18th to 20th Day of Russia Ukraine War Latest on 13 15 March

Kyiv braces for attack. A convoy of Russian military vehicles is about 9 to 12 miles from Kyiv. Loud explosions reported in northern and central parts of Kyiv.

● According to The Washington Post, Russian forces are trying to encircle Kyiv and have made notable gains in its northwest suburbs.

● Two persons were dead and 27 rescued when a 16 storey building was hit by Russians in Kyiv.

● The Antonov aircraft plant in Kyiv was shelled by Russian forces. 2 people were killed and 7 injured.

● Russian strikes destroyed airport in Vasylkiv, south of Kyiv.

● 36 hours curfew has been imposed in Kyiv with effect from 15 March evening.

● Russia says they are in complete control of Southern region of Kherson.

● War expands westwards in Ukraine.

● 35 people have been killed and 134 injured in attack against Western military base, Yavoriv (near Lviv). Yavoriv is around 15 miles from the border with Poland. 30 Russian missiles were fired on the military base.

● Russia says it killed 180 mercenaries in Yavoriv.

● American award-winning journalist, photographer and film-maker Brent Renaud was killed in Irpin.

● Mykolayiv, north of Odessa came under Russian attack. Nine people reportedly killed due to Russian shelling. Russian forces are trying to circumvent Mykolayiv to head toward Odessa.

● Mariupol besieged, Kharkiv blocked, Volnovakha captured, Melitopol under Russian control.

● Russia says it has destroyed 3687 military infrastructure facilities in Ukraine.

● Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that 1300 Ukrainian troops have died in war against Russia so far.

● Mayor of Mariupol says that 2,350 civilians have been killed in Mariupol alone.

● According to Russian sources, 20 civilians were killed due to Ukrainian shelling in Donetsk. Ukrainian authorities have denied.

● Reportedly, Russian forces blew up explosives at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

● According to Ukrainian officials, Mayor Yevhen Matveyev of Dniprorudne has been reportedly abducted by Russian forces. Earlier, Melitopol Mayor, according to Ukrainian officials, was also kidnapped by Russian forces and a pro-Russian Mayor has been appointed in his place.

● President Zelenskyy says NATO has not shown enough bravery regarding Ukraine. He also said that West is not involved sufficiently in peace negotiations.

● Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Russian forces were "behaving like terrorists."

● Russia Ukraine talks continue via video calls. President Zelenskyy, however, says talks are only possible after a ceasefire.

● According to Belarus news agency, Russia has agreed to provide new weapons to Belarus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Belarus not to join Russian offensive against Ukraine.

● President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs anti-missile systems on payment.

● According to UN, 2.7 million people have fled Ukraine so far including 1,655,503 that have crossed into Poland.

● A convoy of 160 cars left Mariupol for Zaporizhzhia to provide safe passage to trapped civilians.

● President Zelenskyy has extended martial law in Ukraine for another 30 days with effect from 24 March.

● Russia's Gazprom continues gas shipments of routine volume through Ukraine.

● China denies the US claims that Russia had asked help from China in Ukraine War.