Ukrainian army prepares for potential Russian advance on Kyiv

UKRAINE'S armed forces prepare for the threat of a potential Russian advance on the capital city of Kyiv.

In a video released by the army, military personnel is seen building trenches, road blocks and armed check points on the roads leading to the capital, which have already been severely damaged during the conflict.

Ukrainian police said there was relentless Russian shelling and air raids in the northeast Kharkiv region, reporting many casualties, while the U.N. World Health Organization said there had been several attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities.

Moscow and Kyiv have traded blame over Saturday's failed ceasefire to allow civilians to flee Mariupol and Volnovakha, two southern cities besieged by Russian forces. Ukraine said more talks were set for Monday, but Russia was less definitive.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched what he calls a "special military operation" on Feb. 24, reiterated that he wanted a neutral Ukraine that had been "demilitarized" and "denazified." He likened Western sanctions "to a declaration of war," adding: "Thank God it has not come to that."