thought i was good on the balance beam at school and that was not moving. that was epic. i do not have a head for heights at all. not sure about that one. it is over. it is ok. thank you. ukrainian forces have been praised by president zelensky for their continuing advances around bakhmut — a city of huge symbolic importance in the conflict. the bbc was given exclusive access to a team of elite snipers, called the ghost of bakhmut, who are raiding the outskirts of the city at night. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale has the story. we�*re on our way to a secret location — a place they call the edge of existence. behind the wheel, the man simply known as ghost. he tells me his team of snipers are all known as the ghosts of bakhmut because they silently bring death.
who is the chair of tfl, has said he would continue to work with the tram operator to make the transport network as safe as possible. you're live with bbc news. the general in charge of ukraine's counter—offensive against russia in the south has told the bbc that his forces are struggling to overcome russian defences and move forward quickly. the general said russia's multi—layered minefields, and fortified defensive lines, were making it difficult for military equipment, including western—supplied tanks and armoured vehicles, to advance. ukraine's counter—offensive is now in its second month. but progress has been slow. areas shown here in red are those currently under russian military control. they include the cities of donetsk and mariupol. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale is in dnipro and sent this report. hidden in a forest, evidence
you life. in ukraine, the general in charge of the country's counter—offensive against russia in the south — has told the bbc that his forces are struggling to overcome russian defences and move forward quickly. general 0leksandr tarnavskyi said russia's multi—layered minefields and fortified defensive lines were making it difficult for military equipment, including western—supplied tanks and armoured vehicles, to advance. ukraine's counter—offensive is now in its second month. but progress has been slow. areas shown here in red are those currently under russian military control. they include the cities of donetsk and mariupol. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale has more details from dnipro. this offensive has been going on now for nearly two months and the main focus of that offensive has been in the south where ukraine and ukrainian troops are trying to divide, splits russian forces, break through their lines trying to reach
the mayor of london, sadiq khan, who is the chair of tfl, has said he would continue to work with the tram operator to make the transport network as safe as possible. you're live with bbc news. the general in charge of ukraine's counter—offensive against russia in the south has told the bbc — that his forces are struggling to overcome russian defences and move forward quickly. general 0leksandr tarnavskyi said russia's multi—layered minefields, and fortified defensive lines, were making it difficult for military equipment, including western—supplied tanks and armoured vehicles, to advance. ukraine's counter—offensive is now in its second month. but progress has been slow. areas shown here in red are those currently under russian military control. they include the cities of donetsk and mariupol. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale is in dnipro and sent this report. hidden in a forest, evidence of ukraine's stuttering offensive in the south.
well, if you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, information and support is available via the bbc action line, you'll find that online at bbc.com/actionline or via the bbc news app. one of ukraine's top generals has said that his country's counter—offensive against russia is not progressing as quickly as hoped. he had said that rapid results were "practically impossible" because of well—prepared russian defences. ukraine says it has taken back more than 81 square miles of land sincejune, but russia still holds vast portions of territory since the invasion last year. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale, has been to the front line near bakmut in eastern ukraine. the bloody battle for bakhmut isn't over. the city is now held by the russians, but we travelled with ukrainian forces who are trying to take it back.
hers was a case that called for compassion, not punishment. prosecutors have abandoned their case against the former manchester united footballer, ryan giggs. he was due to face a retrial on domestic violence charges later this month, but the case was charges later this month. one of ukraine's top generals has said that his country's counter—offensive against russia is not progressing as quickly as hoped — saying rapid results were "practically impossible" because of well—prepared russian defences. ukraine says that since it launched its counter—offensive in earlyjune, it has taken back more than 81 square miles of land, but russia still holds vast swathes of territory following its full—scale invasion last february. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale, has been to the front line near bakmut in eastern ukraine — to see how ukrainian troops are trying to advance. the bloody battle for bakhmut isn't over. the city is now held by the russians, but we travelled with ukrainian forces
thank you forjoining us. russia's wagner mercenary group says its forces have begun withdrawing from the ukrainian city of bakhmut. the head of the group — yevgeny prigozhin — says its positions are being transferred to the russian army. there's been no independent verification of the claim by mr prigozhin. the us estimates that more than 20 thousand russians have been killed in eastern ukraine since the start of the year. many of them fighting for bakhmut, where street to street fighting continues. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale, met one ukrainian family who've paid a heavy price for the defence of bakhmut. in ukraine, the funerals are as constant as the pounding of artillery. each soldier's death a sacrifice for the nation, a family's loss. but few like this — an entire town in grief.
him. ., ,, , ., our top story this afternoon... figures on net migration to the uk last year hit a new record — more than 600,000. and simply the best stars from the world of music pay tribute to tina turner. coming up in the sport on bbc news, one more match before izzy christiansen hangs up her boots. the everton midfielder, who won the league and cup double with manchester city, will retire after the final day of the season. ukraine claims its still in control of parts of the suburbs of the eastern city of bakhmut, while russia says it has won the battle there. ferocious fighting in bakhmut over the last nine months has led to heavy casualties on both sides, with thousands killed. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale, met one ukrainian family who've paid a heavy price
winery's entrance. as russian forces have moved across the city, entire neighbourhoods have been destroyed. it is a site that has echoes of other cities that have faced russia's booter bombardments. moscow's intervention in syria reducing aleppo to rubble. russia may claim bakhmut is best but in reality, there is little left to control. 0lga malchevska, bbc news. the long battle for bakhmut has caused heavy casualties on both sides, with thousands thought to have been killed. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale, has the story now of one ukrainian family and what bakhmut has meant for them. ukraine's paying a heavy price for this war. the cost no greater than for
finland's accession is a setback for president putin, who has repeatedly complained of nato's expansion eastwards. finland applied to join last year after russia's invasion of ukraine — alongside sweden, whose application is still pending. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale, was at the event in brussels. jonathan. how do you assess the significance of this? ~ �* , ., . of this? well, it's worth reflecting that on this _ of this? well, it's worth reflecting that on this day _ of this? well, it's worth reflecting that on this day 74 _ of this? well, it's worth reflecting that on this day 74 years - of this? well, it's worth reflecting that on this day 74 years ago, - of this? well, it's worth reflecting that on this day 74 years ago, the j that on this day 74 years ago, the nato founding treaty was signed and then there were just a dozen members but now there are 31. the finnish flag at the latest to be flying here at nato headquarters. it is strategically significant. remember that for decades, finland was non—aligned, in other words it didn't pick sides but that change with russia's invasion of ukraine. finland also has a border of 800 miles with russia and that is of