the capture of bakhmut would be the first russian victory of note in more than six months of fighting. our diplomatic correspondent, james landale, sent this report from the capital, kyiv. this is bakhmut, or at least what is left of it, after some of the fiercest fighting since russia invaded ukraine. for more than six months, russian shells and missiles have rained down on the city. thousands of russian soldiers have died trying to seize it and now their commanders are growing increasingly confident. translation: we have - almost surrounded bakhmut. there is only one road that remains in and out of the city. the pincers are closing. before we were fighting a professional ukrainian army but now we fight against old men and boys. ukrainian forces are still defending the city street by street and reports suggest reinforcements are being sent in. but these russian troops say the ukrainian army is destroying bridges like these, potentially to prepare for what western analysts ca
to get under way shortly. a court in moscow has rejected the appeal against the pre trial detention of the us journalist, appeal against the pre trial detention of the usjournalist, evan gershkovich,. even though the decision was widely expected, it will still hit hard for the 35 year old american and his supporters. the russian authorities accuse him of spying, charges which he strongly denies. the court appearance was his first. he was arrested nearly three weeks ago. the authorities say evan gershkovich try to obtain classified information but have offered no information to support their claims. he is the first usjournalist to support their claims. he is the first us journalist to face espionage charges in russia since soviet times. after his appearance, the us ambassador to russia had just a short statement. i the us ambassador to russia had ust a short statement. a short statement. i was able to meet kevin a short statement. i was able to meet kevin yesterday a sho
much milder as a result. i think a largely cloudy picture today compared to yesterday, more cloud developing across southern areas and patchy rain courtesy of this weather front affecting scotland where we will see most of the rain, but further patches of drizzle across western hills. much of the rain affecting the highlands and argyll but much milder compared to yesterday. some sunshine for the north east of scotland, patchy drizzle for northern ireland, western england and wales at times, staying dry with limited sunshine across the south east, winds later in the south, could be nine or ten across the south east but the milder spot by far is the far north east of scotland, 13 or 1a in aberdeen. stein blushed further rain at times across the north and west of scotland this evening at times across the north and west of scotland this evening and overnight, perhaps some light drizzle staying blustery with further rain at times. i think mild, not such a widespread frost acros
they also discussed china s12 point plan to bring an end to the war in ukraine. in a statement issued after the meeting they said: the russian side welcomes china s willingness to play a positive role for the political and diplomatic settlement of the ukraine crisis, and welcomes the constructive proposals set forth in china s position on the political settlement of the ukraine crisis. at the white house today, us officials took pains to point out what they think china could do to end the war. if china wants to play a constructive role here in this conflict, then they ought to press russia to pull its troops out of ukraine in ukrainian sovereign territory. they should urge president putin to cease bombing cities, hospitals and schools, to stop the war crimes and the atrocities and end the war today. it could happen right now. kirby also said that the us does not want a ceasefire in ukraine right now, because it would freeze the battle lines in their current state. as a remi