Ukraine war live updates: Kyiv vows to fight 'until the end' in the east

Russian forces are expected to begin a new big offensive in the east of the country after their retreat from the Kyiv region and other parts of the country.

It comes as Ukraine continues to call for tighter Western nations against Moscow and for more weapons to repel Putin's forces.

For the latest developments, follow our live updates, below.

Ira Slepchenko, 54, and Valya Naumenko, 47, embrace each other, mourning the death of their respective husbands, during an exhumation of four civilians killed and buried in a mass grave in Mykulychi, Ukraine on Sunday, April 17, 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian troops in southern Ukraine have been carrying out torture and kidnappings, and he called on the world Sunday to respond.

“Torture chambers are built there,” Zelenskyy said in an evening address to the nation. “They abduct representatives of local governments and anyone deemed visible to local communities.”

Zelenskyy claimed humanitarian aid has been stolen, worsening hunger inside Ukraine. 

Intensified Russian shelling of Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, has killed 18 people and wounded 106 in the last four days alone, Zelenskyy said.

“This is nothing but deliberate terror. Mortars, artillery against ordinary residential neighbourhoods, against ordinary civilians,” he said.

Zelensky again called for increased sanctions against Russia, including its entire banking sector and oil industry. “Everyone in Europe and America already sees Russia openly using energy to destabilize Western societies,” Zelenskyy said.

“All of this requires greater speed from Western countries in preparing a new, powerful package of sanctions.”

(AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has promised that everything would be done to