here at home, the disturbing video from san antonio.an officer fired after he shot a teenager who had been eating a hamburger in his car and then

britt clennett in ukraine.

abc's britt clennett is in the capital. >> a huge cleanup effort under way in kyiv today. as you can see, people are getting on with it, there's traffic flowing again. this is where the impact of the missile hit. >> reporter: president zelenskyy today addressing an emergency summit with president biden and other g7 leaders, pleading for more modern and effective air defense systems. the g7 vowing to stand with ukraine for as long as it takes, warning of severe consequences if putin uses chemical or nuclear weapons in ukraine. tonight, president biden asked, is putin a rational actor? >> i think he is a rational actor who has miscalculated significantly. >> reporter: and tonight, new evidence of alleged russian atrocities. a lot of obviously newly-marked graves over here. ukrainian authorities revealing what they say is another mass grave. oneisconey-libelyman, near the front lines of the eastern donbas region. we don't know who is here, we don't know how many, we don't know how they died. but what seems safe to say is that all of them are dead as a result of russia's invas

britt clennett in ukraine tonight. >>> there is news tonight about the suspected serial killer arrested in california. wanted for at least six murders. authorities now believe they arrested him while he was, quote, out

britt clennett in ukraine. cecilia vega live at the white house.

britt clennett in ukraine tonight. >>> there is news tonight about the suspected serial killer arrestedr at least six murders. authorities now believe they arrested him while he was, quote, out hunting his next victim.

abc's britt clennett reports from ukraine tonight. >> tonight, ukraine liberating more villages in the south, edging closer to the strategically vital city of kherson. as the only regional capital captured by russians, retaking it would deal putin another humiliating battlefield defeat. ukrainian colonel general oleksandr syrskyi -- behind the victories in kyiv and kharkiv -- saying morale is high and momentum is on their side in an exclusive interview with our ian pannell. >> are you winning this war? >> translator: of course we are winning. it's important that we are winning mentally. we know what we are fighting for. but still this war is very hard. >> and the colonel general with a clear message as russian nuclear rhetoric escalates. >> how worried should all of us be about putin's nuclear threats? >> translator: basically, you have answered your question in your first phrase. yes, we are worried, as we should be. >> russian state media accused ukraine of trying to explode a dirty bomb or tactical weapon on its own territory with the aim of framing russia. >> president zelenskyy to

britt clennett starts us off in kyiv with what we know at this hour. good morning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, robin. kyiv is on edge as we woke up to the sound of several loud bangs just after 8:00 a.m. smoke rising from the city center. this is one of the first targets that was hit. cleanup is under way. part of the road has been ripped up. windows blown out of this building behind me. this is a busy intersection where hundreds of cars pass through during rush hour and as far as we know, there were no military targets here. there were attacks on infrastructure in kyiv as well, but also civilian areas without any apparent strategic or military significance, including a park and a pedestrian bridge that has no other purpose other than sightseeing, and the streets here in kyiv are nearly empty. we left the hotel bunker a short while ago, lot of people took cover after the first round of missile strikes, some in the city's subway. the timing of this, it is key. as i say, happening on a monday morning during rush hour when many people would have been

back to britt clennett on the scene in kyiv. oke in the air here. part of that apartment block blown away. firemen were able to pull out several people, but at least three were killed including we're told a pregnant woman. this is one of several sites hit by those iranian self-destroying drones. a nearby energy company also attacked and we're just about 500 yards from kyiv's main train station. the explosion starting at about 7:00 a.m. local when most of the monday morning trains were arriving full of commuters. and this is exactly a week after the peak attacks. mayor klitschko saying the city and residents are angry and not scared despite this terror once again unleashed by putin in the heart of the capital. robin? >> ukrainians so resilient, britt, thank you. >>> we are turn to the midterm elections just over three weeks away so let's go back to our congressional correspondent rachel scott there in georgia. you know the stakes are high there. good morning, again, rachel. >> reporter: they certainly are. good morning to you, rob

abc's britt clennett is in ukraine this morning, and, britt, this is a significant setback for putin after an already devastating week. >> reporter: that's right, martha. as you say, it's russia's only bridge to crimea, and it was hit in spectacular fashion. you know, this video circulating online shows the moment of the massive explosion. part of it engulfed in flames. now, russia says a truck bomb exploded causing seven railway cars to catch fire, tearing apart one section of the roadway killing three people at least. now, the bridge is a key supply line for russian troops and a symbol of russia's annexation of the peninsula in 2014. kyiv hasn't directly claimed responsibility, but ukrainian officials have hinted their approval. zelenskyy on saturday saying today was not a bad day and mostly sunny on our state's territory. he said, though, unfortunately, it was cloudy in crimea. now, president putin has ordered now the federal security service to take control of the bridge but this attack, you know, a day after putin's birthday, it deals him another humiliating blow as his forces c

britt clennett reports from ukraine. good morning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, george.kraine is continuing to smash through russian lines while russia launches more indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas. now for the first time in downtown zaporizhzhia. this morning, russian missiles rocking the city of zaporizhzhia. this video circulating online shows the aftermath of the attack. witnesses say seven missiles hit a residential neighborhood reducing this apartment building to rubble. these attacks come as ukrainian forces keep up the pressure on russian troops in the east and south of the country and as vladimir putin signed into law the illegal annexation of four ukrainian regions. the kremlin now laying claim to more territory. we will keep consulting residents who would be eager to embrace russia. putin also officially announcing russian control of ukraine's zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. ukraine's foreign ministry calling it a criminal act. on wednesday, "the new york times" reporting american officials believe ukraine was behind the car bombing in august that k

