What’s Russia's motive?published at 13:21 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2022

13:21 GMT 11 March 2022

Jenny Hill
BBC News, Moscow

Image source, EPA

Karen Keven, who's also in Nigeria, asks: "What’s the motive behind the Russian invasion in Ukraine?"

The truth is we don’t really know for sure.

Vladimir Putin claims that he’s coming to the rescue of Russian speaking populations of eastern Ukraine who are victims of “genocide” (of which there’s no evidence) perpetrated by the government in Kyiv.

He’s demanding that Ukraine officially hand over some territory in the east, including Crimea which he annexed in 2014, to Russia. He also wants Ukraine to give up on its ambition to join Nato.

Does he have wider ambitions? Perhaps. We know he views Nato (and in particular the former Soviet countries that joined after 1997) as a threat to Russian security.

Moscow has demanded changes to Nato's structure - it wants, for example, European countries like Germany which host US nuclear weapons to return them to America.

There are analysts who say we also can’t rule out the possibility that Putin’s nurturing an ambition to re-build the Soviet Union - given how its break-up appears to be a continuing and humiliating source of deep regret for him.

Could UN send troops into Ukraine?published at 13:16 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2022

13:16 GMT 11 March 2022

Lyse Doucet
Chief International Correspondent, Kyiv

Joseph Akinwunmi in Lagos, Nigeria, asks: "Is it possible for the United Nations to send troops into Ukraine and also enforce a no-fly zone? If so, why have they not made any attempt?"

The United Nations would have to be asked and authorised to come in, usually by the UN Security Council. But at the moment this war is raging and, in some comments, Russia even denies it has invaded its neighbour. It still calls this a “special military operation” to defend Russia from threats.

Ukraine has repeatedly called for a no-fly zone. It has been repeatedly ruled out.

Western/Nato powers know this would draw them into direct conflict with Russia.

A no-fly zone would not just involve targeting Russian warplanes; it would require attacks on Russian assets on the ground.

Why hasn't the UK expelled Russian diplomats?published at 13:11 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2022

13:11 GMT 11 March 2022

Jenny Hill
BBC News, Moscow

Julie Thompson in Preston asks: "Why has the UK not expelled all the Russian diplomats and staff in London?"

My guess is that while there’s still a hope (however fleeting) that diplomacy could end this, the UK and other Western countries will resist what would be viewed in Moscow as a provocation, and would likely result in the expulsion of embassy staff from Russia.

Why can’t we fly in humanitarian aid to besieged cities?published at 13:09 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2022

13:09 GMT 11 March 2022

Lyse Doucet
Chief International Correspondent, Kyiv

After a series of failed evacuations from cities such as Mariupol and continued bombardment, Steve Harvey from Northamptonshire asks: "Why can’t we fly in humanitarian aid to besieged cities?"

Ukraine does not control its airspace. Many airports have come under attack by Russian forces, on the ground and from the air. In most parts of the country, it would be too dangerous to fly in the desperately needed supplies.

As you’ve no doubt seen, a lot of aid is coming in by road across Ukraine’s western borders. Western cities like Lviv, still relatively untouched by direct Russian strikes, have become a hub for humanitarian aid.

All the countries bordering Ukraine to the west have also quickly ramped up a major emergency operation as the numbers spiral in ways not seen since World War Two.

In any war or disaster, it is always a question of resources and access. Right now, aid trucks laden with urgent supplies are being turned back by incessant Russian shelling.

Russian state media also show images of Russian aid distribution in areas under their control.

Could we see a fully-fledged war between Russia and Nato?published at 13:01 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2022

13:01 GMT 11 March 2022

Jenny Hill
BBC News, Moscow

Image source, Reuters

"How likely is it that the war in Ukraine could escalate into a fully-fledged war between Russia and Nato?" asks Connor in Northern Ireland

It’s not impossible, which is why Nato has been so wary of intervention.

Vladimir Putin has threatened any country which hinders his “special military operation” in Ukraine with consequences of a severity “not experienced in your history”, which most take to mean the use of nuclear weapons.

It’s difficult to know how seriously to take Putin’s rhetoric but, given his recent unpredictability, many in the West are nervous about where this could all go.

Putin insists that he’s only in Ukraine to protect the Russian speaking populations of eastern Ukraine from what he deems to be the aggression of the government in Kyiv, but none of us can say for sure what his game plan really is.

He’s said he doesn’t want to “occupy” Ukraine - but then he also he said he wouldn’t invade it. More broadly, we know from what he’s written and said, that he sees Nato as a huge threat to Russia and that he wants to challenge its structure, particularly in Eastern Europe.

Nato would have to react in the event of an attack on the countries which have joined since 1997 - the countries which border Ukraine and Belarus.

The further west that Russian forces advance, the greater the risk of an accidental - or deliberate - strike on Nato territory.

