and a43 people are now known to have died in south africa following heavy flooding, with a warning of more rain on the way. ukraine's prime minister says his forces are still fighting in the besieged city of mariupol, defying russia's ultimatum to surrender or be killed. denys shmyhal says the port city has not fallen, despite weeks of relentless attack by russia. fighting has also continued in other areas of the east. officials in kharkiv say five people have died and 13 have been injured in shelling in the city. our correspondent tom bateman is in dnipro where a rare evacuation by train has taken place of civilians wounded in the fighting. and a warning, his report contains some distressing images. president putin said his goal is the liberation of this country's east. he is showing the world what that means in mariupol. street battles have intensified for days, pushing back ukraine's defenders to a last holdout in the giant steelworks. moscow's forces told them they had until 1pm today to surrender or die. but there is no sign they have submitted, and ukraine says it will pull out of peace talks with russia if their troops are killed. mariupol�*s fate could determine the next phase of this war. in the east, people had already been urged to get out over fears of russia's advance. but for some, the warnings came too late. on the platform in dnipro, tanya grieves for her eldest daughter marina. she was killed in a crash in their rush to escape the bombardment. i'm scared for my children, says tanya. we didn't want to leave, and i'm very sorry for the price i had to pay for leaving my own home. now they have to bear a journey west on rail lines that have themselves been attacked, and they take with them the traumas of this invasion. on board soviet—era carriages, they flee russia's advance. many men have stayed behind, except those that have to hold their children alone. these patients now face a 20—hour journey to the west of here. with the kind of injuries they have. and what that tells you is the critical need the ukrainians have to free up hospital space here and to the east where they are getting ready for a major russian assault. and in the suburbs, i am told of an extraordinary story of rescue from mariupol. this woman drove 200 miles south through russian lines in search of her parents trapped in the siege. it was seeing the hopelessness and despair that made her go, she says. she found a city in ruins, and people were reduced to scavenging to survive. the family managed to escape underfire. now her mother, oksana, safely in another city called her daughter a hero. when we were together in dnipro, i said i want to kneel before you. we hugged each other and cried, says oksana. she says their escape got them back from hell. but tens of thousands of others remain trapped as russia's control of mariupol tightens. tom bateman, bbc news, dnipro. ukrainian�*s foreign minister says the situation in mariupol is both �*dire and heartbreaking'. dmytro kuleba has been speaking to margaret brennan from cbs news's �*face the nation'. how long can ukranian forces resist russian control of that city? the situation in mariupol is both dire, militarily, and heartbreaking. the city does not exist any more. the remainings of the ukrainian army and large group of civilians are basically encircled by the russian forces. they continue their struggle, but it seems, from the way the russian army behaves in mariupol, they decided to raze the city to the ground at any cost. what exactly are you expecting in the coming weeks? intensification of heavy fighting in eastern ukraine, in donbas, large—scale offensive of russia in that part of ukraine, and also desperate attempts of the russian forces, as i said, to finish with mariupol at any cost. these are my expectations, and of course missile attacks on kyiv and other cities across ukraine seem to continue. as we have been hearing, russia is now focusing on the east of ukraine, and people living in these areas are under constant threat. since the war began, thousands have fled, but many, mainly elderly people have decided to stay put. clive myrie has been to the village of serhiivka near donetsk to talk to some of them. there is a storm brewing in the east. the ukrainian military are on the move in defence of the homeland. the landscape flat, open country, perfect for heavy armour. as russia readies to seize the donbas region. the road signs proving useless guides by design. it is mid—morning in the village of serhiivka. our presence piques the interest of the local territorial defence force. an army of volunteers ready for the russians. this man, aged 26, and the local commander born and bred in the village. are you worried about the coming battle in the east, in this area? are you worried that the russians are going to come here? we will be ready to greet the russians, he tells me. they came to us with weapons, not the other way round. we live in ukraine. this is our land. donbas is the ukraine, and i was born in ukraine. and i will die in ukraine. so many have left the village since the start of the war. a population of 1,400 is now down to just 300, and the vast majority who remain are elderly, clinging on to what they know, despite the threat. this man is head of the local municipality. he has watched his village leach its young since russia invaded ukraine, but he understands why many older residents want to stay. they are afraid to leave their houses and households behind, he tells me. it is hard to go. people think that they have lived their share and want to die at home. this woman is one of the villagers who chose not to leave. clive. the great absence in her life is her own sister who lives in donetsk, closer to the russian border. her sister does not believe russia has committed war crimes in the conflict. she believes the invasion isjust. translation: at the moment, i am not in touch with her due l to political reasons. we didn't find common ground. we lost touch, so i don't know what she's thinking right now. since march 27, we haven't spoken. i haven't wanted to. march 27? that's very sad. translation: that's how it is. the local