In sevastopol hours after the attack. The Russian DefenceMinistry Said one serviceman was missing. Our Correspondentjames Waterhouse has more from kyiv. This is clearly a continuation of ukraines tactic of specifically targeting sites in occupied crimea, but the apparent direct hit of russias naval headquarters in sevastopol is hugely symbolic. Its not yet clear what operational damage will be caused for russia, but this is a place where it has exerted such dominance through its navy, where it launches missiles across ukraine, it blockades ukrainian ports. And i think what this attack does is undermine russias continued occupation in a place that seems a cornerstone of its invasion from as far back as 2014. There is also a connection between this Missile Strike and ukraines continued counteroffensive further north. What they are trying to do is frustrate russian supply lines and isolate swathes of occupied territory in the hope that troops will run out of supplies. Now, president Zelensky Hasjust completed a visit to the us. Hes in canada currently, and i think what were seeing now is Battlefield Progress increasingly getting linked to the politics of it all. Because, yes, he is being warmly welcomed by both countries, but there are political corners that are growing increasingly sceptical as to what the ukrainian victory might look like and as for how long Western Allies should be pumping billions of dollars into ukraine. So its becoming increasingly high stakes for president zelensky, whos now having to do a fair bit of negotiating in his foreign policy. Lets take a moment now to size up the state of the war. And for that, we have some interesting statistics from a Briefing By General mark milley, chairman of the joint Chief Of Staff and defense secretary lloyd austin, courtesy of foreign policy. Senior us Officials Say that ukraine has liberated more than 54 of russian occupied territory taken since the invasion. The Us Defense Department believes that about 200,000 Russian Troops remain on occupied ukrainian soil. And russian attacks on ukraines ports and infrastructure have destroyed about 280,000 tons of grain. Thats enough to feed more than 10 Million People for a year. Earlier i spoke about all this with bill taylor, former Us Ambassador to ukraine. Ambassador, it is great to have you back on the show. I want to start with developments on friday. Ukraines attack on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea fleet in crimea. What you think that signals . You think that signals . Sumi, that signals you think that signals . Sumi, that signals a you think that signals . Sumi, that signals a strong you think that signals . Sumi, | that signals a strong message from the ukrainians to the russians that they are going to push this war hard. They are going to attack into occupied territory. The russians are occupying crimea. That is ukrainian territory, the ukrainian territory, the ukrainian sending the message that they have the capability now to hold those Military Targets in crimea at risk and that they are ready to do it. I talked to ukrainians yesterday and today. They are very pleased about this. These are civilians that are watching this. The military has crimea in their sites, so the strong message is that they are not giving up on crimea. Giving up on crimea. And, ambassador, giving up on crimea. And, ambassador, do giving up on crimea. And, ambassador, do you giving up on crimea. And, i ambassador, do you think giving up on crimea. And, ambassador, do you think this is going to be opening up another front is going to be opening Up Anotherfront in the is going to be opening up another front in the current counteroffensive, pushing more in crimea . In crimea . So, the counteroffensive. In crimea . So, the| counteroffensive as in crimea . So, the counteroffensive as you indicated, severalfronts. They are still pushing around bakhmut but, you are right the major effort is moving to the major effort is moving to the south, toward the land bridge. The road is called mia and it goes across the Southern Parts of ukraine and if the ukrainians can get to that or get in range, Artillery Range of that, they can cut off crimea. So, yes, i do think crimea. So, yes, i do think crimea is in their sites. Crimea is in their sites. Crimea is in their sites. Crimea is where the russians have been moving forces through, and so ukrainians know that. Ukrainians want to cut that. Ukrainians want to cut that source of russian soldiers, equipment, ammunition, fuel they want to cut that off and this is the way they are doing that. They are both cutting off the mia across the south up into donbas, but also attacking into crimea itself. I donbas, but also attacking into crimea itself. Crimea itself. I want to also ask ou crimea itself. I want to also ask you about crimea itself. I want to also ask you about ukrainian ask you about ukrainian president zelenskyy� s visit to washington on thursday. He said ahead of the visit he would get assurances from the white house and President Biden but he needed to make his case to the public and also to members of congress. Do you think that he did . I congress. Do you think that he did . ~ congress. Do you think that he did . ~ , did . Ithink he did, sumi. I think did . I think he did, sumi. I think he did . Ithink he did, sumi. I think he certainly did . Ithink he did, sumi. I think he certainly had did . Ithink