welcome to the programme. first, russian mercenaries say they have surrounded most of bakhmut in eastern ukraine. the city has been the focus of extensive fighting in recent weeks. ukraine has acknowledged that its troops in bakhmut are under severe pressure and may have to pull out. meanwhile, kyiv has ordered some residents in the northeastern city of kupiansk to leave because of russian shelling from across the border. our reporter sofia bettiza has the story. russia is getting closer to its first major victory in half a year. in eastern ukraine, it is the wagner group, made up of tens of thousands of mercenaries and ex convicts that have spearheaded defensive. they have called on president zelensky to withdraw his troops from the city of bakhmut. translation: we have - practically surrounded bakhmut, only one route out of the city remains. if earlier we were fighting against the professional army,
because of russian shelling from across the border. our reporter sofia bettiza has the story. russia is getting closer to its first major victory in half a year. in eastern ukraine, it is the wagner group, made up of tens of thousands of mercenaries and ex convicts that have spearheaded defensive. offensive. they have called on president zelensky to withdraw his troops from the city of bakhmut. translation: we have - practically surrounded bakhmut, only one route out of the city remains. if earlier we were fighting against the professional army, now we are increasingly seeing old people and children. give them a chance to leave the city. the city is surrounded. bakhmut is a fairly small town set in farmland. before the invasion, it had a population of around 73,000 people. but moscow sees it
right now is living in shelters. there is no water or gas or electricity and we have given heaters to everybody who stays in the city so that we can support the local population. meanwhile the authorities have ordered some residents in nearby kupiansk to leave, because of russian shelling from across the border. our reporter has the story. russia is getting closer to its first major victory in half a year. in eastern ukraine it is the wagner group made up of tens of thousands of mercenaries and ex convicts that has spearheaded the defensive. they have cold on president zelensky to remove his troops from the city of bakhmut. translation: we have practically surrounded bakhmut, only one route out remains,
this is bbc news welcome if you re watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: the head of russia s wagner group claims its forces now surround most of bakhmut the eastern ukrainian city that s been the focus of intense fighting. we have practically surrounded bakhmut. only one route out of the city remains. a failure we were fighting against the professional army, now we are increasingly seeing old people and children. police in australia say they ve made one of their biggest ever drug busts, seizing cocaine worth one billion us dollars. the british government is preparing to announce where the uk s first carbon capture power station will be built, but will the technology make a difference? with the oscars a week away
this is bbc news welcome if you re watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: the head of russia s wagner group says its forces now surround most of bakhmut the eastern ukrainian city that s been the focus of extensive fighting. we have practically surrounded bakhmut. only one exit from the city remains. we are seeing other people and children. police in australia say they ve made one of their biggest ever drug busts, seizing cocaine worth one billion us dollars. with the oscars a week away we hear from some of those involved in the nominated british film living . concept wasn t a remake. it was this