Russian forces partially occupy three suburbs of Kyiv as they look to encircle capital

Russian forces attempting to encircle Kyiv have partially occupied three north-western suburbs, as Ukrainian forces continued to defend the besieged city of Mariupol.

The Ukrainian army said in the early hours of Tuesday that it had forced Russian troops out of Makariv – a strategically important Kyiv suburb – after a fierce battle, retaking control of a key highway to prevent the invading forces from surrounding the capital from the northwest.

But Ukraine’s defence ministry said Russian forces advancing on the capital were able to partially take over Bucha, Hostomel and Irpin – as Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych described Moscow’s attempts to capture Kyiv as “suicide” in a television interview.

Ukraine war live updates: Russia-US relations ‘on brink of collapse’

Russia has also seized a “land corridor” with the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014, and is blocking Ukraine’s access to the Sea of Azov, Ukraine’s armed forces said.

Ukrainian forces are still holding off Russian attempts to capture the southern port city of Mariupol – which on Monday refused to surrender.

Other key developments

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is prepared to compromise on Ukraine’s bid to seek NATO membership in exchange for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Russian troops and security guarantees
• US warns businesses to be prepared for Russian cyber attacks
• The United Nations says nearly 3.4 million people have fled Ukraine for neighbouring countries since the war began

Ukrainian forces repel Russians in battle for Mariupol

Despite heavy fighting, Ukrainian forces continue to repulse Russian attempts to occupy the southern city of Mariupol, according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence.

It says Vladimir Putin’s forces elsewhere have again made “limited progress” with most troops “largely stalled in place”.

However, it added: “Several Ukrainian cities continue to suffer heavy Russian air and artillery bombardment with the UN reporting that more than 10 million Ukrainians are now internally displaced as a result of Russia’s invasion.”

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More than 100 children have died, claims Ukraine

Around 117 children have been killed in the conflict so far and 155 wounded, Ukraine has alleged.

The Ukrainian Parliament tweeted the figures, which it said included 58 child victims in Kyiv, 40 in Kharkiv, 31 in Chernihiv, 30 in Donetsk, 24 in Mykolaiv, 15 in Kherson and 14 in Sumy.

These claims have not been independently verified by Sky News.

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‘Clear sign’ Putin is considering using biological and chemical weapons, says Biden

Russia’s false accusation that Ukraine has biological and chemical weapons is a “clear sign” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “back is against the wall” and he is considering using them himself, US President Joe Biden has said.

He said the Russian leader’s “back is against the wall and now he’s talking about new false flags he’s setting up including, asserting that we in America have biological as well as chemical weapons in Europe, simply not true”.

“They are also suggesting that Ukraine has biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine. That’s a clear sign he’s considering using both of those,” he said.

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Ukraine dealt ‘devastating blows’ to Russian equipment and manpower

The Ukrainian armed forces claims that 300 Russian troops refused to obey orders in the Okhtyrka region of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, adding they then “left the area of the operation”.

In the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Air Force dealt “devastating blows” to Russian equipment and manpower, conducted air battles and “intercepted air targets”, it also said in its latest update.

The statement added that nine “enemy air targets” were shot down by the Ukrainian military on Monday. This included one plane and two helicopters.

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Zelenskyy renews calls for direct talks with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again called for direct calls with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, saying he is ready to compromise to end the invasion.

Ahead of an address to the Italian parliament later today, he said any deal would need to be voted on in a referendum by the Ukrainian people.

Issues of concern could include security guarantees offered in lieu of NATO membership, and areas occupied by Russian forces, such as Crimea – he said in comments published by Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne.

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Attempts to evacuate civilians to continue

Ukraine’s deputy prime minister said evacuations will continue to “focus” on those trapped inside Mariupol – but it was not among the destinations she listed and there was no mention of whether the routes had been agreed with Russia.

Iryna Vereshchuk said attempts would be made to evacuate civilians from southern Ukraine through three routes: Berdyansk to Zaporizhzhia, Mangushska hromada to Zaporizhzhia and Nikolske to Zaporizhzhia.

She said buses will arrive between 9am and 10am local time (7am and 8am GMT).

“We demand the opening of a humanitarian corridor for civilians,” she said on Ukrainian TV, renewing appeals also to allow food, medicine and other supplies into Mariupol, which has no electricity and water.

Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians since invading Ukraine on 24 February.

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