he did, sumi. I think he certainly had a did . Ithink he did, sumi. I. Think he certainly had a rough detention, a rapt audience in the senate, the United States senate. The photos of the Majority Leader and Majority Leader on either side of him, Senator Schumer and senator mcconnell on either side of president zelensky, walking him through and having good conversations. That was a strong indication that president zelensky was going to be able to make that case to them very well and it turns out that he was able to make the case on the house side as well despite all of the drama that is going on on the house aside. The House Of Representatives is not in good shape right now. They are trying to figure out how they can fund the country. They have got a lot going on there, but they gave president zelensky a good attention, a good meeting. They had a good session, and apparently even mr mccarthy was indicating that he is supporting these weapons. That may be the case, ambassador, but we also saw the speaker say he would not bring this 2a billion additional aid package for ukraine to the floorfor a package for ukraine to the floor for a vote before the end of the year and he did add this do you think there is a clear answer to that question right now . I answer to that question right now . ~ , answer to that question right now . ~ ,. ,. , now . I think there is a clear answer to now . I think there is a clear answer to that now . I think there is a clear answer to that question now . I think there is a clear answer to that question and j answer to that question and ukrainians have been pretty straightforward about that answer and it is theyjust want the russians out of their country. That is victory for them. They dont want more than that. There are some people that. There are some people that are talking about more than that, going into russia no. The ukrainiansjust want the russian soldiers out of their country and we talked about how they are trying to push to the south. They are trying to push to the east around bakhmut so that is what they are after and we are helping them. We are helping them do exactly that, so i think that is a clear answer to what is victory for the ukrainians. What is victory for the ukrainians. ~. , ukrainians. We have heard, ambassador, ukrainians. We have heard, ambassador, that ukrainians. We have heard, ambassador, that the ambassador, that the counteroffensive in ukraine has been making slow progress. Winter is around the corner. What needs to happen in the next two months in particular . In the next two months before the weather changes, well, they are not like the winter or the rainy season or the wet season. It is going to stop the counteroffensive. It was lowered, make it more complicated, but the ukrainians are going to continue this counteroffensive but in the next two months, that is your question, they hope they can make some grinding progress. As you just said, they are making some progress right now. Apparently there are now of armour and tanks apparently there are now of armourand tanks and apparently there are now of armour and tanks and Armoured Personnel Carriers that have broken through the russian lines in the south, moving towards mariupol, moving. So, that actually progress and if that actually progress and if that continues they have a chance of cutting off the mia we talked about and threatening crimea. � ,. ,. ,. , crimea. Ambassador, great to net our crimea. Ambassador, great to get your thoughts crimea. Ambassador, great to get your thoughts on crimea. Ambassador, great to get your thoughts on bbc crimea. Ambassador, great to | get your thoughts on bbc news tonight. Thank you. We mentioned earlier the 325 million commitment from the white house to ukraines war effort. So what does it involve . For one, more controversial cluster munitions, in the form of 155mm Artillery Shells with cluster warheads. It also means more ammo for the himars rocket launcher, as well as Three Million rounds of small arms ammunition, more of the man portable javelin and ata anti tank missiles that were so crucial to ukraines early success, as well as larger wire guided toe missiles. For air defence, sidewinder missiles and avenger air defence systems, plus 50 calibre machine guns for use against unmanned aerial vehicles. The us is also offering 59 light tactical vehicles. For more on us military support, i spoke earlier with an advisor to zelensky, alexander rodnya nsky. Alexander, very good to have you back on bbc news. Thank you forjoining us. We have seen multiple us media reports that the bbc have not been able to verifyjust the bbc have not been able to verify just yet that us is going to send ukraine atacms. The long range missile systems. Can you confirm this is the case . I systems. Can you confirm this is the case . Is the case . I cannot personally is the case . I cannot personally confirm i is the case . I cannot personally confirm these rumours. It is true is it is in the news but this is for our leadership to confirm. We are pressing the us very hard to give us these long range missiles because it would make a difference in the war effort and we are obviously in this fight together and that is to liberate ukraine and to make sure that democracies prevail over autocracies. So. Sure that democracies prevail over autocracies. So, ukrainian president over autocracies. So, ukrainian president zelensky