Ukrainian authorities say they have rescued 30 people from the ruins of a school in the Luhansk region, where civilians were sheltering.
Look back on all of Sunday's developments as they happened with our blog.
Key events
- Two boys killed, two girls and a woman wounded in shelling near Luhansk
- No evidence Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, CIA says
- Ukraine asks Doctors Without Borders to help evacuate Azovstal soldiers
- WHO gathering evidence for possible war crimes investigation against Russia
- Two missiles hit Sumy region in northern Ukraine, governor says
- Russia claims missiles hit US, European equipment near Kharkiv
- 200 healthcare facilities in Ukraine have been attacked, WHO says
- More than 300 people evacuated from Azovstal steel plant
- Looking for yesterday's blog?
Live updates
By Kate Ainsworth
That's all for the blog today
Thanks for reading throughout the day.
We'll have more live updates on Russia's war in Ukraine tomorrow.
In the meantime, you can stay up to date with the latest news online or on the ABC News app.
By Kate Ainsworth
Zelenskyy vows to continue evacuation attempts for Azovstal fighters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says it's essential for hundreds of Ukrainian fighters who remain inside the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to be safely evacuated.
Speaking in his late night address, Zelenskyy said his focus now was on preparing to evacuate the wounded and the medics who are in the underground bunkers.
"[We] are now preparing for the second stage of the evacuation mission to evacuate those who are wounded and medics," he said.
"Of course, we are working on evacuating our military, all the heroes who are defending Mariupol.
"It is extremely difficult but essential."
Earlier, he confirmed all the civilians who were sheltering inside the plant — over 300 people — had been evacuated.
Russia is continuing its assault on the steel plant and has demanded Ukrainian fighters put down their weapons, but the fighters refuse to surrender.
By Kate Ainsworth
In pictures: What remains of the destroyed Hryhoriy Skovoroda Museum in Kharkiv
The Hryhoriy Skovoroda Literary Memorial Museum in the Kharkiv region is one of the latest cultural buildings to be destroyed in Russia's war in Ukraine.
The museum is dedicated to the 18th century philosopher and poet Hryhoriy Skovoroda, and was destroyed by shelling.
Reuters photographer Ricardo Moraes captured these images of the museum's employees sorting through what remains of the museum and removing Skovoroda's statue.
By Kate Ainsworth
Ukraine denies claims Popasna controlled by Chechnya soldiers
The head of Russia's republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov claims his soldiers have taken control of most of the eastern Ukrainian city of Popasna, but Ukrainian officials say a battle for the town is ongoing.
In mid-April, Russian forces launched a new offensive push along most of Ukraine's eastern flank, with some of most intense attacks and shelling taking place recently around Popasna in the Luhansk region.
"Fighters of the Chechen special forces ... have taken most of Popasna under control," Kadyrov said.
"The main streets and central districts of the town have been completely cleared."
Kadyrov, who has often described himself as Russian President Vladimir Putin's "foot soldier", didn't provide evidence for his claims.
There was no immediate response from Ukraine, but Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said heavy fighting for the town continues.
"A battle for Popasna is ongoing," Arestovych said
"Russian propagandists have joyfully reported that they have already taken it, but this is not quite how it is. This is their 117th 'capture of Popasna' claim only this week."
Earlier, Serhiy Gaidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, said Ukrainian forces still controlled the area.
"The situation is very difficult, but under control," Gaidai said.
He said Chechen troops were looting and taking videos, not taking part in fighting.
By Kate Ainsworth
UK to provide $2bn in military aid to Ukraine
Britain will provide Ukraine with an extra 1.3 billion pounds ($2.2 billion) in military aid to help the country resist Russia's invasion.
The latest funding almost triples Britain's support for Kyiv since the start of the war.
The UK government says it's the highest rate of spending on a conflict since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
By Kate Ainsworth
Two boys killed, two girls and a woman wounded in shelling near Luhansk
In the eastern region of Luhansk, the region's governor Serhiy Gaidai says Russian shelling in the town of Pryvillia has killed two boys aged 11 and 14.
He said two girls aged 8 and 12 were wounded in the attack, and a 69-year-old woman was injured.
Russian authorities are yet to comment on the attack.
Pryvillia is about 125 kilometres away from the city of Luhansk, and has a population of just under 7,000 people.
