Ukrainian forces have launched a counteroffensive near the Russian-held town of Izium in eastern Ukraine, a regional governor said, in what could prove a serious setback for Moscow's plans to capture the entire Donbas region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has told his armed forces they are fighting for their country at a parade of Russian firepower in Moscow while his troops stepped up their 10-week-old assault on Ukraine.
The Italian government has ordered the seizure of a luxury yacht worth some $700 million that has been linked in the media to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged the West to give Ukraine tanks, planes and missiles to fend off Russian forces as his government said Moscow's forces were targeting the country's fuel and food depots.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has justified the invasion of Ukraine before a packed soccer stadium but coverage of his speech on state television was unexpectedly interrupted by what the Kremlin said was a technical problem with a server.
Allies from the US, Canada and Europe have announced sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin as anger grows over his country's invasion of Ukraine.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated Australia won't send troops to Ukraine in the event of an invasion by Russia but will provide practical assistance to allies.