In a moment, we'll be answering some of the questions you have sent in on the conflict in Ukraine.

Please join our correspondents Jenny Hill in Moscow and Lyse Doucet in Kyiv for an hour of Your Questions Answered from 13:00 GMT.

Image source, Reuters

The Russian Prosecutor General's Office has applied to designate Meta - the parent company of Facebook and Instagram - as an "extremist organisation" and ban its activities in Russia, according to Russian media.

It also said that access to Instagram should be restricted.

It comes after Meta told the BBC it was making changes to its policy on violent speech, to allow people in certain countries to express violent sentiments towards Russian forces, but not towards Russian civilians.

The Prosecutor General's Office says Meta is suspected of "inciting hatred and animosity involving threats of violence".

Access to Facebook and Twitter has been restricted or blocked in Russia since last week.

Image source, Reuters

International food and feed prices could rise by between 8% and 20% as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, the UN's food agency says.

In a preliminary assessment on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Food and Agriculture Organization says it is not clear if Ukraine will be able to harvest crops during a potentially protracted conflict, with uncertainty also surrounding Russian food exports.

Its assessment suggests 20-30% of the usual winter cereals, maize and sunflower seed crops in Ukraine will not be planted or remain unharvested.

Russia is the world's largest exporter of wheat, while Ukraine is the fifth largest, it adds.

Together, they provide 19% of the world's barley supply, 14% of wheat, and 4% of maize.

It also expects the conflict to trigger a jump in the number of malnourished people around the world by eight to 12 million people in 2022-2023, Reuters news agency quotes the organisation as saying.

Jessica Parker
BBC News, Brussels

The EU is set to fund further military support for Ukraine, according to its foreign affairs chief.

Josep Borrell was speaking to reporters as he arrived for the resumption of an EU leaders summit in Versailles this morning.

The bloc has already approved 500m euros of military aid via the European Peace Facility.

Most, though not all, of that cash was due to go on providing so-called "lethal assistance" to Ukraine, via willing member states.

It was the first time the EU had helped provide weapons to a country under attack, in what was described as a "watershed moment".

Today Mr Borrell said he had proposed to "double our contribution with 500 million more on military warfare to the Ukrainian armed forces".

He added: "I am sure that the leaders will approve this money... and it’s going to be immediately - now it flows quickly."

Image source, Getty Images

There have been "positive" developments in the ongoing negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian officials, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"There are certain positive shifts there, as negotiators from our side have briefed me," Putin told Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko - a key Russian ally - at a meeting in Moscow.

There have been three rounds of negotiations between the two sides' negotiating teams on the Ukraine-Belarus border - and on Thursday the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers met for talks in Turkey.

However, so far there have been no concrete results from the talks.

Mr Putin also addressed the issue of sanctions against Russia, suggesting that they could have a positive effect on the country.

"These are times of opportunity to move towards strengthening our economic and technological sovereignty," he said.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says companies falling under Western sanctions would have the right to withhold publishing the names of parties they work with.

It's the latest move by Moscow as it looks to minimise the impact on its economy.

Mishustin says the Russian government is actively working on a third package of measures to counteract the string of sanctions imposed for invading Ukraine.

This new package would seek to support small and medium sized enterprises, as well as systemically important firms, he says.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has announced the UK government has sanctioned 386 members of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, who support Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

The new sanctions will ban those listed from travelling to the UK, accessing assets held within the UK and doing business here.

This brings the total number of Duma members sanctioned by the UK to 400.

• What sanctions are being imposed on Russia?

Dan Johnson
BBC News, Krakow

In a theatre in Krakow, Poland, Ukrainian women and children are stirring after a night sleeping on mattresses on the floor.

It’s warm, there are facilities and there’s breakfast.

It’s a big improvement on the railway station concourse where most of them spent their first night after crossing the border.

Anastasia Gorbunova, 33, is one of the volunteers registering people and trying to find longer-term beds. She’s Ukrainian herself and a team leader in IT. After nine hours volunteering here every morning, she does another eight at work.

She does this because she left Kherson three years ago and her family followed in the last few days.

The humanitarian and administrative effort has run efficiently for a fortnight, but the pressure is relentless and there’s a fear space - and possibly goodwill - will eventually run low.

This centre has helped 5,600 people, but the co-ordinator, Karol Wilczinski, is clear in his views that other countries need to do more:

Image source, Reuters

The UK's veterans minister is urging ex-service personnel not to travel to Ukraine to join the conflict.

Leo Docherty has written to military charities to seek their support to ensure veterans instead direct their strong feelings of support for Ukrainians into charity and volunteering efforts from the UK.

In the letter, he writes: "Veterans always step up in times of need, but they must channel their skills, experience and passion into legal routes of support for Ukraine and not engage in the conflict.

"There are many ways that we all can support the people of Ukraine, including through donating money to charity."

