Here are the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine:
Mariupol ‘shelled’, ceasefire halted
Russia announces a ceasefire to allow civilians in the besieged port of Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov, to escape after days of bombardments. They also announce a ceasefire in the nearby town of Volnovakha.
Officials in Mariupol accuse the Russians of violating the ceasefire by continuing to shell the city and say they have had to delay plans to evacuate the population.
Mariupol has been without electricity, water and heating for days.
Nearing Kyiv
Russian forces inch closer to the capital Kyiv from the north but are encountering stiff resistance along the way, including in Kyiv’s western suburbs and the northern town of Chernihiv.
On Thursday, at least 47 civilians were killed in a Russian airstrike on a residential neighbourhood in Chernihiv, local authorities said.
Nuclear plant fire
A fire at Europe’s biggest nuclear power station at Zaporizhzhia is put out, with Ukraine accusing Russia of “nuclear terror” in shelling the plant.
Russian troops later take over the site of the reactors, which generate a fifth of Ukraine’s electricity, after firefighters say they were prevented from reaching the blaze for hours.
West slams Russia’s ‘recklessness’
At a United Nations Security Council meeting, US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield says Russia’s “reckless” in the overnight attack “represents a dire threat to all of Europe and the world”.
Moscow’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia denies that Russian forces had shelled the plant, saying the statements “are simply untrue”.
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency offers to travel to Ukraine to negotiate with Ukraine and Russia on ensuring the safety of nuclear sites.
More talks planned
One of Ukraine’s negotiators says a third round of talks with Russia on ending the fighting is planned this weekend.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Moscow is ready for dialogue over Ukraine if all its demands are met.
Jail threat to journalists
Award-winning Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta says it will stop reporting on the war and the BBC suspends the work of its journalists in Russia as President Vladimir Putin signs a law imposing harsh jail sentences for the publication of “fake news” about the invasion.
‘Not over soon’
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warns that the war in Ukraine “may not be over soon” and that the US and European allies must sustain tough pressure on Russia until it ends.
G7 threatens further sanctions
G7 foreign ministers warn that Russia will face further “severe sanctions” for its invasion, and call on Moscow to stop its attacks near nuclear power plants.
NATO rejects no-fly zone
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance will not impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine after Kyiv calls for one to help stop Russia’s bombing of its cities.
Russia isolated
Russia is more isolated than ever after a historic vote at the UN Human Rights Council for a probe into violations committed during the war on Ukraine, with only Eritrea siding with Moscow.
More than 1.2 million flee
More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries since Russia invaded last week, the UN says.
Hunger threat
The United Nations’ World Food Programme warns about a looming food crisis in Ukraine in conflict areas, while disruptions in production and exports could lead to food insecurity globally.
