britt clennett with the breaking news tonight. >>> here at home, the news on the documents seized from mar-a-lago what the department of justice has now revealed. did it just do what the former president was hoping a special master would do? pierre thomas with the new reporting. >>> scrubbed. nasa and what was supposed to be an historic launch today, the moon rocket. so, what happened? and what had them so concerned? gio benitez from florida. >>> tonight, new questions after that college football standout was dropped by the buffalo bills. the nfl and the bills under renewed scrutiny tonight over the former punter and the rain accusations against men. >>> and your money tonight. movie theaters across the country about to charge you just $3 for a movie. so, which theaters and when? >>> and also tonight, we remember an actor from "the so p sopranos." >>> and serena williams, and her message just before taking the court tonight. >>> good evening and it's great to start another week with all of you at home. and we'll get to that breaking news involving the war in ukraine in just a moment. a

britt clennett on it all for us again. britt, thank you. >>> back here at home tonight, and to news on former president trump and those documented seized at mar-a-lago. the former president has been asking for a special master to review the documents seized by the fbi. but tonight, the department of justice says they've already been through them, and put aside a, quote, limited number of documents that might have been privileged. so tonight, the question, does this change what the affidavit revealed late last week, 184 classified documents seized, many top secret. and this was even before the fbi showed up weeks ago. here's our chief justice correspondent pierre thomas tonight. >> reporter: former president trump has asked a federal judge to name a special master to review the documents seized from mar-a-lago and weed out privileged information. but today, the justice department is saying it's already done that work, and has set aside "a limited set of the materials that potentially contain attorney-client privileged inform

russia is now trying to replenish its ranks after months of heavy losses. >> britt clennett joining us now from kyiv. and britt, turning back to the situation at that nuclear power plant, there are negotiations under way to get inspectors inside? >> reporter: that's right, whit. the u.n. nuclear watchdog is in talks to gain access to the plant, but for now, it's in russian hands. and ukraine says russia has plans to divert the power to russian-controlled territory. also tonight, whit, the mayor of the city where the plant is located, he's telling us radiation levels are normal, but the situation is constantly changing. whit? >> britt, thank you. >>> back here at home, to the flash flood threat across the gulf coast tonight, after days of record rain. still more is on the way. mississippi in the bulls eye. this home in canton surrounded by water. a new round of heavy rain today in jackson county. highway 489 in newton county, mississippi, closed until further notice after part of it was washed away. tonight, a flood watch remains in effect from texas to the florida panhandle. rob marcia

>> britt clennett, our thanks to you tonight. >>> now to a new chapter in someplace exploration. nasa's artemis mission is about to begin. itself next generation spaceship is on the launch pad at the kennedy space center ready for the test flight that will pave the wayer for humans to return o the moon for the firs in 50 years. here's gio benitez. >> reporter: tonight, more than half a century after the apollo missions paved america's way to the moon -- we're once again counting down to a new era in space exploration. monday's planned artemis one mission is nasa's first launch of its new space launch system or sls. the rocket standing 322 feet tall, taller than the statue of liberty. it's the most powerful one ever built. unlike spacex, this rocket is not reusable. only the orion spacecraft will return to earth after it orbits the moon. no human will be on board for this first test. >> we'll only be about 60 miles from the surface of the moon. >> reporter: the hope, to build a moon base to explore deep space. >> we're planning to set up a base camp there on the surface of the moo

britt clennett on the ground in ukraine. >>> the flash flood threat moves east. millions on alert in the deep south. from eastern texas to the florida panhandle. parts of mississippi and alabama seeing two to three inches of rain per hour. a day after record-breaking downpours turned roads into rivers. forcing evacuations from an assisted living facility in mississippi. trevor ault in the storm zone. rob marciano timing it all out. >>> a major move on climate change by california. banning the sale of new cars powered only by gas by 2035. the first state in the nation to do so. is this the beginning of the end for the combustion engine? >>> the fallout from the firing of the controversial uvalde school police chief. pete air don know now fighting his termination. john quinones from uvalde tonight. >>> the u.s. fires back against iranian-backed militants in syria. releasing new video of counterstrikes after u.s. forces came under fire. >>> the terrifying scene onboard a flight to los angeles. sparks flying out of an engine. >>> and america strong tonight. those tho