over autocracies. So, ukrainian president zelensky has over autocracies. So, ukrainian| president zelensky has wrapped up president zelensky has wrapped up his visit to the us and it was a different visit this time. He did try to convince congressional leaders that support for ukraine should continue, particularly among republicans who have expressed more scepticism about continuing to support ukraine. Do you think president zelensky was able to make his case . I believe so and i hope so and i know that Opinion Polls fluctuate in all democracies including in the us and electoral cycles obviously have their characteristics which make them turbulent and it might seem at times that support is a swing either way, but, listen as i said before, we are in this fight together. It is about making sure that democracies prevail over autocracies, that no dictator is encouraged around the world in using force to push their way through and achieve whatever objectives they see fit. That would be disastrous. That would mean calamity for the rest of the world. You can think of all the crisis regions around the globe that would become inflamed and so we are in this to do it at the cheapest way for democracy is to make sure that they dont have to get involved at some point themselves which is one big concern among the voters, it is to give every possible support ukraine right now and as soon as possible. We spoke to a congress as soon as possible. We spoke to a congress man as soon as possible. We spoke to a Congress Man In as soon as possible. We spoke to a Congress Man In illinois i to a Congress Man In illinois yesterday and this is what he told us. � u, yesterday and this is what he told us. � h,. , yesterday and this is what he told us. � ,. ,. , told us. The americans want to live told us. The americans want to give resources told us. The americans want to give resources to told us. The americans want to give resources to the give resources to the ukrainians. They want to make sure ukrainians. They want to make sure it ukrainians. They want to make sure it is ukrainians. They want to make sure it is going to the intended purposes and that it is effective so i think those are the is effective so i think those are the types of provisions that are the types of provisions that might accompany further aid. ~. , aid. Would you support provisions aid. Would you support provisions that aid. Would you support provisions that would l aid. Would you support provisions that would involve more direct us oversight of how aid is being spent in ukraine . By aid is being spent in ukraine . By every indication that i know of and buy everything i can tell you in terms of the evidence, everything we have received, the support, the military assistance has been spent exactly the way it should have been spent without any sort of risk that could have occurred along the way. We have put it to use very effectively and again that is everything that i know so i think first of all i should mention this i dont think there are any measurable, significant risk that we can think of right now when we talk about this but if our partners want some additional conditions i am sure our Political Leadership would be willing to consider those conditions provided we can operate effectively and get the support and the military assistance we desperately need. If we look at the Bigger Picture of Global Support we are looking at after a g20 when we saw wording in the final statement that was watered down to create a final consensus when it comes to condemning russia for its invasion of ukraine. Do you think there is a sense in president zelensky� S Administration that support for ukraine is waning as this war stretches on . I ukraine is waning as this war stretches on . Stretches on . I dont think there is stretches on . I dont think there is such stretches on . I dont think there is such a stretches on . I dont think there is such a sense stretches on . I dont think l there is such a sense among stretches on . I dont think there is such a sense among us in the president ial office, and even though you might the public might perceive it as some sort of delusion of the common position that we have in the civilised democratic welder i the civilised democratic welder i do not think that is what we see when we talk to our partners and that is certainly something that president zelensky and other people in the president ial office has said recently, including during this trip to the us and to canada. So, look, there is always going to be politics as i said before and it does have its turbulence is, but i think support by any measure that we can see is firmly behind ukraine. Can see is firmly behind ukraine can see is firmly behind ukraine. ,. ,. , ukraine. That is what we saw at the un general ukraine. That is what we saw at the un generalassembl ukraine. That is what we saw at the un Generalassembl Of the un General Assembl of course from President Biden wiki reaffirmed the uss unwavering, as he said, support for ukraine. There are americans however who have urged negotiations. China has continued to reiterate its position that there needs to be a ceasefire and peace talks and Thatis A Ceasefire and peace talks and that is the only way to end this war brother. Do you think conditions are right at the moment to try to start some sort of negotiations . Any sort of ceasefire sort of negotiations . Any sort