Day 101 of the Invasion of Ukraine: Russian Forces Pushed Back East, Putin wants the Ports Demined

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Ukraine: Russian forces have been pushed east

Russian artillery struck Ukraine's eastern Donbas with fierce fighting around the city of Sievierodonetsk, but the local governor said there had been some progress in repelling the invading forces. Ukrainian troops continue to resist a complete takeover of the city. "They didn't take it completely," said Luhansk Oblast Governor Sergei Gaidai, who said the invading forces had been pushed out by 20 percent. "As soon as we get a lot of Western long-range weapons, we'll push their artillery back ... and then the Russian infantry will flee."

Ukrainian troops still hold an industrial zone in Sievierodonetsk, Gaidai said, a scenario reminiscent of Mariupol, where the steel plant was the last stronghold of resistance in the port city. The situation in Lysychansk, the twin city of Sievierodonetsk on the other side of the local river, seems increasingly worrying. About 60% of infrastructure and housing have been destroyed, and internet, mobile networks and gas services have been cut off, Mayor Alexander Zaika said. In the town of Slavyansk, about 80km south of Sievierodonetsk, the mayor called on residents to evacuate due to heavy bombing. Water and electricity have been cut off. "The situation is getting worse," student Gulnara Evgaripova told AFP as she boarded a minibus to leave the city. Paramedic Ekaterina Perednenko added: "I'm afraid there will be nothing to return to."

Kyiv keeps in touch with captured Azovstal fighters

Ukrainian intelligence services have been in contact with Ukrainian defense fighters at the Azovstal...