18:56
BreakingPort city resists Russian advance, Ukrainian adviser says
Russian troops advancing on the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv have so far been stopped, a Ukrainian presidential adviser says.
The line from the adviser comes not long after the local mayor said Russian troops were entering the city, which is a crucial port to the Black Sea.
We’ll keep you updated when we have more.
As can be seen from the map below, taking Mykolaiv would move Russian troops closer to the major port city of Odesa.
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Ukraine in humanitarian crisis – Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is warning that Ukraine faces a “devastating humanitarian crisis” as casualty figures rise and hospitals struggle to cope.
In a statement from Geneva, the ICRC says access to fulfil its mandate under the Geneva Conventions must be granted now, and “not delayed until a potential future cease-fire”.
The statement lays out the obligations of warring parties under the Geneva Conventions, including the prohibition of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, access to health care, protection of health workers, protection of those wounded or taken prisoner, and access for the ICRC to those detained.
Although the ICRC statement doesn’t explicitly say it, violation of these obligations is a violation of the Geneva Conventions, and could therefore be a war crime.Article share tools
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Watch: Russian convoy near Kyiv modelled in 3D
Sections of a 40-mile Russian military convoy have been modelled in a 3D video using satellite imagery – watch the footage below.
And here’s out latest piece on the convoy, and why it has stalled.
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International Atomic Energy Agency head offers to travel to Chernobyl
Here’s more from Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog the IAEA, on the Russian attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
He says he has offered to travel to Chernobyl – the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 1986 – to negotiate with Ukraine and Russia on ensuring the security of Ukraine’s nuclear sites.
“I have indicated to both the Russian Federation and Ukraine my availability… to travel to Chernobyl as soon as possible,” he told reporters.
Both sides were considering the possibility, he added.
Grossi added that any trip would take place after his return from Tehran, Iran’s capital, on Saturday.Quote Message: This is an unprecedented situation. Normally in diplomatic practice, one easy way out is to refer to precedent – it was done in this way last time this happened so this establishes some sort of practice or tradition. Unfortunately, here we are in completely uncharted waters. But what animates this initiative is the need to act and to heed this call for assistance bearing in mind the realities on the ground.”
This is an unprecedented situation. Normally in diplomatic practice, one easy way out is to refer to precedent – it was done in this way last time this happened so this establishes some sort of practice or tradition. Unfortunately, here we are in completely uncharted waters. But what animates this initiative is the need to act and to heed this call for assistance bearing in mind the realities on the ground.”Article share tools
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M&S halts Russian shipments but shops stay open
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We’ve written lots about Western companies halting business in Russia – but one well-known British firm is finding it difficult to extricate itself.
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has 48 shops in Russia. However, they are operated by a franchise business in Turkey called FiBA Group.
M&S signed its franchise deal with FiBA back in 1999 and as things stand the stores will continue to operate in Russia.
For the moment, M&S says it has suspended shipments to FiBA’s Russian business due to “the unfolding humanitarian crisis following the invasion of Ukraine”.
It is not clear what will happen to M&S stores in Russia once the existing stock FiBA is sold. The BBC understands M&S is in ongoing talks with FiBA.
In the meantime, M&S says it is providing £1.5m in support for the UN Refugee Agency and UNICEF including donating 20,000 coats and thermals for families.Article share tools
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How to deal with news from the conflict
While it’s right to think first and foremost about the impact on those caught up in the conflict, it’s also completely normal to feel upset from afar by what’s happening in Ukraine, says Alex Bushill, from the mental health charity Mind.
“It’s very natural to be distressed by what we’re seeing, you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t,” he says.
This doesn’t always lead to anxiety, but the NHS and Anxiety UK agree on some key ways to avoid it: eat well, get outside, put your phone down, connect with people, rest.
These are all pretty basic pieces of advice, but when you’re stressed, they can be difficult to do consistently.
