Kyiv remains under siege as Russian forces ramp up their attempts to capture the capital despite strong resistance from Ukrainians.
The “large-scale invasion” has entered its eighth day on Thursday as Vladimir Putin continues his violent assault on his neighbour.
Multiple missile strikes hit Kyiv and its surrounding areas on Wednesday evening, with a radio and television centre both reportedly damaged by the latest round of attacks, Russia's Defence Minister is quoted to have said by the Interfax news agency.
A convoy of Russian army vehicles is ready and poised to strike just outside the city, with aerial footage showing earlier this week the tanks took up almost 40 miles of road.
But Ukrainians aren’t giving up without a fight, with the country’s Defence Minister claiming to have shot down three Russian jets and two helicopters on Thursday morning.
Ukrainian forces have reportedly shot down three Russian jets and two helicopters
Ukrainian Defence Ministry
"Russian occupation forces continue to suffer losses from airstrikes and air strikes by the air force," a statement said.
"On March 2, the Su-24m and Su-25 fighter jets crews carried out aviation support to the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, destroying colonies of military equipment and live force of Russians in Kiev, Sumy, Chernihiv and Kharkiv regions.
"Believe in the armed forces of Ukraine!"
The southern city of Kherson was captured by Russian forces on Wedensday, the city’s Mayor said.
But Britain's Defence Ministry has since released an intelligence update saying the situation in Kherson “remains unclear".
The statement read: "The main body of the large Russian column advancing on Kyiv remains over 30km from the centre of the city having been delayed by staunch Ukrainian resistance, mechanical breakdown and congestion.
"The column has made little discernible progress in over three days. Despite heavy Russian shelling, the cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol remain in Ukrainian hands. Some Russian forces have entered the city of Kherson but the military situation remains unclear."
"The Russian defence ministry has been forced to admit that 498 Russian soldiers have already been killed and 1,597 wounded in Putin's war. The actual number of those killed and wounded will almost certainly be considerably higher and will continue to rise."
