Russian forces have now fully withdrawn from northern Ukraine, pulling back to Belarus and Russia, UK authorities say.
Catch up on Friday's events in our live blog.
Key events
- UK says Russian forces have fully withdrawn from northern Ukraine
- UN official says ceasefire in Ukraine seems unlikely
- WHO says Russian attacks on over 100 health care facilities have killed dozens
- ADF releases images of Bushmasters being sent to Ukraine
- NATO welcomes Australia's support for Ukraine
- NATO reiterates it will not deploy troops to fight Russia in Ukraine
- United Nations suspends Russia from human rights body
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns of a town 'more dreadful' than Bucha
Live updates
By Jessica Riga
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By Jessica Riga
In pictures: Destruction in Chernihiv, Ukraine
By Jessica Riga
They're considered the 'bad boys' of eastern Europe. But their friendship with Vladimir Putin could soon spell trouble
As the death toll climbs in Ukraine and pressure mounts for neighbours to intervene, European leaders who have stoked friendships with both the West and Russia may soon be forced to pick a side.
By Jessica Riga
UK says Russian forces have fully withdrawn from northern Ukraine
Reuters is reporting that Russian forces have now fully withdrawn from northern Ukraine to Belarus and Russia.
At least some of these Russian forces will be transferred to East Ukraine to fight in the Donbas, the Ministry of Defence said on Twitter.
The forces will require replenishment before being deployed further east, with any mass redeployment from the north likely to take at least a week, the ministry added.
By Jessica Riga
By Michael Doyle
Kremlin spokesperson admits Russia has lost 'significant' number of troops
Russian officials are describing the "tragedy" of mounting troop losses and the economic hit from sanctions
Moscow has previously acknowledged its attack has not progressed as quickly as it wanted, but on Thursday Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov went further, admitting for the first time that Russia's military has suffered "significant losses".
"It's a huge tragedy for us," he told the UK's Sky News.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said his country was suffering its most difficult economic situation for three decades due to sanctions.
By Michael Doyle
UK military intelligence map shows fighting in south and east
This map from the UK's Ministry of Defence shows the current military situation in Ukraine
In the previous post I mentioned Ukrainians fleeing attacks in the south of the country.
As this map from the ministry shows, the south and the east are now the focus of the conflict, with Russian troops having pulled back from positions further north around Kyiv.
By Michael Doyle
EU bans import of Russian coal worth $8.4 billion per year
The European Union is banning imports of Russian coal -- a trade that's normally worth around 5.8 billion euros ($8.4 billion) a year.
The bloc has also agreed to ban major exports to Russia, particularly high-tech items.
Ports around Europe will also be closed off to Russian vessels.
It comes after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for stricter sanctions against Moscow.
By Michael Doyle
UN official says ceasefire in Ukraine seems unlikely
The United Nations' humanitarian chief says he's not optimistic about a ceasefire in Ukraine
Martin Griffiths gave the bleak assessment in an interview with The Associated Press, after speaking with Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"I think it's not going to be easy because the two sides, as I know now … have very little trust in each other," he said.
"I'm not optimistic."
By Michael Doyle
Ukrainians flee to southern city
Ukrainians who are fleeing Russian attacks along the Black Sea coastline are pouring into the southern city of Bashtanka.
Associated Press photographer Petros Giannakouris captured images of some of the refugees as they arrived.
By Michael Doyle
Ukraine President says world should 'force' Russia to seek peace
Russia has been suspended from the UN Human Rights Council after a vote by the UN General Assembly.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was grateful to the 93 nations who voted for Russia's suspension.
"We must continue coordinated pressure on [Russia] at all international forums," he said.
"Let's force [Russia] to seek peace together."
By Michael Doyle
Ukraine military sweethearts marry in Kyiv
Associated Press photographer Efrem Lukatsky has captured these photos of the wedding of two Ukrainian soldiers.
Anastasia and Vyacheslav married in a Kyiv park on Thursday, after Russian forces retreated from Ukraine's capital earlier this week.
Another wedding between soldiers also made headlines earlier in the war.
By Michael Doyle
WHO says Russian attacks on over 100 health care facilities have killed dozens
The World Health Organization (WHO) says at least 73 people have been killed in Russian attacks on healthcare centres.
It said the real death toll was likely to be higher.
The WHO said Russia targeted more than 100 healthcare facilities, including hospitals and ambulances, calling it a "grim milestone".
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said attacks on healthcare infrastructure were a violation of international humanitarian law.
By Michael Doyle
How Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine is forcing his friends to choose between Russia and the West
As Vladimir Putin's troops rolled into Ukraine in late February, the imagery of Russian tanks lining up at the border was accompanied by a cacophony of outrage from world leaders.
But it is sometimes silence that speaks the loudest, and in eastern Europe, a handful of Russia's neighbours — ruled by some long-time friends of Vladimir Putin — remained notably quiet.
Two of Mr Putin's allies in eastern Europe have extended their decade-long reigns this week with "landslide" election victories.
As the death toll climbs in Ukraine and pressure mounts for neighbours to intervene, those who have simultaneously maintained friendships with the West and Russia may soon be forced to make their allegiances known.
Continue reading this story by Lucy Sweeney and Rebecca Armitage here.
By Michael Doyle
By Michael Doyle
Ukraine says Russian troops forced back 'several kilometres' in the east
Ukrainian troops have attacked and forced back Russian troops in the Luhansk region, Ukraine's defence ministry says.
The ministry said Russian troops were forced back "several kilometres", without being specific.
The breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk in Ukraine's east have been recognised by Russia as independent territories, and Moscow has signalled it will intensify attacks in the region.
In a post on Twitter, the ministry said Ukrainian forces also seized "air defence systems" from Russia.
By Michael Doyle
Russia expected to halt fighting if Pope visits Ukraine
Reuters is reporting that Ukrainian officials believe Russia will suspend its attacks if Pope Francis visits Kyiv.
Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican, Andriy Yurash, told Reuters a visit from the Pope was possible.
"If Russia will understand that the Pope will go to Ukraine, Russia will stop the bombing at least for sure in this central and northern part, it is for sure," he said.
Pope Francis told reporters during a visit to Malta last weekend he was considering a trip to Kyiv to make a peace appeal there.
By Michael Doyle
NATO membership for Finland and Sweden discussed
Future NATO membership for Finland and Sweden has been raised at a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.
Reuters reports a senior US State Department official said the prospect of the two nations joining the alliance was mentioned.
The official said any decision would be up to the governments of Finland and Sweden.
By Michael Doyle
ADF releases images of Bushmasters being sent to Ukraine
The first of the Bushmaster armoured personnel carriers that Australia is donating to Ukraine are being flown out from Queensland this morning.
The Australian Defence Force has released images of the vehicles being loaded onto a Globemaster military transport plane.
Four Australian-built Bushmasters will be flown out today, with 20 to be provided in total. The vehicles have had their Australian camouflage overpainted in olive green.
By Michael Doyle
US bans imports of Russian energy
The US Congress has voted to strip Moscow of its preferential trade status, banning imports of Russian energy.
The move strengthens US sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
Democrat congressman Richard Neal said US sanctions expressed condemnation for the war.
"We must immediately move to further punish Vladimir Putin, a ruthless dictator hell-bent on destroying an independent nation," he said.
