Ukraine's Zelensky accuses Russia of 'genocide' in Donbas onslaught

Explosions are seen and smoke rises over the strategically located Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine as the country says the war in the east has hit its fiercest level yet. Moscow's troops are pushing into the industrial Donbas region after failing to take the capital Kyiv. IMAGES

Russian forces are closing in on several urban centres in east Ukraine, including the strategically located Severodonetsk and Lysychansk

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of carrying out a "genocide" in the eastern region of Donbas, where the city of Severodonetsk is suffering an onslaught of Russian shelling.

Invading forces are closing in on several cities, including the strategically located Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, which stand on the crucial route to Ukraine's eastern administrative centre in Kramatorsk.