cherry blossom heralds the onset of spring, but no one is under any illusions that winter is coming. to the village of serhiivka, right across eastern ukraine. clive myrie, eastern ukraine, in donbas. dr samuel ramani is a tutor of politics and international relations at the university of oxford. he is also an associate fellow at the royal united services institute. and he's currently writing a book on "putin's war on ukraine". good to have you with us. as we were hearing in those reports, there was a lot of focus both politically and diplomatically and militarily right now and mariupol. i wonder how you see the coming hours playing out. most of the ukrainian resistance in mariupol— most of the ukrainian resistance in mariupol is— most of the ukrainian resistance in mariupol is on its last legs. yeah, it appears— mariupol is on its last legs. yeah, it appears as if all that we have our affiliates with the battalion and pressure is going to declare a win there~ — and pressure is going to declare a win there. ~ . , ., , , ., win there. what is it that russia wants to achieve _ win there. what is it that russia wants to achieve in _ win there. what is it that russia wants to achieve in mariupol, i win there. what is it that russia i wants to achieve in mariupol, and what does it tell us about their ambition in that region? the prevailing — ambition in that region? the prevailing wisdom for many is that the mariupol area, and crimea and the mariupol area, and crimea and the rest _ the mariupol area, and crimea and the rest of— the mariupol area, and crimea and the rest of donbas. sceptical utility, — the rest of donbas. sceptical utility, russia's option can be achieved _ utility, russia's option can be achieved easier. i think the primary -oal achieved easier. i think the primary goat for— achieved easier. i think the primary goal for russia is actually to secure — goal for russia is actually to secure mariupol in order to annex done _ secure mariupol in order to annex done yet — secure mariupol in order to annex done yet -- _ secure mariupol in order to annex done yet. —— donetsk. some of the ambitions — done yet. —— donetsk. some of the ambitions and demand is laid out by president _ ambitions and demand is laid out by president putin seem to do suggest that diplomacy is over. he is president putin seem to do suggest that diplomacy is over.— that diplomacy is over. he is asking for the entire _ that diplomacy is over. he is asking for the entire country _ that diplomacy is over. he is asking for the entire country to _ for the entire country to demilitarise itself for example. given what we're seeing in mariupol, that fight to the end, as far as the ukrainian see it, it suggests there is very little root here for diplomacy, does it not? it seems that diplomacy — diplomacy, does it not? it seems that diplomacy is _ diplomacy, does it not? it seems that diplomacy is on _ diplomacy, does it not? it seems that diplomacy is on last - diplomacy, does it not? it seems that diplomacy is on last legs. i diplomacy, does it not? it seems that diplomacy is on last legs. al that diplomacy is on last legs. a complete — that diplomacy is on last legs. a complete allow elation of the remaining ukrainian forces would bring _ remaining ukrainian forces would bring diplomacy to an end. it seems the russians are responding when even _ the russians are responding when even more — the russians are responding when even more destruction. there was a call today— even more destruction. there was a call today not only for ukraine to recognise — call today not only for ukraine to recognise crimea as part of russia but also _ recognise crimea as part of russia but also for— recognise crimea as part of russia but also for ukraine to withdraw and demilitarise in donetsk. as long as russia _ demilitarise in donetsk. as long as russia is— demilitarise in donetsk. as long as russia is setting up those terms, and the _ russia is setting up those terms, and the atrocities are continuing, i think— and the atrocities are continuing, i think it _ and the atrocities are continuing, i think it is — and the atrocities are continuing, i think it is very hard to see much prospect— think it is very hard to see much prospect of— think it is very hard to see much prospect of a russian and ukrainian dialogue _ prospect of a russian and ukrainian dialouue. ., ., prospect of a russian and ukrainian dialouue. . ,, i. prospect of a russian and ukrainian dialouue. ., ~' ,, ., , dialogue. thank you for being with us. so interesting _ dialogue. thank you for being with us. so interesting to _ dialogue. thank you for being with us. so interesting to hear - dialogue. thank you for being with j us. so interesting to hear different perspectives on this. you can get more on that and other stories on the bbc news website. despite warnings from the mayor of kyiv not to head back to the capital city, increasing numbers are returning, either to visit family or to go back to their homes. the latest figures from the polish border service show that on thursday, 26,000 people left ukraine, but 22,000 went the other way. danjohnson is on the border and has been talking to some ukrainians heading back. this is where millions have said goodbye. to their families, their country, and the life they knew. but some are now coming back, and being reunited. "my little boys," volodymyr says, after seven weeks apart. "no, dad," boris tells him, "we're grown up now." because children are already in polish schools, they have no education for a few days because of easter, and we decided to choose this chance to see our family. but it's a return not without trepidation. i'm really afraid. when i talk to the kids and say we are going to visit father, they were also shocked. but we promised them that we will not go into other regions. but others are going further. this family back together and heading home to kyiv for good. yeah, we will go home. and we don't want to stay in poland for a long time. translation: it was a complicated decision but definitely, _ 100% we want to go home. in lviv, others are on the move, heading east, buying tickets against the