Ukraine's First Lady has released a powerful message rallying against Vladimir Putin's "mass murder" of civilians - and named children killed in the invasion.
Olena Zelenska, wife of President Volodomyr Zelenskyy, said the Russian leader had underestimated her country's resolve and said citizens stood united against the "aggressor".
In an open letter published on social media, Ms Zelenska highlighted the tragic child casualties, and said ordinary citizens were living a "horrific reality" because of the Russian bombardment.
Hundreds of civilians, including civilians, have been killed while an estimated two million have been forced to flee as missiles rain down on cities across the country.
Ms Zelenska's letter said: "Despite assurances from Kremlin-backed propaganda outlets, who call this a 'special operation' - it is, in fact, the mass murder of Ukrainian civilians."
Scroll down to read Olena Zelenska's letter in full
She highlighted the cases of three young lives lost - eight-year-old Alice, Polina from Kyiv and 14-year-old Arseniy, stating: "When Russia says that it is 'not waging war against civilians,' I call out the names of these murdered children first.
"Our women and children now live in bomb shelters and basements. You have most likely all seen these images from Kyiv and Kharkiv metro stations, where people lie on the floors with their children and pets - trapped beneath.
"These are just consequences of war for some, for Ukrainians it now a horrific reality."
Ms Zelenska, who is understood to be in a secret location in the country despite Putin ordering his forces to target her and her family, warned that the seriously ill were being cut off from medication.
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She wrote: "Some people require intensive care and continuous treatment, which they cannot receive now. How easy is it to inject insulin in the basement? Or to get asthma medication under heavy fire?
"Not to mention the thousands of cancer patients whose essential access to chemotherapy and radiation treatment have now been indefinitely delayed."
The President's wife said despite the horrors unleashed on the civilian population, Ukrainians would not give up.
Her open letter states: "The aggressor, Putin, thought that he would unleash blitzkrieg on Ukraine. But he underestimated our country, our people, and their patriotism.
"Ukrainians, regardless of political views, native language, beliefs, and nationalities, stand in unparalleled unity.
"While Kremlin propagandists bragged that Ukrainians would welcome them with flowers as saviours, they have been shunned with Molotov cocktails."
Earlier President Zelenskyy addressed British MPs, telling them: "We will not give up and we will not lose. We will fight to the end at sea, in the air.
"We will continue fighting for our land whatever the cost. We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the shores, in the streets."
The open letter in full
"Recently, an overwhelming number of media outlets from around the world have reached out with requests for interviews. This letter serves as my answer to these requests and is my testimony from Ukraine.
"What happened just over a week ago was impossible to believe. Our country was peaceful; our cities, towns, and villages were full of life. On February 24th, we all woke up to the announcement of a Russian invasion. Tanks crossed the Ukrainian border, planes entered our airspace, missile launchers surrounded our cities.
"Despite assurances from Kremlin-backed propaganda outlets, who call this a 'special operation' - it is, in fact, the mass murder of Ukrainian civilians.
"Perhaps the most terrifying and devastating of this invasion are the child casualties. Eight-year-old Alice who died on the streets of Okhtyrka while her grandfather tried to protect her.
"Or Polina from Kyiv, who died in the shelling with her parents. 14-year-old Arseniy was hit in the head by wreckage, and could not be saved because an ambulance could not get to him on time because of intense fires.
"When Russia says that it is 'not waging war against civilians,' I call out the names of these murdered children first.
"Our women and children now live in bomb shelters and basements. You have most likely all seen these images from Kyiv and Kharkiv metro stations, where people lie on the floors with their children and pets - trapped beneath.
"These are just consequences of war for some, for Ukrainians it now a horrific reality. In some cities families cannot get out of the bomb shelters for several days in a row because of the indiscriminate and deliberate bombing and shelling of civilian infrastructure.
"The first newborn of the war, saw the concrete ceiling of the basement, their first breath was the acrid air of the underground, and they were greeted by a community trapped and terrorized.
At this point, there are several dozen children who have never known peace in their lives.
"This war is being waged against the civilian population, and not just through shelling.
"Some people require intensive care and continuous treatment, which they cannot receive now. How easy is it to inject insulin in the basement? Or to get asthma medication under heavy fire?
Not to mention the thousands of cancer patients whose essential access to chemotherapy and radiation treatment have now been indefinitely delayed.
"Local communities on social media are full of despair. Many people, including the elderly, severely ill and those with disabilities, have been debilitatingly cut off, ending up far from their families and without any support. War against these innocent people is a double crime.
"Our roads are flooded with refugees. Look into the eyes of these tired women and children who carry with them the pain and heartache of leaving loved ones and life as they knew it behind. The men bringing them to the borders shedding tears to break apart their families, but bravely returning to fight for our freedom.
"After all, despite all this horror, Ukrainians do not give up.
"The aggressor, Putin, thought that he would unleash blitzkrieg on Ukraine. But he underestimated our country, our people, and their patriotism.
"Ukrainians, regardless of political views, native language, beliefs, and nationalities, stand in unparalleled unity.
"While Kremlin propagandists bragged that Ukrainians would welcome them with flowers as saviours, they have been shunned with Molotov cocktails.
"I thank the citizens of the attacked cities, who have coordinated to help those in need. Those that keep working - in pharmacies, stores, public transportation, and social services - showing that in Ukraine, life wins.
"I acknowledge those that have provided humanitarian aid to our citizens and thank you for your continued support.
"And to our neighbours who have generously opened their borders to provide shelter for our women and children, thank you for keeping them safe, when the aggressor has rendered us unable to do so."