britt clennett is on the scene in kyiv. good morning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, george.s pressing forward with gains in the south and east, freeing dozens of towns from russian occupation. this morning ukrainian forces taking back territory russia has only just tried to claim as its own. ukraine smashing through russian defense lines in the southern kherson region advancing nearly 20 miles in two days. soldiers celebrating the liberation of villages along the way, tearing down russian flags and using them to wipe their feet. [ speaking in non-english ] saying, glory to ukraine, glory to the heroes. military bloggers reporting a section of the russian front line collapse is so serious they may lose their grip on kherson. while in the northeast ukraine appearing to be closer to taking more towns after their recent success in the donbas. in a phone call to ukrainian president zelenskyy, president biden reaffirming his promise to help defend ukraine as long as it takes and pledging to another $625 million in military assistance. including four more himar rocket systems which

britt clennett on the scene. good morning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, george.h, nuclear fears looming here in ukraine as russia and ukraine accuse each other of plotting to use a bomb to spread radioactive material. overnight the operator of europe's largest nuclear power plant in zaporizhzhia accusing russian troops of carrying out secret construction work near a nuclear fuel storage facility in the occupied plant adding in a statement, actions of the invaders may indicate that they are preparing a terrorist act using nuclear materials and radioactive waste. escalating fears again of a nuclear attack by russia. this comes as the kremlin touts an unsubstantiated claim that ukraine is planning to use a radioactive, dirty bomb close to the plant. a charge rejekcted by the u.s., britain and france and a concerning claim as russia has used so-called false flags in the past to escalate the conflict, claiming ukraine will act on something, only to do it themselves. president biden sending vladimir putin a stark warning about any such use of nuclear force. >> russia w

britt clennett is in kyiv with the very latest. ng, britt. >> reporter: good morning, michael. ukraine continues to ration power after attacks on energy facilities, rolling blackouts here in the capital too. the energy crisis getting more desperate as the winter approaches and it's a very bitter winter. this as a group of 30 democrats sent a letter to president biden urging him to pursue direct talks with russia to reduce harm and support ukraine in achieving a peaceful settlement. while they say they want ukraine at the negotiating table, the lawmakers want the administration to pare the military and economic support the u.s. provided to ukraine with a proactive diplomatic push. but the white house says vladimir putin's actions make it clear he's not willing to negotiate. george? >> okay, britt, thanks very much. >>> now to brittney griner, the wnba star's case is back in court appealing her conviction. the decision is likely to come today. marcus moore is tracking the case. good morning, marcus. >> reporter: george, good morning.

kyiv's mayor telling abc's britt clennett russia is deliberately targeting civilians. >> it's genocideraine population. they want to destroy our critical infrastructure. they want to kill the civilians. >> reporter: the explosive suicide drones reportedly used like this one seen here in this video circulating online can fly over a thousand miles. and in a new setback for putin a military jet crashing into a residential area in russia during training. this video circulating online showing a flash. the crew ejecting shortly before the plane explodes into an apartment building killing 13 people, including three children. moments later, bystanders then seen talking to the pilot. russia claiming the plane suffered engine failure. well, president zelenskyy just tweeting that since october 10th, 30% of ukraine's power stations have been destroyed and so he's now calling on the allies for more air and missile defense systems. robin? >> all right, ian, thanks so much. >>> now to the crisis that's rocking the new british government. prime minister liz truss in power less than six weeks is alread

abc's britt clennett on the ground in the city. >> the width and depth of this crater showing the sheers attack. the missile parts still strewn along the sides. you can see how close this is to a playground. this is where kids come to enjoy themselves. this is not a strategic military target. this is a clear message of terror. >> reporter: the attacks killing at least 19, injuring more than 100. putin saying he ordered the attack. his personal retaliation after russia's only bridge into illegally annexed crimea was damaged over the weekend. the moment a truck exploded seen here in video circulating online. the bridge a key supply line holds symbolic and strategic significance for the kremlin. but amidst the devastation brought by putin people heading underground into subway stations that have become makeshift bomb shelters. there a moment of unity and resistance among strangers singing the ukrainian national anthem. [ singing in non-english ] >> reporter: president zelenskyy's expected to press president biden and other g7 leaders for air defense systems. the white house indicating it's

britt clennett is on the scene with the new developments on possible russian setbacks in the south. >er: this morning president putin declaring martial law in occupied territories in ukraine. in kyiv air defenses shooting down russian missiles. nato stepping up support announcing it will send more anti-drone systems ukraine says is desperately needs as the country comes under intense aerial attacks. >> nato in the coming days or shortly will deliver counterdrone systems, hundreds of jammers that will help them to address the specific threat of drones. >> reporter: this comes after an explosive wave of menacing drone attacks rained down across the country, inflicting terror, striking civilian and critical infrastructure targeting ukraine's energy supply. like this thermal power plant in dnipro seen here in the video circulating online smoke rising after it was struck. this energy facility also hit. ukraine now saying 30% of its power stations now destroyed. urging residents to save energy as the cold winter freeze approaches. the explosive packed self-destroying drones made by iran, in