Russias stance in ukraine
Russia is preparing to shell Odessa, says Ukraine President Zelensky
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Sunday that Russian forces were preparing to shell Odessa, a historic port city on the Black Sea coast.
Here are the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened the existence of Ukrainian statehood as his army's invasion of the neighbour faces stiff resistance and his economy is increasingly asphyxiated by sanctions.
Russia's defence ministry announced a ceasefire to allow residents of two Ukrainian cities that were surrounded by Russian forces, including the strategic port city of Mariupol, to evacuate.
Invading Russian troops have blockaded the strategic Ukrainian port city Mariupol, its mayor announced Saturday, as Moscow and Kyiv aimed to hold new talks over the weekend.
Ukraine accused the Kremlin of "nuclear terror" and the West expressed horror on Friday, after Europe's largest atomic power plant was attacked and taken over by invading Russian forces.
Here are the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine.
Moscow ordered its troops to advance in Ukraine "from all directions" while the West responded with sanctions that sought to cripple Russia's banking sector.
While Russia continues its offensive, Ukrainians have been left scrambling as they seek for places of safety.
Ukrainian historian Yuriy Korchemniy seemed slightly uncertain about his role in defending the Ukrainian capital against Russian President Vladimir Putin's invading forces.
Ukrainian soldiers repulsed a Russian attack in the capital, only hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow would attempt to take Kyiv before dawn.
United States intelligence assessments say Russia is stepping up preparations for a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, US officials said.
The US and Russia open talks on Sunday in Geneva on soaring tensions over Ukraine, with Moscow seeking a wide-ranging new security arrangement with the West but facing strong pressure to pull back troops.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Thursday that tens of thousands of troops who had deployed to southern and western Russia for exercises over the past few weeks would be returning to their bases.
In February, a surge of violence around the government-held industrial town of Avdiivka cut off power and water to thousands of civilians on the front line.
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the killing was the first death of one of its members while on patrol in Ukraine.
Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists had appeared to be respecting the new ceasefire attempt on Monday.
Ukraine has called the accusations false and says they look like a pretext for Russia to escalate hostilities.
Troops, weaponry including rocket launchers, tanks and artillery populate the makeshift base.