>> britt clennett tonight. britt, thank you. >>> tonight, to china now, ramping up its show of force around taiwan. china's military exercises around taiwan entering their sixth day. and tonight, china sending a warning. abc's bob woodruff from taiwan. >> reporter: tonight, tensions in the taiwan strait reaching their highest point in decades, as china extends military drills surrounding taiwan. the unprecedented show of force now expected to enter its sixth day in retaliation for speaker nancy pelosi's visit. china accusing the u.s. of a reckless move. saying the drills are a warning to those seeking taiwanese independence. for days, china has fired missiles into the sea while hundreds of their war planes buzz around the island. taiwan forces report chinese jets crossing over the median line in the taiwan strait, the unofficial border with the mainland, threatening to disrupt air travel and a shipping route critical for global trade. the pentagon says it's predicted chinese response, and the situation is a man

let's get right to britt clennett in ukraine. britt, what's the latest on the status of that nuclear plant? >> reporter: the mayor who's in exile in zaporizhzhia, he told us that despite the renewed attacks, radiation levels at the plant are still normal, at least for now. president zelenskyy thanking president biden for the aid and saying a plan is in the works to send a u.n. team to that nuclear power plant under threat in zaporizhzhia. linsey? >> all eyes on the nuclear plant. britt, thank you. >>> back here now, the tropical storm warnings just issued. south texas is bracing for wind and rain as monsoon rains batter the southwest. a mixed blessing for drought-stricken texas. this truck in pasadena tumbling off an overpass in heavy rain. the driver miraculously jumping out before it falls. tonight that new system in the gulf of mexico coming together rapidly, could combine with monsoon rains. meteorologist cheryl scott from our chicago station wls joins us now. cheryl, time this tropical threat out for us. >> reporter: we're n

abc's britt clennett in ukraine with a ukrainian who works at that plant and his warning tonight. >> reporter: tonight, europe's largest nuclear power plant under increasing and relentless attack. forcing thousands to flee as shelling hits dangerously close. around 30 miles northeast in zaporizhzhia, we spoke with one of the plant's engineers who left there yesterday to help his family evacuate, but is going back, asking us not to show his face for fear of retaliation. how much should the world be worried about the safety of the plant? "of course, of course," he says. "every day they come closer and closer to the units." and he has a bleak warning, if the spent fuel containers are attacked. "it might well be like another chernobyl," he says. "if the storage is hit badly there will be radioactive clouds and pollution." columns of cars streaming in from the occupied areas, including enerhodar, the site of the plant. "it's bad there, it's hard. it's hard," this woman from enerhodar tells us. "let our authorities go there and have a look." this as new video circulating online shows explo

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>> britt clennett inside ukraine for us again tonight. britt, thank you. >>> we turn now to our continued reporting here on the climate crisis both here in u.s. this summer and across europe. tonight in france, wildfires are raging amid this record heat. the sky filled with flames in southwest france, fueled by the worst draught on record. 10,000 people have now been evacuated. all of this as europe suffers recurring heat waves that have taken more than 1,000 lives this summer. our chief meteorologist ginger zee reporting from france tonight. >> reporter: tonight, firefighters from across europe converging on southwestern france to fight a fire that authorities are calling a monster. about 10,000 people forced from their homes. some of those homes already gutted. this fire official saying the flames arrived very violently and very quickly. the explosive fire groupt coming after the driest july on record and france's fourth intense heat wave since may. blistering heat plaguing europe all summer, killing more than 1,000 people in portugal a

>> britt clennett in kyiv, thank you. >>> next we go to spain and the crowded musical festival where gusts of winds caused the death of at least one person. more than 20 others were injured when structures from the stage and the main entrance of the medusa festival collapsed. organizers say they tried to evacuate the more than 50,000 concert goers before the winds tore through the grounds. >>> there is much more ahead on "world news tonight." what happened when two planes got too close for comfort in boston. >>> why law enforcement is warning some car owners about a troubling new social media trend. welcome to allstate where the safer you drive, the more you save like rachel here how am i looking? looking good! the most cautious driver we got am i there? no keep going how's that? i'll say when now? is that good? lots of cars have backup cameras now you know those are for amateurs there we go like a glove, girl (phone chimes) safe driving and drivewise can save you 40% with allstate click or call for a quote today do you struggle with occasional nerve aches in your hands or feet? try

abc's britt clennett on the ground in ukraine again for us tonight. >> reporter: tonight, horrific new images showing a deadly car bombing in eastern ukraine. video circulating online shows the vehicle exploding in russian occupied starobilsk earlier this month. kyiv saying a former ukrainian official who joined the russian-backed forces in the region was killed. it's unclear who is responsible. this attack coming one week before the deadly car bombing outside moscow that killed the daughter of a putin ally. ukraine denies responsibility. this as fighting intensifies around the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. russia tonight blocking a u.n. treaty that aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, citing concerns over the military activities at the plant. ukraine says russia is using the plant as a military base. >> this situation created by russians who turned the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, civilian nuclear power plant, into the military object, military base for them. >> reporter: residents living nearby desperately trying to evacuate. this is what you see every night here a