Read more advice here.Article share tools
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BreakingNuclear plant attack could have been like six Chernobyls – Zelensky
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Ukraine’s President Zelensky says the Russian attack on the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant could have caused destruction equal to “six Chernobyls”.
He began a televised address with: “People of Ukraine! We survived the night that could have stopped the course of history – history of Ukraine, history of Europe.”
He said Russia knew what it was doing when it aimed shells directly at the station and called it an act of “terror on an unheard-of level”.
Addressing Russian people he says: “How is this even possible? Didn’t we fight the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe together in 1986?”
He urges them to “take to the streets and tell your government that you want to live”.
Zelensky says he is in touch with world leaders, who he said were “shocked” by the developments around the plant.
He is also calling for a no-fly zone over Ukraine and sanctions against a “nuclear terrorist state”. “Radiation doesn’t know where Russia is. Radiation doesn’t know about the borders of your country.”Article share tools
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BBC: We will continue our efforts to be available in Russia
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As we’ve reported today (see earlier posts) independent media is coming under pressure in Russia during the invasion.
Now the BBC says it’s trying to keep its news service accessible in Russia, following reports that it has been blocked.
“Access to accurate, independent information is a fundamental human right which should not be denied to the people of Russia, millions of whom rely on BBC News every week,” a spokesperson said.
“We will continue our efforts to make BBC News available in Russia, and across the rest of the world.”
The BBC’s Russian language news website has had record audience numbers since Russia invaded Ukraine. Visitors to the English language bbc.com site from Russia were also up by over 250% last week.
Russian TV has so far depicted the war in a very different way to the rest of the world.Article share tools
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No release of radioactive material – International Atomic Energy Agency
Here’s a line from the International Atomic Energy Agency’s director general Rafael Grossi on the Russian attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. We’ll have more from the IAEA soon.Quote Message: Overnight a projectile hit a building within the plant site. The building is not part of the reactors. This caused a localised fire that was extinguished by the local fire brigade. All the safety systems at the plant were not affected. [There was] no release of radioactive material” from Rafael Grossi IAEA
Overnight a projectile hit a building within the plant site. The building is not part of the reactors. This caused a localised fire that was extinguished by the local fire brigade. All the safety systems at the plant were not affected. [There was] no release of radioactive material”Rafael GrossiIAEA
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Has Putin’s invasion unified European and Nato leaders?
Nomia Iqbal
BBC News, Washington correspondent, travelling with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
On the flight to Brussels, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared confident it had – and he’s in Europe to prove it.
America’s top diplomat is hoping his six-day Europe trip will help reassure allies that the US has its back.
But President Zelensky has criticised the US and other countries saying they’ve “acted too late”.
Zelensky has repeated requests for a no-fly zone – designed to stop Russian warplanes over Ukraine – which is a red line for the US who won’t put forces in the sky or ground.
Instead the Biden administration is shipping hundreds of millions of dollars of weapons to Ukraine, and bringing together an international coalition to institute big economic sanctions to isolate Russia.
However, it’s not pushed Putin into a different direction – the war continues.
There are lots of meetings today starting at Nato headquarters, and several photo operations to show unity.
Both Blinken and Nato General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg were solemn ahead of their morning meeting, referring to the overnight shelling of a nuclear plant by Russia.
Both reminded the gathered press that Nato is a defensive alliance, that does not seek conflict but if the conflict comes to them “we are ready for it”.Article share tools
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Russian TV staff walk off set after final broadcast
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As we just reported, a new law in Russia is set to punish “fake” information with jail sentences of up to 15 years.
On Thursday, one of Russia’s last independent news outlets TV Rain stopped broadcasting indefinitely after coming under pressure for its coverage of the invasion.
The channel, also know as Dozhd, ended its final broadcast by showing staff walking off set.