of Ceasefire Agreement of Ceasefire Agreement potentially with the current russian regime is not going to last very long. We want meaningful change to the russian position to the russian regime, to have a meaningful genuine ceasefire or even into a war with the liberation of our territories. Just giving russia some Breathing Space in order to regroup and rearm themselves and launch yet another offensive is not something that is in our common interests, and that is something to keep in mind. But when we have these discussions along among the west but also more generally. You cant trust these people, they have broken literally every major agreement, every major promise they have made over the last years. Especially when it comes to ukraine. So that is not a trap, not a trap to that isa trap trap, not a trap to that is a trap we need to be careful of. Alexander rodnya nsky, thank you. Lets get more on the state of the war and International State of affairs now. Joining me live is liana fix, fellow for europe at the council on Foreign Relations and kori schake, seniorfellow and director of foreign and Defence Policy studies at the American Enterprise institute. Good evening to you both it is great to have you on bbc news. Kori, we heard ambassador bill taylor tell us he thinks Volodymyr Zelensky was able to make his case on capitol hill in washington this week but we know there is still scepticism among house republicans, and Speaker Mccarthy said he would remove the 3 million for ukraine currently in the Pentagon Appropriations Bill because of opposition. So would you say president zelensky� s visit was successful . Zelenskys visit was successful . Zelenskys visit was successful . ,. , successful . Yes i would. It sounds like successful . Yes i would. It sounds like the successful . Yes i would. It sounds like the president i successful . Yes i would. It| sounds like the president of the United States continued, committed to continue weaponry to ukraine, and including the possibility of longer range missiles. And to other things important to ukraine. It is the president sjob to important to ukraine. It is the president s job to deliver congress on this. And president zelensky came To Washington On A particularly different difficult weak weather has representatives are struggling to try and get the consensus to pass a spending bill, so i am not surprised either that the speaker of the house asked not for a Major International event in the House Of Representatives, or that he is turning keys and locks, trying to find the votes. Whether that is appointing a special inspector, to root out any potential corruption and to reassure americans that the support we are giving is going to the things ukraine genuinely needs. Or whether it is private meetings without being public fanfare. Because going the federal budget passed is actually important for ukraine as well as for the United States. ,. , states. You are right, kori, there is states. You are right, kori, there is a states. You are right, kori, there is a lot states. You are right, kori, there is a lot going states. You are right, kori, there is a lot going on states. You are right, kori, there is a lot going on on. There is a lot going on on capitol hill this week. Liana to get your take on this question, it did seem to be more of a difficult visit this time the president zelensky. It is not only this visit which is more is not only this visit which is more difficult, its the general context for ukraine which general context for ukraine which is general context for ukraine which is becoming more difficult, not only in the us, also difficult, not only in the us, also a difficult, not only in the us, also a europe. The slow pace of the counteroffensive, although certainly the counteroffensive, although certainly there is still more to come certainly there is still more to come before winter sets in, is something that has discouraged some publics and has given space to questions about has given space to questions about how long this wall will continue about how long this wall will continue and it has certainly dampened the hope that they will he dampened the hope that they will be one counteroffensive successful this year, and then the war successful this year, and then the war might somehow get to an end the war might somehow get to an end so the war might somehow get to an end so it the war might somehow get to an end so it is the war might somehow get to an end. So it is the International Context end. So it is the International Context that has changed, it is the counteroffensive that makes it more the counteroffensive that makes it more difficult, that is a challenge that zelensky will face challenge that zelensky will face not only in washington but also in face not only in washington but also in european capitals. Liana. Also in european capitals. Liana, given that context, what does that mean for International Support for ukraine right now . International support for ukraine right now . First of all it means that ukraine right now . First of all it means that allies ukraine right now . First of all it means that allies will ukraine right now . First of all it means that allies will have l it means that allies will have to prepare that support for ukraine to prepare that support for ukraine should not only be limited ukraine should not only be limited to this year but that the counteroffensive