>> britt clennett in kyiv. britt, thank you. >>> back here at home tonight, and the next step for millions of americans looking to protect themselves from covid, it appears closer tonight. pfizer has now submitted its request to the fda for its new booster shot. now, this shot will combine the original vaccine with a vaccine targeted to the most recent variants in this country, the ba.4 and ba.5 omicron variants. it will be used for people 12 and older. the fda's emergency use authorization is expected in just a few weeks, in early september. the cdc would then need to sign off. moderna's application for a similar booster is expected soon, as well. >>> also tonight, dr. anthony fauci revealing he is stepping down from his role at the national institutes of health, having served seven presidents, republicans and democrats. he says he's ready for his next chapter, so, what might he do next? here's our chief white house correspondent cecilia vega now. >> reporter: one of the most visible faces in the fight against

let's go back to britt clennett who is on the ground in ukraine. od morning to you, britt. >> reporter: good morning, janai. fighting is raging on near europe's largest power plant. fears are growing that a disaster could break out. ukraine is warning that russia wants to disconnect the plant and redirect the power to its own. but russia now planning to cut off gas to europe again, for three days, putting pressure on european countries that really rely on that energy. french president emmanuel macron had a phone call with putin. they agreed to an independent inspection of the plant as soon as possible. but this as the situation at the plant looks more worrying by the day. we spoke to the mayor of where the plant is located. he said radiation levels are normal but internet lines are jammed making it hard to get information on what's going on there. hundreds of ukrainians are fleeing russian-occupied areas around that plant. we spoke to many families that are exhausted and so relieved to finally reach unoccupied ukrainian territory. guys? >> britt cle

eva. >> britt clennett for us there in ukraine. >>> bringing it back home, time for a check of the weather and cheryl scott from our abc station wls is back here in new york with us, good to see you this morning. >> good to see you guys. a beautiful weekend here in the northeast, cooler weather finally, but the big story will be the heavy rain and the flooding concerns off to the south and west. monsoon season is in full effect. we have video here of just that heavy rain pouring into parts of a casino in vegas. raging waters here. this is a parking garage in vegas. las vegas is experiencing its wettest monsoon season in ten years. arizona getting hit yesterday with rounds of heavy rain and flash flooding. you can see streets just turned into raging water. areas looking like rivers. that monsoon flood threat will be a concern here with flood watches in effect from the deep south all the way out from the south and west up to wyoming, monsoon moisture continuing here with rain anywhere from 2 to 3 plus inches in some of these locations. go frot flas flooding will be a concern. that's >>> and

abc's britt clennett is in ukraine. good morning to you, britt.he u.n., are they still trying to access this plant? >> reporter: good morning, eva. that's right, they are. the head of the u.n. nuclear watchdog now saying those inspections of the plant could be taking place as soon as next week. this morning, explosions at two bridges essential for russia to deliver supplies to their troops. ukraine's military radio saying these videos show them striking russian-controlled keherson at the antonivskyi bridge and also damage to this bridge show in video posted by ukrainian officials friday. this as all eyes on the intensifying fight near the zaporizhzhia plant. >> this brought the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to complete shutdown mode for two units. >> reporter: the largest nuclear pwer plant in europe going offline. emergency backup diesel generators able to restore power to the plant. the head of ukraine's nuclear agency, petro kotin, telling me, if the generators were to run out, the nuclear fuel would stop cooling and start to melt. >> this i

