RUSSIA, UKRAINE – FIGHTING

Ukrainian forces have continued to stymie Russia’s advance toward major cities overnight. Russian forces remained about 19 miles to the north of Kyiv, according to the British government, and Ukrainian forces have managed to hold on to the airfield at Hostomel, a key strategic priority for the Russian advance. The British Ministry of Defense has said that heavy fighting continued around the cities of Kharkiv and Chernihiv, but that both cities remained in Ukrainian hands.  Steve Hendrix and Isabelle Khurshudyan report for theWashington Post.

The Ukrainian military has said that Russian troops have repeatedly tried to storm the outskirts of Kyiv without success. Russian forces arrived near Obolon on the outskirts of Kyiv on Friday, but so far have not advanced into the center of the capital.BBC News reports.

Russia has made some progress in the south of Ukraine, taking the port town of Berdyansk. Fighting also continues in the strategically important port city of Mariupol in the south, on the Sea of Azov near Russia-annexed Crimea. BBC News reports. FULL STORY HERE