will go on next the counteroffensive will go on next year the counteroffensive will go on next year and possibly even the year next year and possibly even the year after~ next year and possibly even the year after. So it is important to switch year after. So it is important to switch from this more short term Perspective Of, short term Perspective Of, short term hope for the counteroffensive which was especially raised at the beginning of the year, an expectation then, to more prolonged and structural healthy ukraine. And what that means healthy ukraine. And what that means is healthy ukraine. And what that means is to make sure that budgetary support for ukraine is anchored in long term cycles and is is anchored in long term cycles and is not is anchored in long term cycles and is not held hostage to short term budgetary discussions. Again not only in washington but also in europe. So ukraine needs a reliable basis so ukraine needs a reliable basis and notjust basis and not just month to month basis and notjust month to month support in discussions. Monthtomonth support in discussions. Monthtomonth support in discussions. Kori, what is your thou~ht discussions. Kori, what is your thought on discussions. Kori, what is your thought on this, discussions. Kori, what is your thought on this, does discussions. Kori, what is your thought on this, does there i thought on this, does there need to be an international reframing of the expectations and the Perspective Of what will come out of the current counteroffensive . Will come out of the current counteroffensive . Yes, i think it was always counteroffensive . Yes, i think it was always unfair counteroffensive . Yes, i think it was always unfair to counteroffensive . Yes, i thinkj it was always unfair to ukraine to put such enormous weight on the counteroffensive, especially since the deliberations among the free societies that are aiding ukraine, and the 6 eight month lag on Weapons Deliveries gave russia the opportunity to build deep defensive positions in the territory of ukraine that they occupy. So we bear some culpability for how slow the pace of the offensive has been for ukraine, and again the president should be helping americans to understand that. Instead ofjust committing to whatever it takes for as long as it takes, people want to know and they are watching with real sympathy and anxiety, the suffering of ukrainians, they want to know where this is headed and the president should be doing a betterjob of that as should other western leaders. As should other western leaders as should other western leaders. ,. , ~ leaders. Liana, do you think this is also leaders. Liana, do you think this is also something leaders. Liana, do you think this is also something that i this is also something that should be better communicated as kori said . It should be better communicated as kori said . As kori said . It is indeed a problem. As kori said . It is indeed a problem. I as kori said . It is indeed a problem, i would as kori said . It is indeed a problem, i would entirelyl as kori said . It is indeed a problem, i would entirely agree when problem, i would entirely agree when it problem, i would entirely agree when it comes to the Western Theory when it comes to the Western Theory of when it comes to the Western Theory of victory, the famous endgame theory of victory, the famous Endgame Question of when and how will Endgame Question of when and how will this end, so there has been how will this end, so there has been no how will this end, so there has been no sufficient answer, both in the been no sufficient answer, both in the long term from Western Allies. In the long term from Western Allies. No in the long term from Western Allies, no agreed upon answer and there allies, no agreed upon answer and there has been no clear goal and there has been no clear goal that and there has been no clear goal that was set for the counteroffensive to which especially Weapons Supplies could especially Weapons Supplies could be tailored. And that may be prudent because we see that you cant be prudent because we see that you cant predict what is happening on the battlefield, but on happening on the battlefield, but on the other hand it is also but on the other hand it is also more difficult to communicate to publics if the message communicate to publics if the Message Isjust as communicate to publics if the message is just as long communicate to publics if the Message Isjust as long as it takes. Message isjust as long as it takes, because the question is how well takes, because the question is how well this end, what is the plan how well this end, what is the plan to how well this end, what is the plan to end this and how long will it plan to end this and how long will it take. So this is certainly a problem in the narrative, not only for ukraine but also narrative, not only for ukraine but also for ukraine supporters, which is difficult to address but will become Even Stronger to address but will become Even Stronger in the next year. All ri. Ht, stronger in the next year. Rii right, really interesting perspectives, liana fix, and kori schake, great to have you on ladies, thank you so much. Weve talked a lot about the military and diplomatic side of the war lets focus on the human toll now. Ukraines military does not release figures for those killed and injured, but the bbc has been given access to a Major