abc's britt clennett has the latest from kyiv. >> reporter: new video of that fiery car bomb explosion that killed the daughter of an ally of vladimir putin. video is being shown on russian television showing the immediate aftermath of the blast. the vehicle engulfed in flames. debris strewn on the street. the victim identified as 29-year-old darya dugina. you can see what appears to be her father, alexander dugin, in shock. his hands on his head moments after the detonation outside moscow. russian state media says the car belonged to her father. dugin and his daughter had been traveling together, but according to his friend's telegram channel, they switched cars, leading some to believe he was the intended target. dugin, an ultra nationalist and staunch supporter of russia's invasion, has been called putin's brain. authorities pointing the finger at ukraine, but the ukrainians deny any involvement. the killing coming one day after a ukrainian drone strike deep within russian-controlled crimea. videos circulating online show heavy smoke rising above russia's black sea fleet headquarter

abc's britt clennett is in the ukrainian capital where president zelenskyy issued a dire prediction and there's word of a car bomb attack. good morning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, eva. breaking this morning, the daughter of putin's close ally reportedly killed in a suspicious blast. russia now saying they're investigating as a murder. this morning, the daughter of a close putin ally killed in a car bomb near moscow. russian investigators confirm that she was killed in the blast, her family saying she borrowed her father's car. making that vehicle a target. her father, an ultra nationalist, he's been called putin's brain and a staunch supporter of russia's invasion. the car exploded on a highway as she drove from a russian festival. this morning, ukrainian strikes in russia-occupied crimea. smoke seen rising, a drone was struck down and fell through the roof of russia's black sea fleet headquarters. ukraine has not commented on the strike. "we heard a pop of an explosion, we heard two similar ones yesterday evening when we were walking at the sea front." these strikes come just a

a ukrainian doctor telling abc's britt clennett fears of another nuclear disaster are growing. >> we worked with some people who were exposed after the chernobyl. they still have tremendous health problems, of course, frightening. >> reporter: ukraine's president zelenskyy announcing a russian counteroffensive in the south saying, ukraine is returning its own listing regions by name, kharkiv, luhansk, donetsk, zaporizhzhia, kherson and crimea and to the russians this, the occupier should know we will oust them to the border. as ukraine fights for control of its country, russian air strikes continue and new reports that president putin is trying to ramp up the russian military aiming to add as many as 137,000 troops eliminating the age limit to serve and even recruiting prisoners. pentagon officials say putin's effort is unlikely to succeed. noting russia has lost between 60,000 and 80,000 soldiers in its war against ukraine. rhiannon. >> justin finch, thank you for that. >>> violent protests have turned deadly in iraq after a prominent shiite cleric resigned. 15 people were skilled a

abc's britt clennett reports tonight from kyiv. >> reporter: tonight, new video of that fiery car bomb explosion that killed the daughter of an ally of vladimir putin. videos being shown on russian television showing the immediate aftermath of the blast. the vehicle engulfed in flames. debris strewn on the street. the victim identified as 29-year-old darya dugina. you can see what appears to be her father, alexander dugin, in shock, his hands on his head, moments after the detonation outside moscow. russian state media says the car belonged to her father. dugin and his daughter had been traveling together, but according to his friend's telegram channel they switched cars, leading some to believe he was the intended target. dugin, an ultra nationalist and staunch supporter of russia's invasion, has been called putin's "brain." a russian official tonight saying investigators remain at the scene. authorities there believe the killing was planned and contracted and pointing the finger at ukraine, but the ukrainians deny any involvement. the killing coming one day after a ukrainian drone st

abc's britt clennett is in ukraine for us. >> reporter: tonight, russian rockets raining down on ukraine's second largest city, kharkiv. this footage shot by a first responder showing the destruction left when shells slammed into a residential building and a dormitory, killing at least three people and injuring more than 20. we spoke to a fireman who responded to the scene. >> it went through all four floors and hit the ground. >> reporter: is this the biggest you've seen? >> one of the biggest. >> reporter: and here in zaporizhzhia, tension growing as russia threatens to switch off the power plant, but not end the threat of nuclear disaster. a local volunteer tells us they're providing vital medicine secretly requested by plant workers, including anti-radiation medicine. this is iodine, and these guys gather it up and send it thbo casve leak. ukraine'przelenskyy u.n.'s secl antonio guterres meeting in a high stakes bid. and tonight, linsey, many are fearing of an escalation at the plant. official sources saying russia has told plant workers not to show up tomorrow. this coming after russi