tide. tatiana's ready to go home, close to dnipro, after more than a month here. translation: we miss our home very much and we need to do _ some work on the garden. this morning we woke up and thought, shall we go or not? but we really had the tickets. are you brave? i was when i was young. i used to do parachute jumps for sport, but this is completely different. i'm really afraid of what's happened and what could happen next. and that's the point, these are journeys into the unknown. most aren't looking too far ahead. just being together, having it together, it's the best that we can have. what's it like to see your family again? it's a big value to have family, and to see each other today. sure, i love them. danjohnson, bbc news, on ukraine's border with poland. as many ukrainians return to the west, eyes are still on the besieged black sea port city of mariupol as it prepares for a major onslaught by russian forces. anna foster sent us this update. what we do know, and what the ukrainian government have confirmed is that there are just a fairly small number now if ukrainian troops who are holding out in that city, but that they will continue to fight. russia announced last night that they would open this window for surrender this morning, where they told the ukrainian troops, who was still based in mariupol, still fighting for places like the huge steelworks, russia said that if they came out during a certain period of time this morning, that they would let them live. they would treat them as they should under the geneva convention. but that window came and went, and what we heard from ukraine was that their fighters were still there and continue to fight and will do until the end. this is a hugely sim alec and strategically important city for both of them. russia and ukraine both desperately want mariupol. it looks like this battle might not have too long to go. most people acknowledge that russia have the upper hand there, but until we know for sure, we keep watching what is a vital battle in mariupol. a massive queue of trucks has formed on the poland—belarus border, as russian and belarussian drivers rushed to leave the eu following a sanctions deadline on saturday. some drivers were stuck for up to 33 hours, after the eu banned lorries from the two countries from entering or staying in the bloc, except those carrying medicine, mail or petroleum products. here in the uk, the archbishop of canterbury has strongly criticised the government's plan to send some people who've arrived illegally in the uk to rwanda. in his easter sermon, justin welby said it posed serious ethical questions, and was "the opposite of the nature of god". but the cabinet minister jacob rees—mogg said the archbishop had misunderstood the government's aim, which was to combat people—smugglers. our religion editor aleem maqbool reports. happy easter to all of you, lovely to see you. in his most important sermon of the year, the archbishop of canterbury dealt very directly with the issues of the day, drawing attention to the pressures felt by many here struggling with the cost of living, and calling on russia to commit to a ceasefire and withdrawal from ukraine. but he also talked of serious ethical questions about the government plan to send asylum seekers overseas. it cannot carry the weight of our national responsibility, as a country formed by christian values. because subcontracting out our responsibilities, even to a country that seeks to do well, like rwanda, is the opposite of the nature of god. in response tojustin welby�*s remarks, a home office spokesperson said "the uk has a proud history of supporting those in need of protection." but that "change is needed to prevent vile people smugglers putting lives at risk." in his sermon, the archbishop of york said that in law there is no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker. he has been talking about compassionate immigration policy for years, so i asked him, is anyone listening to what the church had to say? i suppose i'm going to say with a smile, but it's hard to be held responsible for the fact that people don't listen. i think we've all woken up and thought, this is not how the world is meant to be. it's not how i want it to be. i want it to be a different world. in the queen's absence from windsor, the duke and duchess of cambridge led the royals at their service. in his easter message, the prince of wales said he had been profoundly moved by those ready to open their homes to people fleeing conflict. the mostjoyous scenes of the day were in a st peter's square packed for the first public easter mass there since the pandemic began. but the pope's message focused on events in ukraine, calling this an easter of war. translation: may there be peace in war-torn ukraine. _ so sorely tried by the violence and destruction of the cruel and senseless war into which it was dragged. may a new dawn of new hopes appear. tidings of hope this easter have undoubtedly been tinged with the sense that more empathy and understanding would be welcomed, both at home and abroad. aleem maqbool, bbc news. our political correspondent nick eardley is here. strong criticism from the archbishop of canterbury. what does the government make of it? there is growing criticism as well. we have had charities and opposition parties, and the unions which represent some of the people that are going to attempt to implement this policy saying they don't agree with it. the honest truth is that the government knew this was coming. they knew there was going to be fierce opposition to this. the calculation that borisjohnson has made is that it is worth it because he wants to be seen to be tough on this issue, and some of this argument serve whether it is the right thing or not probably actually suits the prime minister. the argument that it specifically response of the archbishop of canterbury today is that he specifically misunderstood what the government wants to do. it is not trying to park its responsibility but taking on responsibility for cutting down on people smuggling. listen to a cabinet ministerjacob rees—mogg. he misunderstands what the policy— rees—mogg. he