By Kate Ainsworth
US first lady meets Ukrainian refugees in Romania
One mother told Dr Biden of her harrowing escape after being holed up in a cramped, cold basement with her traumatised 8-year-old daughter.
Svitlana Gollyak of Kharkiv, Ukraine told Dr Biden that reaching Romania “was a game change for us.
Gollyak said her daughter "feels much better here. ... No more tears and she adapted very nicely.”
"I think mothers will do anything for their children," Biden told the Ukrainian women.
"I think you're amazingly strong and resilient."
Dr Biden later said the girl’s words were “heartbreaking.”
The first lady praised the Romanian government and relief organisations for the range of humanitarian aid they are providing to refugees, and the teachers who have provided support to Ukrainian children.
“Really, in a lot of ways, the teachers are the glue that help these kids deal with their trauma and deal with the emotion and help give them a sense of normalcy,” Biden said.
Over 900,000 Ukrainians have fled to Romania, with the majority travelling to other countries.
Officials say around 100,000 Ukrainian refugees remain in the country.
By Kate Ainsworth
Ukraine rally held in Sydney
Around 150 people have gathered near the Sydney Opera House in a sign of support for Ukraine.
May 8 is Remembrance Day in Ukraine, which was first established in 2015 to remember those who died in World War II.
It's only been marked as a public holiday in Ukraine once in 2020, but there has been an ongoing discussion about permanently establishing it as a federal holiday.
It comes as Russia prepares to commemorate Victory Day on May 9.
By Kate Ainsworth
No evidence Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, CIA says
The director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) says there are no indications that Russia is preparing to launch tactical nuclear weapons in its war in Ukraine.
"We don't see, as an intelligence community, practical evidence at this point of Russian planning for the deployment or even potential use of tactical nuclear weapons," Bill Burns said.
"Given the kind of sabre-rattling that ... we've heard from the Russian leadership, we can't take lightly those possibilities.
"So we stay very sharply focused as an intelligence service ... on those possibilities at a moment when the stakes are very high for Russia."
Burns made the comments during a conference hosted by the Financial Times.
By Kate Ainsworth
Zelenskyy 'speechless' after museum dedicated to poet destroyed in Kharkiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's been left speechless after Russian shelling destroyed a museum dedicated to the 18th century philosopher and poet Hryhoriy Skovoroda.
The overnight attack in the village of Skovorodynivka in eastern Ukraine hit the roof of the museum, setting the building on fire and injuring a 35-year-old custodian.
The most valuable items had already been moved for safety, Kharkiv's regional governor Oleh Sinegubov said.
"Every day of this war the Russian army does something that leaves me speechless. But then the next day it does something else that makes you feel the same way again," Zelenskyy said in a late night video address.
"Targeted strikes against museums — not even terrorists would think of this. But this is the kind of army we are fighting against."
By Kate Ainsworth
Croatia says citizen detained by Russia in Mariupol
Croatian state media is reporting a citizen who fought alongside Ukrainian troops in Mariupol has been detained by the Russian army.
Croatia's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that it "has knowledge of a detained Croatian citizen" and is working with Ukrainian authorities to resolve the situation.
The Ministry didn't provide further information because of the "sensitivity of the situation".
The state-owned broadcaster HRT reported that the Croatian man tried to flee Mariupol with other Ukrainian fighters but was caught by the Russians.
Another Croatian TV network, N1, said the arrest was first reported by Russian media.
By Kate Ainsworth
Ukraine accuses Russia of bombing Luhansk school where 90 people were sheltering
Luhansk's regional govenor has accused Russia of dropping a bomb on a school in the village of Bilohorivka.
Serhiy Gaidai said about 90 people were sheltering in the school at the time.
He said around 30 people have been rescued so far, but did not say whether there were any casualties from the attack.
Bilohorivka is around 130 kilometres north-west of the city of Luhansk.
Russian authorities have not yet responded to the claims.
Russia has increased its offensive in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, which Ukrainian officials say is aimed at establishing full control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and maintain the land corridor between these regions and Crimea.
By Kate Ainsworth
In pictures: Azovstal evacuees arrive in Bezimenne
After weeks underground, more civilians have been evacuated from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to temporary accommodation in Bezimenne, in the Donetsk People's Republic.
Associated Press photographer Alexei Alexandrov captured these images of their arrival.
By Kate Ainsworth
Ongoing conflict taking 'heavy toll' on Russia's capabilities, UK says
The UK's Ministry of Defence says the conflict in Ukraine is taking a "heavy toll" on some of Russia's most capable units and most advanced capabilities.
