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.

A polling in Moscow shows that President Vladimir Putin’s ratings have increased among Russians since the start of a military operation in Ukraine.

NATO warns Moscow to brace for conflict with the military alliance if it does not abandon its “belligerent foreign policy” and cooperate with the West amid soaring tensions.