abc's britt clennett asking president zelenskyy about the threat. >> what's your reason for urging people not to gather? is it because kyiv is under threat? >> reporter: amid these concerns over what russia may do next, the united nations holding an emergency meeting on the volatile situation at ukraine's zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. ukraine saying russian strikes damaged infrastructure and transformers, briefly cutting off power at europe's largest nuclear plant. the ukrainians also claiming russians are shelling the plant's nearby ash pits where nuclear waste is stored, raising clouds of toxic radioactive dust, stoking ongoing fears of a potential nuclear disaster. >> and so let's bring in ian pannell tonight reporting from kyiv. ian, i want to get back to the u.s. state department urging americans to leave ukraine, saying it shared declassified intelligence with ukraine, suggesting russia might be plank these strikes on independence day which, of course, is in the hours ahead. president zelenskyy in your report there obviously clearly very concerned about the real possibility of t

abc's britt clennett reports from ukraine tonight. >> reporter: tonight, new reports of shelling hitting the nuclear power plant in zaporizhzhya sparking renewed fears of a radiation emergency. ukraine telling the u.n.'s nuclear watchdog that over the past three days, shelling hit two so-called "special buildings" located dangerously close to the plant's reactors. video posted online showing the aftermath of strikes. both sides are blaming each other for the attack. residents nearby terrified. all these people have come from a 50-mile radius just to get their hands on iodine anti-radiation medication in case things go bad. doctors here telling me there's high demand for the pills in this area. >> we received a few thousand of those pills, and within a week we had almost none. >> so what kind of announcement will there be, and how will you communicate with people? >> there will be a special siren different from our air raid sirens. they will receive proper information on what to do, when to do, evacuation procedures, iodine pills, everything. >> reporter: and we met this woman waiting in

abc's britt clennett in kyiv again tonight. >> reporter: tonight, new details on the brazen car bombing that killed the daughter of a putin ally and strong supporter of the war in ukraine. videos airing on russian television showing the suv driven by 29-year-old darya dugina, engulfed in flames just outside moscow. her father, alexander dugin, seen here, hands on his head, consumed with grief. his daughter was also outspoken, a russian nationalist. russia tonight claiming a female ukrainian spy carried out the assassination using a remote control to denate the bomb planted under dugina's vehicle, ripping it apart, killing her instantly. russia saying the spy escaped to neighboring estonia. ukraine denying involvement, saying in a statement to abc news, "the whole story is a complete fake." ukraine adding this woman and her father did not play any major role in this war, and asking why would ukraine risk taking action of this kind. dugina had been driving home after an event she attended with her father. it's widely believed her father was the intended target. dugin releasing a statement

britt clennett is on the ground in ukraine again. r plant are rapidly growing after russia told its staff not to go to work today. now, there were multiple attacks near europe's largest power plant overnight. both sides have been warning of an escalation there, and in zaporizhzhia, preparations are under way to help people living at the plant to get access to anti-radiation medicine. so that's causing some alarm, and this is all coming as zelenskyy sounded the alarm again, and he's meeting with the u.n. secretary-general calling on the u.n. to help ensure the demilitarization of the nuclear power plant, but that proposal, well, it's being rejected by russia, saying it would make the plant more vulnerable, but as we know in this, both sides have continued to blame each other for the attacks at that plant. gio? >> all right, britt. thank you so much. >>> we're going to turn now to a potential recession -- housing recession, excuse me. the national association of realtors reporting sales of existing homes is down nearly 6% in july compar

abc's britt clennett is in kyiv with the latest. britt, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, whit. that's right. fears looming here in ukraine of nuclear leakage from europe's largest power plant. as fighting at the southern plant rages on. the u.n. nuclear watchdog warning of a nuclear disaster. they're concerned about reports of shelling there. as of now it's important to note there's no increase of radiation levels at the plant. though they also warn it may be harder to monitor any potential leakage because of damage to senses. the head telling abc news that if russia were to disconnect nuclear power from the ukrainian grid, that would cut off a large supply of energy to the country and this would also have disastrous consequences, so the stakes here are very high. they took control of that plant in march. ukrainian staff is still running the site but kyiv accuses russia of terror tactics. using the plant as essentially a military base, as russian forces push on in the south trying to control the black sea. a ship though enter