misunderstands what the policy is trying to achieve. it is taking — the policy is trying to achieve. it is taking on a very difficult responsibility. the encouragements of people _ responsibility. the encouragements of people smuggling needs to be stopped. i think the issue we are fighting — stopped. i think the issue we are fighting is— stopped. i think the issue we are fighting is organised crime and it is very— fighting is organised crime and it is very important we should do that. so that— is very important we should do that. so that is— is very important we should do that. so that is the government response to archbishop welby. it is uncomfortable for the government to be having an argument with the archbishop of canterbury on easter sunday of all days. they have gone through with it because after years of government saying they would tackle small boats from the channel and failing to do so, borisjohnson wants to be seen to have radical ideas. whether they work or not is a radical question. —— is another question. radical question. -- is another question-— radical question. -- is another ruestion. ., ,, , . 443 people are now known to have died in devastating floods in the province of kwa—zulu natal in eastern south africa. teams of rescue workers are continuing to search for dozens of people who are still missing, but their efforts have been hampered by yet more rain. pumza fihlani reports. this was no ordinary easter for the people of kwa—zulu natal. church services have been disrupted across the province after severe floods damaged scores of places of worship. south of durban, community members have gathered to pray with this grieving family who have lost two people. a week ago, five homes stood here, but injust minutes, everything was gone. this three—year—old and her mother were asleep when flash floods ripped through this homestead. the toddler's body was found days later in a nearby river, but the mother is still missing. translation: the lord - was showing off when he blessed me with this child. in the mornings, she would kiss me and ask me, am i your grandchild? and i would say, yes. you're my baby. i loved these children. thousands of people have been displaced by the floods. in this small village alone, 15 homes have been destroyed. a handful of families have found temporary shelter here. we are in a small church now that has been turned into a temporary shelter for about 25 people. these are people whose homes were washed away in the last few days by floods, who lost all their worldly belongings. they are currently being housed here. everything that we see, from the food in the mattresses, and the blankets that we see inside here were donated by neighbours who were lucky to survive what has happened. the local pastor says the need for extra support for this traumatised community is evident. we do have counselling. we still need a lot of counselling, but people are together, are hands—on together to help those who are in desperate need. but the people here tell me that the church is not home. there has been no help for them yet from the state, and so they do not know where or how they will rebuild their lives. pumza fihlani, bbc news. iran and iraq have both summoned swedish envoys to protest at the apparent burning of a koran in sweden by a far—right, anti—immigrant group. there have been several recent clashes in sweden between police and counter—demonstrators after rallies by the stram kurs, or hard line movement. let's take a look at the weather now with stav. for much of the country, it was a dry, sunny day. it is going to be for easter monday, with a cooler fresher to things and a few showers. here is the frontal system continuing to work its way towards the east of the country during this evening and overnight. barely anything on by the time it reaches the eastern side of the country, there will be a few showers dotted around, particularly towards the northern part of the country. further south we should see some lengthy clear spells. low pressure to the north—west of the country for easter monday. more isobars on the chart. it will be breezy, and we are dragging in some cooler air and around the area of low pressure. a fresh start to easter monday commerce but there will be quite a bit of sunshine around. into the afternoon, the cloud will start to build up pretty much anywhere with showers developing. mostly across the north—west of the country, and that will be quite blustery as the winds pick up in the north and western isles and into northern ireland. when is a bit lighter further south and east that you go. temperatures into the low 20s across the south—east of the country. 16 or 17 degrees for easter monday afternoon at low teens to the north and west. the monday night, further showers continue across england and wales. there will be clear spells as well, and this front will be pushing on with spells of rain. it will be chilly night. we can even see a touch of frost. into tuesday, we are in between weather systems. this area of low pressure in towards the north. it is a chilly start to the day for tuesday. we will have that weather front across scotland in the iraq ireland bringing outbreaks of rain. in england and wales some sunshine throughout the morning and then some showers could develop. some will be heavy and slow morning because the winds will be light. i cooler day to come as well. 12 to 15 celsius. it looks like a pretty wants to chart take charge from wednesday. there will be a lot of dry weather around towards the end of the week. a little warmer towards the west of the country. this is bbc news, the headlines. ukrainian fighters in besieged mariupol ignore a deadline set by russia to lay down their arms. five people are reported to have been killed in russian shelling of the city of kharkiv. we have a special report from the east of ukraine, about those who have decided to stay put and face an impending russian offensive. the archbishop of canterbury strongly criticises the uk government's plan to send illegal asylum seekers to rwanda. in about ten minutes we'll have a round—up of today's sport but first on bbc news: click