LAST UPDATE | 11 Mar 2022

THREE CITIES IN UKRAINE were attacked overnight for the first time as Russian forces edge closer to the capital of Kyiv.

Ukrainian authorities have said civilian targets continue to come under Russian shelling, as people continue to attempt to flee the bombardment. Russian forces are currently encircling at least four major cities in the country.

Here are the main points you need to know today:

• The Journal‘s reporter Niall O’Connor is bringing us coverage from the Polish border.
• In a video message on Telegram today, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the actions of European politicians needed to reflect the mood of the European public.
• Emergency services in the city of Dnipro said a kindergarten, apartment building and shoe factory were targeted overnight, with one person reported dead. 
• The UN has said two other Ukrainian maternity hospitals have been attacked and destroyed, including one in Zhytomyr, west of Kyiv, in addition to the Mariupol attack.
• The mayor of the capital Kyiv has said the city has been “transformed into a fortress“.
• The UN Security Council met today after Russia said biological weapons were being developed in Ukraine, claims both Washington and Kyiv deny. US and UK governments have said the allegations are a sign Moscow could soon use the weapons itself.
• No vodka, no diamonds, no luxury goods: The US and EU imposed more sanctions on Russian imports and exports.
• Trade union Siptu called on the government to turn away a cargo ship carrying Russian oil that is due to land in Dublin Port tomorrow.
• Zelenskyy said Moscow launched a tank attack on a humanitarian corridor where he had dispatched a convoy to try to get food, water and medicine into Mariupol, which has been relentless targeted.
• Yesterday’s talks between Moscow and Kyiv’s foreign ministers ended without any progress.
• Irish student Racheal Diyaolu arrived home last night after being trapped in the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine when the country was invaded.
• €20 million in humanitarian funding has been allocated by the Irish government to support people in Ukraine
• The UN’s refugee agency estimates more than 2.5 million refugees have left Ukraine since the invasion.

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