britt clennett is in kyiv with more. good morning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, eva. yeah.hting in ukraine is intensifying and now the u.s. senate is urging the biden administration to label russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. the senate unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution in july, but the actual authority to designate a state sponsor of terrorism rests with the state department, which is yet to act. russia with a stern response to that saying, if this goes ahead it would cross the point of no return with the most serious collateral damage to relations and as it stands the only countries designated state sponsors of terrorism are north korea, syria, cuba and iran, if ties with moscow deteriorate even further it could impact negotiations to return imprisoned u.s. citizens brittney griner and paul whelan. now the warn comes after a week of attacks in and around europe's largest nuclear power plant in zap orzaporizhzhia. president zelenskyy accusing the russian occupiers to intimidate in nearby towns. janai? >> all right, britt, thank you so much. >>> staying overse

britt clennett is in ukraine with the very latest for us. morning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, amy. yeah, that's right. a russian rocket attack has killed 25 people on the day marking six months since putin's invasion of ukraine began. this morning, a shocking attack on a train station and nearby homes in central ukraine. the deadliest single strike by russia in a month killing at least 25 people and injuring dozens more. ukrainian officials posting these images they say is from the scene of the strike. but abc news is unable to verify the photos. president zelenskyy addressing the united nations security council in the wake of the attack saying -- [speaking non-english] that is how we live every day. that is how russia prepared for this u.n. security council session. the attack coming as ukraine celebrates its independence day and marks six months since the war began. largest aid package since the invasion began, with 3 billion in security assistance. >> what impact do you expect this to have in your fight in this war? [speaking non-e

abc's britt clennett has the latest now from ukraine. t, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, whit. well, i'm here at an evacuation center at zaporizhzhia where every day, whit, there are people escaping from the area around that plant. evacuees are exhausted, they are emotionally drained, not just from the long journey to get here but from the tense life under occupation. this morning, rising fears of a radiation leak at europe's the eaheedht lant in ca ufor miles at a hi ar ecucenter. this evacuation center. in zaporizhzhia, columns of cars coming from those areas, and in particular, as that safety was compromised and the fighting continues around the plant a significant number of these people are coming from zaporizhzhia. antonina, her husband and two kids waiting five days to cross the checkpoint. have you left any family behind? "yes, my parents stayed there," she tells me fighting back tears. i'm so sorry. authorities in zaporizhzhia distributing iodine tablets to those near the plant in preparation for potential radiation expos

britt clennett is on the ground there in ukraine. and the warnings are coming from both sides. >> reporter: both are blaming each other. both sides warn of an escalation. vladimir putin now also saying there's potential for a large-scale catastrophe. this morning, the standoff near ukraine's largest nuclear power plant continues, stoking international fears of disaster. ukraine warning that russia wants to disconnect the plant from ukraine's electric grid and redirect the power to its own. this, as heavy shelling close to the plant continues. the u.n. secretary-general in kyiv urging calm. >> obviously, it's ukrainian electricity. and it's necessary, especially in the winter, for ukrainian people. >> reporter: in a phone call between putin and french president macron, both parties agreed to an independent inspection by the international atomic energy agency to inspect the plant as soon as possible. russia now also planning to cut off gas to europe again via its gas pipeline for three days, putting pressure on other countries relying

abc's britt clennett is in ukraine. good morning to you, britt. >> reporter: good morning, eva. that's right, serious concerns over that russian-controlled power plant in zaporizhzhia and fears looming large of nuclear leakage. this morning, fighting raging in russian occupied southeast ukraine. new attacks on europe's largest nuclear power plant in zaporizhzhia. shelling hitting a high voltage power line there sparking a fire raising fears of radioactive leakage. >> and if this situation will continue, then there will be full break out of all the plant. >> reporter: this video newly released by russia's defense ministry just released showing smoke engulfing the area. both sides pointing the blame at each other. as russia acse mshs leave the critical port of odesa. the vessels carrying more than 58,000 tons of corn now en route to ireland, the uk and turkey. this seen as a sign that a deal to release grain trapped by russia's blockade is working and a first critical step towards quelling a growing global food crisis. meanwhile, in former occupied areas east if kviv, the work con

abc's britt clennett is on the ground in ukraine tracking the very latest. >> reporter: yeah, the daughterrtedly killed in a suspicious blast today. her family saying she borrowed her father's car suggesting that he was the target, now dugin is a staunch supporter of the war here in ukraine. now investigating it as a murder. if it turns out ukraine is behind the attack, adds to signs that ukraine's willing to take its fight beyond ukrainian territory. this week, six months into putin's invasion of ukraine, there are serious fears that the fighting could turn into a nuclear catastrophe. the attacks threatening the safety of the largest nuclear plant in zaporizhzhia. the tense situation there, sparking an exodus. we visited an evacuation center in zaporizhzhia as hundreds arrived. we have been told to expect a huge convoy of cars coming in from the russian-occupied areas. here they are, taking everything they have to find a safe passage and get out of here. >> reporter: this woman from the site of the plant traumatized, saying it's bad there. we spoke one of the plant's engineers asking us n