He also outlines support available for veterans whose mental health may be adversely affected by the war.

Since the start of the conflict, there have been reports of former service personnel from a number of countries, including the UK, travelling to Ukraine to fight.

Docherty outlines in his letter that the government does not support volunteers going to fight in Ukraine and that individuals who do so will put themselves at significant risk.

Guy Delauney
BBC Balkans correspondent

Image source, EPA

The mayor of the Croatian capital, Zagreb, says it was a miracle that nobody was killed when a suspected military drone the size of an aircraft crashed in the city at around 23:00 last night.

According to Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, the unmanned drone is Russian-made: "But it is not known whether it is owned by the Ukrainian or Russian army".

Unofficial accounts say it might be a Soviet-era TU-141 drone, operated by the Ukrainian military. Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomasevic said fragments of the drone have been found in several areas of the south-western suburb of Jarun. "No-one was killed, it's down to luck. It's a large aircraft."

Croatian leaders say the drone flew over Hungary for 40 minutes and then entered Croatian airspace for another seven minutes before crashing in the capital.

President Zoran Milanovic, who is also commander in chief of the armed forces, has urged Croatians to remain calm, saying this kind of incident happens during conflicts and the drone is not thought to have been directed at Croatia.

We've received video footage showing the aftermath of this morning's air strike on Dnipro, in central-eastern Ukraine.

It's the first time the city has been targeted by Russian forces.

Officials say there were three air strikes: hitting a shoe factory, an apartment block and a kindergarten. One person was killed.

A pregnant Ukrainian blogger, who has reportedly now given birth, external, has been targeted by the Russian government and falsely accused of being a crisis actor.

Russian forces bombed a maternity clinic in Mariupol on Wednesday, claiming the facility had been left empty and overtaken by far-right forces.

The claim was strongly disputed by Ukrainian officials.

But Russian officials took it a step further, claiming on Thursday that a picture that emerged from the bombing - showing a heavily pregnant woman bruised and bleeding from a head wound - was fake.

The claim was roundly debunked - including by the BBC's disinformation reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh, external - on multiple grounds, including the fact that many international news outlets had independently captured the same scenes of destruction where she had been standing.

The woman has since been identified as popular Ukrainian maternity blogger Marianna Podgurskaya.

Hours later Twitter took down a tweet by the Russian embassy in the UK, citing that it violated its guidelines.

Meanwhile, comments on Podgurskaya's Instagram show she has become the target of Internet trolls, including 4Chan and pro-Kremlin accounts, attacking the veracity of her injuries and questioning her real identity.

Some, like Ukrainian activist Oleksandra Matviichuk, are now rallying support for her.

Jessica Parker
BBC News, Brussels

Image source, EPA

The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has presented plans to phase out EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2027 at a summit in Versailles.

It’s an earlier and more specific date than the one proposed by the commission on Tuesday, when they talked about making Europe independent of Russian fossil fuels "well before 2030".

Von der Leyen tweeted pictures of slides she presented to EU leaders, external last night - including the 2027 phase out date.

A "Versailles Declaration" is expected later which will likely include conclusions on energy, defence and the economy.

Leaders released a separate statement about support for Ukraine, external, including its membership aspirations, overnight.

Image source, AFP

President Vladimir Putin has given the go-ahead for volunteers from the Middle East to fight for Russia in eastern Ukraine.

"If you see that there are these people who want of their own accord, not for money, to come to help the people living in Donbas, then we need to give them what they want and help them get to the conflict zone," he told Russia's Security Council.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told him there were 16,000 volunteers in the Middle East who were ready to come to Donbas.

There has been speculation that battle-hardened Syrian government troops could be paid by Russia to fight in Ukraine. Russia's air force and some specialised units have played a key role backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Earlier the Ukrainian government said it was forming a force of foreign volunteers willing to help it fight the Russian army.

President Putin told the Council that "Western sponsors" were recruiting mercenaries for the Ukraine conflict "openly, violating all the norms of international law".

He also agreed with Shoigu's suggestion that captured Western arms - notably Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles - could be handed over to the pro-Russian fighters in Donbas.

Sarah Rainsford
BBC Eastern Europe Correspondent, Dnipro

Image source, Reuters

Nadezhda, a lady who lives near the site of the air strike today in Dnipro, tells me explosions shook her building at about 05:50 local time (03:50 GMT).

She and her granddaughter gathered their things and ran to shelter in the metro station.

"There were several explosions, I heard one than another, and another. I heard three. There were sirens. We stayed down in the metro until the sirens stopped.

"There were lots of people there - men, women, little dogs, elderly and the young - it was the first time we went down there.

"It’s really scary, it was really frightening when this happened.

"I don’t know when all this will end, I just don’t see any end to it anymore. I think this is serious and for a long time.

"It’s so dangerous. I just want the world to help us cope."