Russia’s telecommunications regulator accused the channel of “inciting extremism, abusing Russian citizens, causing mass disruption of public calm and safety, and encouraging protests”.Article share tools
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Jail terms over ‘fake’ army information in new Russian law
The lower chamber of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, has unanimously passed a law which makes it a jailable offence to spread “fake” information about the armed forces.
A total of 401 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill, with no votes against it or abstentions, Interfax news agency reported.
The law still needs approval from the upper house tomorrow.
If and when it comes into effect, there will be fines and jail terms of up to 15 years for those who intentionally spread false information about the armed forces that has a serious impact, according to a statement by the lower house.Article share tools
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A view from Kherson on the first day under Russian control
When Taras takes a cautious look around his city on the first day since the Russians took control he sees military vehicles on the street but no soldiers.
The port of Kherson, in southern Ukraine, is the first major city to be taken by Russia after more than a week of intense fighting.
But Taras, not his real name, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme there was positivity among the 200 people queueing outside the supermarket today.
He was able to buy meat after 30-40 minutes but his friends have waited for two to three hours in recent days.
“What I noticed today is they’re full of optimism and energy. They believe that it will be over very soon in a few days or weeks
“Especially our women, I was surprised, they are so proud of our Ukrainian army they are saying that our guys can come and we will kill them and everything will go back.”
Asked if he shares their optimism he says “definitely” and so do 95% of Kherson citizens.
He says: “Our mayor is saying our city remains under the Ukrainian flag so I don’t think Russian soldiers who are inside the city at the moment have any plans, they are waiting for something.”
He adds: “People are afraid of bombing so for the next few days we will try to survive.”
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Nuclear plant situation shows recklessness of war – Nato chief
As our correspondent James Landale reported earlier Western foreign ministers are gathering in Brussels to assess their response to the war in Ukraine.
Speaking as he welcomed the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Nato’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, including the shelling of a nuclear power plant.
Zaporizhzhia – Europe’s largest nuclear plant – is now under Russian control. Quote Message: We condemn the attacks on civilians and overnight we have also seen reports about the attack against a nuclear power plant. This just demonstrates the recklessness of this war and the importance of ending it and the importance of Russia withdrawing all its troops and engaging in good faith in diplomatic efforts.” from Jens Stoltenberg
We condemn the attacks on civilians and overnight we have also seen reports about the attack against a nuclear power plant. This just demonstrates the recklessness of this war and the importance of ending it and the importance of Russia withdrawing all its troops and engaging in good faith in diplomatic efforts.”Jens StoltenbergArticle share tools
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BreakingDeath toll from Russian air strikes on Chernihiv rises
Forty-seven people were killed in Russian air strikes on a residential district of the city of Chernihiv on Thursday, regional authorities have said.
Rescue work had to be suspended on Thursday due to heavy shelling, according to the local emergency services.
A total of 148 people, mostly civilians, have died since the beginning of hostilities in the region, the local authorities add
.
The city of 300,000 people is in the north of the country, close to the borders with Russia and Belarus.
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Deputy mayor of Mariupol urges Nato to send troops
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Turning now to the southern port town of Mariupol, which has come under heavy shelling.
The deputy mayor there is urging Nato leaders to send troops into Ukraine, saying Russia will not stop until it has made the country a desert and killed many civilians.
Sergei Orlov told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is no way to stop Putin from killing our civilians from the sky until Nato wakes up and understands that it’s not a regional conflict – it’s a war against democracy, against freedom, against one of the biggest European nations.
“It looks like [Nato leaders] don’t understand that Putin will not stop, they are scared and this is a pity. And we expect that some day Nato leaders will understand that it’s totally necessary to provide direct military support to Ukraine to stop Mr Putin or at least to close our sky to protect us from the threat from the sky.”
He says Russia’s President Vladimir Putin wants to create a desert to solve the Ukrainian question but he says “it’s impossible to take our cities because the city is not the buildings, the city is the people”.
He adds: “We already understand he is ready to kill as many civilians as he needs to.”
