Kyiv

Over the weekend, Ukraine says its forces seized back all areas around Kyiv, claiming complete control of the capital region for the first time since Russia launched the invasion.

Ukraine and Western powers have cast doubt on Russia's pledge to reduce military activity around Chernigiv and the capital Kyiv, made during face-to-face talks in Istanbul.

Sekurang-kurangnya 1,417 orang awam terbunuh dan 2,038 cedera di Ukraine sejak serangan Rusia Februari lalu.

The invasion has been halted on most fronts by stiff resistance from Ukrainian forces who have recaptured territory even as civilians are trapped in besieged cities.

More than 70 children, including infants, who have spent the past two weeks cared for in bomb shelters in the besieged city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine have been safely evacuated, local officials say.

Ukrainian authorities say at least 60 civilians have been killed in Kyiv since Russia launched what it calls a 'special military operation' on Feb 24, several in missile strikes on residential buildings.

At daybreak for each of the last four days, the Ukrainian capital has been hit by isolated strikes on apartment blocks, killing at least seven people in total.

Movement around Kyiv without special permits is forbidden.

The visit comes as Russia pummels targets across Ukraine including Kyiv, which has nearly been encircled by Moscow troops, and as Russia and Ukraine are due to resume talks to end the nearly three-week war.

Hundreds of thousands remain holed up in Ukrainian cities, including besieged Mariupol, under a Russian bombing campaign after the first talks between Moscow and Kyiv's top diplomats ended without any progress.