The Ministry says at least one of Russia's most advanced tanks, the T-90M has been destroyed in the fighting, and will take Russia some time to restore its armed forces once the war ends.
It estimates Russia has around 100 of the specialised tanks are currently deployed in Ukraine.
By Kate Ainsworth
By Kate Ainsworth
Museum dedicated to Ukrainian philosopher and poet destroyed in Kharkiv
A museum dedicated to the Ukrainian philosopher and poet Hryhoriy Skovoroda in the Ukrainian village of Skovorodynivka was hit by Russian shelling, starting a fire that destroyed the building.
Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Sinegubov said the shelling hit the roof of the Hryhoriy Skovoroda Literary Memorial Museum and injured a 35-year-old custodian.
He said the most valuable items inside the museum had already been moved to a safer place.
"The premises were practically all destroyed," he said.
Skovoroda, a famous 18th century philosopher and poet of Ukraine Cossack origin, spent the last years of his life on an estate of the local landowners in the village of Ivanovka, which was later renamed in his honour — Skovorodynivka.
"This year marks the 300th anniversary of the great philosopher's birth," Sinegubov said.
"The occupiers can destroy the museum where Hryhoriy Skovoroda worked for the last years of his life and where he was buried.
"But they will not destroy our memory and our values."
By Kate Ainsworth
Ukraine asks Doctors Without Borders to help evacuate Azovstal soldiers
Ukraine is urging aid agency Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to evacuate its soldiers from their last holdout in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol.
The plea came hours after all women, children and the elderly were rescued from the plant — over 300 people in total.
Fears are now mounting of a showdown between the estimated 2,000 fighters inside the plant and the advancing Russian forces.
In a statement, Ukraine's Ministry of Temporarily Occupied Territories said it "calls on MSF to organise a mission to evacuate the defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal and provide medical care to the wounded people, whose human rights were violated by Russian Federation."
They have been "for 72 days in a row under... ongoing shelling and attacks by the Russian army", it said.
"The evacuation of the civilians from Azovstal and Mariupol was agreed by The United Nations and International Committee of the Red Cross.
"However, neither the UN, nor the Red Cross have taken the responsibility of evacuation of defenders and wounded soldiers.
"Now, there is a lack of medicines, water and food, wounded soldiers are dying because of gangrene and sepsis."
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "diplomatic options" were underway to rescue Ukrainian soldiers from the steelworks, as civilian evacuations continued.
By Kate Ainsworth
Ukrainian forces fight back in Kharkiv and on Snake Island
Western military analysts said a Ukrainian counter-offensive also was advancing around the nation's second-largest city, Kharkiv, even as it remained a key target of Russian shelling.
The Ukrainian army said it retook control of five villages and part of a sixth near hotly contested Kharkiv.
Satellite photos also showed Ukraine targeting Russian-held Snake Island in a bid to impede Russia's efforts to control the Black Sea.
An image taken early on Saturday by Planet Labs PBC showed that most of the island's buildings had been destroyed by Ukrainian drone attacks, as well as what appeared to be a Serna-class landing craft against the island's northern beach.
The image corresponds with a Ukrainian military video showing a drone striking the Russian vessel, engulfing it in flames.
By Kate Ainsworth
WHO gathering evidence for possible war crimes investigation against Russia
The World Health Organization (WHO) says it's gathering evidence for a possible war crimes investigation into Russian attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine.
Speaking in Kyiv, WHO Emergencies Director Mike Ryan said it was the explicit responsibility of warring parties to avoid attacking health facilities.
Earlier, Ryan said the WHO had already documented 200 attacks on hospitals and health clinics in the country.
"Intentional attacks on healthcare facilities are a breach of international humanitarian law and as such — based on investigation and attribution of the attack — represent war crimes in any situation," Ryan said.
"We continue to document and bear witness to these attacks ... and we trust that the UN system and the International Criminal Court and others will take the necessary investigations in order to assess the criminal intent behind these attacks."
By Kate Ainsworth
Satellite images show widespread destruction at Azovstal steel plant
Satellite photos captured by Planet Labs PBC show the widespread devastation at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, where Ukrainian troops remain.
Buildings at the sprawling site have been relentlessly bombarded as Russia continues its advance, leaving gaping holes in the charred roofs.
