Russia admits mounting deaths of troops as more than a million refugees flee the invasion of Ukraine

Latest developments:

More than a million people have fled Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion of the country as cities continue to be bombarded by heavy artillery and airstrikes
A war crimes investigation has begun after Boris Johnson accused Vladimir Putin of committing atrocities by bombarding cities in his invasion of Ukraine
The Russian defence ministry has been forced to admit that 498 Russian soldiers have already been killed and 1597 wounded in Putin’s war
The Ministry of Defence said the number of Russian deaths would “almost certainly be considerably higher”
The huge military convoy north of Kyiv has hardly moved, plagued by breakdown, congestion and staunch resistance
The cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol remain in Ukrainian hands, the MoD said, despite heavy shelling
Russian forces have entered the port city of Kherson with some reports that they have taken control but the military situation remains unclear

More than a million people have fled Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion of the country as cities continue to be bombarded by heavy artillery and airstrikes.

Russia has admitted mounting deaths of troops, with 498 killed and 1597 wounded, although the Ministry of Defence said the number would “almost certainly be considerably higher”.

The huge military convoy north of the capital Kyiv has hardly moved over the last three days having been plagued by mechanical breakdown, congestion and staunch resistance from Ukrainian forces.

In Zhytomyr, the Regional Perinatal Center was damaged, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said. @SESU_UA

Despite heavy Russian shelling, the cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol remain in Ukrainian hands, the MoD said.

But Russian forces have entered the port city of Kherson with some reports that they have taken control but the military situation remains unclear.

A war crimes investigation has begun after Boris Johnson accused Vladimir Putin of committing atrocities by bombarding cities in his invasion of Ukraine.

Hour by hour, minute by minute, more people are fleeing the terrifying reality of violence. Countless have been displaced inside the country.

And unless there is an immediate end to the conflict, millions more are likely to be forced to flee Ukraine. https://t.co/xaqPKCNDXF pic.twitter.com/rpg0uoKQYm
— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) March 3, 2022

The International Criminal Court (ICC) opened an investigation on Wednesday night after the UK and 37 allies referred Russia over what the Prime Minister described as “abhorrent” attacks.