Russian forces intensify their assault on eastern Ukraine as military commander says "we are fighting for every inch of the front line, for every village."
ADVERTISEMENTUkrainian commanders say fighting is at "maximum intensity" in eastern Ukraine as Russian forces step up their offensive in the Donbas region. Meanwhile in Ukraine's second city Kharkiv at least nine people have been killed after a renewed Russian bombardment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the West will fail in its attempts to isolate Russia. Speaking to the Eurasian Economic Forum, Putin said that western countries were facing their own economic challenges, and criticized them for seizing Russian assets, describing it as "theft."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly rebuffed those in the West who have suggested Ukraine cede control of areas occupied by Russian forces for the sake of reaching a peace agreement.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin is in Ukraine, holding talks with President Zelenskyy who thanked the Finns for military support. Marin also visited the scenes of atrocities in Bucha.
Follow developments on Thursday as they unfolded in our blog below: