Russians pressure Ukrainian cities as fighting continues

Russian forces have seen their advances stopped in certain area by fiercer resistance than expected from the Ukrainians (Vadim Ghirda/AP)

Ukrainian forces were bolstering defences in key cities on Wednesday as Russia’s advance faltered amid fierce resistance in some areas, the general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said, while the strategic port city of Mariupol remains encircled as a humanitarian crisis grows.

Across the country, thousands of people are thought to have been killed, both civilians and soldiers, in nearly two weeks of fighting.