Ukraine has pleaded urgently for more weapons in a bid to resist Russian advances in the south and the east fronts, as European leaders are expected to travel to the capital, Kiev.

Russia has urged the Ukrainian forces holed up in a chemical plant in the strategic city of Severodonetsk in the Donbass to lay down their arms by early Wednesday, as it pushes ahead to completely bring the eastern region under its control.

Russia says its forces have destroyed American and European weapons in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine’s President Zelensky said the battle was “probably one of the most difficult throughout this war.”

Russia warns of ‘hitting new targets’ in Ukraine if the latter was to be supplied with upgraded Western arms.

Russian forces are attempting to tighten their grip on the eastern Ukrainian city of Sievierodonetsk, as they push deeper into the Donbass region.

ussian President Vladimir Putin has warned the leaders of France and Germany against ramping up arms supplies to Ukraine, saying they could further destabilize the situation in the former Soviet state.

Ukrainian President Zelensky calls for “maximum” sanctions on Russia in a bid to prevent Moscow from continuing its offensive against his country.

Moscow says the current flow of arms by the West to Kiev impedes a "quick" end to war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged the West to halt its arms deliveries to Ukraine to help end ongoing atrocities in the former Soviet country.