britt clennett is on the ground in ukraine with the latest. morning to you, britt. >> reporter: good morning, amy. yeah, multiple attacks at the zaporizhzhia power plant once again overnight. these rockets striking just several hours after 42 countries called on russian forces to leave the plant which is actually about 50 miles from here. ukraine's nuclear agency once again warning that the shelling is seriously risking safety. one of three power units are now disconnected and as we know, in addition to this, the plant's monitoring sensors have been damaged as well. residents are trying to flee the russian-occupied area and join the exodus of 500 vehicles that crosses into ukrainian territory. gio? >> all right, britt. thank you so much. >>> we turn now to afghanistan. today marks one year of taliban rule as forces on the ground celebrate. chief foreign correspondent ian pannell is live in kabul. ian, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, gio. one year later. we were here a year ago reporting on the collapse of the government, the panic as

britt clennett is on the ground there in ukraine. d morning. >> reporter: good morning, whit. yeah, president zelenskyy warning again of a potential radiation disaster. that's after the russian occupied zaporizhzhia power plant disconnected from ukraine's power grid. this morning, ukraine's nuclear agency sounding the alarm on that situation at europe's largest nuclear power plant, which disconnected from the grid yesterday for the first time in history. >> it was very serious deterioration of the situation at the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and it happened because -- due to russian shelling. >> reporter: saying emergency backup diesel generators were able to restore power to the plants. what's the likelihood that it's going to happen again? >> just one step from radiation emergency actually, so if this is just last defense. >> reporter: the satellite images show smoke near the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant where ukrainian regulators say russian shelling knocked all six of the plant's reactors offline, and president zelenskyy

britt clennett is in ukraine with more. good morning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, michael. there is no increase in radiation levels at the plant. they also warn it may now be harder to detect any potential leakage because of damage to sensors. this morning, alarm over fighting at europe's largest power plant. the facility seized by russian forces in march, lies 74 miles from the strategic city of zaporizhzhia in ukraine. now both sides are accusing the other of carrying out attacks there. russian state media releasing footage of smoke pouring over the plant, and russia's defense ministry releasing these images they claim to show the aftermath of the strikes. but ukraine say it is russia who is shelling the facility, using it as a military base, cover for artillery fire. [ speaking foreign language ] president zelenskyy saying no such country in the world can feel safe when a terrorist state fires at a nuclear power plant. the head of ukraine's nuclear agency with a powerful warning. >> the situation at the zaporizhzhia power plant is out of control. >> reporter: saying if t

britt clennett is in ukraine for us this morning. orning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, michael. yeah, new details in the suspicious car explosion near moscow that killed the daughter of a man described as putin's brain. now, russia saying the bomb was triggered remotely. this morning, video on russian television shows the aftermath of an explosion, a car seen engulfed in flames. new details emerge on the suspected car bomb that killed the daughter of a key putin ally. daria dugina, daughter of alexander dugin, her father was an ultranationalist political supporter of the war on ukraine, often referred to as putin's brain. standing in the debris holding his head in shock moments after the detonation. dugina was driving home from a forum attended with her father outside of moscow. the vehicle belonged to dugin. russia now saying they were meant to leave the event together, but darya chose to drive alone. russian authorities say a bomb was triggered remotely and alleged ukraine may be responsible without any evidence. ukraine denyin

britt clennett is in ukraine with the latest. ning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, michael. that's right. we now know that a team will visit the plant in the coming days. i'm about 35 miles from that plant. all the evacuees leaving come through here and for them this inspection can't come soon enough. this morning, an urgent mission to europe's largest nuclear power plant is under way. the head of the international atomic energy agency announcing the long-awaited move to protect the safety and security of the facility which has been under russian control for months. the team heading to zaporizhzhia in the wake of a new strike close to the plant, destroying a nearby apartment building. videos circulating online showing the aftermath of the attack. the russians and ukrainians accusing each other of responsibility. the nuclear watchdog says shelling hit the plant itself striking two special buildings, dangerously close to the plant's rea reactors. as fears of a possible catastrophe mount residents nearby preparing for the worst. >