Hospital where doctors say theyve treated more than 20,000 soldiers since russias invasion. Orla guerin reports. Sirens under a blanket of darkness, the wounded are brought in. On arrival, each one is numbered. Each one a husband, a father or a son. Man groans this is the pain of a generation. Staff here treat 50 to 100 new casualties every day. Another badly wounded soldier has just been brought in. Hes in his 20s and one of his legs has already been amputated. This is where you can see the cost of the war. The cost for soldiers, the cost for ukraine. And theres no letup the casualties keep coming. Oleksiy is 38 and days before lost both of his legs. Translation the inuries are im very glad that oleksiy survived. This was caused by a mine explosion. Unfortunately, his friends are no longer alive. War is frightening, says oleksiy. Only a fool wouldnt be scared. What more can i say . Bullets whistle, mines explode. More than 20,000 injured soldiers have passed through these doors in europes newest war, a Conveyor Belt of broken bodies. Even when the fighting is over, for many, the battle will last a lifetime. Orla guerin, bbc news, southeastern ukraine. And before we go, lets recap the week of diplomacy by the ukrainian president. Volodymyr zelenksy addressed the un general calling for International United in his nations fight against russia, and later criticised the Un Security Council for its limited action due to russias veto power. Then it was on to washington, where he met with congressional leaders on capitol hill, and joe biden at the white house. And as we mentioned, he wrapped up the week in canada, Secuding Hundreds Of Millions in military aid from Prime Minister justin trudeau. Thats all for this bbc special look at the situation in ukraine. Ill be back at the top of the hour. Stay with us. Hello. Its the Autumn Equinox on saturday morning, so the first day of autumn, officially. How about the weather . Its looking a little mixed this weekend, and quite an interesting headline there. The tail end of a hurricane is expected to bring us some warm weather to some parts of the country, but also a dose of wind and rain. And here it is, Hurricane Nigel soon to become an ex hurricane, also being absorbed by the Weather Systems in the Mid Latitudes and all of that is heading our way. And also a South Southwesterly Wind ahead of it will develop, ahead of this large area of low pressure and that means somewhat warmer weather streaming in from the south. So its a tale of two halves, quite literally. So the forecast then through the Early Morning shows clear skies across most of the uk. Having said that, it is going to be quite chilly despite this remnant storm heading our way. Temperatures will be around eight degrees even in the south of the country, and close to freezing, if not below, in the sheltered glens of scotland. Now, here it is, that Weather Front by this stage bringing cloud, a shield of cloud to northern ireland, wales, and the southwest. Within it, some outbreaks of rain. But out towards the east and the north, its a cracking day both in the morning and the afternoon. Were expecting sunny spells, temperatures around 18 in london, a bit fresher there in scotland. And then its Saturday Night Into Sunday that that Weather Front sweeps across the uk. The winds will freshen and we are expecting some rain. Some of the rain will be heavy at times. So heres the forecast then out towards the west and the north, increasing winds, Gale Force Winds around some of the coasts and some heavy rain at times. The further east and southeast you are, the sunnier and warmer it will be. In fact, 20 degrees in london. But even further north where its cloudy and rainy, temperatures will be close to 20. But lets take a closer look. And here are the gusts of wind, 50 to even 60 miles an hour. Now, that is a strong wind blowing out to the south. And then all of that rain sweeping across the country as well sunday evening into the early hours of monday. Now, heres the outlook into the week ahead. Those temperatures remain in the low 20s across the south of the country. But be warned, at times we could be seeing some pretty gusty, rainy, windy weather in the week ahead. Bye bye. Voice over this is bbc news. Well have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. Spencer kelly this week, nick looks at metas latest project to help people make sense of the horrors of the past. This is more than bringing back a dead person. This way, you can make that person. Give them a thousand years of life. Lara lewington can smartphone apps really provide an effective alternative to Hormonal Contraception . It tells you when youre not fertile and when youre fertile. And open wide. Alasdair, well take you through now. Alasdair� s taken a trip to the dentist to look at a device that may help prevent. Well, further trips to the dentist. I think theres a misconception that once decay starts, it has to end up in a cavity. But if we can identify. At that early white spot, then we can start to get the tooth to reform. In the centre of london, there is a building like no other an empty space where the public can sit, relax and look up. I have to say, of all the giant led screens ive seen in my time, this ones right up there. I mean, its literally right up there. Well, yes, and it seems like it goes on and on and on. Yeah. And it also makes you feel rather dizzy looking at it