BBC News 20/03/22

Russian advances have ground to a halt in many areas, with Ukrainian

forces holding out in several cities and also launching effective
counterattacks.
Here are the latest developments on day 25 of the invasion:
 Fighting taking place on streets in the centre of Mariupol as shelling
continues
 Russian troops are trying to bring artillery to within range of central Kyiv
 Ukrainian forces holding on to Kharkiv and repel an advance to the south of
the city
 Russian naval forces remain off the coast of Odesa in the Black Sea

Russia launched its attack in the early hours of 24 February, but more than
three weeks into the war its forces have failed to build on initial gains they
made across the country.
The failure of the initial campaign to seize major cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv and
Odesa could result in a "very violent and bloody" stalemate that could last for
weeks or months, warns the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The ferocity of the Ukrainian resistance has meant Russian forces have been
forced to change their approach, according to the UK Ministry of Defence
(MoD).
They are now pursuing a "strategy of attrition" which could result in increased
civilian casualties and greater destruction of cities in the coming days,
assessed the MoD.
The fight for Kyiv in the north
Russian forces have been attempting to encircle and cut off the capital, but
large areas around Kyiv remain under Ukrainian control, especially in the
south.
Ukrainian generals in Kyiv have said their focus at the moment is on keeping
Russian artillery out of range of the city centre, but shelling continues to cause
casualties and destroy homes.
Russian troops advancing on the capital have faced strong Ukrainian
resistance and also had serious logistical problems, with many vehicles
running out of fuel.

The closest Russian troops to the north west of Kyiv are in the suburbs of
Bucha and Irpin, about 25km (15 miles) from the city centre, but they have
failed to cross the Irpin River so far.
That river and others across the city, as well as difficult terrain like marshlands
and bogs, have helped Ukrainian forces slow Russian advances so far.
A Russian advance from the east has stalled around the suburb of Brovary,
about 20km (12 miles) away from the centre of Kyiv. Taking the suburb would
bring the Russian howitzer guns within range of the city centre.