britt clennett is on the scene. good morning, britt. >> reporter: good mornin 's rig. fears are growing here in ukraine after more attacks on the areas surrounding europe's largest nuclear power plant, also russian shells landed in the city ten miles from the zaporizhzhia plant and 13 civilians were killed. southwest about 30 miles away, missiles striking with several homes completely destroyed and, george, president zelenskyy once again reiterating they need more high caliber weapons to counter the onslaught. george. >> they are saying it is making a difference. thanks, britt. cecilia? >>> okay, george, we turn to that alleged assassination plot. the justice department charging a suspected iranian operative for allegedly plotting to kill former u.s. national security adviser john bolton. foreign correspondent james longman has the latest on this. good morning, james. >> reporter: yeah, good morning, cecilia. this really is like something out of a spy thriller. u.s. prosecutors are now charging an iranian man they say attempted to hire a hitman to kill john bolton. he

britt clennett is on the ground in ukraine for us. ning, britt. >> reporter: good morning, amy. the second city kharkiv was bombarded by rockets overnight. russian shells destroying a three-story apartment block and dormitory causing massive fires there. i spoke to a fireman who responded to yesterday's attacks. he said the destruction at the scene is among one of the worst he's ever dealt with. zelenskyy calling it a vile and cynical attack on civilians and now here in zaporizhzhia, the situation over the russian-controlled nuclear power plant is escalating. russia now threatening to switch off the plant, accusing ukraine of attacking it, but as we know, both sides have continuously blamed each other for these attacks, and later today zelenskyy will meet with turkish president erdogan on the agenda there, and following a meeting with antonio guterres here in zaporizhzhia. gio? >> incredible reporting all week long. please stay safe. thank you for that. >>> we turn to new video in that deadly shooting of a youth football coach during a

britt clennett is live in that zone in ukraine. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, gio. we're here in an evacuation center in zaporizhzhia where people are arriving from occupied areas, including from that nuclear power plant that is constantly under attack. this morning, a mass exodus of ukrainians fleeing russian-held territory in the zaporizhzhia region as fears of a nuclear catastrophe loom large. evacuees reaching this makeshift center in zaporizhzhia finally making it to nonoccupied territory. and, after a long journey, the sense of rewllief is clear. a really beautiful scene. and many that we're seeing here people being reunited as they escape russian-occupied areas and try to find safety. some of them fleeing, the site of the russian-held zaporizhzhia plant. [speaking foreign language] it's bad there. it's hard this woman tells us. let authorities go there and have a look. her fears rockets continue to rain down. near europe's largest power plant. this video circulating online show explosions in the town. both

britt clennett is in ukraine with more. >> reporter: this morning, a brazen attack on a russian air basee verified videos circulating online shows two massive explosions. and beachgoers running for cover as a cloud of smoke pours into the sky in the distance. this video also circulating online and verified by abc news shows the aftermath of the blasts. russia claims the explosions were munitions that blew up at the base, but a source confirming to abc news that ukraine was responsible for the strike. the first time ukraine has attacked the territory since the invasion began. >> surely it's a shock to putin, an embarrassment to putin and the russian military that the ukrainians were able to strike so deep into the russian rear areas to take out these airplanes and all of the ammunition that we saw go up in these massive explosions. >> reporter: russia has warned any attack on crimea would be a major escalation in the war and ukraine would face serious consequences. and, george, on top of this fears of a nuclear catastrophe over fighting at the zaporizhzhia plant. i'm in chernobyl, the sit

britt clennett has the latest. >> reporter: this morning, the u.s.billion to help ukraine defend itself against russia's invasion. the package includes more ammunition for u.s. himars artillery systems, howitzers, javelin anti-tank, bringing the total aid to over 18 billion since the war began. this as fighting in the south intensifies with the united nations condemning the recent attacks around europe's largest nuclear power plant. >> any attack to a nuclear plant is suicidal. >> reporter: ukrainian officials warning that if the nuclear reactors at the plant get damaged in the crossfire, the fallout could be catastrophic. >> there will be huge consequences, not only for ukraine, probably all ukraine will be contaminated, but for europe as well. >> reporter: experts say a disaster there would have massive repercussions for russia as well. >> the way the winds blow a lot of this, like in the chernobyl disaster, would go into russia itself contaminating hundreds maybe thousands of square kilometers of russian territory. >> reporter: russia and ukraine