Ukraine war latest as Russian troops '25km from Kyiv centre', air strikes intensify and mayor 'kidnapped'

Russian troops are now just 25km away from Ukraine capital city of Kyiv, according to the latest intelligence from the UK's Ministry of Defence.

It comes as Russia stepped up its attack on the neighbouring country, moving into new cities and continuing airstrikes in Kharkiv, Mariupol, Chernihiv and Sumy, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the mayor of the southern port city of Melitopol had been kidnapped by soldiers.

President Zelensky said Vladimir Putin's men had "transitioned into a new stage of terror" after reports emerged that CCTV footage had captured the mayor being taken away with a bag over his head.

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Satellite images reportedly show artillery firing on residential areas close to Kyiv. Craters and burning homes could be seen in images taken by Maxar Technologies in the town of Moschun.

In its latest intelligence update, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: "Fighting north-west of Kyiv continues with the bulk of Russian ground forces now around 25 kilometres from the centre of the city."

It warned that the large column of Russian tanks seen in recent days to the north of Kyiv appears to have dispersed in parts. This could be a sign of "an attempt by the aggressors to encircle the city", the MoD said.

In Mariupol, Russian forces shelled a mosque sheltering more than 80 people, according to Ukrainian officials, while attempts to bring in food and water and to evacuate trapped civilians have been thwarted by the continued attacks.

Ukraine’s military said Russian forces have now captured the eastern outskirts of the besieged city.

In a Facebook update, the military said the capture of Mariupol, which has