'It is hatred' - Russia launches airstrikes near Ukraine’s capital as siege of other cities continues

Intelligence from the UK's Defence Ministry suggested Russian forces could attempt to encircle Kyiv in the coming days

Residents evacuate the city of Irpin, north of Kyiv. Picture: Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images

Russian forces pounding the port city of Mariupol shelled a mosque that was sheltering more than 80 people, including children, the Ukrainian government said on Saturday.

Fighting also raged in the outskirts of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and Russia kept up its bombardment of other resisting cities.