Residents of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol have told the BBC they are trying to survive a relentless barrage of Russian shelling that has smashed residential districts and cut off power and water supplies.
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Busy day of diplomacy ahead
James Landale
Diplomatic correspondent
Western foreign ministers will gather in Brussels for a day of intense diplomacy to assess their response to the war in Ukraine and consider what more should be done.
The ministers are expected to look at fresh ways of supporting Ukraine while maintaining pressure on Russia.
Foreign ministers – from Nato, the G7 and the European Union – will meet one after the other and talk about what more should be done.
Nato will consider further reinforcements of the military alliance’s eastern flank. There’ll be discussions about supporting non-Nato countries like Georgia and Moldova.
EU ministers will assess the humanitarian crisis and hear virtually from their Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, who is expected to plead for more air defence capability.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will become the first UK minister since Brexit to attend an EU foreign affairs council.
She said today’s talks were designed to signal strong support for Ukraine while tightening the vice on what she called “Putin’s war machine”.
The aim, diplomats say, is to restate and consolidate Western unity. But as for engagement with Russia, they say that looks “very difficult”.Article share tools
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Nuclear reactors ‘taken offline’ after Russian attack
Victoria Gill
Science correspondent, BBC News
Nuclear experts watching the events at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant say this is not “another Chernobyl”, but that it is a very risky situation.
“For the first time this morning, I’m frightened,” Sheffield University nuclear materials expert Prof Claire Corkhill tells me.
It appears that only one of six reactors at the plant is now operating.
Corkhill says the reactors are being taken “offline” which means “they’re shutting down the nuclear reaction and putting them into a safe and stable state”.
She adds this might have been Russia’s intention.
“If you want to target their power supply, you attack a building close to the power plant and force operators to shut it down,” she says.
Corkhill adds that a “worst-case scenario” would be that the plant’s electricity supply were damaged as “we could be looking at a scenario similar to what happened at Fukushima in 2011, where a loss of power led to a loss of cooling, which caused a meltdown of three of its nuclear reactors”.Article share tools
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Latest on the ground
James Waterhouse
Kyiv correspondent, BBC News
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Earlier, we heard some shell explosions, almost like a clap of thunder, around 10-15km (6-9 miles) to the north-east. In the hours since, it’s been quiet.
We heard a few thuds overnight from our bomb shelter, which is two storeys underground – it sounds like someone dropping something heavy on the floor above you. Hearing that down there suggests the explosions are getting closer or bigger.
This feeds into the worry that what we’re seeing in other Ukrainian cities for the past few days now – notably Mariupol in the south-east, where there has been continued shelling, according to the mayor, on residential areas – we could soon see that here.
The story overnight was the fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant that was controlled after it was shelled by Russian forces, but the plant is now under Russian control.
Staff are reportedly being allowed to remain there, they’re allowed to keep working and monitor these power units. That’s the second nuclear landmark that’s fallen into Russian control, along with Chernobyl.
What this shows is that the Russian advance which continues to make gains in the south puts pressure on cities like Mariupol.
We’re also seeing Russian troops move from the north towards Kyiv, bypassing cities which are already going through heavy shelling and fighting like Chernihiv and Sumy – and the worry is that Ukraine’s capital, Russia’s ultimate prize in this invasion, could soon be feeling the same effect.
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Serious and reckless attack on a nuclear site – Raab
Russia’s shelling of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is a “serious and reckless attack on a nuclear site” that the whole international community must take very seriously, says the UK Deputy Prime Minister.
Dominic Raab told BBC Breakfast: “It’s very difficult to believe it was not done deliberately but in any event it is unlawful to attack a site like this, not to do your due diligence on it and to keep bombarding it when there’s a fire and the emergency services are responding to it.”
He said he understands there is no immediate danger at the site.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called an emergency UN security council debate in New York to “ramp up the pressure on Putin’s war machine”.
